On Dec. 12, St. James Lutheran Church, Philadelphia, held a successful second vote to withdraw from the ELCA and join Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC).  The vote was 138-12.

The congregation had been in consultation with the Office of the Bishop since its first vote was held on Sept. 12, under constitutional procedures outlined in section C6.05 of the Model Constitution for Congregations and provision 9.62 of the ELCA constitution.

Because St. James had been a congregation of the former Lutheran Church in America, the constitution also requires the Synod Council to approve St. James’ termination of membership in the ELCA.  The Synod Council will consider the matter at a special meeting in January.