Source: The San Diego Union-Tribune

On April 27, 2001, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that "the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will decide this summer whether to become an observer member of Churches Uniting in Christ, a coalition of nine Protestant churches hoping to move toward eventual full communion...As a partner, the ELCA would send a delegation to CUIC's inaugural celebration next January, work to combat racism and join dialogues on ministry."