Three Lesbians Finally Embraced by the ECLA

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has officially welcomed three lesbian ministers in a St. Paul ceremony last Saturday.

At the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in St. Paul, Rev. Anita Hill, Rev. Phyllis Zillhart and Rev. Ruth Frost attended the service reception jointly directed by Rev. Craig Johnson and Rev. Peter Rogness.

Rogness said, "We have fallen short in honoring all people of God and being an instrument for that grace," reported The Star Tribune.

The Pioneer Press said that all three women were prohibited from joining the ELCA roster because they were all in committed relationships. Recognition was granted to the women last summer when a denominational assembly voted to liberalize its gay clergy policy.

Hill is a pastor of St. Paul-Reformation Lutheran Church in St. Paul, and Zillhart and Frost are pastors at the Fairview Home Care and Hospice in Minneapolis.