CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Sandra A. LaBlanc, 49, an associate in ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), becomes the church's director for rural ministry resources and networking on May 1. The ELCA Churchwide Assembly in 1997 asked that a "rural desk" be created to coordinate the church's ministries in small town and rural settings.
For 16 years LaBlanc has been communications director of the National Catholic Rural Life Conference (NCRLC) based in Des Moines, Iowa. In addition to giving speeches and workshops on food, faith and rural life issues, she edits Catholic Rural Life magazine, Rural Landscapes newsletter and several other NCRLC publications.
LaBlanc graduated high school from Prairie Community School District, Gowrie, Iowa. She earned a bachelor's degree from Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, and a master's degree in journalism and mass communications from Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa. She is currently enrolled in a specialist degree program at Drake University in adult leadership development.
"My first hope is that we can provide a ministry of presence," said LaBlanc. She said she hopes to "embody rural people, rural churches and rural communities" within both the church and other organizations working with rural issues, while working in rural and small town settings. "I intend to do a lot of traveling and be out and about with the folk," she said.
LaBlanc said she will be aided by her knowledge of available resources -- "to be able to know where we can go to get answers for needs that rural people have, to be able to put people in touch with other people, to put people in touch with printed material and Web resources, and to find answers to some of the really complex issues facing rural people right now."
"We are excited about having Sandy on our staff," said the Rev. Richard A. Magnus, executive director of the ELCA Division for Outreach. "She will bring tremendous assets to the position."
Since it was formed in 1988 the ELCA has been involved in rural ministry concerns. In 1995, the Division for Outreach stepped up its efforts and formed the Small Town and Rural (STaR), Team, a small group of people currently involved in small town and rural ministries who meet periodically during the year and maintain daily communication through = e-mail.
"The rural desk is meant to be a position that helps facilitate more effective ministry for the ELCA in small towns and rural areas," said Helen Harms, Altoona, Pa., leader of the STaR team and the division's mission director in West Virginia, western Maryland and western Pennsylvania.
"Sandy has a good knowledge of all the diverse rural contexts across the United States," said Harms. "She has had experience with fishing, farming and logging communities."
Harms said LaBlanc will not be asked to relocate to the division's central offices in Chicago. "Often when people leave their context, it becomes difficult to remain connected to the people and issues that are a part of their life," she said. "We think it is important that someone who is a voice for small town and rural people is someone who has roots in a small town or rural community."
The rural desk will be "a lens through which the resources of the church get focused and pointed at where they are needed" as well as a place where the priorities of the church regarding small town and rural ministry can be set, said the Rev. Warren A. Sorteberg, ELCA executive for congregational outreach services, Division for Outreach.
LaBlanc will work across the various divisions and synods of the ELCA, said Sorteberg, to help organize the development of ELCA worship and Sunday school materials for rural and small town ministries and to assist the church's advocacy efforts on rural issues.
The ELCA Division for Outreach provides leadership to the church as it reaches out with the gospel and invites all people to have a faith relationship with God. Working with congregations, synods and regions of the ELCA, the division develops new congregations and supports existing congregations with special outreach opportunities as well as urban and rural coalitions.
For information contact:
John Brooks, 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
