ST. LOUIS (ELCA) -- Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) completed its leadership team for the next three years by electing a vice president, secretary and treasurer July 9. The previous day, delegates elected Linda M. Chinnia, Baltimore, to a three-year term as president.
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.
Janet L. Brewer, a member of Central Lutheran Church, Anchorage, Alaska, was elected vice president with 229 votes on the second ballot. Runner-up was Jackie Hinkle Chattopadhyay, Tustin, Calif., with 99 votes. More than 30 women were nominated on the first ballot.
Brewer, 52, is office manager for the Justice Center, University of Alaska Anchorage. She is a member of the Women of the ELCA executive board and was president of the Alaska Synod women's organization. Brewer is active in her congregation as a teacher. Brewer and her husband, John, are the parents of one daughter, Keri.
Elected secretary was Joyce M. Opjorden, Ventura, Calif. Delegates elected Opjorden 241-216 over Carolyn R. Cook, Forest Grove, Ore. Opjorden, 59, is a registered nurse and has worked in emergency room and critical care nursing. She is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Ventura. She formerly was president of the Southern California (West) Synod women's organization and held other leadership posts as well.
She was a guest columnist for Church Women United News. Opjorden and her husband, Ronald, have two children, Dawn and John..
Delegates elected Sally C. Frank, Beaver, Pa., treasurer. She received 310 votes on the first ballot. Carole A. Dinning, Bonner Ferry, Idaho, received 57 votes, and Judith L. Kulma of Mentor, Ohio, received 38 votes.
Frank, 54, is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, New Brighton, Pa. She is a tax collector for the Beaver (Pa.) Area School District. Presently, she serves on the Women of the ELCA executive board. Previously, Frank was vice president and treasurer for the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod women's organization. She is active in her synod and congregation and served as a Red Cross swimming instructor for 30 years.
Frank and her husband, Curtis, have two children, James and Susan.
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
