ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton presents the Servus Dei award to Carlos Peña, who has served as ELCA vice president since 2003 and has decided not to seek a third term. “It’s been a great 13 years. And thank you again for all of your love and support and prayers during this time. Thanks be to God,” said Peña after receiving the award.
Mark Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop emeritus, and Bishop Denis Madden, auxiliary bishop of Baltimore, co-chairs of the Declaration on the Way task force, hug after introducing the statement of agreement. Eaton shakes hands with the task force members. “We are on the brink of the 500th year for the Lutheran movement. This anniversary invites us to look deeply into what it means now in the 21st century to be ‘liberated by God’s grace, freed and renewed in Christ,’ ” Hanson said.

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