empowers openly identified sexual minority people called to God's mission of ministry and witness.
Lutheran Lesbian & Gay Ministries
Soulforce Supports Lutheran Gay-Affirming Groups At ELCA Churchwide Annual Meeting
Vigils, Trainings, Celebrations, and Civil Disobedience Take Place in Indianapolis August 10-13, 2001
(Laguna Beach, CA) Hundreds of people from all over the United States came together in Indianapolis on August 10-13, 2001 at the Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) to urge the ELCA to remove unfair and discriminatory restrictions against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) individuals called to ministry. Soulforce supporters and the Lutheran Alliance for Full Participation held a celebration of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Lutheran heros/sheros, daylong vigils, trainings in non-violence, and civil disobedience.
Below are recent news articles, press releases and Soulforce statements:
A Brief Summary of Actions
from the Seventh Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America,
Indianapolis, Indiana, August 8-14, 2001
Making Christ Known: Sharing Faith in a New Century was the theme of the 2001 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The 1,039 voting members met at the Indiana Convention Center to act on issues before this church. The Rev. H. George Anderson, ELCA presiding bishop, was chair.
Homosexuality Study Authorized, Final Report and Recommendations Due in 2005
In response to memorials from synods, voting members, by a vote of
899-115, called for a churchwide study on homosexuality, including
matters related to the blessing of same-gender relationships and
ordination of gay and lesbian people in committed relationships. The
action also calls for a final report and an action plan for
implementation to be presented to the 2005 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.
Full Story >>
Soulforce Direct Action
An overview with links for specific day stories and pictures.
Protesters call church's study another delay in accepting gays
(8/14/01 - Indianapolis Star)
50 Soulforce Protesters Arrested At ELCA Churchwide Assembly In Indianapolis
(8/14/01 - Soulforce)
ELCA Leaders Address Homosexuality Actions from Assembly
(8/14/01 - Soulforce)
Soulforce Announces Direct Actions At ELCA Churchwide Assembly August 10-13
(8/6/01 - Soulforce)
Soulforce To Support Lutheran Gay-Affirming Groups At ELCA Churchwide Annual Meeting
(7/15/01 - Soulforce)
An Open Letter From The Lutheran Alliance for Full Participation
Churchwide.doc (248k)
Letter to All Voting Members of the 2001 ELCA Churchwide Assembly
Allianceltrf.doc (186k)