ELCA Women Celebrate 10th Anniversary

ELCA WOMEN CELEBRATE 10TH ANNIVERSARY

Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America, the women's
organization of the ELCA, invited women of all
ages and backgrounds to
celebrate 10 years of "grace and mercy." Women of
the ELCA was established
when women from three former Lutheran church
bodies gathered for a
constituting convention in Milwaukee in 1987. A
"Creative Works" contest,
contributions to "Katie's Fund" and a "card
shower" were three ways ELCA
women participated in the anniversary celebration.
"The contest closed in
October, and we received more than 600 Creative
Works," said Bonnie B.
Belasic, director for communication, Women of the
ELCA. They included
drawings, photos, poetry, short stories and hymns
around the anniversary
theme: "Taking and making places at tables of
ministry." The theme focused
on women's ministries, activities, roles and
witness. Belasic reported,
"We received 1,600 anniversary cards and more than
$22,500 for Katie's
Fund." Entries in the Creative Works contest may
be used in Women of the
ELCA publications or other media, and a book
containing some entries will
be published in 1998. The funds received for
Katie's Fund go to ensure
programming, resources and opportunities for women
in areas of global
sharing, leadership and faith development.
Katie's Fund is a permanent
endowment fund named after Katherine "Katie" von
Bora, wife of Martin
Luther, the 16th century German church reformer.

For information contact:
Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or
NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html