A special Congregational meeting of St. Paul's Lutheran Church will be held in the Sanctuary at NOON on Sunday April 18, 2010 for all confirmed members to cast a ballot on whether to remain with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) or to initiate the process of disaffiliation from the ELCA.
This page contains additional information and links to other sites with even more information on the issues surrounding the meeting.
A complete packet of information
which should be easily readable on your computer or printed out is available in PDF form by clicking here (PDF) (1.6MB, 94 Pages).
This is the same packet of information that is available in printed form in the Church Office and that can be downloaded below as individual documents.
These documents provide some additional background information. Most of these were distributed at the three informational meetings. Printouts of these are also available in the Church Office.
- Report on the Actions of the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly by Steven King. PDF
- Some Differences Between the Major Lutheran Groups in America by Steven King. PDF
- St Paul's Constitution- page 6 details the process of leaving the ELCA. PDF
- St Paul's Commissioned Task Force - Survey Results. PDF
- Four Resolutions passed at the ELCA August 2009 Churchwide Assembly. PDF
- Report and Recommendation on Ministry Policies From the Task Force for ELCA Studies on Sexuality. PDF
- Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust - ELCA Social Statement. PDF
- Some Questions and Answers about the ELCA Sexuality Proposals - A Resource for the Church from Lutheran CORE. PDF
- Some Relevant Biblical References. PDF
- History of the ELCA. PDF
Following is the text of the letter that has been sent out announcing the Special Congregational Meeting.
April 7, 2010
To the Church Family of St. Paul's Lutheran,
A special Congregational meeting of St. Paul's Lutheran Church will be held in the Sanctuary at NOON on Sunday April 18, 2010 for all confirmed members to cast a ballot on whether to remain with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) or to initiate the process of disaffiliation from the ELCA.
This meeting has been precipitated by four resolutions passed in August 2009 at the Eleventh Churchwide Assembly of the ELCA that many Lutherans, including many members of St Paul's, believe challenge the authority of scripture.
Since then, a task force appointed by the church council has conducted a congregational survey and three informational meetings to help us learn more about the resolutions and our relationship with the ELCA. We listened to
Steven King, a Pastor from a church that has voted to change its affiliation,
to Glenndy Ose from the ELCA,
and to the testimonials of several in our church family. Handouts from these meetings can be viewed at
http://www.stpaulsinhanover.org/elcainfo.
Printed copies are also available in the Church office.
At the recommendation of the task force, the church council voted unanimously to call this special congregational meeting to let each confirmed member vote on this faith issue for our church family.
St. Paul's is one of many churches going through this decision making process. If you have any questions or concerns prior to the meeting please contact me, Pastor Gorden, or any council or task force member.
I pray that each one of you will allow the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts, words, and actions as we work through this decision.
Respectfully,
Bob Isch
Council President - 763-477-6509
bob.isch@stpaulsinhanover.org
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy which that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2
