Assembly News and Updates

By a 942-34 vote, the assembly adopted “Genetics, Faith and Responsibility” a social statement on genetics. The statement is one of the first by an American church that develops a comprehensive ethical framework for addressing human power and issues such as medical, agricultural and cultural concerns. It is the 11th social statement for the ELCA and required a two-thirds vote for adoption. With a 929-40 vote, the assembly adopted the implementing resolutions (as amended) associated with “Genetics, Faith and Responsibility.”

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The 2011 ELCA Churchwide Assembly honored John G. Kapanke, who has served as the only president of the Board of Pensions since the beginning of this church since 1987.

The presidents of the ELCA’s eight seminary presidents were introduced to the assembly and acknowledged for their leadership.

The Rev. Joseph Livenson Lauvanus, president of the Eglise Lutherienne d’Haiti (The Lutheran Church of Haiti), delivered a special thank you to members of the ELCA for its accompaniment, especially as Haiti continues to recover from a January 2010 earthquake.

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ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson welcomed Dr. Sayyid M. Sayeed, national director for the Office for Interfaith and Community Alliances of the Islamic Society of North America.

Hanson said this is the first time an ELCA Churchwide Assembly has welcomed and heard from an Islamic leader, representing the largest Islamic organization in the United States.

“Peace be with you,” said Dr. Sayeed. The assembly responded with, “and also with you.”

“It is certainly an historic honor to be with you today,” Sayeed told the assembly. “Today the ELCA has broken [stereotypes] when it established a committee on Lutheran-Muslim relationships, and that committee has [shared] that we love you.” The assembly applauded in response.

“We have worked with your organization and leaders [and] we have seen this tireless leader of yours, who’s been here for hours and hours. But I’ve seen him in the corridors of power speaking the truth about issues … whether it is about peace in the Middle East or anti-Muslim bigotry in America,” said Sayeed.

“Lutherans and Muslims stand together against the veil of anti-Muslim sentiment that we have experienced together,” he said. “Lutherans bring piety and righteousness; they are the ones that paved a new dialogue and discourse away from crusades of different kinds, whether it was slavery or religious bigotry.”

“Lutherans have played a major role in educating America about the suffering of Palestinians,” he said, adding that the ELCA’s partnership on issues has been very valuable.

“Just like you have been instrumental in changing the discourse during the last millennium, we are working together in shaping the new millennium,” said Sayeed.

He said in the past millennium there was a huge mountain of discrimination and hate, and that Lutherans and Muslims must work together in removing mountains of misunderstanding. “No one can do this alone, it’s a collective responsibility,” he said,

“It is a new millennium – your leadership is critical, your understanding is critical not only for this country but for the entire globe. You have set certain standards of cooperation, of understanding, those are a great asset for us, and it’s with this kind of understanding that we will be moving forward,” said Sayeed. “We pray God almighty to bless us and together deliver this mission that is ours.”

The assembly stood in standing ovation, with Sayeed and Hanson embraced.

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“Since 1997, this church has establishes full-communion relationships with six partner churches,” said the ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson, adding that these relationship are bearing fruit within synods and among congregations. 

The ELCA is in full communion agreements with the Moravian Church, the Presbyterian Church USA, Reformed Church in America, the United Church of Christ, The Episcopal Church, and the United Methodist Church. 

Hanson introduced the Rev. Gradye Parsons, the Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church USA, who addressed the assembly.

Gradye shared a story with the assembly about how full communion partnership was exemplified in Joplin, Mo, a town devastated by a tornado earlier this year. Peace Lutheran Church, the only ELCA congregation in Joplin, was destroyed. Members of this congregation were welcomed by members of Bethany Presbyterian Church, located seven blocks away. Bethany opened its sanctuary, and members of Peace held worship at Bethany. 

Gradye also issued a challenge, primarily to Bishop Hanson, to identify a date where the two can travel together toJoplinand worship with both congregations, showing what it means to live in full communion. Hanson accepted.

Introduced with a standing ovation by the ELCA Churchwide Assembly, Hanson introduced the assembly’s ecumenical guests one by one.

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With an 880-58 vote, the assembly authorized the ELCA Church Council, in consultation with the Conference of Bishops and Communal Discernment Task Force, to establish a review process of current procedures for the development and adoption of social statements, following consideration of “Genetics, Faith and Responsibility” — the proposed social statement on genetics at the 2011 Churchwide Assembly, and to bring no social statements other than the genetics social statement until a completion of a review of the process for addressing social concerns based on a spirit of communal discernment. This review shall be completed and brought to the fall 2012 Church Council meeting, with a report to the 2013 Churchwide Assembly. During this review, the process for developing the criminal justice social statement and the justice for woman social statement may continue, excepting the process already under way on criminal justice social statement, which is to be completed and reported to the 2013 assembly.

This action was a substitute from the Reference and Counsel Committee to the ELCA Church Council’s primary recommendation and to the LIFT Implementing Resolution #10.

“Social statements are important documents for us as a church,” said ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson, as the assembly began its discussion about this church’s process for social statements.

Social statements “guide us as we ‘step forward as a public church’ because they form the basis for both this church’s public policy and my public speech as presiding bishop,” he said.

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The Churchwide Assembly considered a series of resolutions put forth from the Memorials Committee regarding the expansion of multicultural ministry (adopted by a 917-29 vote); addressing the International Year for People of African Descent (adopted by a 899-55 vote); and concerns surrounding bullying, harrassment and related violence (adopted by a 932-23 vote).

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With an 852-81 vote, the assembly approved recommendations on interrelationships and networks from the LIFT task force that would focus on strengthening the vitality of congregations in ways that also strengthen connections within and across the expressions and partners of this church. Amended text reflects that synods “may establish conferences, clusters, coalitions, area subdivisions, and networks as appropriate within its territory and in collaboration with other synods and partners as specified in the bylaws and continuing resolutions. The purpose of such groupings shall be to foster interdependent relationships for missional purposes among congregations, synods, the churchwide organization, and other partners.”

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A video greeting featuring Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) and Lutheran Services in America (LSA) was shown at the Churchwide Assembly.

In the video Linda Hartke, president and CEO of LIRS, invited the assembly to continue the Lutheran legacy of welcoming refugees into the United States.

Also in the video Jill Schumann, president and CEO of LSA, said LSA organizations work with 1 and 50 Americans and touches the lives of countless of people.

An update about ELCA Disaster Response was also shared via video. Through ELCA Disaster Response, members of this church reach out to people affected by disaster for long-term response, rebuilding and restoring lives.

“As you’ve seen, this has been an extraordinarily active year for natural disasters,” said ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson.  “This spring Christ Lutheran Church in Cullman, Ala., and Peace Lutheran Church in Joplin, Mo., were destroyed by tornados. Four congregations in Minot, N.D., were heavily damaged by flooding,” he said.

On behalf of this assembly, Hanson presented to congregations sets of communion vessels. “Every time they are used, may they remind you of the unity we share in Christ Jesus, of the centrality of worship in the life of this church, and of the ongoing support of your brothers and sisters in Christ,” said Hanson.

As the vessels were presented, the assembly offered a standing ovation and sang the hymn, “Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness.”

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At 4:50 p.m. today (Aug. 17), the 2011 ELCA Churchwide Assembly moved into college corporation meetings for four of the ELCA’s 27 colleges. The four are Dana College, Luther College, St. Olaf College and Wartburg College.

Prior to the meeting, ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson said “colleges and universities related to the ELCA remain a powerful engine for preparing young people to become candidates for rostered leadership in this church. About half of the candidates under age 30 for rostered leadership in the ELCA are graduates of our schools.”

Hanson introduced presidents of ELCA colleges and universities, many of who met earlier today to continue a conversation about the mission of higher education in the ELCA. But due to the late date of the assembly, many presidents had to be on campus at this time. Hanson shared the names of presidents who were present at the assembly and thank all presidents for their leadership.

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