Freed in Christ to Serve was the theme around which we (22 voting members from the synod and myself) gathered, worshiped, deliberated, and prayed as your voting members at Churchwide Assembly in Orlando, Florida August 14-19. During the opening worship, Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson asked the question, “Is this church ready to move forward in mission?” The answer he received at the closing worship on Friday was a resounding, “YES!”

• The Living Into the Future Together (LIFT)task force’s recommendations were received and accepted by the assembly, meaning that:
  • we will evaluate and discuss how we work with social statements, finding appropriate ways to discuss difficult topics in the future;
  • we will consider holding Churchwide Assemblies every three years if the 2013 assembly ratifies the motion;
  • we will explore other types of gatherings focusing on mission and minis try that are non-legislative; and more…
• We launched the ELCA Malaria Campaign to deal with the reality many of our companion synods face in sub-Saharan Africa: a child dies every 45 seconds from malaria.
• Farmers, geneticists, and people suffering from genetic disorders came to the microphone thanking our church for help in dealing with complex social, moral, and ethical questions facing our society around the topic of genetics. The social statement, “Genetics, Faith and Responsibility” was adopted by an over 95% vote.

Along with the budget, several constitutional amendments, resolutions and memorials, we spent time in small group Bible study and gathered as a whole to worship. Pr. Rene Larson, who was a seminary student serving in Haiti with her husband, Ben, when the earthquake hit, gave one of the most powerful sermons I have ever heard. To hear this witness to the Gospel, go the ELCA Churchwide Assembly Videos page and click Friday Holy Communion (13:43 of the video)

Finally, members of Peace Lutheran Church (hit by a category 5 tornado) in Joplin, Missouri presented each synod bishop with a wooden cross made from one of their remaining church beams. They asked us to thank you for your support. Through Lutheran Disaster Response you were there the day after the tornado hit. You are still there. You will be there until the job is finished.

I am grateful to be a part of a church that is able to have conversation around difficult topics, even if we won’t all agree. I’m grateful to be a part of a church that lives in mission beyond its walls, serving the neighbor in need. I continue to be humbled to serve as your bishop in this time of our church’s history.

God is good… all the time!

» Download: ELCA Churchwide Recap

The following people will be voting members at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly (external link) from the Eastern North Dakota Synod on August 15-19 in Orlando, Florida:

• Bishop Bill Rindy, Fargo
• Ms. Shar Gumke, Jamestown
• Rev. Jessica Merchant, Cooperstown
• Ms. Becky Goetz, Binford
• Rev. Don Reynolds, Edmore
• Ms. Michelle Reynolds, Edmore
• Rev. Mark Strobel, Fargo
• Mr. Aaron Bye, Casselton
• Ms. Natalie Carlson, Fargo
• Rev. Ryan Fischer, Hoople
• Ms. Marlene Arneson, Walhalla
• Rev. Chad Brucklacher, Grand Forks
• Mr. Chris Gjesfjeld, Grand Forks
• Ms. Sharon Wilsnack, Grand Forks
• Rev. Leon Zavadil, Jamestown
• Dr. James Buhr, Valley City
• Rev. Julie Tillberg, Finley
• Ms. Janice Olstad, Galesburg
• Rev. Roger Reinhart, Walcott
• Mr. Curtis Larson, Milnor
• Mr. Robert Turner, Grand Forks
• Mr. Don Olstad, Galesburg
• Ms. Prairie Rose Seminole, Fargo

This summer, in our diverse settings of ministry and times of rest, we have joined in prayer for those living in the midst of natural disasters, economic uncertainty and famine. We also have been preparing for our twelfth Churchwide Assembly (external link), August 15-20. The assembly provides a marvelous opportunity for us to affirm our identity as the ELCA and celebrate God’s mission that flows from it.

Whether or not you are able to join us for the assembly in Orlando, I invite you and your congregation to watch the business sessions and worship via live video streaming at www.elca.org/assembly (external link). You will witness a church that shares a living, daring confidence in God’s grace and believes the good news that we are freed in Christ to serve our neighbors at home and around the globe.

Throughout the assembly it will be clear that as the ELCA, we are a church… 

• whose unity is in Jesus, who gathers us around word and water, bread and wine.
  Each day at the assembly, our work will be grounded in our time spent together in worship and Bible study. I encourage you to join us.
• called to discern together what the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ means for the world and our common life.
  As we consider the social statement on genetics, we stand together again at the intersection of faith and life, discerning how to live responsibly in a complex and rapidly changing world. In a culture plagued by incivility and willful misunderstanding, we believe that respectful dialogue not only is possible, but becomes our way of life.
• called to roll up our sleeves and get to work in the world.
  Malaria is a leading cause of death in Africa, claiming the life of a child every 45 seconds. We know what it takes to stop this disease — it’s preventable and treatable. A “yes” as a church to the challenge of the ELCA Malaria Campaign means that we will join with our global partners to ensure that a healthier future is possible for millions of people. You will also witness a church that remains engaged in Haiti and Japan, responding to the growing famine in Africa and rebuilding communities devastated by disasters at home. How good it is to recognize the awesome capacity we have when we work together.
• committed to vibrant congregations, both newly planted and long established.
  A key recommendation of the Living Into the Future Together (LIFT) task force is a priority that every ELCA congregation will be a growing community proclaiming Christ and becoming engaged in the world.
• recognized for our growing global, ecumenical and inter-religious relationships.
  A greeting at this assembly from Sayyid Syeed will be the first from a representative of the Islamic community. The presence of Bishop George Walker represents our growing relationship with the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. Martin Junge, general secretary of The Lutheran World Federation, will travel directly from famine-stricken Africa to bring a first-hand report of our shared work there.

Our identity as a church body is inseparable from our call to do God’s work in Christ’s name for the life of the world. I hope you will join us at the 2011 Churchwide Assembly in August via live streaming at www.elca.org/assembly (external link). Please pray that the Holy Spirit will anoint us with power as we witness to the good news of Jesus Christ.

For our partnership in the gospel, I thank God.

In God’s grace,
The Rev. Mark S. Hanson
Presiding Bishop Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

P.S. I encourage you to review the Pre-Assembly Report (external link) for details of all the agenda items we will cover during our week in Orlando. You will also find intercessory prayers (external link) to share with your congregation on the Sundays before and after the assembly.

Submitted by Sarah E. H. Lovas, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church – Hillsboro, ND

» Download: Humans as Stewards Letter (download .pdf file)

I am writing this letter in response to the ELCA Proposed Social Statement on Genetics (external link) which was released on Friday, February, 25th.

I first became invested in this issue last summer when this social statement was still in draft form. At the time, I was working as an agronomist and genetic technologies were a part of my recommendations for management of crops. I also farm with my husband near Hillsboro, ND, and we raise 100% GMO crops on our farm. Currently, I am a student at NDSU pursuing a Master of Science in Soil Science.

My response to the draft was to read it and create a letter of response to the ELCA Task Force on Genetics. My response letter outlined 7 specific items that I appreciated, and it also outlined 2 items that I thought the ELCA needed to work on. I concluded my letter by telling the ELCA that they need to work on the way that social statements are drafted because the current process causes too much stress at the congregational level. I read this letter, all 3 pages of it, at a meeting sanctioned by the Eastern North Dakota Synod for the sole purpose of discussing the draft social statement at the round level of the church. This meeting was held in Adams, ND in August of 2010. Bishop Bill Rindy, Rev. Kari Bahe, Associate with the Bishop, and Per Anderson Co-Chair of the Task Force on Genetics were in attendance. At that meeting, my comments were taken seriously.

Truthfully, I had no idea how seriously my comments had been taken until I read the Proposal Social Statement this past weekend. This is a well written document that is fair to all aspects of agriculture. I believe this document to an excellent document to use as a starting point for a bridge between urban and rural for facilitation of how genetic technology fits into agriculture today. If you are involved in agriculture and the ELCA church and have concerns with this statement, I encourage you to read the statement for yourself and create your own opinion.

One of the most powerful meanings of the statement for me as a farmer is the concept of humans as stewards. We are supposed to be stewards of the creation, which to a farmer, means feeding a hungry world while preserving the land and environment for the future. The farmers I know are already actively doing this. We are supplying food as a basic, human right. We produce the safest, most abundant, and cheapest food in the world, to feed a hungry a world. We also wish the future generations of farmers on our lands to have better opportunities. Thus, we take care of our land and our environment for generations to come. Genetic technology is certainly a component of making these things happen and this social statement proposal reflects that accurately.

There are other components of this proposal that, as a farmer, I also appreciated. I appreciate the ELCA’s position on regulation of genetic technology. It calls for regulation, but regulation must also be justified by specific concerns. This statement also shows value to the balance public, private, and government sectors and their various involvements with genetic technology. Overall, this proposal encourages us to use genetic technology as a gift from God in a responsible way for the betterment of all creation.

It’s important to note that this was a statement drafted to address other genetic technology issues beyond involvement in agriculture. The ELCA has taken a stance against the use of human cloning. The ELCA also has taken a stance against the use of genetic profiling, the practice of eugenics, and beliefs in genetic determination. I rejoice in the ELCA’s position on these topics as well.

I still request the ELCA to analyze the way it is creating its social statements. I understand the point of a social statement is to learn about The Living Word in our daily and current lives. As a Christian, this is good and necessary. However, I think we need to make sure that this is done in a manner that does not hinder the declaration of the gospel or the ability of our members to “love our neighbors as ourselves.” Throughout the consideration of the last few social statements this has definitely been a challenge. If we cannot achieve the objective of declaring the gospel and “loving our neighbor as ourselves” as our primary mission, it will be easy for any part of our mission to be questioned and potentially misguided.

That being said, the ELCA Task Force on Genetics listened to my comments. Because of the content of the current proposal, I’m also assuming they listened to the comments of others within the agricultural community. The truth is, when an informed comment based in fact was stated, it was heard and regarded justly.

I can attest that my personal relationship with Christ has been strengthened because of this experience. This is because this experience has challenged me to analyze The Living Word in my daily life and my daily calling. The Word was revealed to me through study of the scripture, the new relationships built with the many people who have a stake in this social statement, and most importantly, through my personal prayer with Christ himself. To the ELCA Church, to the Task Force on Genetics, and to the Bishop Bill Rindy and his staff… My sincere thanks!

“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who makes things grow.”
Corinthians 3:6-7

God in Full View!

In response to feedback regarding the draft statement on genetics, the ELCA is preparing to release the revised document: A Proposed Social Statement on Genetics (external link). All are invited to gather for coffee, bars and discussion regarding this proposed statement:

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

7:00 pm
Our Saviors Lutheran – Colfax, ND

Sunday, March 20, 2011

1:30 pm
Trinity Lutheran – Binford, ND

We are fortunate to have Dr. Per Anderson, co-chair of the writing team, in our area. Dr. Anderson, Pastor Kari Bahe, and Bisohp Bill Rindy will be attending both discussions. Please encourage members to read the revised document {available Feb. 24 on the ELCA website (external link)} prior to attending a hearing.

As you may recall, we’ve had several Synod Hearings regarding the ELCA Draft Statement on Genetics. The purpose of the Synod Hearings was to provide an opportunity for giving feedback directly to the writing committee. That feedback, along with individual responses sent in and numerous consultations has resulted in revisions of the draft statement.

After such input, social statements become proposed social statements. They are not considered ELCA Social Statements until they are voted on at a Churchwide Assembly. This means there is still opportunity for input from congregations, synods, and individuals.

Your input is helpful, vital, and heard!

If you could ask Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson a question about the ELCA, what would it be? Submit your question (external link) at our next live online Town Hall Forum with Bishop Hanson. Participating is easy and convenient. Whether or not you have a question to ask, you’ll be part of a nationwide conversation with other ELCA members about issues that matter to all of us.

Thursday, August 18, 2011
live-streamed from the 2011 Churchwide Assembly
(time TBD)

Sunday, November 20, 2011
4:00 pm Central Time

Watch the event live at www.elca.org/townhall (external link)

Participants can follow conversations on Facebook (external link) or tweet about the event using the hash tags #ELCA or #BishopHanson.
More information… (external link)

Host A Viewing Party

Are there members of your congregation without high-speed Internet access? Don’t leave them out. Host a viewing party at your congregation or home and be sure to invite them. View the viewing party took kit and promotional materials… (external link)

Archives

Videos and transcripts of previous Town Hall Forums are available on the ELCA website. View archive (external link)

This is the season in which gratitude is most often expressed: for harvest, for a beautiful fall, for life. I want to add my thanks to you for your support during what is for many of you challenging times. The good work we’ve done together for many years continues through your support, in both prayer and finances. Thanks.

Death of Civility…

The Today Show recently ran a series of stories on the death of civility (external link). It lifted up email, blogs, and the lack of accountability for what one says as commonplace in our society… and for the worse. In theological terms, it could be framed as the death of the eighth commandment: You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. Martin Luther encouraged us to speak well of our neighbor and explain their actions in the kindest possible way, rather than cutting, ripping, and tearing our neighbors to pieces.

Over six years ago, a congregation seeking moral guidance asked a synod assembly if our church, the ELCA, could create a document to help us think through the moral implications of our new abilities in the area of genetics: human, animal, and plant. We have powers never available to previous generations. We all know that with power come both opportunity and responsibility. A churchwide assembly agreed that such guidance could be helpful to the church, especially to those who live and work in areas surrounded by genetics.

The third draft of this proposed statement has been discussed at two different hearings in our synod; one at Gackle, the other at Adams. The feedback from these two forums has been received by the taskforce charged with creating the statement. As a result of these hearings, the taskforce spent nearly a full day processing feedback from farmers in Eastern North Dakota.

A lot of things are being said about the draft, many of them by people who have never read the document. Many conversations I have had are with people who have only read two editorials in a regional farming publication, these editorials have not been faithful to the proposed statement. I have and will continue to encourage people to read the entire draft before forming an opinion about it. One of our area farmers, upon seeing an editorial about the document was very angry, but after reading the actual document told me that he had changed his opinion and felt that the draft was actually pretty good.

As Lutheran Christians, we have always held that our vocations, our callings from God to serve and love one another in God’s world are important. Some are saying that the church should have nothing to do with how our farmers live out their vocations. The first commandment in the Bible is to be fruitful and multiply, to fill the earth and subdue it. Those who have been called to care for the land know the value of being faithful stewards, not only for the present, but for future generations as well. Our faith has to extend and permeate our lives beyond one hour a week on Sunday. That being said, the church is not going to tell farmers what they can or can’t plant. The church isn’t going to tell doctors what they can or can’t do.    Yet in this new era of amazing power in the area of genetics, it is helpful for people of faith to be in conversation with each other to help us steward and create the best possible future for all of God’s creation.

My request: Please take time to read a document before you criticize it. Please do not jump to assuming the worst in others. Let it not be said that we added to the death of civility. Let the Church of Jesus Christ model the love, care, and concern for each other that Jesus did. In so doing, our lights will shine in this darkness.

The proposed draft statement can be read on the ELCA website (external link)

Thank you,
Bishop Bill Rindy
Eastern North Dakota Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

» Download: A Word from Bishop Rindy (November 2010) (download .pdf file)

Synod Hearings (external link) provide an opportunity for participants to share with the task force their concerns, appreciation, and suggestions about the draft of a social statement. A record of comments from each hearing is shared with the task force, who will consider this feedback while developing a revised document called a “proposed” social statement. The proposed statement is scheduled to be finished in February of 2011, which will be considered by the 2011 ELCA Churchwide Assembly (external link).

Hearings are a very important step in the social statement process because the goal is broad participation in the development of social teaching and policy documents. Please encourage farmers and other interested folks to attend.  We often complain about “not being heard”; hearings give us a chance to offer the task force a North Dakota perspective!

EaND Synod Hearings on Genetics:

Emmanuel Lutheran Church – Gackle, ND (directions (external link))
Sunday, August 8, 2010
10:30 am
All are invited to worship at 9:30 a.m.

Mountain Lutheran Church – Adams, ND (directions (external link))
Sunday, August 8, 2010
5:30 pm

More Information:

• A Social Statement on Genetics from the ELCA portal (external link)
• Draft Social Statement on Genetics Information (external link)
• Download: Draft Socail Statement on Genetics (download .pdf file)
• Download: FAQs (download .pdf file)
• Download: Executive Summary (download .pdf file)

Renewing the Ecology of the ELCA Task Force

Living into the Future Together (LIFT) (external link) is a task force of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) (external link) commissioned by the ELCA Church Council to develop and recommend options for the future of the ELCA in light of its identity, changes in its environment and its call to God’s mission.

Understanding the path this church has journeyed on will serve as a platform to embrace new opportunities for God’s mission.

What is God calling this church to be and to do in the future?
What changes are in order to help us respond most faithfully?

Background

At its November 2009 meeting, the ELCA Church Council approved a charter for the project, “Living into the Future Together: Renewing the Ecology of the ELCA.” The project task force will study social and economic changes in the 20 years since this church was formed and “evaluate the organization, governance and interrelationships among this church’s expressions,” according to the project charter.

In January 2010, a 12-member task force of the ELCA, plus observers from other church bodies and staff, met for the first time to develop and recommend options for the future of the ELCA. Task force members seek input for their work from ELCA leaders and members leading up to their report to the ELCA Church Council in April 2011. The LIFT task force reaches out to anyone and everyone interested in advancing “God’s work. Our hands.”

The task force is expected to develop a report and recommendations “that will position this church for the future and explore new possibilities for participating in God’s mission,” the charter states. The report and recommendations will be presented to the ELCA Church Council, which can transmit recommendations to the 2011 ELCA Churchwide Assembly (external link).

Your input is welcome!

We cannot faithfully address these items without the input of all ELCA members. Go to http://liftelca.org/get-involved (external link) where you will see the various ways members of this church can get involved in LIFT.
Here are some options:

For individuals

1. Find LIFT on Facebook (external link) and Twitter (external link) to offer your comments
2. Complete the individual questionnaire online (external link)
3. You can also download the individual questionnaire (download .pdf file), print it and provide us your written comments on these specific questions via  e-mail to Daniel.Taylor@elca.org or via fax at 773-380-2932

For groups

Download the LIFT group discussion questions (download .pdf file) as and discuss the questions with a group at your church (an adult forum, congregation council, etc.) After the discussion, please summarize the responses. Though these questions are intended for group use, individuals are welcome to answer these open-ended questions as well.

Return the summary to us in one of the following ways:

1. Enter the responses online (external link)
2. E-mail responses to Daniel.Taylor@elca.org
3. Fax responses to 773-380-2932
4. Mail responses to RE-ELCA, 8765 W. Higgins Road, Chicago, IL 60631

LIFT – Living into the Future Together! (external link)

These videos are great illustrations of the work our church is doing in God’s name. They are appropriate for use in worship and/or meetings and provide an inspiration for congregations to explore new avenues for ministry in their communities. Several EaND congregations – Martin’s, Casselton; Faith, West Fargo; and First, Fargo – submitted videos this summer. Great job!

You are encouraged to order these free DVDs by calling 800.638.3522 or send an email to info@elca.org