CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) received a $1 million gift for its ministries around the world from Women of the ELCA. The women's organization of the ELCA has given more than $10 million to the ELCA in the past 10 years.
"This is God's grace at work through hundreds of thousands of women in congregations and synodical women's organizations in faithful stewardship in daily life," said Catherine I.H. Braasch, executive director for Women of the ELCA.
Among the ministries supported by the gift is the ELCA's World Hunger program, $213,500; leadership development for women in social service and congregational ministries, $100,000; global mission, $100,000; public policy ministry, $26,500; rural ministries, $31,000; urban ministries, $29,000; braille ministry, $10,000; anti-racism training, $10,000; ethnic youth leadership, $5,000, and Lutheran World Relief, $36,210. Gifts totaling $67,448 will be allocated for domestic disaster relief and other ministries of the church.
Sharroll Bernahl, Fort Morgan, Colo., president for the Women of the ELCA, said, "Giving is showing an upward turn for the first time since 1993. This is a sign of hope in our organization. Women in the ELCA are generous people, able to see the big picture of ministries carried out throughout this church and how those ministries can be implemented throughout the world."
Women of the ELCA budgets a financial gift to the ELCA every year. The organization gave $813,809 to the ELCA in 1996.
Women of the ELCA is active in 8,254 congregations in 64 of the ELCA's synods.
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
