Women of the ELCA Tackles Community, Church, Global Issues

SALT LAKE CITY (ELCA) -- A hearing and three briefings offered participants of Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) opportunities for education and conversation July 10 between their 2008 convention and gathering. The hearing was related to the ELCA's draft social statement on human sexuality. The briefings dealt with commercial sexual exploitation, water issues, and women and children living in poverty. Women of the ELCA's Seventh Triennial Convention was July 8-10 here at the Salt Palace Convention Center. More than 2,000 women are expected July 10-13 for the Seventh Triennial Gathering of Women of the ELCA. The event theme, "Come to the Waters," focuses on the celebration of Baptism through Bible study, speakers, community service and worship.

ELCA Draft Social Statement on Human Sexuality About 50 people attended a hearing on the "Draft Social Statement on Human Sexuality," released in March 2008. The hearing is one of more than 100 hearings being held throughout the ELCA, inviting members to comment on contents of the document, said the Rev. Susan L. Engh, director for congregation-based organizing, ELCA Church in Society, Chicago, who represented the task force that developed the draft. ELCA members may submit comments on the draft until Nov. 1. In February 2009 the task force will release a proposed social statement which reflects input on the draft social statement. The social statement is to be presented for consideration to the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Minneapolis. Among the comments from those attending the hearing here were that the draft should deal more with the "theology of creation;" provide help to parents when they communicate with their children on sexuality matters; define which sexual behaviors are acceptable and which are not; be organized better; emphasize trust in relationships and reconciliation in Christ; and provide help to members with how to have a successful marriage. Participants affirmed some language, such as the emphasis on trust in relationships, while some advocated for altering or striking some of the draft language, such as references to repentance and celibacy. There was disagreement on whether marriage should be defined as between a man and a woman or between two adults, and there was disagreement on draft language that the church "does not wish to alter" the understanding that marriage is between a man and a woman. Some said Scripture should be the ultimate authority on sexuality matters, while others said Scripture can be used to exclude or hurt some people.

Commercial Sexual Exploitation In a briefing on ending commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking, the Rev. Ann M. Tiemeyer, program director for women's ministries, National Council of Churches USA, New York, outlined ways Lutherans can work to "break the cycle of supply and demand" to stop humans being "treated as commodities." "We know calling for legislation makes the crime more visible," Tiemeyer said. "It's part of the challenge and what makes it so important. Education is critically important in this issue so that people understand the depth of the problem." Janice Franck, Dunnell, Minn., worked for about 12 years with Adults Saving Kids, a program that aims to prevent commercial sexual exploitation and bring honor and accountability to all relationships. She said the challenges facing the program include uncommitted parents and aging congregations. "There isn't a commitment anymore like there used to be," Franck said. "You hope by praying for (the children) and encouraging them that they will be guided on the right path."

Water Issues Three women conducted a briefing on water issues: Dory Campbell, coordinator, Evangelical Lutheran Coalition for Mission in Appalachia, Indiana, Pa.; Kim Stietz, director for international public policy, ELCA Washington Office, Washington, D.C.; and the Rev. Teresita C. Valeriano, regional officer for North America, Lutheran World Federation (LWF), Chicago. Campbell described how mountaintop removal mining reduced the quality of water and increased the likelihood of flooding in nearby communities. She invited the audience to pray for those affected, learn more about the issues and take action. Stietz discussed progress made in recent years to improve water quality around the world and how to be involved in advocacy efforts to continue that progress. She said improving water quality is a critical element in achieving the U.N. Millennium Development Goals, which range from cutting extreme poverty in half to halting the spread of HIV and AIDS by 2015. Valeriano said women attending the 2003 LWF Assembly in Winnipeg, Manitoba, made water issues an emphasis for the federation. Lutheran women in other regions of the world have met to discuss issues related to conserving water and getting it to where it is needed, she said. The LWF is a communion of 141 member churches representing 68.3 million Lutherans in 79 countries.

Women and Children Living in Poverty In a briefing about helping women and children living in poverty, Josselyn Bennett, director for poverty ministries, ELCA Church in Society, Chicago, described efforts that the ELCA churchwide organization is making in providing grants for relief, development and organizing. Bennett said it's important to encourage all synods to be "good stewards" of the money they're provided. The demand for grants has increased while the amount of funds available has stayed virtually the same, she said. "We kind of live in this tension with this rising increase of requests," Bennett said. According to Bennett, some ELCA colleges and universities are offering free courses to those living in poverty, and a November grant-writing training program will be offered in Atlanta. Emily Hansen, associate for programs, Women of the ELCA, Chicago, said nearly $3 million in grants has been given by Women of the ELCA since 1988, with the largest of these gifts being offered annually to the ELCA World Hunger program. "We're doing a lot of exciting things as an organization," she said. - - - Information about the Women of the ELCA Seventh Triennial Convention is at http://www.womenoftheELCA.org/tg08/tc.html and that about the Women of the ELCA Seventh Triennial Gathering is at http://womenoftheELCA.org/tg08/ on the Web.

*Luke Tatge is a senior journalism major at Augustana College, Sioux Falls, S.D. This summer he is an intern with the ELCA News Service.

RE the draft statement on human sexuality:

Participants affirmed some language, such as the emphasis on trust in relationships, while some advocated for altering or striking some of the draft language, such as references to repentance and celibacy.

You mean there is actually "draft language" advocating repentance and affirming celibacy?

The ELCA News Service has a nasty little habit of waiting until late Friday afternoon to release loaded stories. The office is then conveniently closed for the weekend; the stories hit the local papers Saturday or Sunday morning nationwide; and the parish clergy are then turned into spin doctors or damage-control shock troops.

It's like the guy who passes a f@rt into a crowded elevator just as he is stepping off.

About 99% of what's wrong with the ELCA can be summed up in one line, on sexuality or anything else they take stands on:

Some said Scripture should be the ultimate authority on sexuality matters, while others said Scripture can be used to exclude or hurt some people.

About 99% of what's wrong with the ELCA can be summed up in one line, on sexuality or anything else they take stands on:

Some said Scripture should be the ultimate authority on sexuality matters, while others said Scripture can be used to exclude or hurt some people.

BINGO!

The canon intra Canon for far too many Lutherans is what the theologians call "Gospel reductionism"; that is, that Gospel is the most important aspect of Scripture. So far so good. But what is Gospel? The revisionistas hold that "Gospel" is that Jesus accepts sinners and is fully inclusive. Again, so far so good. But they also hold that there is no need for repentence except from "ism" sins such as racism, classism, and sexism in general and heterosexism (barf!) in particular.

some advocated for altering or striking some of the draft language, such as references to repentance and celibacy. There was disagreement on whether marriage should be defined as between a man and a woman or between two adults, ..snip...Some said Scripture should be the ultimate authority on sexuality matters, while others said Scripture can be used to exclude or hurt some people.

I laughed when I read this, but I also felt sadness..The laughter was the "I thought it was bad when I got out."
The sadness being that when you think it can't get any worse or perverse you are wrong.

The Lutheran Church does not resemble in any way shape or form the Church in which I was baptized, received a pin for seven years of Perfect Sunday School Attendance, was confirmed, and married, where my child was baptized.

Tragedy. How can anyone who truly loves the Lord and believes there is ANY truth in the Bible, remain in the ELCA? It is an insult to God and open defiance.

Tragedy. How can anyone who truly loves the Lord and believes there is ANY truth in the Bible, remain in the ELCA? It is an insult to God and open defiance.

Because they don't see it happening in their church. My church was conservative until recent years. They even stopped sending the Lutheran to all the members because people were getting mad about what was happening in the greater church. The pastors we had preached the Bible and did not twist things to suit the ELCA agenda. I had no idea how bad things were (are). We joined an LCMS church in March! Yay!

They even stopped sending the Lutheran to all the members because people were getting mad about what was happening in the greater church.

This was good strategy as The Lutheran was one of the factors in getting me fed up. There were other issues as well but it was clear that these are a bunch of liberal Democrats running the ELCA and I consider myslef a conservative Republican and I found what they were doing as disgusting. I recall they even gave Hillary Clinton an award.

We have found a wonderful refuge in the LCMS. I wish you could come to one of our Bible studies.

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