ELCA NEWS SERVICE
December 17, 2009
Minneapolis ELCA Congregation Raises Spire Cross
MINNEAPOLIS (ELCA) -- A chapter in the life of Central Lutheran Church, Minneapolis -- lived out largely in the public eye and one that has provided the opportunity to tell the story of Central's urban mission far and wide -- came to a successful conclusion this week.
Braving arctic-cold weather, members of the congregation gathered outdoors Dec. 13 and sang "Lift High the Cross" as Central's historic spire cross -- damaged in a rare downtown tornado last summer -- was raised by a 200-foot crane and permanently remounted on the church's spire.
The tornado touched down near Central Aug. 19 as the Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) was meeting at the Minneapolis Convention Center across the street. Two outdoor, tented hospitality areas, set up to serve assembly voting members and guests, were destroyed. The storm snapped the center supporting mast of the spire, leaving the 14-foot tall, 900-pound cross dangling upside down. It was safely removed the following day.
