San Francisco Congregation Returns to the ELCA - News Releases - Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
ELCA NEWS SERVICE
March 4, 2011
March 4, 2011
San Francisco Congregation Returns to the ELCA
11-025-JB
11-025-JB
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- St. Francis Lutheran Church, San Francisco, rejoined the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) late last month by ratifying a new constitution and celebrating its return in a special worship service Feb. 27.
The Rev. Mark W. Holmerud, bishop of the ELCA Sierra Pacific Synod, Sacramento, preached and formally received the congregation, describing the service as "joyous, healing and celebrative."
In 1990 St. Francis called the Rev. Ruth Frost and the Rev. Phyllis Zillhart as its pastors. At the time, both were not eligible for the ELCA clergy roster because church policy did not allow people in same-gender relationships to serve as ELCA pastors. At about the same time, another San Francisco congregation, First United Lutheran Church, called the Rev. Jeff Johnson as its pastor. Johnson was also ineligible to serve.
After an ELCA disciplinary proceeding, the congregations were found to be in violation of church policy. They were suspended from the ELCA roster of congregations and removed in 1996.
In 2009, the ELCA Churchwide Assembly directed that ministry policies be changed to allow eligible candidates in publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships to serve as ELCA clergy and professional lay leaders. Frost, Johnson and Zillhart were all received as ELCA pastors in 2010 after new policies were put in place.
"There is a lot of joy from the congregation and from supporters throughout the country," said the Rev. Robert Goldstein, pastor of St. Francis, in an interview with ELCA News. Goldstein said when he was called to St. Francis in 2005, members had mixed feelings about the ELCA. Some remarked that they didn't expect to witness St. Francis' return to the ELCA in their lifetimes, he said.
"When we had this service on Sunday afternoon, it was just exceedingly joyous. It's a service I'll never forget," he said. The high point was Holmerud's declaration that the congregation was a duly constituted congregation of the ELCA Sierra Pacific Synod, said Goldstein, who presided over the liturgy. The Rev. Nancy M. Feniuk Nelson, bishop's associate, presided at communion. About 200 people attended.
"People in this congregation have a very strong sense that the church is bigger than the congregation. We look forward to participating in the wider church," said Goldstein, who plans to retire June 1. St. Francis will be recognized at the synod assembly, he added.
"This was a really important moment for the congregation, for our synod and for the ELCA. I was honored to be a part of that," he said in an interview.
Despite its removal from the ELCA St. Francis has maintained relationships with congregations in the Sierra Pacific Synod. Members also attended synod assemblies but could not vote.
"There is a sense that this is a new life," Holmerud said. "In my sermon, I said they are one of over 10,000 congregations in the ELCA. They understand the focus of their ministry continues to be about justice and representing the ELCA well to the city of San Francisco."
Holmerud presented the congregation with a certificate recognizing its ELCA membership. The congregation presented Holmerud with a copy of its new constitution and a letter of intent. Members also presented the synod with a statue of St. Francis made of wood.
Meanwhile, members of First United Lutheran Church attended St. Francis' celebration, including their pastor, the Rev. Susan M. Strouse. She said First United members are discerning "whether or not to join the ELCA."
Members have met with Nelson to begin work on required changes to the congregation's constitution and plan to submit it for review in April, Strouse said. She added the congregation plans to continue discussions about the pros and cons of rejoining the ELCA.
The Rev. Mark W. Holmerud, bishop of the ELCA Sierra Pacific Synod, Sacramento, preached and formally received the congregation, describing the service as "joyous, healing and celebrative."
In 1990 St. Francis called the Rev. Ruth Frost and the Rev. Phyllis Zillhart as its pastors. At the time, both were not eligible for the ELCA clergy roster because church policy did not allow people in same-gender relationships to serve as ELCA pastors. At about the same time, another San Francisco congregation, First United Lutheran Church, called the Rev. Jeff Johnson as its pastor. Johnson was also ineligible to serve.
After an ELCA disciplinary proceeding, the congregations were found to be in violation of church policy. They were suspended from the ELCA roster of congregations and removed in 1996.
In 2009, the ELCA Churchwide Assembly directed that ministry policies be changed to allow eligible candidates in publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships to serve as ELCA clergy and professional lay leaders. Frost, Johnson and Zillhart were all received as ELCA pastors in 2010 after new policies were put in place.
"There is a lot of joy from the congregation and from supporters throughout the country," said the Rev. Robert Goldstein, pastor of St. Francis, in an interview with ELCA News. Goldstein said when he was called to St. Francis in 2005, members had mixed feelings about the ELCA. Some remarked that they didn't expect to witness St. Francis' return to the ELCA in their lifetimes, he said.
"When we had this service on Sunday afternoon, it was just exceedingly joyous. It's a service I'll never forget," he said. The high point was Holmerud's declaration that the congregation was a duly constituted congregation of the ELCA Sierra Pacific Synod, said Goldstein, who presided over the liturgy. The Rev. Nancy M. Feniuk Nelson, bishop's associate, presided at communion. About 200 people attended.
"People in this congregation have a very strong sense that the church is bigger than the congregation. We look forward to participating in the wider church," said Goldstein, who plans to retire June 1. St. Francis will be recognized at the synod assembly, he added.
"This was a really important moment for the congregation, for our synod and for the ELCA. I was honored to be a part of that," he said in an interview.
Despite its removal from the ELCA St. Francis has maintained relationships with congregations in the Sierra Pacific Synod. Members also attended synod assemblies but could not vote.
"There is a sense that this is a new life," Holmerud said. "In my sermon, I said they are one of over 10,000 congregations in the ELCA. They understand the focus of their ministry continues to be about justice and representing the ELCA well to the city of San Francisco."
Holmerud presented the congregation with a certificate recognizing its ELCA membership. The congregation presented Holmerud with a copy of its new constitution and a letter of intent. Members also presented the synod with a statue of St. Francis made of wood.
Meanwhile, members of First United Lutheran Church attended St. Francis' celebration, including their pastor, the Rev. Susan M. Strouse. She said First United members are discerning "whether or not to join the ELCA."
Members have met with Nelson to begin work on required changes to the congregation's constitution and plan to submit it for review in April, Strouse said. She added the congregation plans to continue discussions about the pros and cons of rejoining the ELCA.
