Dear Members of the Congregation,

As you are probably aware, the ELCA is in the process of developing a social statement on human sexuality.  The draft social statement was released on March 13, 2008, via the Web and all congregations were sent copies of the draft.  The Pacifica Synod will be holding a hearing on the ELCA Draft Social Statement on Human Sexuality to listen to the comments members of this church have on the draft.

Broad involvement in this part of the process is vital to the development of this social statement.  Feedback from all synodical hearings will be recorded and submitted to the Task Force for the ELCA Studies on Sexuality.  The task force will consider these comments as they draft and finalize the Proposed Statement on Human Sexuality.  That proposed statement will be the document sent to the ELCA Church Council in March of 2009.  The Church Council is responsible for reviewing the text of the proposed statement and recommending the final proposed text to the 2009 Churchwide Assembly.

The Pacifica Synod  hearing will be June 21, Saturday, 10am – noon  at Hope Lutheran Church in Temecula.  We invite you to attend and speak your heart and mind.  To be prepared for the hearing, please read and study the draft statement.

There are several ways to receive a copy of the Draft Social Statement on Human Sexuality:

• Online at www.elca.org/faithfuljourney.

• A complimentary copy can be ordered through a special resource line at 1-800-638-3522 ext. 2996.
• Multiple copies for group study will be available from Augsburg Fortress (800-328-4648).  Ask for Draft of a Social Statement on Human Sexuality, item number 978-6-0002-2079-2, cost is $0.25 per copy.

If you are unable to attend the synodical hearing, you still have an opportunity to participate in this part of the process.  The “Response Form” at the end of the draft statement may be used or comments can be written in any form chosen.  Please send all comments to the task force by November 1, 2008.

Mail:    Task Force for the ELCA Studies on Sexuality

            Church in Society

            8765 W. Higgins Road

            Chicago, IL 60631

E-Mail:  faithfuljourney@elca.org

Online:  www.elca.org/faithfuljourney