Lutheran Magazine For Toddlers Now Available

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America's (ELCA) magazine, The Lutheran, is branching out its
ministry.  In June the first issue of "The Little Lutheran" was
released, targeting children age six and younger.  The
publication may be the first of its kind on the market, according
to Sonia C. Solomonson, executive editor, The Little Lutheran.
     The staff of The Lutheran "looked at other magazines on the
market that are targeting toddlers and found that they're really
for the parents, so the market was wide open for a publication
like The Little Lutheran," said Solomonson.
     Beginning with the first July/August issue, The Little
Lutheran will publish 10 issues each year.   The faith-based
stories featured in the magazine are meant to be read by or with
children, and the art is colorful and interactive, according to
Elizabeth Hunter, editor, The Little Lutheran.  The Little
Lutheran also contains prayers, songs, global stories puzzles,
activities, rituals and more to help children become aware of
God's presence.
     The magazine is also safe for children.  "It was important
that the magazine was printed with organic ink on recycled
cardstock, so it would hold up, and there are no staples," said
Hunter.
     Each issue will be addressed to the child who subscribes to
the magazine.  "Children really enjoy getting mail and that
feature makes us extra personalized," said Solomonson.
     The magazine is partially sponsored by MissionFuture4KIDZ.
MissionFuture4KIDZ is an investment product of the ELCA Mission
Investment Fund.  The Mission Investment Fund enables
individuals, ELCA congregations, synods and ELCA-affiliated
institutions opportunities to earn interest on investments that
are put to use building, purchasing and improving physical
structures of the church through loans and expertise.
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     Information about "The Little Lutheran" can be found at
http://www.thelittlelutheran.org  on the Web.
* Lauren A. Lamb is a senior public relations and speech
communication major at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale.
This summer she is an intern with the ELCA News Service.



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