http://www.elca.org/news Official news releases of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 2009-11-06T17:03:36 CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) are among those helping in the aftermath of a tragedy at Fort Hood, Texas. An Army psychiatrist allegedly shot and killed 13 people and injured another 30 people Nov. 5 on the grounds of the country's largest military base. The Rev. Michael T. Lembke is an ELCA pastor and chaplain for III Corps at Fort Hood. His daughter, Heidi Lembke, is a seminary intern at Immanuel Lutheran Church, an ELCA congre... http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4340 http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4340 2009-11-05T15:15:18 CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) joined others in welcoming a decision by U.S. President Barack Obama to remove entry restrictions into the United States for people who are HIV-positive. "Ending discriminatory policies and confronting stigmatizing attitudes toward people living with HIV and AIDS are essential for their full inclusion in society and religious communities," said Hanson, who is also president of the Luther... http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4339 http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4339 2009-11-05T14:55:32 CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Selected programs of "Grace Matters," the radio ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), are being made available in downloadable and podcast forms at the Web site for Odyssey Networks. Earlier this year ELCA Communication Services stopped production of Grace Matters because of budget reductions. The ministry, formerly known as "Lutheran Vespers," had been on the air since 1947. Each week Grace Matters' 30-minute programs, hosted by ... http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4338 http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4338 2009-11-04T17:40:05 CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Many North Dakota Lutherans have joined people throughout the country in mourning the drowning deaths of three students at Dickinson (N.D.) State University, the result of a tragic accident, law enforcement officials said. The bodies of the students -- Ashley Neufeld, Kyrstin Gemar and Afton Williamson -- were found Nov. 3 in a vehicle submerged in a pond near Dickinson. The three women all played on the university's softball team. Authorities believe the trio... http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4337 http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4337 2009-11-02T14:08:02 CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Two leaders of the Lutheran Coalition for Renewal (CORE) said, with a "resounding yes," they are serious about their endeavors as an organization. They also said they "take no joy in following a process that will likely lead Lutheran CORE to depart from the ELCA's (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) institutional life and ministry." The comments were in a letter written by the Rev. Kenneth H. Sauer and the Rev. Paull E. Spring -- both former ELCA synod bi... http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4336 http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4336 2009-11-02T13:50:03 CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The declaration of a national emergency has raised a number of questions across the United States about safely assembling for school and worship during the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic. Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Worship and Liturgical Resources answered many of those questions in a resource titled "Worship in Times of Public Health Concerns." U.S. President Barack Obama signed an Oct. 24 proclamation that "the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic i... http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4335 http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4335 2009-10-30T14:00:57 CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Paul O. Manz, a well-known Lutheran organist, composer, church musician and teacher, died Oct. 28 after several weeks of hospice care in St. Paul, Minn. Manz, 90, was surrounded by family at his death as they sang "E'en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come," his most famous choral work. A memorial service is planned for Nov. 8 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, St. Paul, said Manz's son, the Rev. John C. Manz, a pastor at Gloria Dei, where the elder Manz attended. A... http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4334 http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4334 2009-10-30T13:00:54 WASHINGTON (ELCA) -- Protecting children and keeping immigrant families together were repeated concerns raised by a committee of Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) bishops discussing issues of immigration. The group met with Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) staff and others to discuss the status of immigration reform and refugee protection services, and visited with members of Congress here Oct. 28-29. The Rev. H. Julian Gordy, bishop, ELCA Southeaster... http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4333 http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4333 2009-10-29T16:20:46 CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The directors of the Wittenberg Center of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will end their service in Germany Nov. 30, the result of "harsh budget realities," according to the Rev. Robert O. Smith, ELCA Global Mission. Smith made the comment in an Oct. 19 letter sent to ELCA church companions and other partners in Germany. The departures of the Rev. Stephen E. and Dr. Jean Godsall-Myers leave the future of the center uncertain, said Smith, cont... http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4332 http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4332 2009-10-29T14:28:36 CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Throughout the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), leaders and members have responded in a variety of ways to changes in the church's ministry polices, a decision made by voting members of the 2009 Churchwide Assembly. Some members agreed with the decision. Some were opposed. Some weren't sure how to react. Since the assembly, some ELCA congregations have taken votes to leave the denomination or redirect funds away from the ELCA. Leaders and members... http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4331 http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4331 2009-10-28T15:27:44 CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Margot Kaessmann, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hannover, was elected Oct. 28 to chair the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD). Kaessmann, 51, is the first woman has become the highest representative of 25 million German Protestants. She is also the youngest chairperson of the EKD council. Kaessmann was elected to a six-year term by the EKD's highest governing body, its synod, meeting in Ulm, Germany. The lone candidate, Kaessma... http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4330 http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4330 2009-10-27T13:14:01 CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Enhancing the quality of relationships among churches in the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and embarking on a participatory planning process to ensure the organization's sustainability are priorities for the organization's general secretary elect, the Rev. Martin Junge. The LWF is 140 churches in the Lutheran tradition in 79 countries, representing 68.5 million Christians. The 49-member LWF governing council elected the Chilean theologian Oct. 26 at it... http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4329 http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4329 2009-10-27T13:04:54 CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is seeing the "first fruits" of a challenge gift from the ELCA Mission Investment Fund (MIF). Four seminarians received the first full-tuition scholarships from the ELCA Mission Developer Scholarship Fund, and another eight seminarians received full-tuition scholarships from the ELCA Fund for Leaders at an Oct. 22 banquet here. The new ELCA Mission Developer Scholarship Fund will support seminarians studying to... http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4328 http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4328 2009-10-27T10:02:25 CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Solmaz Institute for Obesity will work to prevent and treat childhood obesity in the Catawba Valley region of North Carolina. That work will be made possible by a $3 million gift to Lenoir- Rhyne University, Hickory, N.C. from Gungor and Diana Solmaz of Denver, N.C. Lenoir-Rhyne is one of 28 colleges and universities of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The gift and plans to create the institute were announced at an Oct. 21 news conference... http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4327 http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4327 2009-10-26T12:49:26 CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Carlos Peña, vice president of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), wrote an Oct. 23 letter to the church's 4.6 million members, asking them to consider actions of the ELCA's 2009 Churchwide Assembly "as a catalyst to further strengthen our church and our relationships with each other." Peña related his experiences of devastation after Hurricane Ike struck his hometown of Galveston, Texas, in September 2008. "One year later, I can see the benefit... http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4326 http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4326 2009-10-26T11:56:10 CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Joy Mortensen-Wiebe is looking for congregations in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's (ELCA) East-Central Synod of Wisconsin to define mission. "We want mission to come from the community, and we're looking to (congregations) to define what mission means in their local contexts," she said. Mortensen-Wiebe, who serves as the synod's director for evangelical mission, said mission for her is about "getting the Good News of Jesus Christ everywh... http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4325 http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4325 2009-10-26T11:38:33 CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Council elected the Rev. Martin Junge on Oct. 26 to a seven-year term as the eighth LWF General Secretary. The former president of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chile (Iglesia Evangelica Luterana en Chile - IELC) becomes the first general secretary from the Latin America and Caribbean region. At the end of October 2010, Junge, 48, will succeed the Rev. Ishmael Noko, who became the first African to serve as LWF General S... http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4324 http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4324 2009-10-25T14:37:57 GENEVA, Switzerland (ELCA) -- In a report highlighting changing contexts of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and its respective member churches, the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, LWF president, urged the organization's council to make decisions that reflect commitment to "a sustainable and strong LWF going into the future." Hanson is also presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). In a wide-ranging report to the council Oct. 23, Hanson noted that, while the LWF h... http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4323 http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4323 2009-10-22T13:53:48 CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America eliminated seven full-time positions from its churchwide staff, the result of a reduction in the organization's 2010 budget. "The Lutheran," the magazine of the ELCA, will eliminate two positions from its staff in 2010 because of circulation and advertising declines. Affected staff members were notified Oct. 20 that their positions will be eliminated Jan. 31, 2010. The executive board of Women of the ELC... http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4322 http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4322 2009-10-22T10:20:56 CHICAGO (ELCA) -- This holiday season the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is offering exclusive gift ideas designed to help change the lives of people close to home and around the world. "ELCA Good Gifts," the church's yearlong giving catalog, features 19 pages of gift ideas designed to support the mission and ministries of the ELCA that "nourish, nurture, heal and inspire." Gifts can be purchased through the catalog or the newly designed http://www.ELCA.org/goodg... http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4321 http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4321