The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is the largest Lutheran denomination in the United States. So when the ELCA’s Church Council announced recently that it was cutting its budget and eliminating more than 40 full-time positions at its national office here in Chicago, tongues started to wag. Some have criticized the church for getting rid of high level positions in areas dealing with diversity and multicultural outreach. A spokesperson for the ELCA couldn’t be reached for comment. Religion writer Susan Hogan covers ELCA-related news at her blog Pretty Good Lutherans. She  has more on the layoffs.

Music Button:  Jake Langley, “Here and Now”, from the CD Here and Now, (Tone Poet productions)