|
Current
Releases |
News Blog ELCA Council Recommends 2009 Assembly Rules, Acts on other Topics
November 21, 2008; 08-196-MRC/FI/JB
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) recommended rules of procedure to the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, focusing discussion on votes related to social statements and recommendations from a task force report, both of which will be considered at the next assembly.
The Church Council is the ELCA's board of directors and serves as the legislative authority of the church between churchwide assemblies. The council met here Nov. 14-17. Assemblies are held every other year; the next is Aug. 17-23, 2009, in Minneapolis.
The council's actions related to a proposed social statement on human sexuality, currently in the final writing stages, and a separate report with recommendations on ministry standards. Both documents are being prepared by a task force. They will become public Feb. 19, 2009, and will be ...<more>
![[Click for larger image] Empty medicine shelves at a hospital of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe](/Scriptlib/CO/ELCA_News/encImage.asp?image=3994) ELCA Takes Action to Address Food, Health Crisis in Zimbabwe
November 19, 2008; 08-195-MRC 
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The economic, political and social decline in Zimbabwe has taken a disastrous toll on the country's food supply and medical institutions, including four hospitals of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe (ELCZ). To help sustain the services of the hospitals, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is providing $600,000 to the ELCZ. The ELCA is allocating another $330,000 for the purchase of 90 metric tons of seed and fertilizer to help secure food production.
"Just 10 years ago Zimbabwe was in a completely different place. The country was known as the breadbasket of southern Africa," said the Rev. Benyam A. Kassahun, program director for Southern Africa, ELCA Global Mission. "Everything is now destroyed," he said, due to political fallout, land confiscation and mismanagement.
In October Kassahun traveled to ...<more>
![[Click for larger image] The Rev. Alton Zenker, 1933-2008](/Scriptlib/CO/ELCA_News/encImage.asp?image=3993) Alton Zenker, Former Lutheran Bishop, Dies
November 17, 2008; 08-194-FI
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Alton Zenker, former bishop of the Central/Southern Illinois Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), died Nov. 12 at his home in Hot Springs Village, Ark. He was 75.
A funeral service is planned for Nov. 19 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, (Flatville) Thomasboro, Ill. Christ Lutheran Church, Hot Springs Village, will hold a memorial service on Nov. 24.
"He was a significant example of faithful ministry, an articulate mentor on proper Lutheran theology and an incredibly patient golf partner the few times we were able to get together on the greens. I will miss him, but I will always be grateful for his influence in my life and ministry," said the Rev. Warren D. Freiheit, bishop, ELCA Central/Southern Illinois Synod, Springfield.
"I grieve the loss of Pastor Al Zenker," said the Rev. ...<more>
|
