The New American reports: http://thenewamerican.com/culture/faith-and-morals/item/15637-nations-largest-lutheran-denomination-elects-first-homosexual-bishop.
ELCA News Service announces: http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=5300.
Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries proudly announces: http://www.elm.org/2013/05/31/historic-day-first-openly-gay-first-native-american-elected-lutheran-bishop/.
Erwin is a member of Proclaim, a professional association of 130 Lutheran pastors, rostered lay leaders and seminarians who publicly identify as LGBTQ. Proclaim is a program of Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries, a social ministry organization that supports LGBTQ pastors and their ministries. Bishop-elect Erwin also currently serves on the Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries Board of Directors.
See: http://www.elm.org/proclaim/. Proclaim was officially launched April 2, 2011 at a gathering of nearly 60 LGBTQ Lutheran rostered leaders, seminarians and spouses.
ELM’s vision is the full inclusion of all people of all sexual orientations and gender identities in the life of the Lutheran Church. See: http://www.elm.org/elms-work-at-a-glance/.
