ST. LOUIS (ELCA) -- "We believe that -- when Christian women and men work together, shoulder to shoulder -- our families, our communities and our congregations benefit," Charlie Schwartz, president for Lutheran Men in Mission (LMM), told 4,000 participants of the Fourth Triennial Convention of Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
The convention is meeting July 8-11 here 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.
"We must continue to seek ways to serve and work together as Christian women and men. When we work and serve together, it is a witness to the rest of the church and the world," said Schwartz.
Schwartz said LMM considers it a "privilege" to work with Women of the ELCA on "Women and Children Living in Poverty" and "Stop the Violence: Healing Hurting Families" programs.
LMM is the men's organization of the ELCA. "The focus of Lutheran Men in Mission is to build men's faith, relationships and ministry through gathering, resources and leadership development -- goals similar to those of the women's organization," Schwartz said.
Kathleen Hurty, general director for Church Women United, also addressed participants. "I greet you from and on behalf of your ecumenical sisters ... each with many stories to tell, and from all women whose lives are committed to living out Christ's prayer that all may be one."
Church Women United is a Christian women's movement based on prayer, ecumenical worship and celebration, Bible study, advocacy and action, said Hurty. "We are Protestant, Reformed Church, Orthodox and other Christian women who share stories of living God's justice in local communities, nationally and globally."
"To be Lutheran is to be ecumenical, for we are one in Christ, but you can't be ecumenical alone. So, I am grateful for the ecumenical stories represented by these sisters and for your stories of commitment and concern. The world is made up not of atoms but of stories," Hurty said.
Other guests introduced at the Women of the ELCA's convention include Dr. Addie J. Butler, ELCA vice president; the Rev. Lowell G. Almen, ELCA secretary; the Rev. Andrea DeGroot-Nesdahl, bishop of the ELCA South Dakota Synod, Sioux Falls; and the Rev. April C. Ulring Larson, bishop of the ELCA LaCrosse Area Synod, LaCrosse, Wis.
Other introductions included the Rev. Paul J. Blom, bishop of the ELCA Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod; the Rev. Gary L. Hansen, bishop of the ELCA North/West Lower Michigan Synod; the Rev. Gregory R. Pile, bishop of the ELCA Allegheny Synod; the Rev. David C. Wold, bishop of the ELCA Southwestern Washington Synod; the Rev. Alton Zenker, bishop of the ELCA Central/Southern Illinois Synod; and other officers of the ELCA were introduced.
ELCA Presiding Bishop H. George Anderson and his wife, Jutta, will formally greet participants July 10.
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
