ELCA Seeks to Increase Representation of Youth and Persons With Disabilitie

     PHILADELPHIA (ELCA) -- Youth, young adults and persons with disabilities may have greater representation in the business of the church as a result of actions taken by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's fifth biennial assembly meeting here Aug. 14-20.
     The actions were the result of a number of proposals for action submitted by voting members from around the United States and Caribbean that were referred to churchwide units for study and recommendations before the next assembly in 1999.
     On recommendation of the committee on reference and counsel, the assembly:   *  Referred a motion by Meredith Diane Lovell, Delaware-Maryland Synod,   that synods (geographical areas) have youth and young adult members in   their delegations to the Churchwide Assembly.   The motion also urges   congregations to include youth under age 21 and young adults aged 21-30   as voting members to synod assemblies. The synod bishops are asked to   offer recommendations to the Church Council in April 1998.   * Approved in principle a motion by Bishop Andrea DeGroot-Nesdahl,   South Dakota Synod, that the Church Council include in its membership   two youth/young adult voting members among its number.  The council   currently has two youth/young adult advisory members.   *  Approved in principle and referred to the Church Council resolutions   by Sunshine B. Keiser, Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod, and Jeffrey   Kane, New England Synod,  encouraging that at least one person with a   disability be included on all churchwide councils, committees, boards   and organizational units and that a council for disability issues be   studied.   In other actions, the assembly:   *  Referred to the legal and constitutional review committee of the   Church Council a motion by Kane, that would allow voting members of the   Churchwide Assembly to have voice at synod assemblies as advisory   members.   *  Referred to the Board of Pensions a request submitted by Bishop Lee   M. Miller, Upstate New York Synod, to explore ways to reduce "out of   pocket" medical costs for rostered persons in their first three years   of ministry.   *  Referred to the Board of Pensions, ELCA Foundation and Division for   Ministry, a motion by Bradley C. Jenson, Northeastern Minnesota Synod,   requesting the Board of Pensions to include rostered persons age 35 and   up in retirement financial planning sessions.   *  Referred a motion by Annette Crickenberger, Eastern North Dakota   Synod, amending the Model Constitution for Congregations to add: "or a   candidate for the roster of ordained ministers who has been recommended   to the congregation by the synodical bishop," to the legal and   constitutional review committee.

For information contact:

Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html