Martin Marty to Head Concordat Writing Team

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Martin E. Marty, Chicago, will head up the writing team that will undertake a revision of the "Concordat of Agreement," on behalf of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.  Also on the team authorized by the ELCA Church Council are the Rev. Todd W. Nichol, St. Paul, and Dr. Michael Root, Strasbourg, France.  They will be joined by three representatives from The Episcopal Church.
     The Rev. Daniel F. Martensen, ELCA director for ecumenical affairs said, "As of today we have begun the process of developing a revised proposal for full communion with The Episcopal Church."
     The council asked the presiding bishops of the ELCA and The Episcopal Church to rework the Concordat with a draft document ready to show the ELCA's spring synod assemblies.
     The council's Nov. 16 action also calls for a panel of advisors.  They are: Terry Bowes, Longmont, Colo.; Kathryn Kelker, Billings, Mont.; the Rev. Joan A. Mau, Washington Island, Wis.; Mary Beth A. Peterson, Omaha; the Rev. Thomas A. Prinz, Alexandria, Va.; Albert Quie, Minnetonka, Minn.; Bishop Peter Rogness, Milwaukee; Nelvin Vos, Maxatawny, Pa.; and Bishop Ronald B. Warren, Atlanta.
     At its Churchwide Assembly in August the ELCA narrowly defeated the original Concordat, which would have established full communion between the two churches.  But the assembly rededicated the church to work toward that relationship.
     "We are attempting to consult as widely as possible and to respect the variety of concerns voiced by those opposed to the Concordat and those who affirmed it, Martensen said.
     In a letter the Rev. H. George Anderson, presiding bishop of the ELCA, expressed thanks to the writing team, adding, "You are given a big job and a relatively short time to complete it." He outlined some areas where "a degree of consensus" has been achieved and some "concerns" that have emerged.
     In addition to leading the writing team, Marty will serve as moderator for the advisory panel.  Marty, a pastor of the ELCA, is Fairfax M. Cone Distinguished Professor of American religion at the University of Chicago and publisher of "Christian Century."
     Nichol is associate professor of church history at Luther Seminary, St. Paul.  Root teaches at the Institute for Ecumenical Research at Strasbourg until April when he will move to Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, Ohio.

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