CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Adrienne Lumpkin, Portsmouth, Va., received the first Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Church/State Award given by the Lutheran Office for Governmental Affairs (LOGA), Washington, D.C. It was presented March 30 in Washington during the Lutheran Dinner -- an annual tradition of the Interfaith Public Policy Briefing.
Lumpkin lived in New York until about ten years ago, when she moved to Portsmouth. In the 1950s and '60s she worked as a union organizer with hotel workers and was very active in the civil rights movement. She continues that work as an ELCA advocate focusing on the needs of people living in poverty, housing concerns and civil rights.
"Adrienne lives out her understanding of the gospel," said the Rev. Russell O. Siler, LOGA director. "She reflects God's love for her in her faithful witness in behalf of the poor and oppressed of God's world."
The ELCA Church/State Award is awarded by LOGA to a person or people whose life and ministry demonstrate a commitment to speaking out on behalf of those who have little or no voice in society, said Siler. The award serves to recognize and hold up the examples set by people throughout the church who incorporate advocacy as an integral part of their lives.
Lumpkin is an active member of St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Portsmouth and of Women of the ELCA. She chairs the social action committee of the ELCA's Virginia Synod.
"Women can especially applaud and thank God for Adrienne Lumpkin's faithful advocacy that led to this honor," said Catherine I.H. Braasch, executive director of Women of the ELCA. Lumpkin has served as Mission Action chair in her synodical women's organization. She is also organizing the Priscilla Circle, a new congregational unit of the Women of the ELCA at St. Andrew Lutheran Church.
"She is a prophet and an apostle in all she does," said Lumpkin's pastor, the Rev. William Batterman.
Jeanne Christensen of First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Greensburg, Pa., said, "I thought it was wonderful ... a nice tribute to someone who has been active for so long in advocacy. Advocates don't usually get recognized; they don't do what they do for the rewards."
Christensen was one of about 80 ELCA members in Washington for the Interfaith Public Policy Briefing. The briefing March 29-April gave about 400 advocates from religious organizations across the United States first-hand information on current legislative issues.
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
