These files contain correspondence from ELCA lay people and pastors regarding the ELCA's draft statement on Human Sexuality. Attached to each letter received by the bishop's office is a copy of the office response. The response from the bishop's office to the correspondent was usually a form letter simply acknowledging receipt of the person's letter. Copies of the various form letters used are located in the file "Responses from Office of the Bishop, Form Letters and Address Lists." A copy of the original letter received was then sent to DCS. Sometimes more personal responses were sent to representatives of larger organizations, such as the World Mission Prayer League, as well as to individual ELCA pastors. Letters received from ELCA parishioners were usually in response to newspaper articles regarding the draft statement. Many people attached clippings from their local newspapers regarding the draft to their letters. Files are arranged into correspondence regarding the different drafts of the statement. The first is responses to The Church and Human Sexuality: a Lutheran Perspective; second, Human Sexuality and the Christian Faith; and third, Human Sexuality, Working Draft. Files are arranged alphabetically within these groupings. The first group of correspondence, regarding "The Church and Human Sexuality: a Lutheran Perspective," is from individuals and is arranged by the last name of the correspondent. There is also "Group Correspondence," or correspondence received from entire congregations or organizations. The "Enclosures" file gives an excellent background of the beginnings of the study and those who participated in the task force. It also includes a copy of the statement. Other groupings of correspondence include anonymous correspondence, correspondence with bishops, the Church Council, college and seminary administration and faculty, and with Task Force members. Also included are responses to the "Church and Human Sexuality" study predecessor, "Human Sexuality and the Christian Faith," published in 1992, and the second draft of the "Church and Human Sexuality" paper, "Human Sexuality, Working Draft," published in October 1994.
