Caring for creation
In response to the first-ever papal encyclical on climate change in June, the ELCA released a statement that the denomination joins with Pope Francis in asking world leaders “to embrace our common responsibil- ity as work continues toward a global agreement on climate change. We urge leaders to support an ambitious agreement that reduces greenhouse gas emissions, encourages develop- ment of low-carbon technologies, and supports the ability of countries to cope with the effects of a changing climate and build resiliency for a sus- tainable future.”
Prayers for justices
In May evangelist Franklin Graham used his Facebook page to plead for prayers on behalf of each U.S. Supreme Court justice as they pre- pared to rule on gay marriage. Rec- ognizing same-sex marriage as a con- stitutional right “would be a wicked, wicked thing,” said Graham, son of Billy Graham. “With nearly 1 million likes on Facebook and a quarter of a million followers on Twitter, Frank- lin Graham can inexpensively influ-
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Celebrating 50 years of dialogue
Lowell G. Almen, a former ELCA secretary (left), and Lee A. Piche, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, participate in a service of thanksgiving and prayer to commemorate 50 years of dialogue between Lutherans and Roman Catholics. The service was held May 27 in the chapel of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Center in Washington, D.C. Leaders then joined a sixth meeting of Round XII of the U.S. Lutheran-Catholic Dialogue on the topic of “Faithful Teaching.” Almen and Piche co-chair the current round of dialogue. “Fifty years ago, I don’t think anyone could have imagined the significant and substantive agreements reached by our two churches,” said Elizabeth A. Eaton, ELCA presiding bishop, who delivered the homily.
ence and incite his followers without the infrastructure his father required to persuade the masses,” said Scott Thumma, professor of sociology and religion at the Hartford (Conn.) Institute for Religion Research. At presstime, the Supreme Court was expected to decide on gay marriage before the end of June.
Augusta Victoria Hospital CEO dies
awfiq A. Nasser, CEO of Augusta Victoria Hospital in Jerusalem, died May 16. The
hospital, located on the Mount of Olives, is a program of the Lutheran World Federation, a global commu- nion of 144 churches. M. Wyvetta Bullock, ELCA execu-
tive for administration and a mem- ber of the Augusta Victoria Hospital board since 2012, called Nasser “an innovative and passionate leader.” His vision and determination moved the hospital to a place of prominence as a specialized center of medical excellence for cancer, hematology, and bone marrow, kidney and diabe-
tes, she said. Nasser was appointed the hospi-
tal’s CEO in 2001 at the age of 36 and shaped the hospital into the leading center for nephrology and oncol- ogy in the Palestinian territories. He served as its administrative director from 1997 to 2001. Munib A. Younan, bishop of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jor- dan and the Holy Land and LWF president, said Nasser cherished and loved Augusta Victoria Hospital. “Tawfiq did not want it to be just a hospital. He wanted it to be a com- munity of healing on the Mount of Olives,” Younan said.
Scouts make news
The Boy and Girl Scouts of America were celebrated and scrutinized in May when news of their openness to a more diverse membership and leadership became public. Robert Gates, president of the Boy Scouts, on May 21 called for an end to the ban on gay troop leaders. The former secre- tary of defense told the organization’s leadership that “we cannot ignore the social, political and judicial changes taking place in our country.” Gates said he wasn’t proposing a formal rule—yet. And although the policy of serving transgender girls is appar- ently 4 years old, the same week of May the Girl Scouts made clear that transgender girls are welcome. “Our position is not new,” said Andrea Bastiani Archibald, the Girl Scouts USA’s chief girl expert. “It conforms with our continuous commitment to inclusivity” and what has been on its “Frequently Asked Questions” page for four years.
July 2015 9 10
DAN KINSEY
EVAN B. CUMMINGS, CSP
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