Women of the ELCA Budgets $3.9 Million

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The executive board for Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the women's organization of the ELCA, approved a $3.9 million budget for 1998 when it met here March 13-16.
     The 1998 budget reflects program expenses of $1.7 million, a gift of $1 million to the ELCA, $520,500 for administration, $304,200 for grants and scholarships and $90,000 for the work of the executive board and travel.
     "This budget figure is the same figure that was used for the 1996 and 1997 budgets, and it is not showing any anticipation of increase in offering or expenditures," said Terry L. Bowes, interim executive director for Women of the ELCA.  "That is disappointing not to be able to be more hopeful," she said.
     A financial gift of $813,809 from the Women of the ELCA was given to the ELCA in 1996.  "The amount is less than the $1.1 million 1996 budget goal," said Bowes.  "The fact that we have been able to determine this gift says a lot about the good stewardship of money shown this year by the Women of the ELCA, particularly by the staff.  It is very much a sacrificial gift, and it is a model for other expressions of Women of the ELCA," she said.
     "The real strength for the Women of the ELCA comes from our congregations, from women in the pew," said board president, Sharroll A. Bernahl, Fort Morgan, Colo.  "Women study the Bible, support each other and empower each other," she said.
     "It is crucial in this time of transition to ask tough questions like, `How are we touching or failing to touch the lives of women in the ELCA?  What resources and  program opportunities must we offer to empower women to live out the purpose of Women of the ELCA,'" said Bowes. "We are getting in the habit of listening with integrity and thinking in the future tense," she said.
     The board the board introduced a new concept for the Women of the ELCA's Fourth Triennial Convention in 1999, in St. Louis.
     "It is not a major shift or a complete overhaul in format, but how we plan for the convention is going to involve a broader group of people and more input from grassroots women," Bowes said.
     "The theme for the convention, `Live God's Peace,' is taken from Micah 6:8 and will be incorporated and central in our convention planning efforts.  We will screen everything through that lens of justice," she said.  Micah 6:8 says, "He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
     We must make certain that the convention is more than a stand-alone event, said Bowes.  The convention will focus on Women of the ELCA's program priorities and resources for the 1999-2002 triennium.  The board set four emphases for the next triennium: anti-racism, spirituality, stewardship and worship.
     "Women's roles have changed over the years and Women of the ELCA continues to explore how it can assist working women, women with children, women who are active in the church, women of color and women with special needs," said Bernahl.
     "Women are so varied in their backgrounds.  We need to provide different types of resources and programs that meet the needs of women. There are so many forces that compete for a woman's time, and Women of the ELCA will have to be there with good resources," said board member Faith Ashton, Chapel Hill, N.C.
     In other business, passed a resolution to "affirm" the work of the ELCA's Women and Children Living in Poverty project team as it continues to implement the strategy, "A Plan to Listen and Act."  The strategy was passed in 1993 by the ELCA's Churchwide Assembly, the ELCA's chief legislative body.
     "We need to keep this strategy at the fore-front of the church," said Ashton.  "It is an important strategy, and it is important for the whole church to give attention to it and not just women."

For information contact:
Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
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