ELCA LISTS UPDATE ON CHURCHES VOTING TO LEAVE

As of March 3, 2011, 743 congregations have taken first votes to leave the ELCA. These 743 congregations have taken a total of 791 first votes. Of the first votes taken, 551 passed and 240 failed. There have been 437 second votes; 414 passed and 23 failed.

Based on this count, the list posted on this blog is missing approximately 18 congregations that have taken their first and/or second votes to leave the ELCA.

WE WILL POST OUR LATEST LIST ON THIS SITE MARCH 12.

CONGREGATIONS SCHEDULED TO VOTE ON LEAVING THE ELCA MARCH 13

The following congregations are scheduled to vote March 13.
If you know of additions or changes to this list, please inform us at:
www.wordabide@aol.com

PLEASE REMEMBER THESE CONGREGATIONS IN YOUR PRAYERS!

Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Aberdeen, SD **

Bethel Lutheran Church, Parkersburg, IA **

Christ the King Lutheran Church, Charlotte, NC *

Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Salem, OR*

Stavanger Lutheran Church, Seneca, IL *

St. Peter Lutheran Church, Hallettsville, TX **

RESULTS MARCH 6: CONGREGATIONS VOTING TO LEAVE THE ELCA

1. LORD OF LIFE LUTHERAN CHURCH, Memphis, TN passed second vote to leave the ELCA and join NALC 82% 130-28.

2. ST PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH, (Zeiglers) Seven Valleys, PA passed first vote to leave ELCA 49-8.

3. NEW HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH, Hayti, SD passed second vote to leave ELCA 93% 55-4. NALC.

4. HAYTI LUTHERAN CHURCH, Hayti, SD passed second vote to leave ELCA 93% 66-4, with 1 abstain. NALC.

5. PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH, EVERETT, WA passed second vote to leave ELCA 94-15-2 and voted to join NALC vs LCMC 64-36.

6. CROSS LUTHERAN CHURCH, Pigeon, MI passed second vote to leave ELCA 85% 128-23. Also voted 139-11 to join NALC.

7. FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH, Seguin, TX passed second vote to leave ELCA and join LCMC, 98%.

8. JOY LUTHERAN CHURCH, Richmond, TX passed second vote to leave ELCA. Voted in January to join NALC.

9. BETHESDA LUTHERAN CHURCH, Wannaska, MN passed second vote to leave ELCA.

10. ST. JOHN LUTHERAN CHURCH, Bridgewater, MI passed second vote to leave ELCA 76-3; a second vote to affiliate with LCMC, also 76-3.

11. BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH, Nevis, MN passed first vote 69.7%.

A LIST OF CONGREGATIONS STARTED AFTER VOTE TO LEAVE THE ELCA FAILED

George Erdner lists 29 cities in which there was a new LCMC and/or NALC start-up in the wake of a failed vote to leave the ELCA, and 2 cities in which there was a new ELCA start-up in the wake of a successful vote to withdraw from the ELCA.

I suspect that there might be more new ELCA congregations starts in the wake of congregations voting to leave, but it is very difficult to find information about new ELCA starts. The ELCA has not responded to my requests for information on either new congregation starts or on congregations who took votes to leave that failed. They haven't even acknowledged that I've asked for that information. If anyone would like to provide any information on either new ELCA starts or on congregations whose votes to leave failed, they can e-mail me at g_erdner@yahoo.com. I will honor all requests for anonymity.

The database I'm compiling is a searchable archive of the information about the fallout from the 2009 ELCA CWA reported in this blog and others. It is not an alternative to this blog as a source for news. It is only an archive summary of the information reported here and elsewhere, stored in an Excel spreadshweet. The file is stored in a publicly accessible location, at the Yahoo! Group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ELCA2009CWAFallout/. The file is updated at least weekly, usually on Tuesday.


Prattville, AL Christ Lutheran Church failed vote to leave, Agape Lutheran Church started in LCMC
Tucson, AZ Tanque Verde Lutheran Church failed vote to leave, Desert Hope Lutheran Church (was LCMC East) started in LCMC
Peachtree City, GA Christ our Shepherd Lutheran Church failed vote to leave, Word of God Lutheran Church started in
NALC/LCMC
Rincon, GA Jerusalem Lutheran Church & St Johns failed vote to leave, Bible Lutheran Church started in LCMC
Monona, IA St Paul Lutheran Church failed vote to leave, Faith Lutheran Church started in NALC
Spencer, IA Bethany Lutheran Church failed vote to leave, Faith Lutheran Church started in LCMC
Strawberry Point, IA Emanuel Lutheran Church failed vote to leave, Mission in Christ Lutheran Church started in NALC
American Falls, ID St Johns Lutheran Church failed vote to leave, Shepherd of the Falls Lutheran Church started in LCMC
DeSoto, IL Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church failed vote to leave, Christ the King Lutheran Church started in NALC
Geneva, IL Geneva Lutheran Church failed vote to leave, New Hope Lutheran Church started in LCMC
Peoria, IL St Paul Lutheran Church failed vote to leave, Living Waters Lutheran Church started in LCMC
Quincy, IL Luther Memorial Church failed vote to leave, Hope Lutheran Church started in LCMC
Sterling, IL St Paul Lutheran Church & Immanuel (Rock Falls) failed vote to leave, New Life Lutheran Church started in
LCMC
Annapolis, MD St Martin Lutheran Church failed vote to leave, Annapolis Evangelical Lutheran Church started in NALC
Kensington, MN Nora Lutheran Church failed vote to leave, Kensington Lutheran Church started in LCMC
Little Falls, MN Bethel Lutheran Church & First Lutheran Church failed vote to leave, Faith Lutheran Church started in
LCMC
Ramsey, MN Lord of Life Lutheran Church failed vote to leave, Northgate Church started in LCMC
Watertown, MN Trinity Lutheran Church failed vote to leave, Peace Lutheran Church Churh started in LCMC
Kings Mountain, NC Resurrection Lutheran Church failed vote to leave, Advent Lutheran Church started in NALC
Harvey, ND First Lutheran Church failed vote to leave, Faith Lutheran Church started in LCMC
Dannebrog, NE Our Saviour Lutheran Church failed vote to leave, Faith Lutheran Church started in NALC
Seward, NE Faith Lutheran Church failed vote to leave, Living Word Lutheran Church started in LCMC
Lebanon, OR Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church failed vote to leave, Christ Community Lutheran Church started in LCMC
Smethport, PA Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church failed vote to leave, Hope Lutheran Church started in NALC
Brandon, SD Brandon Lutheran Church failed vote to leave, Heritage Lutheran Church started in NALC/LCMC
Milbank, SD American Evangelical Lutheran Church failed vote to leave, Living Word Lutheran Church started in LCMC
Fredericksburg, VA Resurrection Lutheran Church failed vote to leave, Celebration Church started in LCMC
Edgar, WI St John Lutheran Church failed vote to leave, Hope Lutheran Church in Fellowship with Christ started in LCMC
New London, WI Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church failed vote to leave, Shepherd of The River Lutheran Church started in
LCMC

Idaho Falls, ID First Evangelical Lutheran Church joined LCMC, Emmaus Lutheran Community started by ELCA
Hutchinson, MN, Christ the King Lutheran Church and Faith Lutheran Church both joined LCMC, River of Hope Lutheran Church started by ELCA.

PASTOR RESIGNS FROM ST. MARTIN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, ANNAPOLIS, MD, NEW CHURCH BEING FORMED

The vote taken by the members of St. Martin's Lutheran Church, January 31, 2011 to withdraw from the ELCA lost by only 3 votes, 251-129. Clearly, a strong majority had the desire to sever ties with the ELCA. Now, the congregation is experiencing a world of hurt. While 10% of St. Martin's members recently petitioned the Church Council for a new vote, their pastor, Gerald Miller, who served St. Martin's for 17 years, has resigned effective March 1, 2011. A new congregation, aligned with the North American Lutheran Church and led by Pastor Miller, is being developed--Annapolis Evangelical Lutheran Church. It will hold its first service this coming Sunday. Prior to the vote, St. Martin's had a baptized membership of over 1000.

Similar stories continue to unfold across the ELCA, especially in churches where the measure to leave was lost by only a few votes. If only those voting to remain could see the end from the beginning and understand the consequences should they "win" the right to stay in the ELCA, they might want to change their vote. Many members voting to leave the ELCA are not voting for a preference which they can take or leave. These folks cannot in good conscience remain attached to a church body that denies and tramples the Word of God. It is sad to see these congregations come apart at the seams after a close vote, but praise God that so many are willing to stand for the Word of God regardless of the cost.

Since the ELCA voted to accept practicing homosexuals onto their clergy roster in 2009, approximately 145 new congregations have been started by laity and pastors withdrawing from the ELCA. The congregations that have voted to withdraw from the ELCA since August 2009 represent a net loss to the ELCA of over 266,000 members. Add to this number those who are now attending the 145 new congregations mentioned above, and add also the thousands more who just walked out of the ELCA in absolute disgust over their departures from biblical truth.

Please remember to pray for all the ELCA congregations and members facing the process of voting to leave. And pray too for these new congregations being formed.

We praise God for Pastor Gerald Miller, a true servant of Christ who refuses to compromise the Word of God. May many more such stand-up leaders arise.

www.greaterannapolis.patch.com/articles/senior-pastor-leaving-lutheran-church

CONGREGATIONS SCHEDULED TO VOTE TO LEAVE THE ELCA IN MARCH

"Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eyes on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teachings which you learned, and turn away from them" (Romans 16:17).

Remember these congregations in your prayers as they go through this very difficult and painful process.

Please inform us of any changes or additions to this list:
wordabide@aol.com


* indicates first vote; ** indicates second vote

March 6
Faith Lutheran Church, Seguin, TX **
New Hope Lutheran, Hayti, SD**
Hayti Lutheran, Hayti, SD **
Cross Lutheran Church, Pigeon, MI **

Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Memphis, TN **

Joy Lutheran Church, Richmond, TX **

March 13
Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Aberdeen, SD **
Bethel Lutheran Church, Parkersburg, IA **
Christ the King Lutheran Church, Charlotte, NC *
Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Salem, OR*

Stavanger Lutheran Church, Seneca, IL *

March 20
St. Andrew Lutheran Church, New Bern, NC *
St. John Lutheran Church, Hatton, ND ** (St. John Lutheran has changed the date of their vote from March 20 to May 1
Badger Lutheran Church, Badger, IA **
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Gastonia, NC **

March 27
Zion Lutheran Church, Groveport, OH *

Grace Lutheran Church, Menno, SD **

Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Menno, SD **

First Lutheran Church, Paxton, IL *

BISHOP HERBERT CHILSTROM’S LETTER TO THOSE LEAVING THE ELCA

PASTOR DAVID R. BARNHART RESPONDS


In an open letter to those withdrawing from the ELCA, Bishop Herbert Chilstrom, first bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), asked three questions:

1. What is it about sex that pushed you over the edge?
2. Why are you organizing new churches?
3. What will you say to your sons and daughters, sisters and brothers and others in your churches when they tell you they are homosexual?

Even though Bishop Chilstrom’s questions are uncharacteristically sarcastic in tone and obviously intended to ridicule those who do not agree with him, I will attempt to answer his questions with the hope of generating more light than heat on an issue that has already caused immeasurable heartache for so many members and former members of the ELCA.

“WHAT IS IT ABOUT SEX THAT PUSHED YOU OVER THE EDGE?”
Bishop Chilstrom, it is not “sex” that has caused over 800,000 members and at least 1000 congregations to leave the ELCA since its establishment in 1988; it is the ELCA’s ongoing denial of the Bible as the inspired Word of God and its blatant attack on the teachings of Scripture. Those who have left and those who are still in the process of leaving the ELCA, including some of your own most respected theologians and former bishops, have explained this repeatedly, but you and ELCA leaders apparently are not listening. Instead, you have chosen to ridicule and insult them by suggesting some warped attitude about “sex” has prompted their leaving.

The people of the ELCA were not the ones who raised the issue of promoting homosexuality as being virtuous, nor did they raise the issue of ordaining practicing homosexuals as pastors. You, Bishop Chilstrom, and the ELCA leadership were responsible for relentlessly driving this agenda in the ELCA over the past 22 years. It was you and liberal ELCA leaders who initiated studies, costing millions of benevolence dollars, in order to reeducate ELCA members that homosexuality should be fully accepted by the church, in total contradiction to the teachings of Scripture.

Because the Bible clearly identifies homosexuality as sin and an abomination before God, (Leviticus 18:22; Romans 1:26-28; Corinthians 6:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8; Jude 1:7), ELCA leaders gathered theologians and teachers to write books, papers and articles that would “prove” numerous biblical passages that identify homosexual acts as sin do not really mean what the text declares. This is clearly reminiscent of the first false teacher, Satan, who used the same tactic with Eve when he asked her: “Did God really say? (Genesis 3:1). Paul described such deceitful teachers when he wrote:

“But the Spirit explicitly says that in the later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons…” (1 Timothy 4:1).
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires, and will turn from the truth and will turn aside to myths” (2 Timothy 4:3-4).

Bishop, you and the ELCA leadership permitted the pro-homosexual lobby to bring their political agenda before the Churchwide Assembly year after year, even though it was repeatedly rejected. Your persistence paid off when the 2009 Churchwide Assembly approved a resolution that officially allows practicing homosexuals to serve as pastors. The fact is—the ELCA leadership had permitted practicing homosexuals to serve in the ELCA for years with little or no discipline being imposed on them or the congregations they served.

The resolution to sanction the ordination of practicing homosexuals was passed at the 2009 Churchwide Assembly only because ELCA Church Council drafted and backed a provision that permitted its passage by a simple majority vote instead of the customary two-thirds plurality. Had the people in the pews of the ELCA been given the opportunity to vote on ordaining practicing homosexuals as pastors, the measure would not have passed. No, Bishop Chilstrom, the issue that has “pushed” literally hundreds of thousands of former ELCA members “over the edge,” to use your words, is not sex; the issue was, is, and continues to remain the ELCA’s low view and arrogant rejection of the Scriptures.

“WHY ARE YOU ORGANIZING NEW CHURCHES?”
In answer to your second question, Bishop Chilstrom, former ELCA members have organized new church bodies and joined existing Bible-believing Lutheran churches in order to preserve our rich heritage as Lutherans. Those who have withdrawn from the ELCA have done so with heavy hearts and agonizing grief. The pain of leaving a congregation, friends and a church body in which one has worshipped, loved and labored for so many years is beyond describing. But the Scripture’s call to “obey God rather than man” supersedes loyalty to a congregation or a denomination. Once we recognized the ELCA had been hijacked by those who substitute the teachings of Scripture for socially accepted values and man-made opinions, there was no other choice. God’s Word and the Lutheran Confessions instruct us to pass on to our posterity the pure Word of God and doctrines that agree with the Scriptures.

The ELCA’s low view of Scripture has not only brought about the endorsement of homosexual perversions, it has opened the door to goddess worship and a host of other false doctrines and practices. For example, the liturgy used in the Reception Service in San Francisco last August to welcome practicing homosexual pastors into the ELCA contained pagan prayers and goddess worship. Several ELCA bishops participated in the service.

You may be right, Bishop Chilstrom, that the Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC) and the North America Lutheran Church (NALC) were established in some measure because other existing Lutheran bodies do not ordain women. The ordination of women marks a clear distinction between the LCMC, the NALC and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, the Wisconsin Evangelical Synod, the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations, the American Association of Lutheran Churches and other smaller Lutheran bodies. Even so, the LCMC and the NALC are more in agreement with established conservative Lutheran bodies than they are with the ELCA which has deliberately chosen to abandon biblical and confessional Lutheranism. Have you ever stopped to consider why it is that the ELCA has no official fellowship with any of these Lutheran bodies? Perhaps it is the ELCA’s hubris that you are altogether right, while all other Lutherans are wrong. Lutheranism does not begin and end with the ELCA.

You cannot imagine the freedom those who left the ELCA have found in any and all of these Lutheran bodies and newly established congregations. It is such a blessing not to have to spend your life fighting your own church over the authority of Scripture and correct doctrine, especially in times like these, when our nation needs churches that will stand on the solid foundation of God’s truth.

Perhaps, Bishop, there are too many Lutheran bodies in the United States today, as your question implies, but as long as the ELCA persists in departing from Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, there can never be too many Lutheran churches to lift high the banner of the truth contained in God’s Word.

WHAT WILL YOU SAY TO YOUR SONS, DAUGHTERS, SISTERS, BROTHERS AND OTHERS WHEN THEY TELL YOU THEY ARE HOMOSEXUAL?
Your question implies only you and those who agree with you have anything meaningful to say to homosexuals, while those who disagree with you do not. But let me assure you when it comes to offering help and hope to homosexuals, we have more to offer them than you and your liberal supporters.

Unlike you, we do not tell them God approves their behavior. We continue to compassionately tell our sons, daughters, sisters and brothers— We love you with all of our hearts and nothing will change that, but we can not and will not accept the lifestyle you have chosen.

To those within our churches who tell us they are homosexuals, we say—You are welcome in our congregations. But our welcome does not mean we condone your sinful behavior, nor does it mean we will permit you to serve as a pastors or as leaders in our churches. We love you enough to tell you homosexual practices are contrary to the Word of God. If you continue to embrace homosexuality or other deviant behaviors, you will bring endless grief into your life and shut yourself off from God’s grace. We love you enough to remind you that your chosen lifestyle could cause you to acquire AIDS and shorten your life. The life expectancy of a homosexual man is age 42, while the life expectancy of a heterosexual man is 75.

To all homosexuals, we say—We love you enough to tell you there is a Savior who is able to redeem, forgive and totally transform your life, if you turn to Him in faith and repentance. Don’t listen to those who tell you that you can’t change or be changed. Come to the Savior and be made whole.


YOU ARE RELIEVED TO SEE US GO
Finally Bishop, you state: “I am both sad and relieved that you are leaving. Sad, because this was not what we hoped for when the ELCA was formed 22 years ago. We believed we could be a church where we held to the essentials and allowed for differences on non-essentials. But I am also relieved. Now those of us who remain in the ELCA can get on with our primary mission of telling everyone — ‘Jesus loves you. You are welcome in this church.’”

Let me assure you Bishop, denying the teachings of the Bible and lifting up homosexuality as a virtue are not non-essentials. The Bible is clear, those who do such things “will not inherit the Kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). Yes, Bishop, we know these verses include other sinners. But thankfully, all who come to Christ by faith and repent of their sins will be washed clean in the blood of the Lamb. This truth is the very heart and soul of the gospel of salvation.

You say you are sadden but relieved to see us go, so the ELCA can get on with its primary mission—to tell everyone “Jesus loves you. You are welcome in this church.” But that is not the mission of the Church. According to the Bible the mission of the church is to teach “all things Christ has commanded (Matthew 28:20). Telling homosexuals or any other sinner “Jesus loves you,” while failing to proclaim their need of faith and repentance is to love them into hell, which is no love at all.

Our prayer Bishop Chilstrom, is that our leaving may cause you and others in the ELCA to reexamine the Scriptures and return to the pure teaching of God’s Word.

RESULTS FEBRUARY 27, 2011, CONGREGATIONS VOTING TO LEAVE ELCA

1. St. John Lutheran Church, Meyersville, TX passed second vote 74% (Feb. 20). Voted to join NALC 92%. First vote was in November 2010.

2. Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, (Richfield) Hubertus, WI passed first vote and join LCMC 147-10.

3. Black Forest Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, CO passed second vote 191-9. Voted to affiliate with NALC.

4. Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, Concord, NC passed first vote (second attempt) 116-53.

5. St. Matthew Lutheran Church, (Bowley's Quarter) Baltimore, MD passed second vote (Feb. 13) and join NALC 121-1.

6. St. Luke Lutheran Church, Monroe, NC failed to pass second vote 35-26.

7. St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Readlyn, IA passed second vote 100% NALC.

8. Zion Lutheran Church, Readlyn, IA passed second vote 96% NALC.

9. St. John Lutheran Church, Phillips, WI passed second vote 79-19. Joined NALC.

ELCA FORCES CLOSURE OF ANOTHER CHURCH

Just how many churches of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) await the fate of Grace Lutheran Church, North Branch, NY? The membership of the church had been dwindling for several years and finances had been a challenge, but members of Grace Lutheran Church were shocked when they received a letter from their ELCA synod that began “In the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" and continued “the Synod will take control of the real and personal property of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church.”

Grace Lutheran members were shocked even more when the ELCA changed the locks on the church doors to keep out the very people whose ancestors had built the church and who until the locks were changed paid for the church’s daily operations.

Such takeovers and closures have not been uncommon in the ELCA, but they will likely increase as more and more members walk out of their churches because of the unbiblical teachings and practices being imposed on local congregations by the national church. Congregations that are voting to leave the ELCA should ponder carefully what will happen if their vote fails and vast numbers of the congregation’s membership departs. It may be only a matter of time until they too will get a letter “In the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Synod will take control of the real and personal property of your church."

The closure of Grace Lutheran Church in North Branch followed the closure this past summer of their sister congregation, First Lutheran Church of Jeffersonville, with whom they had been yoked as a parish.

How refreshing that nearly all of the congregations that have voted to leave the ELCA have joined Lutheran fellowships where the property resides totally in the hands of the local congregation and cannot be taken from them, namely the AFLC, AALC, LCMC and NALC.

More:
www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110226/NEWS/110229811

www.firstgracelutheran.org/

ADDITIONS TO CHURCHES VOTING TO LEAVE THE ELCA

We have added the names of three congregations to our February 15 Update List.
1. St. John Lutheran Church, Kittanning, PA passed first vote January 30.

2. Reformation Lutheran Church, Westminster, CA passed first vote February 20.

3. Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Ackley, IA passed first vote.

ELCA College Course Concludes with Professor and Students Drag Show

(Laity, congregations and pastors who are considering leaving the ELCA may want to hasten their departure after reading this story.)

by Exposing the ELCA

“Higher Standards — Higher Values — Lutheran Higher Education — There's a Difference, and it Lasts a Lifetime.” (quote from here) That is a statement from the official Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s website describing “the 26 colleges and universities of the ELCA . . .” (quote from here)

I leave it to you to decide if the ELCA is living up to the above statement after reading the following:

Muhlenberg College, an ELCA affiliated school, offers first year students a course called "Of Kings and Queens: Drag Theory and Performance."

In a Muhlenberg College posted article entitled, “This class is a drag — and students love it,” it says this about the course, “The students in ‘Of Kings and Queens’ have spent the first three-quarters of the semester reading, writing and analyzing, discussing the politics of gender and sexuality, and coming to understand drag as a cultural phenomenon.

But the highlight of the semester will be the final exam. (Assistant Professor Troy) Dwyer and all 15 of his students are planning a drag show, which they will perform for the public, Dec. 9 at the Stonewall. Dwyer says he believes the course is unique.”

http://www.facebook.com/notes/exposing-the-elca/elca-college-course-concludes-with-professor-and-students-drag-show/10150094665856720

SAN FRANCISCO CHURCH WILL JOIN ELCA THIS SUNDAY

While over 500 churches affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America are struggling to break free, St. Francis Lutheran Church, San Francisco, CA is planning to rejoin the ELCA February 27.

St. Francis was expelled from the ELCA in 1996 because it chose to call and ordain practicing homosexuals pastors. With the ELCA’s decision in August 2009 to welcome and receive practicing homosexuals onto its clergy roster, all is now forgiven between St. Francis and the ELCA.

St. Francis will return to the ELCA during a special worship service this coming Sunday afternoon at 3:00 local time. Bishop Mark Holmerud will participate in the welcoming service to receive the congregation back into its good graces.