ENGAGE IN CONVERSATION ABOUT THE ELCA SOCIAL STATEMENT ON CIVIC LIFE AND FAITH
The ELCA is developing a social statement on civic life and faith, the relationship of church and state, and related matters, as called for by the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.
Social statements are the ELCA’s primary documents to address significant social issues. They are intended to aid reflection, shape conscience and set forth the ELCA’s teaching and policy on the major social issues and questions of contemporary life. Social statements are developed by task forces, using an established process of study and widespread participation across the church to guide theological and moral deliberation.
YOU (this means YOU. Anyone who is a part of the ELCA in any way!) are invited to engage in the conversation in the Nebraska Synod.
Join us on zoom on April 11 at 7 p.m. for conversation about the statement. Together, we will walk through the statement and explore what is in it and what that means. We are very excited to have 3 task force members from the ELCA (Dr. Mindy Makant, Kyle Pasewark and Scott Ingalsbe) join us for the conversation as well as Rev. Dr. Ashley Hall from Kountze Memorial Lutheran Church. You are encouraged to read the document ahead of time but you are welcome even if you haven’t read it and we will be walking through it together. We hope to engage in lively conversation so bring your questions!
Join us again on zoom on April 18 at 7 pm for a formal hearing of the statement with task force members.
A formal hearing assumes that you have read and understand the document and you are coming ready to share you thoughts and opinions. While there will still be discussion, this is more of a chance to share specific affirmations or concerns about the statement. All feedback is recorded and shared with the task force. Once they have gathered information from hearings across the country, they will re-evaluate the draft statement.
If you prefer to be a part of an in-person hearing, join us at Synod Assembly, at the Younes Conference Center in Kearney for the 4 pm workshop on June 1st.
Participants are welcome at any or all of these events. You can attend both the zoom and the in person hearing.
**You do not need to attend all events. You may attend just the conversation or just one of the hearings. However, you will probably get the most benefit out of a hearing if you attend the conversation.
You can access the draft statement
HERE
If you are unable to attend the hearings, you can also provide feedback HERE
Nebraska Synod ELCA
