"Free in Christ to Serve the Neighbor"

During September, you are invited to join in a Bible/text study centered on the most recent document from the Task Force for ELCA Studies on Sexuality, “Free in Christ to Serve the Neighbor: Lutherans Talk about Human Sexuality.” The study engages Paul’s letter to the Galatians, as well as Martin Luther’s “The Freedom of a Christian” as biblical and theological grounding for its exploration.

Bishop Mark Hanson has asked that individual congregations engage in conversation, prayer, and reflection about the study, and offer feedback to the ELCA as the Task Force develops recommendations for an ELCA Social Statement on Human Sexuality. The deadline for this feedback is November 1. A draft of the social statement will be circulated church-wide during 2008 for comment by individuals and congregations. The recommendations of the Task Force will be presented to the 2009 Churchwide Assembly in Minneapolis. The ELCA’s social statements are its primary teaching and social policy documents, adopted by the Churchwide Assembly, and addressing significant social issues.

We will start reading on September 1. As we read, we will have three opportunities to gather for conversation and reflection on the material: Sept 16, Sept 30, and Oct 7, during the 9:45a.m. Adult Education Hour. At our third gathering on October 7, Dr. David Tiede will join us to listen to our comments and reflections. Dr. Tiede is a retired Professor of New Testament and former President of Luther Seminary. He currently is the Bernhard M. Christensen Professor of Religion and Vocation at Augsburg College, and is a member of the ELCA Task Force.

If you would like to participate, please pick up a reading plan from the Church Office. You can buy a print copy of the study ($5) there, or download the document for free as a PDF file (see the link on the right).

Questions? Contact the Church Office at 612-870-4416.

Useful Links:

ELCA Web page on "Free in Christ to Serve the Neighbor:  Lutherans Talk About Human Sexuality"

http://www.elca.org/faithfuljourney/study

On this page you can download the entire study or individual chapters as PDF files, and read more about the ELCA's "Journey Together Faithfully" initiative.