ELCA Releases Draft Social Statement

March 13, 2008 08-0313 – lejg

Omaha (ELCA Nebraska Synod) – The Evangelical Lutheran Church in AmericaTask Force for ELCA Studies on Sexuality has prepared a draft of the social statement for feedback and response. This draft was made available Thursday, March 13 at noon Central Daylight Time on the ELCA website at:
http://www.elca.org/faithfuljourney

In 2001, the 2001 ELCA Churchwide Assembly voting members requested that the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America develop a social statement on human sexuality. The 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Minneapolis will discuss and make a determination about the social statement.

The draft of the proposed social statement was sent to all clergy and other professional leaders of the ELCA. The draft is subject to change.

Following an extensive review and comment period, the draft will be revised by the task force. Between March and November, a series of hearings on the draft document will be held across the church. Members of the ELCA Task Force will participate in the hearings and gather feedback on the draft until November 1.


Two hearings will be conducted this fall in Nebraska Synod
September 22 in Kearney.
September 23 in Lincoln.

A proposed social statement on human sexuality is due in early 2009. The final proposed statement will be given to the ELCA Church Council with a request to place the document on the agenda of the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly for action. The 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly is scheduled for August 17-23, 2009 in Minneapolis. Nebraska Synod, ELCA will have 25 members in a voting delegation to the 2009 Churchwide Assembly.

Information about the ELCA Studies on Sexuality is available at:
http://www.ELCA.org/faithfuljourney on the ELCA Web site.

ELCA full news release available at: http://www.elca.org/news/releases.asp?a=3824

Much of the information is available on the website in Spanish as well as English.

Nebraska Synod, ELCA
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
For more information, contact:
Linda Janssen Gjere, Communications
402-896-5311 www.nebraskasynod.org/news