ELCA Churchwide Assembly and LCMS Regular Convention

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (Aug. 6-11)
CHICAGO (Navy Pier)--
*reception of Evangelical Lutheran Worship hymnal (965-71)
*approved full communion with Moravian Church provinces (999-23)
*re-elected Rev. Mark Hanson as presiding bishop (888-139, 2nd ballot)
*elected David Swartling as ELCA secretary (611-366, 5th ballot)
*blessing of same-sex relationships passed to task force (733-278)
*restraint of discipline of pastors in same-sex relationships passed (538-431)
*referrals to the task force for ELCA Studies on Sexuality passed (697-245)
(for more information: http://www.elca.org/assembly/votingmatters/results.html )

Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (July 14-19)
HOUSTON (George R. Brown Convention Center)--
*re-elected Rev. Gerald Kieschnick as synod president
*elected Rev. William R. Diekelman as first vice president
*approved altar and pulpit fellowship with the Association of American Lutheran Churches
*Lutheran Service Book hymnal wins the 2007 FiberMark Specifier Award in religious publishing
(for more information: http://www.lcms.org/pages/default.asp?NavID=8410 )