http://www.elca.org/newsOfficial news releases of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Americahttp://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rssen-usThu, 2 Jul 2009 19:29:58 GMTEvangelical Lutheran Church in America. All Rights Reserved.20http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4170http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4170Thu, 2 Jul 2009 05:00:00 GMT CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Preachers, presiding ministers and Bible study leaders chosen for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's (ECLA) Churchwide Assembly in Minneapolis this August come from diverse backgrounds. The preachers, presiders and Bible study leaders were chosen by the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop. The Rev. Jennifer P. Ollikainen, associate for worship resources, said the goal with this group was to have "broad representation" of the church body. ...http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4169http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4169Thu, 2 Jul 2009 05:00:00 GMT CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC) asked a special finance task force to assess the impact of a decision by the board of neighboring McCormick Theological Seminary. McCormick will initiate a process to "disengage" from a real estate arrangement with LSTC as early as June 2010. LSTC is one of eight seminaries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). McCormick is one of 10 seminaries of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), which became ...http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4168http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4168Thu, 2 Jul 2009 05:00:00 GMT CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) expressed "heartfelt commitment" to the unity of the ELCA and "deep confidence" that unity will not be lost because of decisions that will be made at the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. The Rev. Mark S. Hanson commented on church unity in light of a proposed social statement on human sexuality, and a report and recommendation on ELCA ministry policies to be considered by the assembly. Hi...http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4167http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4167Wed, 1 Jul 2009 05:00:00 GMT WASHINGTON (ELCA) - During the Fourth of July congressional recess, a faith-based ad campaign will launch nationally to address the need for health care reform. The campaign includes airing radio ads featuring local pastors June 30 to July 4 in Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Nebraska and North Carolina, as well as meetings with members of Congress and building a grassroots movement to raise awareness of health care issues. The radio ads will air on Christian and mainstream rad...http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4166http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4166Tue, 30 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), led a Bible study at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada's (ELCIC) Biennial National Convention June 27. The ELCIC is Canada's largest Lutheran denomination with 162,100 baptized members in 611 congregations. The ELCIC's National Convention was held in Vancouver, British Columbia. Hanson drew his theme for the Bible study, "Living at the Intersection ...http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4164http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4164Tue, 30 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) provided $75,000 in humanitarian relief June 26 to help meet the needs of people in northern Pakistan. In the past few weeks military and insurgent actions have driven an estimated 3.5 million people away from their homes in the Swat region of Pakistan's North West Frontier Province. The ELCA sent the funds to Church World Service (CWS), which is working to respond to the needs of people there. The ELCA pa...http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4163http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4163Mon, 29 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is studying genetics in preparation for a social statement. The church has developed nine social statements in its 21-year history. Genetics is a broad and new topic that can be very intimidating, according to Dr. Per Anderson, professor of religion, Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn. He said the task force wants to develop a social statement that is committed to and in service of moral deliberation. "We'r...http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4162http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4162Mon, 29 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Tens of thousands of teenagers will converge on New Orleans for the Youth Gathering of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), a triennial event for the high school-age members of the 4.7 million-member church, and to work alongside those who build, teach and live in the area still recovering nearly four years after Hurricane Katrina. As many as 26,725 teenagers are registered to attend the gathering July 22-26. They will be accompanied by 8,593 adu...http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4161http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4161Fri, 26 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT HOME, Kan. (ELCA) -- Jesus is present wherever two or three are gathered in his name, according to the Gospel of Matthew. Friedens Lutheran Church draws four. Members meet weekly for Saturday night worship. At a recent service they belted out "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" and other hymns from a red 1950s Lutheran worship book. Geneva Reinhardt, 94, and her son Larry Reinhardt, 70, commanded the second pew. Fred Kupfersmith, 80, sat behind them. Betty Peterson, 76, play...http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4160http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4160Fri, 26 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT CHICAGO (ELCA) -- As church support lagged in recent decades, seminaries relied increasingly on endowments and using investment income to support their operating funds. Many of those investments retreated in the past year. The eight seminaries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), their governing boards, faculties and staffs responded with measures to cope and to plan for the future. + The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago cut $400,000 in spending from its...http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4159http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4159Thu, 25 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT CHICAGO (ELCA)-- Sixteen undergraduate, graduate and seminary students of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) were recognized by the Fund for Theological Education (FTE) as "2009 Fellows." The Fund, based in Atlanta, awarded more than $1.5 million in fellowships and program support to 163 students in the United States and Canada, representing more than 30 denominations. Recipients of 2009 FTE Fellowships will also attend leadership development events at Virgini...http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4158http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4158Tue, 23 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT CHICAGO (ELCA) -- For Howard Lamont being welcoming to the immigrant population is "simply part of the Christian message." "Congregations must develop a passion to reach out to strangers," said Lamont, a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Houston, a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). "Jesus would not have us build walls around our churches," he said. Lamont said he's been impressed with Houston's growing diversity since moving there in ...http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4157http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4157Mon, 22 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), has asked the church's 4.7 million members to pray and study Scripture for 50 days starting June 29, in preparation for the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. The assembly is the ELCA's highest legislative authority and meets every two years. The 2009 assembly is in Minneapolis Aug. 17-23. The assembly will act on a proposed social statement on human sexuality, ...http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4156http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4156Wed, 17 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Diana Luscombe spent the past two years being angry with God. "God and I have a rapport where I can yell. And I feel like God says, 'Bring it on.'" About two years ago Luscombe and her husband Mark, along with their 3-week old son and 22-month old daughter, were on their way to a church youth event. Luscombe was driving when the car veered off and hit a concrete median, causing the car to ricochet and roll three times landing on its roof. Their daughter's ca...http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4155http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4155Thu, 11 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Mark S. Hanson wrote letters to 14 Jewish leaders in the United States, expressing his "sadness and concern" at the shooting incident June 10 at the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. Hanson is presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the nation's largest Lutheran denomination. Stephen Tyrone Jones, a security guard at the memorial, was killed. Police shot and wounded the alleged shooter, an 88-year old man....http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4154http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4154Thu, 11 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Terry Cuthbertson hoped to bring the 2009 world horseshoe pitching tournament to Kansas, home of the first such championship 100 years ago. By a five-vote margin, members of the National Horseshoe Pitching Association (NHPA) opted to hold the July 27-Aug. 8 competition in Springfield, Ill. Kansas was a sentimental favorite, but Springfield won in part because of its proximity to the National Horseshoe Pitchers Hall of Fame, located 135 miles away in Wentzvill...http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4153http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4153Wed, 10 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT CHICAGO (ELCA) -- A survey conducted by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) revealed how the personal theological views of its lay leaders are influenced by contemporary religious thought in the United States. It evaluated the church's work in the Middle East and an initiative on reading the Bible. The tabulated responses showed how "a major popular focus of American religion" shapes the views of Lutheran leaders, said Dr. Kenneth W. Inskeep, executive for ELCA Research...http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4152http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4152Tue, 9 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is inviting congregations and individuals to submit 30- to 90-second videos in a contest related to the ELCA tagline, "God's work. Our hands." The contest begins June 15 and runs through July 15, the deadline date for submitting video entries. ELCA Communication Services is managing the contest for the churchwide organization. ELCA members have many stories to tell about how God works in the world, said K...http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4151http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4151Mon, 8 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT CHICAGO (ELCA) -- "Attitude is everything" was a phrase that Dr. George Tiller had made into buttons. Many mourners wore those buttons to his funeral June 6 at College Hill United Methodist Church, Wichita, Kan. Tiller was shot and killed the previous Sunday morning before worship at nearby Reformation Lutheran Church, where he was a member. "Attitude is everything ... but not our attitude," said the Rev. Lowell R. Michelson, Tiller's pastor, during the funeral sermon. "God's ...http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4150http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4150Thu, 4 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT CHICAGO (ELCA) -- U.S. President Barack Obama "extended an invitation to a different way of living together in the world," said the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), in response to the president's long-awaited speech June 4 in Cairo, Egypt on U.S.-Muslim relations. Obama said he came to Cairo to "seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world," based on mutual interest and respect. In ...http://www.elca.org/ScriptLib/CO/ELCA_News/emblemforreleases.gifhttp://www.elca.org/news