Briefly noted
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America announced in mid-November that some 40 full-time jobs, of which six were vacant, will be eliminated in order to stay within a budget reduced by nearly $7.7 million. The program and staff reductions reflected the struggling U.S. economy and the decision by some congregations to withhold or redirect mission support because of their disagreements with the 2009 Churchwide Assembly decision to open ordination and ministry positions to gay and lesbian Lutherans in committed same-gender relationships. M.