stuff from churchwide

You know what's happening at Churchwide?

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You know what else is happening at Churchwide?

In March 2009 the ELCA Church Council adopted a churchwide strategy on HIV and AIDS. In its action the council voted to ask the churchwide assembly to approve a three-year, $10 million fundraising campaign in support of the strategy. The assembly also will be asked to affirm the strategy.

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In 2007 the United Nations Foundation (UNF) approached Lutheran World Relief (LWR), Baltimore, and asked it to mobilize Lutheran constituents in the United States against malaria. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, provided substantial funds to UNF for this purpose, and UNF plans to provide a grant to assist in fundraising for the initiative. The ELCA and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod have been working with UNF and LWR to develop the initiative.

The ELCA Church Council, in November 2007, authorized the ELCA churchwide organization to develop the initiative, and it stipulated that the effort should be coordinated with the church's longstanding commitment to HIV and AIDS ministry.

In March 2009 the council recommended that the churchwide assembly approve continued development of the initiative, prepare resources and solicit donors during the next two years. The recommendation also asks for development of an LMI churchwide fundraising campaign, and asks that a report and recommendations be brought to the 2011 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.

You can watch the ELCA assembly live every day at the ELCA website. The AIDS discussion will be Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, and the Malaria discussion Tuesday afternoon. I understand that video highlights and possibly the entire video stream will be available after the Plenary Sessions.

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Edited to add: There are also several interesting memorials from the Synods regarding health-related issues, including several involving disability. 2009 Memorials Committee Report.