ELCA NEWS

Recent News Stories

ELCA news releases are detailed accounts describing events and ministires of the ELCA

James Hazelwood re-elected bishop of ELCA New England Synod
The Rev. James E. Hazelwood, Wakefield, R.I., was re-elected June 8 to serve a second six-year term as bishop of the New England Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election was held during the Synod Assembly June 7-9 at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Mass.
The bishop was re-elected on the fourth ballot with 311 votes to 72 votes for the Rev. Angel Marrero, pastor of Santuario Luterano in Waltham, Mass. A total of 254 votes were needed for re-election.
Hazelwood has served as bishop of the New England Synod in Worcester, Mass., since 2012. Previously, he served as pastor of St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Charlestown, R.I., from 1993 to 2012 and Bethany Lutheran Church in Brooklyn, N.Y., from 1987 to 1993.
Hazelwood received a Bachelor of Arts degree from California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks in 1981. He received a Master of Divinity degree from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, Calif., in 1987 and a Doctor of Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, Calif., in 2001. California Lutheran is one of 27 ELCA colleges and universities and Pacific is one of seven ELCA seminaries.
Information about the New England Synod is available at nelutherans.org.

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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with more than 3.5 million members in 9,300 congregations across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
773-380-2877
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
DECLARACIÓN DE LÍDERES DE FE SOBRE LA SEPARACIÓN DE LA FAMILIA
7 de junio de 2018

DECLARACIÓN DE LÍDERES DE FE SOBRE LA SEPARACIÓN DE LA FAMILIA
Recientemente, la Administración anunció que comenzará a separar familias y procesar criminalmente a todas las personas que entren a los Estados Unidos sin autorización previa. Como líderes religiosos representantes de diversas perspectivas de fe, y con interés conjunto por el bienestar de migrantes vulnerables que cruzan nuestras fronteras huyendo del peligro y de amenazas de muerte, quedamos profundamente decepcionados y entristecidos cuando escuchamos esta noticia.
Ratificamos a la familia como la estructura fundamental de la sociedad que sostiene a la comunidad humana, y vemos al hogar como un estado bendecido por Dios. La seguridad de la familia provee del importantísimo respaldo mental, físico y emocional para el desarrollo y bienestar de los hijos. Nuestras congregaciones y agencias sirven a muchas familias migrantes que han llegado recientemente a los Estados Unidos. Con frecuencia, la única opción que tienen para ofrecer seguridad a sus hijos y protegerlos del peligro es abandonar sus comunidades. El separar a los niños de padres que han hecho tan peligroso recorrido para brindar a aquéllos una vida segura y adecuada es innecesariamente cruel y perjudicial para el bienestar de padres e hijos.
Mientras continuamos sirviendo y amando a nuestro prójimo, oramos por los niños y las familias que sufrirán por causa de esta política, y urgimos a la Administración que ponga un alto esta política de separar a las familias.
Su Eminencia Arzobispo Vicken Aykazian
Legado Diocesano y Director de la Oficina Ecuménica
Diócesis de la Iglesia Armenia de América

Sr. Azhar Azeez
Presidente
Sociedad Islámica de Norteamérica

El Reverendísimo Joseph C. Bambera
Obispo de Scranton, PA
Presidente, Comité de Obispos para Asuntos Ecuménicos e Interreligiosos

Obispo Mayor George E. Battle, Jr.
Prelado Presidente, Distrito Episcopal de Piedmont
Iglesia Metodista Episcopal Africana Sión

Obispo H. Kenneth Carter, Jr.
Presidente, Consejo de Obispos
La Iglesia Metodista Unida

El Reverendísimo Michael B. Curry
Obispo Presidente
Iglesia Episcopal (Estados Unidos)

El Rvdo. Dr. John C. Dorhauer
Ministro General y Presidente
Iglesia Unida de Cristo

La Rvda. Elizabeth A. Eaton
Obispa Presidente
Iglesia Evangélica Luterana en América

El Rvdo. David Guthrie
Presidente, Conferencia Provincial de Ancianos
Iglesia Morava, Provincia del Sur

Sr. Glen Guyton
Director Ejecutivo
Iglesia Menonita USA

La Rvda. Teresa Hord Owens
Ministra General y Presidenta
Iglesia Cristiana (Discípulos de Cristo)

Rabino Rick Jacobs
Presidente
Unión para el Judaísmo Reformista

Sr. Anwar Khan
Presidente
Alivio Islámico USA

La Rvda. Dra. Betsy Miller
Presidente, Conferencia Provincial de Ancianos
Iglesia Morava, Provincia del Norte

El Rvdo. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson II
Secretario
Iglesia Presbiteriana (EE.UU.)

Rabino Jonah Pesner
Director
Centro de Acción Religiosa del Judaísmo Reformista

El Rvdo. Don Poest
Secretario General Interino
El Rvdo. Eddy Alemán
Candidato a la Secretaría General
Iglesia Reformada en América

Obispo Mayor Lawrence Reddick III
Obispo Presidente, El Octavo Distrito Episcopal
Iglesia Cristiana Metodista Episcopal

El Rvdo. Phil Tom
Director Ejecutivo
Consejo Internacional de Iglesias Comunitarias

Obispo Mayor McKinley Young
Prelado Presidente, Tercer Distrito Episcopal
Iglesia Metodista Episcopal Africana
ELCA presiding bishop, faith leaders issue statement on family separation
CHICAGO (June 7, 2018) – The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), has convened ELCA ecumenical and inter-religious partners in a statement addressing concerns over a recent U.S. government policy calling for more stringent enforcement of federal immigration laws. The policy will most likely result in an increase in family separations.
The statement follows:
Recently, the Administration announced that it will begin separating families and criminally prosecuting all people who enter the U.S. without previous authorization. As religious leaders representing diverse faith perspectives, united in our concern for the wellbeing of vulnerable migrants who cross our borders fleeing from danger and threats to their lives, we are deeply disappointed and pained to hear this news.
We affirm the family as a foundational societal structure to support human community and understand the household as an estate blessed by God. The security of the family provides critical mental, physical and emotional support to the development and wellbeing of children. Our congregations and agencies serve many migrant families that have recently arrived in the United States. Leaving their communities is often the only option they have to provide safety for their children and protect them from harm. Tearing children away from parents who have made a dangerous journey to provide a safe and sufficient life for them is unnecessarily cruel and detrimental to the well-being of parents and children.
As we continue to serve and love our neighbor, we pray for the children and families that will suffer due to this policy and urge the Administration to stop their policy of separating families.
His Eminence Archbishop Vicken Aykazian
Diocesan Legate and Director of the Ecumenical Office
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
Mr. Azhar Azeez President
Islamic Society of North America
The Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera
Bishop of Scranton, PA
Chair, Bishops' Committee for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs
Senior Bishop George E. Battle, Jr.
Presiding Prelate, Piedmont Episcopal District
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
Bishop H. Kenneth Carter, Jr.
President, Council of Bishops
The United Methodist Church
The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry
Presiding Bishop Episcopal Church (United States)
The Rev. Dr. John C. Dorhauer
General Minister & President
United Church of Christ
The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
The Rev. David Guthrie
President, Provincial Elders' Conference
Moravian Church Southern Province
Mr. Glen Guyton
Executive Director
Mennonite Church USA
The Rev. Teresa Hord Owens
General Minister and President
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Rabbi Rick Jacobs
President
Union for Reform Judaism
Mr. Anwar Khan
President
Islamic Relief USA
The Rev. Dr. Betsy Miller
President, Provincial Elders' Conference
Moravian Church Northern Province
The Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson II
Stated Clerk
Presbyterian Church (USA)
Rabbi Jonah Pesner
Director
Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
The Rev. Don Poest
Interim General Secretary
The Rev. Eddy Alemán
Candidate for General Secretary
Reformed Church in America
Senior Bishop Lawrence Reddick III
Presiding Bishop, The Eighth Episcopal District
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
The Rev. Phil Tom
Executive Director
International Council of Community Churches
Mr. Jim Winkler
General Secretary & President
National Council of Churches USA
Senior Bishop McKinley Young
Presiding Prelate, Third Episcopal District
African Methodist Episcopal Church
#KeepFamiliesTogether
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with more than 3.5 million members in more than 9,300 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.

For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
773-380-2877
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
Laurie Skow-Anderson elected bishop of the ELCA Northwest Synod of Wisconsin
CHICAGO – The Rev. Laurie Skow-Anderson, Menomonie, Wis., was elected June 3 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election was held during the Synod Assembly June 2-3 at the Davies Center at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire.
Skow-Anderson was elected on the fifth ballot with 228 votes to 187 votes for the Rev. John A. Sutherland, assistant to the synod's bishop.
The bishop-elect currently serves as the synod's director for evangelical mission. She served as a pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Pelican Rapids, Minn., from 2001 to 2014.
Skow-Anderson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in from Moorhead State University in Moorhead, Minn., in 1980, and a Master of Divinity degree from Northwestern Lutheran Theological Seminary (now Luther Seminary) in St. Paul, Minn. in 1986. She earned a Doctor of Ministry from Luther in 2010. The seminary is one of seven ELCA seminaries.
The Rev. Richard N. Hoyme has served as bishop of the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin since 2013 and will retire June 30.
Skow-Anderson will be installed on Aug. 25 at Bethel Lutheran Church in Hudson, Wis.
Information about the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin is available at nwswi.org.
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with more than 3.5 million members in 9,300 congregations across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
773-380-2877
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
Brian Maas re-elected bishop of ELCA Nebraska Synod
CHICAGO -- The Rev. Brian D. Maas, Omaha, was re-elected June 1 to serve a second six-year term as bishop of the Nebraska Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election was held during the Synod Assembly May 31-June 2 at the Younes Conference Center in Kearney, Neb.
The bishop was re-elected on the first ballot with 477 votes. A total of 586 votes were cast.
Maas has served as bishop of the Nebraska Synod in Omaha since 2012. He served as pastor of First Lutheran Church in Lincoln, Neb., from 2006 to 2012 and as pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Kansas City, Mo., from 1997 to 2006.
The bishop earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln in 1986. He earned a Master of Divinity from Yale University Divinity School in 1989 and a second Master of Divinity from Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg (now United Lutheran Seminary) in 1992. United is one of seven ELCA seminaries.
Information about the Nebraska Synod is available at nebraskasynod.org/.
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with more than 3.5 million members in 9,300 congregations across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
773-380-2877
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
ELCA presiding bishop letter of support in response to Indonesian bombings
CHICAGO – In response to the recent terror attacks at three churches and a police station in Surabaya, Indonesia, the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), sent a letter offering prayers and support to The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) National Committee in Indonesia.
"On behalf of your brothers and sisters in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, I join all of you in the 13 Lutheran churches across Indonesia as you advocate for peace and harmony among all Indonesian people, especially between the different faith communities; as you call on your government to prevent radicalism and acts of terror in Indonesia and beyond; and as you find God's wisdom to guide you," Eaton wrote.
The national committee represents the 13 LWF member churches in Indonesia, which together have more than 6 million members.
The committee has issued a statement calling on the government of Indonesia to investigate the terrorist acts while also addressing the root causes of terrorism in Indonesia. According to the LWF, the statement urges Christians in Indonesia to respond to acts of terror in a way that will lead to peace and harmony among the different religious communities in Indonesia.
Read Bishop Eaton's letter.

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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with more than 3.5 million members in more than 9,300 congregations across the 50 states and in the Caribban region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.

For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
773-380-2877
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org