http://www.elca.org/newsOfficial news releases of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Americahttp://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rssen-usFri, 20 Nov 2009 17:43:40 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=4353http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4353Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:00:00 GMT CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Declaring that "God's mission is serious work that calls for serious commitment," the presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) spelled out priorities for the ELCA churchwide organization in an open letter to members released Nov. 19. The Rev. Mark S. Hanson also invited them to join him in an online "town hall forum" Dec. 6 at 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time (4:30 p.m. CST). Hanson also recorded a video, posted with the open letter at http:...http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4352http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4352Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:00:00 GMT CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) approved a charter for a comprehensive study of the ELCA and its future mission. A task force will conduct the study with the goal of bringing a report with recommendations to the 2011 ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Orlando. The council is the ELCA's board of directors and serves as the legislative authority of the church between churchwide assemblies. It met here Nov. 13-15. The pro...http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4351http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4351Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:00:00 GMT CHICAGO (ELCA) -- As people throughout the United States prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a report this week that shows a significant increase in hunger in U.S. households. That's not surprising, said Nancy D. Arnison, director of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's (ELCA) World Hunger Program. But the extent of the increase is surprising, particularly the statistics for children, said Arnison. USDA's Economic Resea...http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4350http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4350Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:00:00 GMT CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) adopted a revision to the reinstatement process for former clergy and other professional leaders who were removed from the church's official rosters for disciplinary reasons or resigned in lieu of discipline -- solely because they were in a lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationship. The change, adopted Nov. 15, applies to former ELCA associates in ministry, deaconesses, diaconal minis...http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4349http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4349Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:00:00 GMT CHICAGO (ELCA) -- In response to a need for specific policy language to address current immigration matters, the Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) approved a social policy resolution on immigration Nov. 14. The resolution, "Toward Compassionate, Just and Wise Immigration Reform," addresses family and workplace issues, enforcement of immigration laws, protection of refugees and forced migration. The council is the ELCA's board of directors and ...http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4348http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4348Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:00:00 GMT CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) acted Nov. 15 to reduce the 2010 churchwide current fund spending authorization by nearly $7.7 million, 10 percent less than the budget authorized by the 2009 Churchwide Assembly. The council's action eliminated 40.75 full-time equivalent positions, of which six were vacant. The Church Council is the ELCA's board of directors and serves as the legislative authority of the church between c...http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4347http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4347Fri, 13 Nov 2009 06:00:00 GMT CHICAGO (ELCA) -- In a wide-ranging report Nov. 13 to the Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop called for "strong leadership" from council members. At the same time, he addressed a proposed 10 percent cut in the churchwide organization's 2010 current fund spending plan which, if approved, will reduce funding for ministries and eliminate several staff positions. "I can say with all confidence that th...http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4346http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4346Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:00:00 GMT CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) will honor journalist Roxana Saberi, graduate of Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn., with its 2010 Award of Valor. Concordia is one of 28 colleges and universities of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The award is presented to current or former student-athletes, coaches or administrators who have shown uncommon bravery and courage in the face of grave personal danger, according to a news re...http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4345http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4345Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:00:00 GMT CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The board of trustees at Midland Lutheran College, Fremont, Neb., elected Dr. Benjamin Sasse the 14th president of the 126- year-old liberal arts college. Midland is one of 28 colleges and universities of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Dr. Stephen Fritz has served as Midland's interim president since June 1, 2007, when Dr. Steven E. Titus stepped down as president. Fritz will continue to serve as interim until Sasse takes office in late spri...http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4344http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4344Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:00:00 GMT CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Herbert F. Brokering, pastor, author, lyricist, speaker and hymn writer of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), died Nov. 7 of congestive heart failure at his apartment in Bloomington, Minn., according to his son, Mark. A memorial service is planned for Nov. 21 at Central Lutheran Church, Minneapolis. Brokering, 83, was a member of St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Bloomington. "Herb Brokering's legacy includes carefully crafted words on...http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4343http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4343Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:00:00 GMT CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The governing board of the National Council of Churches USA (NCC) elected Kathryn M. Lohre on Nov. 10 to become the 26th president of the NCC in 2013. Lohre is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and assistant director of the Pluralism Project at Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass. Lohre becomes NCC president-elect on Jan. 1, 2010, and president three years later. The current president-elect, the Rev. Peg Chemberlin, will serve those...http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4342http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4342Mon, 9 Nov 2009 06:00:00 GMT WASHINGTON (ELCA) -- In a public demonstration of support for climate change legislation, faith leaders gathered Nov. 5 here on the lawn of the U.S. Capitol. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) joined several other religious organizations in co-sponsoring the event which included a ceremony of prayer, music and testimony reflecting on the need for climate change legislation. The current climate change legislation in the U.S. Senate is "a mixed bag" according to Ma...http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4341http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4341Sat, 7 Nov 2009 06:00:00 GMT CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Nurturing the living, caring for the wounded and honoring the dead is the work of the many military chaplains responding to this week's deadly shooting at Fort Hood, Texas, said Col. Michael T. Lembke of III Corps. Lembke is an Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) chaplain serving at Fort Hood, where he is senior chaplain. Lembke, ELCA Chaplain Lt. Col. Richard E. Brunk Jr., and other chaplains at the U.S. Army installation are listening to the needs o...http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4340http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4340Fri, 6 Nov 2009 06:00:00 GMT 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=4339http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4339Thu, 5 Nov 2009 06:00:00 GMT 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=4338http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4338Thu, 5 Nov 2009 06:00:00 GMT 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=4337http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4337Wed, 4 Nov 2009 06:00:00 GMT 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=4336http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4336Mon, 2 Nov 2009 06:00:00 GMT 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=4335http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4335Mon, 2 Nov 2009 06:00:00 GMT 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=4334http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4334Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT 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/ScriptLib/CO/ELCA_News/emblemforreleases.gifhttp://www.elca.org/news