wfn.org | ELCA Assembly Embraces 'Unity' Resolution

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ELCA Assembly Embraces 'Unity' Resolution
CWA-30-05-JS

     ORLANDO, Fla. (ELCA) -- Voting members at the 2005 ELCA
Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
(ELCA) began official deliberations on matters of sexuality by
urging the ELCA to remain united as a church, despite its widely
differing beliefs on homosexuality.
     The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of
the ELCA, is meeting here August 8-14 at the World Center
Marriott and Convention Center. About 2,300 people are
participating, including 1,018 ELCA voting members. The theme for
the biennial assembly is "Marked with the Cross of Christ
Forever."
     In the first resolution, adopted by a vote of 851-127, the
ELCA stated that "its members, congregations, synods, churchwide
organization, and agencies and institutions -- be urged to
concentrate on finding ways to live together faithfully in the
midst of disagreements, recognizing the God-given mission and
communion that we share as members of the body of Christ."
     The recommendation is one of three before the assembly
today, Aug. 12. The second and third recommendations attempt to
answer two questions related to the church's ministry: whether or
not to allow pastors to perform blessings of same-sex
relationships and whether the church should ordain gay or lesbian
candidates and other rostered leaders in life-long, committed and
faithful same-sex relationships.
     Before discussion began, the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA
presiding bishop and chair of the assembly, summarized the
process undertaken by the church, which began its study following
actions of the 2001 Churchwide Assembly.  Hanson told the voting
members "the Church Council formed a task force for the ELCA
studies on sexuality. The task force invited the whole church
along with our partner churches to 'Journey Together Faithfully.'
We have done this work well. We've listened to each other. We've
learned from each other. We've prayed for and with each other.
And I believe we've journeyed together faithfully."
     The recommendation was not amended in discussion that lasted
40 minutes. The first voting member to speak, the Rev. Eric D.
Ash Sr., ELCA Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod, said,  "Our Lord
Jesus Christ prayed that all of his followers might be one; unity
therefore should be a high priority for us."  He continued,
"There will continue to be disagreements over the controversial
issues that will be decided here today. But let us begin our
process by affirming our desire to live together in the faith and
unity of Christ."
     Louis Hesse, voting member, ELCA Eastern Washington-Idaho
Synod, questioned the appropriateness of an assembly vote on
unity. "The surest sign of disunity is scheduling a vote on
unity," he said.  "Unity is a gift of God. It either is or is
not."  Hesse concluded, "The issue of unity should not even be
coming before this assembly."
     Stephanie M. Quigg, voting member, ELCA Southeastern
Minnesota Synod, told the assembly, "I have a close family member
who is lesbian, and when I told her I would plan to vote against
any change in the church -- even though we are in different
sexual places -- we still were able to live together and have a
very close relationship in spite of our differences."  She felt
the church should be able to do the same.
      The Rev. Kurt Handrich, voting member, ELCA South-Central Synod
of Wisconsin, indicated that to him, the first recommendation was
the "most essential of the three resolutions" before the church
at this assembly.
     The assembly went to work on the second recommendation of
the three, with discussion scheduled to continue in the afternoon
of Aug. 12.
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     Information about the ELCA Churchwide Assembly is at
http://www.elca.org/assembly/05 on the Web.

For more information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org 
http://www.elca.org/news