PHILADELPHIA (ELCA) Kathy J. Magnus, vice president of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America since 1991, gave her final report to an ELCA Churchwide Assembly Friday. She outlined the work of the ELCA's Church Council for the past two years and said her goodbyes to the assembly.
"I expect this church to be a force in the next millennium," Magnus said. Then, indicating that she will not suddenly become uninvolved in ELCA affairs, she added, "I will pray and continue to work to make this a multicultural church, a church with strong global connections, a church where all people can experience the gift of the Good News in a community of grace."
In a clearly emotional moment when Magnus concluded her report, voting members gave her a sustained standing ovation. She had announced earlier, when her husband accepted an executive position at the church body's national offices in Chicago, that she would resign effective at the close of the Aug. 14-20 assembly.
"Serving this church first on the Council and then as vice president has undoubtedly been one of the most rewarding and challenging experiences of my life," said Magnus, who as vice president chairs the Church Council. She has been a member of the Council since the ELCA was formed 10 years ago.
Her overview of the Church Council's work for the past biennium included a laundry list of "successes not our success as a Council, but achievements of this church." She cited new mission congregations; clustering the ELCA's eight seminaries into regional networks; global mission events and youth gatherings; establishing a "mission investment fund"; commitment to being multicultural; developing evangelism and stewardship strategies; and "a growing sense of partnership between synods (geographical areas) and the churchwide organization."
For information contact:
Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
