ST. LOUIS (ELCA) Linda M. Chinnia, a member of Holy Comforter Lutheran Church, Baltimore, was elected to a three-year term as president of the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) July 8 by delegates attending the organization's convention here.
The Fourth Triennial Convention of Women of the ELCA is meeting here July 8-11 at the America's Center. The organization's three-year theme, "Live God's Justice," is unveiled at the convention amid Bible study, keynote addresses, workshops, business sessions and elections.
Chinnia, 51, is director for elementary schools for the Baltimore City Public School System. She was elected 307-148 on the fourth ballot over Mary G. Seale, Roosevelt, N.Y.
"I want to thank all of you, and I thank God for this opportunity and this call," she said in her remarks after the election. "I promise to do my best with God's help. We will definitely go forth to 'Live God's Justice' as the Women of the ELCA."
Prior to her election, Chinnia addressed the convention along with four other nominees for the presidency.
"Our theme challenges us to vision, plan and act to destroy all things that separate us from the love of God," she told the convention. She said it is her vision that women use their mothers and the Biblical models of Esther and Lydia "to truly live the Gospel with peace and justice."
Chinnia, a native of Baltimore, is currently a member of the Women of the ELCA executive board. She was involved in planning the St. Louis convention and the Women of Color Gathering which preceded the convention. She serves the ELCA's Delaware-Maryland Synod as a member of its church in society committee. At Holy Comforter, Chinnia is a member of the worship and music committee, leader of the children's choir and a member of the adult choir member.
She serves as a member of the Lutheran Center capital campaign committee in Baltimore and was previously an executive board member of Tressler Lutheran Services of Maryland. Chinnia is a member of the American Federation of School Administrators.
Chinnia is married. She and her husband, Kevin Chinnia Sr., have three sons: Kevin Jr., John and Mark.
Chinnia will be installed as president July 11. She succeeds Sharroll Bernahl, Fort Morgan, Colo.
Other finalists for president included Janet L. Brewer, Anchorage, Alaska; Janet V. Calico, Dallas; and Jackie Hinkle Chattopadhyay, Tustin, Calif. With Chinnia and Seale, they received the most votes on the first ballot, in which more than 50 women were nominated by the delegates.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.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
