CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Preachers, presiding ministers and Bible study leaders chosen for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's (ECLA) Churchwide Assembly in Minneapolis this August come from diverse backgrounds. The preachers, presiders and Bible study leaders were chosen by the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop. The Rev. Jennifer P. Ollikainen, associate for worship resources, said the goal with this group was to have "broad representation" of the church body. ... (Posted: 7/2/2009 1:00:00 AM)

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC) asked a special finance task force to assess the impact of a decision by the board of neighboring McCormick Theological Seminary. McCormick will initiate a process to "disengage" from a real estate arrangement with LSTC as early as June 2010. LSTC is one of eight seminaries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). McCormick is one of 10 seminaries of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), which became ... (Posted: 7/2/2009 1:00:00 AM)

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) expressed "heartfelt commitment" to the unity of the ELCA and "deep confidence" that unity will not be lost because of decisions that will be made at the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. The Rev. Mark S. Hanson commented on church unity in light of a proposed social statement on human sexuality, and a report and recommendation on ELCA ministry policies to be considered by the assembly. Hi... (Posted: 7/2/2009 1:00:00 AM)

WASHINGTON (ELCA) - During the Fourth of July congressional recess, a faith-based ad campaign will launch nationally to address the need for health care reform. The campaign includes airing radio ads featuring local pastors June 30 to July 4 in Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Nebraska and North Carolina, as well as meetings with members of Congress and building a grassroots movement to raise awareness of health care issues. The radio ads will air on Christian and mainstream rad... (Posted: 7/1/2009 1:00:00 AM)

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), led a Bible study at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada's (ELCIC) Biennial National Convention June 27. The ELCIC is Canada's largest Lutheran denomination with 162,100 baptized members in 611 congregations. The ELCIC's National Convention was held in Vancouver, British Columbia. Hanson drew his theme for the Bible study, "Living at the Intersection ... (Posted: 6/30/2009 1:00:00 AM)