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gations and members to support and develop partnerships with Lutheran Campus Ministry.


South-Central of Wisconsin, May 4-5, Mid- dleton, Wis. • Postponed its bishop’s election to fall 2013. • Endorsed Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service’s “Stand for Welcome Sun- day,” encouraging congregations to designate a Sunday to explore immigration issues. • Declared July 2013-June 2014 for raising awareness of Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and other related cognitive health challenges. • Called for con- versations throughout the ELCA on ministering to same-gender couples and their families and advocating for their equal protection under the law. • Supported legislation prohibiting employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. • Backed the Uniting Amer- ican Families Act.


Florida-Bahamas, May 4-6, Lake Buena Vista, Fla. • Supported the Uniting American Families Act. • Defeated a resolution calling for legislation pro- hibiting employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.


Southwestern Texas, May 4-5, Corpus Christi, Texas • Called on congrega- tions and partner ministries to offer preventative programs address- ing bullying, harassment and other related violence. • Asked the Churchwide Assembly to call on Congress to pass legislation to pro- hibit employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity while providing for “religious exemptions.” • Supported the Uniting American Families Act. • Memorialized the Church- wide Assembly to urge members to call on their lawmakers to commit to facilitating a just and peaceful


resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. • Advocated for compas- sionate, just and wise immigration legislation.


Northern Great Lakes, May 16-18, Mar- quette, Mich. • Resolved to participate in a study on economic justice and learn how economic policies impact the working poor in the synod and beyond; challenged members, con- gregations and pastors to make one change in discretionary spending to assist the working poor and alleviate poverty. • Celebrated the ELCA’s 25th anniversary through mission moments featuring historical slides that were tied in with the present.


Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast, May 16-18, Navasota, Texas • Met in conjunction with a Glocal Mission Gathering for worship, workshops and shar- ing around global and local mission (www.elca.org/gme). A Global Festival fellowship event celebrated cultures, foods and activities from around the world.


Northwestern Ohio, May 17-18, Bowling Green, Ohio • Committed to helping those who are living with mental illness and their families. • Called for mission with and among people living in poverty through prayer, intentional study, direct service ministries, financial giving and edu- cation. • Opened the assembly with a “Gentle Service” designed for peo- ple and families living with autism, hearing and visual challenges, men- tal illness, etc.


St. Paul Area, May 17-18, Burnsville, Minn. • Sought conversations throughout the ELCA on ministering to same- gender couples and their families and advocating for their equal pro- tection under the law. • Urged sup- port and advocacy for legislation prohibiting employment discrimina-


Kate Christianson, a member of Grace Lutheran, Winchester, Wis., and Gary Froseth, pastor of St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Wausau, Wis., assemble hygiene kits during the East-Central Synod of Wisconsin Assembly. The kits, along with 120 work boots participants collected, will assist released inmates as they reintegrate into the community. The assembly met May 17-18 in Green Bay, Wis.


tion on the basis of sexual orienta- tion or gender identity. • Supported the Uniting American Families Act. • Affirmed Peace Not Walls as the means by which the ELCA imple- ments its strategy for engagement in the Holy Land conflict.


Southeast Michigan, May 17-18, Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich. • Recommended that the ELCA “explore and imple- ment social economic investment screens that pertain specifically to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and companies that profit from the Israeli occupation,” and provide information regarding such compa- nies so ELCA members can make informed, selective purchasing deci- sions. • Celebrated the ELCA’s 25th anniversary by highlighting models of ministry, with nine faith commu-


July 2013 37


PAUL HEYKES


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