SEPA Update for Rostered Leaders / February 13, 2009

February 13, 2009

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Prayers for Buffalo crash

Please pray for all those affected by the tragic airplane crash near Buffalo last night. We have learned that Zion Lutheran in Clarence Center, where the crash occurred, is reaching out to rescue workers and the family whose home was destroyed, and that a family that is part of an ELCA church in Williamsville, NY has been affected. Many families both in Buffalo and in the Newark/New York metro area have been affected.

ELCA sexuality draft to be released Feb. 19

The ELCA Task Force that has been preparing a social statement on human sexuality will release draft documents to the public on Feb. 19. The drafts will be available on the ELCA website at 1 pm Eastern Time next Thursday.

The documents will be reviewed by the ELCA Church Council, which will forward a recommendation for action to the Churchwide Assembly meeting this August. The Task Force's report will also include make a recommendation regarding any proposed changes in the church's policies regarding the rostering of leaders in same-gender relationships.

Below is an email released by the ELCA Division for Church in Society:

Message from ELCA Division for Church in Society

February 13, 2009

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ:

Grace and peace to you as we prepare to remember the transfiguration of our Lord.

This update brings information about the next steps in the work of the Task Force for ELCA Studies on Sexuality.

As you know the 2001 ELCA Churchwide Assembly requested that this church develop a social statement on human sexuality. The 2009 Churchwide Assembly will discuss and make a determination about the social statement.

As mandated by the 2007 Churchwide Assembly, the task force also has prepared a report and recommendation to "address and make recommendations to the 2009 Churchwide Assembly on changes to any policies that preclude practicing homosexual persons from the rosters of this church" (CA07.06.27).

The proposed social statement and the report, as well as supplementary material, will be made available to the general public on February 19 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern time at www.elca.org/faithfuljourney on the ELCA Web site.

These documents will be reviewed by the ELCA Church Council, March 27-30 2009. The council may choose to amend the proposed social statement and will recommend action on it. The task force's report on ministry policies and the council's recommendations for action will be forwarded to the 2009 Churchwide Assembly, which will be held August 17-23, 2009, in Minneapolis.

Please keep in mind these points about the proposed social statement and the report and recommendation on ministry policies and possible responses to them:
1. Both documents were created by a task force made up of people with diverse backgrounds and opinions. The task force received and considered responses from ELCA members to the Draft Social Statement on Human Sexuality.
2. Many synods will respond to these documents by adopting memorials at their synod assemblies for consideration by the 2009 Churchwide Assembly.

The task force thanks you for your accompaniment in this journey together and your leadership role in receiving and studying both the proposed social statement and the report and recommendation on ministry policies. We will continue to pray for your ministry and ask for your prayers as the ELCA now considers the work of the task force.

Kind regards,

The Rev. Rebecca S. Larson
Executive Director
ELCA Church in Society

New Council Members' workshop March 21

Update: This web page now has a link to online registration at the LTSP website.

"What Council Members Need to Know: A Conference for Newly Elected Council Members" will be held Saturday, March 21 from 8:30 a.m.-3:45 p.m. at the Hagan Amphitheater at The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (LTSP). Your congregation may send up to four newly elected persons. Cost is $40 per person and includes tuition, a handbook, lunch and resources. More information and registration forms are available on our website.