Synod assemblies
nities sharing stories of ecumenical partnerships, the power of youth, the gift of music and more.
Oregon, May 17-19, Sunriver, Ore. • Sent a request to the Churchwide Assembly that by May 1, 2014, all ELCA con- gregations, organizations and invest- ment corporations “publish a list of the values of all fossil fuel stock and bond holdings ..., cease any new investments in fossil fuel compa- nies ..., ensure that within five years directly held or commingled assets in fossil fuels are removed from portfolios related to the ELCA, and with the exception of congregations, release quarterly updates, available to the public, detailing progress toward divestment.” • Called upon the ELCA to recommit to the Peace Not Walls strategy for engagement in the Holy Land.
Northwest Washington, May 17-19, Everett, Wash. • Requested recom- mendations from the ELCA’s cor- porate social responsibility team about divesting from fossil fuel companies. • Affirmed Peace Not Walls; called for study of the Kairos Palestine document and a commit- ment to socially responsible eco- nomic practices pertaining to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. • Called for conversations about ministering to same-gender couples and their families. • Supported legislation prohibiting employment discrimina- tion based on sexual orientation or gender identity. • Backed the Uniting American Families Act.
North/West Lower Michigan, May 19-21, Lansing, Mich. • Voted to stand in soli- darity with those who have mental illness and find ways to minister to them through prayer, discernment and advocacy. • Encouraged its members to ask their elected offi- cials to explore “ways and means,
38 The Lutheran •
www.thelutheran.org
including comprehensive back- ground checks, to lessen and limit gun violence” in the U.S. • Memori- alized the Churchwide Assembly to adopt the proposed social statement on criminal justice; encouraged its members to explore ministries that reach out to those affected by crime. • Renewed its commitment to cre- ating an anti-racist, multicultural church.
North Carolina, May 30-June1, Hickory, N.C. • Set a goal of $250,000 for contributions to the ELCA Malaria Campaign. • Agreed to communicate to their elected officials support for “just, compassionate, comprehen- sive immigration legislation with a path to citizenship.”
Southwest California, May 30-June 1, Glendale, Calif. • Sought accompani- ment, awareness-raising and advo- cacy for people of the Holy Land, and socially responsible economic practices that pertain to the Israeli- Palestine conflict. • Supported leg- islation that would prohibit employ- ment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. • Advocated for the Unit- ing American Families Act. • Urged congregations to offer and support anti-bullying education in their youth programs, public schools and communities; encouraged members to contact elected officials to sup- port “responsible control of deadly weapons, background checks for all gun sales, greater action toward issues of mental health and domes- tic violence ....”
Metropolitan Chicago, May 31- June 1, Tinley Park, Ill. • Urged congregations and individuals to join Christians worldwide in a prayer vigil for the Middle East on the 24th of each month. • Affirmed the Peace Not 40
Bishop elections
Elected: Robert G. Schaefer, 55, as bishop of the Florida-Bahamas Synod, effective Aug. 1. When: May 4, on the sixth ballot with 319 votes. Jack R. Palzer, a
pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church, Apollo Beach, Fla., received 170 votes. Bio: Pastor of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Venice, Fla. Served as the synod’s assistant to the bishop and as ELCA executive for worship. Served congregations in New York and Florida. Earned degrees from Iona College, New Rochelle, N.Y., and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. Replaces: Edward R. Benoway, who is retiring.
Elected: Kirby Unti, 61, as bishop of the Northwest Wash- ington Synod, effective Aug. 1. When: May 18 on the fourth ballot with 230 votes. Jeff Rus-
sell, pastor of Central Lutheran Church, Everett, Wash., received 151 votes. Bio: Pastor of St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Renton, Wash. Served as program pastor for Camp Luther- wood in Bellingham. Earned degrees from the University of Washington, Seattle, and Pacific Lutheran Theo- logical Seminary, Berkeley, Calif. Replaces: Wm Chris Boerger, who has served since 2001 and was ineli- gible for re-election.
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