PEACE SERMON WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Six pastors of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and one seminary student are winners in
the "Preaching for Peace" sermon-writing contest sponsored by Lutheran Peace Fellowship (LPF).
The Rev. Ann E. Helmke, the first-prize winner, was awarded $300. She has until recently served as
pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in San Antonio, Texas, and is currently on study leave at the
Gandhi Institute for Non-Violence in Memphis, Tenn. Her sermon was based on the biblical texts of
John 15:9-12, Ephesians 2:13-18 and Psalm 85. Three pastors tied for second place in the
competition: the Rev. Stephanie Kopsch, Ankeny, Iowa; the Rev. Gerald O. Pedersen, retired,
Mission Viejo, Calif.; and the Rev. Mark Wm. Radecke, chaplain at Susquehanna University,
Roanoke, Va. Two preachers tied for the "student" award. The Rev. Pam Finkenscher is a graduate
of Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, Berkeley, and Vanderbilt Divinity School, Nashville. She
has accepted a call to outreach ministry at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Minneapolis. Marianne
Zitzewitz, Chicago, is a recent graduate of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, assigned
to the ELCA's Southeastern Iowa Synod. According to Glen Gersmehl, Seattle, LPF coordinator,
the contest sought "to lift up preaching as a form of peace witness, encouraging attention to peace
themes in the Bible." The sermons may be published as a resource for congregations and
seminaries, Gersmehl said. LPF is "an international community of Lutherans who seek peace
according to the biblical vision of shalom, peace with justice."
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
