July 30, 2003
by Jessica A. Crane

CHICAGO - Voting members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) addressed a variety of local, national and international concerns through actions at synod assemblies. Synod assemblies began April 25 and concluded June 28 of this year.

Actions that occurred at assemblies held since mid-June included:

. Health care: The West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod assembly adopted a resolution to direct the synod's Committee of Pastoral Support to investigate, review and take action on Board of Pensions coverage of prophylactic and diagnostic health care.

. Liberia: The Upper Susquehanna Synod assembly adopted a resolution to raise political awareness of the situation in Liberia and to "support our brothers and sisters in Liberia" through political action and prayer.

. Execution: The Upper Susquehanna Synod assembly adopted a resolution requesting a three-year moratorium on executions. The resolution is to be sent to Pennsylvania Governor Edward Rendell and to all state senators and representatives that represent the area within the synod.

. Stewardship: The Northwestern Iowa Synod assembly adopted a resolution calling for congregations to encourage tithing and continue stewardship education programs. Ministries of the synod and the ELCA should be integrated into mission statements and budgets of congregations within the synod, the resolution added.

. Inclusive language: The Northwestern Iowa Synod assembly adopted a resolution that synod assembly worship services "will use inclusive and expansive language for God."

. Chaplaincy: The Northwestern Iowa Synod assembly adopted a resolution urging Lutheran Services in Iowa to retain the chaplaincy position at the University of Iowa hospitals and clinics, and encouraging congregations of the synod to give financial support to Lutheran Services in Iowa.

. World Hunger: The Central States Synod assembly adopted a resolution calling for a $4 per person offering to the World Hunger Appeal and the Domestic and International Disaster Response this year. It also asked that each congregation name an advocate to work with area hunger appeal advocates.

The Northwestern Minnesota Synod adopted a resolution encouraging congregations to increase their giving to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal and encouraged congregations to identify one contact person each to work toward increasing giving to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal.

. Sexuality: The Southwestern Minnesota Synod assembly tabled a resolution affirming the good of marriage and family, and disapproving of same-sex unions.

. Rural ministry: The Southwestern Minnesota Synod assembly adopted a resolution calling for the synod to "establish a voice for the national efforts of the ELCA in addressing challenges facing small town and rural ministry (STaR) by representation in the ELCA STaR Ministry Alliance."

. Historic episcopate: The Southwestern Minnesota Synod assembly adopted a resolution urging amendments be made to the ELCA constitution and bylaws that will freely permit ordination/installation with or without participation of bishops in Episcopal succession and that these options have equal standing in the ELCA.

. The Northwestern Minnesota Synod assembly adopted a resolution to make available to congregations a 7-week lectionary, "Celebration in Creation."

. Gun law: The Northwestern Minnesota Synod assembly adopted a resolution supporting the actions of the Edina Community Lutheran Church, Edina, Minn., in its lawsuit calling for the State to review its 'conceal and carry' firearms law.

. Fairly traded coffee: The Sierra Pacific Synod assembly adopted a resolution calling for Lutheran consumers to "endeavor to buy fairly traded coffee" and encouraged the synod and congregations to use exclusively fairly traded coffee at church functions.

. Continued synod existence: The Slovak Zion Synod assembly passed a resolution asking the ELCA Church Council to hear the concerns of the synod and the synod's wish to continue existence as a non-geographical synod of the ELCA.

ELCA News Service
Jessica A. Crane is completing her bachelor of arts degree at Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn. This summer she is an intern with ELCA News and Media Production.