CHICAGO (ELCA) -- About 80 members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) interested in first-hand information on current legislative issues are expected to be among 400 people in Washington, D.C., March 29-April 1 for the Interfaith Public Policy Briefing. The Lutheran Office for Governmental Affairs (LOGA) will host an open house on March 30.
"Eighty advocates is a lot," said the Rev. Faye R. Codding, grass roots coordinator at LOGA. Some received scholarships to attend, but most are lay members of the ELCA who have to take off work and pay their own way, she said. "They make a significant commitment."
"Voices for Justice '98: Local Action for Global Impact" is the theme of the 28th annual briefing. LOGA is one of 18 religious organizations supporting the event.
A new feature is a special training track for young adults, said Codding. The track will include introductions to advocacy in Washington and at home, workshops on policy and legislative issues, and opportunities to form networks with other advocates with similar interests. Organizers solicited donations to the "Next Generation Fund" while offering scholarships to young adults wanting to attend.
Several Lutheran legislators have been invited to attend and to speak to the gathering, but their schedules cannot be confirmed until the week before the briefings.
The open house in LOGA's offices will include the screening of a 17-minute videotape, "Voice in God's World," about the advocacy work of the Lutheran church. The first ELCA Church State Award will be presented during a Lutheran briefing dinner.
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
