ELCA Board of Pensions trustees begin process for benefit plan changes Trustees of the Board of Pensions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America have taken steps to extend various plan benefits to eligible partners in same-gender relationships. At their Feb. 26-28 meeting in Minneapolis, the trustees adopted recommended amendments to the Board's medical and dental, retirement, survivor and disability benefits plans, plus its flexible spending plan that allows members to set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses throughout the year. The trustees' action is subject to review by the Conference of Bishops, which meets in Itasca, Ill., March 5-9, as well as review and possible approval by the Church Council which meets here April 9-12. The action resulted from decisions made at the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. That assembly adopted a series of proposals which created the possibility for Lutherans in committed, lifelong, monogamous and publicly accountable same-gender relationships to serve as ELCA clergy and professional lay leaders. The assembly also adopted a social statement on human sexuality. One of the statement's 15 implementing resolutions (#7) called for "the ELCA to amend the eligibility provisions of the ELCA Pension and Other Benefits Program, consistent with the policies of this church." The Church Council is expected to consider a series of revisions to churchwide candidacy, ministry and discipline policies, consistent with the assembly decisions, and may adopt the revised policies when it meets in Chicago next month. "We are committed to doing what has been mandated by the churchwide assembly," said Robert D. Berg, assistant to the president for church relations, ELCA Board of Pensions, Minneapolis. The trustees acted as a result of a commitment on the part of the Board of Pensions to enroll eligible same-gender partners within one month of the Church Council's possible approval of new ELCA policies, Berg said. He explained that the board wanted to be ready to implement plan changes soon after the council acts. The trustees do not have a regularly scheduled meeting again until August, he said. Berg also said that if the council amends policy proposals, the trustees are prepared to meet by teleconference to finalize Board of Pensions plan changes. "The Board of Pensions has committed to being able to enroll eligible same-gender partners within 30 days of Church Council approval of the church's policies," wrote Robert H. Rydland, the Board's vice president and general counsel, in a Feb. 10 memo to the trustees. "Our guiding principle as we implement resolution #7 is to treat an eligible same-gender partner the same as we treat a spouse to the extent possible under each plan, and as permitted by federal law." In addition to the proposed plan changes, the trustees reviewed proposed affidavits that would be used by the Board of Pensions to provide evidence of a same-gender partnership and evidence of the dissolution of such a partnership, for the purposes of benefit eligibility. In his memo, Rydland wrote that because only a few states recognize "same-gender marriage," the Board of Pensions believes it is important to have affidavits on file. "The affidavits contain important information for the member and partner regarding possible tax consequences of the benefits provided and the legal implications of signing the affidavit," he wrote. "These affidavits are not part of a plan and therefore can be revised as necessary without Church Council or Board approval." "I thought the meeting went very well in the sense that we presented them (trustees) with the necessary information," Berg said. "There were some questions and some discussion. I think there was full understanding of their role and responsibilities as trustees." Read the proposed Board of Pensions plan changes and other related documents at the ELCA Web site. Comments (0) | Permalink |
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Lutherans in Chile report significant earthquake damage
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ELCA initiates response to massive earthquake in Chile
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German Lutheran bishop to resign after alleged drunk-driving offense
Ecumenical News International contributed to this report. Comments (0) | Permalink |
Churchwide organization responds to Lutheran CORE announcement The churchwide organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America said it "will continue to respond to those congregations with questions or concerns" related to the actions of the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, adding it is "committed to ongoing conversation" with those congregations. The comments were part of a Feb. 18 statement from the ELCA churchwide organization following an announcement from the Lutheran Coalition for Renewal (CORE). CORE announced its proposal for "the reconfiguration of Lutheranism in North America," in a Feb. 18 news release. "The ELCA is a church focused on a vibrant Christ-centered mission and ministry," the ELCA churchwide organization's statement said. "It carries out its mission through the daily vocations of its 4.6 million members, the ministries of its 10,239 congregations, through response to disasters such as the earthquake in Haiti, and through deep commitments to global and ecumenical partners throughout the world." "As the ELCA carries out the directives of the 2009 Churchwide Assembly, we continue to encourage congregations, synods and the churchwide organization to remain in conversation about these matters," the statement said. The churchwide organization statement said it regretted the decisions "of a few congregations" to leave the ELCA. Lutheran CORE's proposal calls for the continuation of the organization as "a community of confessing Lutherans" and for the formation of a new Lutheran church body, the North American Lutheran Church (NALC). CORE's Sept. 25-26, 2009 convocation in Fishers, Ind., asked that a proposal for the "reconfiguration of North American Lutheranism" be prepared and brought to CORE's 2010 Convocation Aug. 26-27 in Columbus, Ohio, CORE's news release said. "The proposal released Feb. 18 is a response to that request. It was released now so that Lutheran CORE members can provide input to aid in drafting the proposals that will be considered by the 2010 Convocation," the CORE release said. CORE's announcement is a response to the decisions of the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. The assembly created the possibility for Lutherans in committed, lifelong, monogamous and publicly accountable same-gender relationships to serve as ELCA clergy and professional lay leaders. It also adopted a social statement on human sexuality. The 2010 ELCA Yearbook reports that there are 10,239 congregations in the ELCA. As of Feb. 4 the ELCA Office of the Secretary reported that 220 congregations had taken initial votes to terminate their relationship with the ELCA. Sixty-four of those congregations failed to achieve the required two-thirds vote to continue in the process. Through Feb. 4, 28 congregations had taken a second vote. The Office of the Secretary confirmed that seven congregations have officially left the ELCA. Comments (2) | Permalink |
ELCA delegation, Pope Benedict XVI meet, exchange greetings Continuing dialogue between Lutherans and Catholics was a common theme expressed in an exchange of messages here between a delegation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Pope Benedict XVI. Speaking for the Lutherans, the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop and president of the Lutheran World Federation, called such dialogues "a sign of hope and commitment," while the pope emphasized hope for the continuing Lutheran-Catholic dialogue. The world church leaders spoke to each other in a brief, formal private meeting Feb. 10, following Pope Benedict XVI's regular weekly audience. "The current international LWF-Catholic dialogue focusing on the theme 'Baptism and Growth in Communion' and the very rich U.S. Catholic-Lutheran dialogue now focusing on 'The Hope of Eternal Life' are very important for our relationship and for our hope for unity in Christ," Hanson said. Hanson is leading an official ELCA delegation of clergy and lay leaders on a "2010 Ecumenical Journey" to visit leaders of three of the world's largest churches — Anglican, Eastern Orthodox and Catholic. The Lutherans will conclude their meetings with LWF leaders and other global church partners in Geneva next week. "Our ecumenical journey that is now bringing us to you is a sign that we bear witness to John's prayer -- that we might be one, as the Father and the Son are one, so that all might believe," Hanson said to Pope Benedict XVI. Hanson noted that last month, the pope welcomed representatives of the Church of Finland for their 25th annual visit during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Hanson said Lutherans "were deeply moved when you said to them it is your prayer that our efforts at understanding and reconciliation would blossom into perfect, visible unity in Christ Jesus." The Lutheran leader said last year's celebrations of the 10th anniversary of the signing of The Joint Declaration of the Doctrine of Justification by the LWF and The Vatican were "another sign of commitment and hope." Hanson said he was pleased by comments made at one celebration in Chicago by Catholic Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Atlanta, in which Gregory stated deeper dialogue is needed between Lutherans and Catholics. Lutherans and Catholics "have great challenges before us as we address concerns in the areas of ethics, morality, theology — and we pray for the Spirit's guidance in our biblical and theological conversations as we grow in faith and life," Hanson said. Hanson said he hoped Lutherans and Catholics might make "a united witness to the world" as the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation approaches in 2017. He added that Lutherans join Catholics in praying for Middle East peace and greater interfaith understanding. In his response, Pope Benedict XVI said he hoped "the continuing Lutheran-Catholic dialogue both in the United States of America and at the international level will help to build upon the agreements reached so far." He said it is important to build on the results of the dialogues started in the 1960s. "To build on what has been achieved together since that time, a spiritual ecumenism should be grounded in ardent prayer and in conversion to Christ, the source of grace and truth," Pope Benedict XVI said. "May the Lord help us to treasure what has been accomplished so far, to guard it with care, and to foster its development," the pope said to Hanson and the delegation. Quoting his predecessor John Paul II, who in 1985, received a similar Lutheran delegation, the pope said, "Let us rejoice that an encounter such as this can take place. Let us resolve to be open to the Lord so that He can use this meeting for His purposes, to bring about the unity that He desires. Thank you for the efforts you are making for full unity in faith and charity." Hanson presented Pope Benedict XVI with a "Savior of the World" cross made by Sally Stewart, a Johnstown, Pa., artist, which contains woods from throughout the world. Hanson also presented the pope an expanded written message, available on the ELCA Web site. Comments (0) | Permalink |
Members of Pennsylvania congregation "OK" after carbon monoxide poisoning
Services will resume on Feb. 14. Comments (0) | Permalink |
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South Carolina Lutherans talk together, faithfully "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening." With these words, approximately 700 Lutherans in the South Carolina Synod gathered at Newberry [SC] College for a "Day of Holy Conversation" on Feb. 6, an opportunity to deepen conversations about ELCA churchwide decisions and explore legislative motions for the June 4-5 synod assembly. The day began with presentations from two Lutheran Southern Seminary professors, David Yeago and Susan McArver. From their theological and historical viewpoints, they spoke about significant issues stemming from recent churchwide decisions. After each presentation, the group took a few minutes for "pew conversations," talking in small groups about what they had just heard. After eating lunch together, the group reassembled for a service of worship with communion, setting the tone for the "holy conversation" that would take place for the next few hours. The afternoon was designed for an intentional time of listening and praying together, apart from a synod assembly or legislative meeting. Ten resolutions were discussed, but before each resolution was presented, there was prayer. The discussions were respectful, and people who took part in this day were grateful to have a chance to be heard — in a protected environment — and to hear from other faithful Christians across the synod who have opposing beliefs about these issues. Many people have remarked that this day might serve as a model for other synods to use as they find ways to walk together, even with marked differences over issues. At the end of the day, each person received a survey listing all the motions that had been discussed. Once compiled, the results of this survey will be mailed to every congregational council to help them continue to pray and talk further together. Visit the South Carolina Synod's Web site for proposed resolutions, presentation transcripts, and other documents. Comments (0) | Permalink |
ELCA youth return to New Orleans in 2012 When ELCA youth return to New Orleans in 2012, it will be the first time in the ELCA Youth Gathering history that the event has been held consecutively in the same host city. The gathering will be July 18-22, 2012. The triennial Youth Gathering is the largest event organized by the ELCA, bringing together tens of thousands of high-school-age Lutherans from across the country and overseas for leadership development, faith formation, service opportunities and more. In the summer of 2009 about 37,000 Lutheran teenagers, adult leaders and others gathered in New Orleans not only to paint and make home repairs but to learn about and experience the faith of people who live there. Residents of New Orleans and others along the U.S. Gulf Coast continue to recover more than four years after Hurricane Katrina. "I don't think that we have learned all we can from New Orleans, yet," said Heidi Hagstrom, director for the Youth Gathering. "New Orleans has so much to teach us about practicing God's hospitality. By paying attention to the spirit's activity in and through New Orleanians, I think we get a glimpse of God's intention for the whole world," she said. The Multicultural Youth Leadership Event (MYLE) and the Definitely Abled Leadership Event (DAYLE) will be held July 15-18. DAYLE is a leadership event designed to "bless and empower" gifted young people with a range of physical, cognitive and emotional differences. MYLE is a "multi-ethnic and multi-generational" event designed to equip young leaders to help lead their congregations into "fuller inclusion as a diverse church in a diverse world." The announcement for the 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering was made in Charlotte, N.C., during the Feb. 4-8 ELCA Youth Ministry Network's "Extravaganza" for youth workers. Comments (0) | Permalink |
Funeral, burial for Ben Larson Feb. 6 A service of "song and prayer" for Benjamin Judd Larson will be held Feb. 6 at 1 p.m. at First Lutheran Church, Decorah, Iowa. Immediately following the service Larson, 25, will be buried in Phelps Cemetery, Decorah. Larson, a seminary student, was killed in the Jan. 12 earthquake in Haiti. The Luther College Nordic Choir will sing at the service and internment. Larson was a member of the choir while a student at Luther College, Decorah. "On Jan. 31 the remains of our son, Ben Larson, arrived in Dover, Delaware," said April Ulring Larson, Ben's mother, in a Feb. 3 statement:"Ben left the dear people of Haiti and began his journey home from Haiti to Dover, to Philadelphia, to Minneapolis, and finally to Decorah." In her statement, April thanked people for the compassion expressed to the people of Haiti and the "compassion for our family. We continue to covet your prayers for us and for the recovery of Haiti." April is senior pastor at First Lutheran Church, Duluth, Minn., and former bishop of the La Crosse (Wis.) Area Synod. Ben's father is Judd W. Larson, interim pastor at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Duluth. Ben's body was recovered Jan. 28 from the collapsed St. Joseph Home for Boys, Port-au-Prince, by a local work crew that went inside the rubble to find him. He was in Haiti with his wife, Renee Splichal Larson, and his cousin, Jonathan Larson. All three were inside St. Joseph Home for Boys at the time of the earthquake. Renee and Jonathan were trapped in the building but managed to escape. Ben was buried as the building collapsed. Ben was teaching theology to Lutherans in Haiti at the time of the earthquake. He was a senior at Wartburg Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa. Renee and Jonathan are also senior seminary students at Wartburg. Ben's "earthly journey in Christ comes to an end and he rests in God's arms until Jesus comes again," said April. "We remember words from the hymn that Ben so dearly loved and requested for his funeral 'some day,' 'Lord Jesus, You Shall be My Song.'" Comments (0) | Permalink |
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