ST. LOUIS (ELCA) -- The executive board for Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) introduced a resolution on nonviolence and children which its Fourth Triennial Convention adopted. The women's organization joins its efforts in the ELCA with an international appeal of 20 Nobel Peace Prize laureates.
The Women of the ELCA convention 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.
Nobel Peace Prize laureates have issued an appeal for the General Assembly of the United Nations to declare a "Decade of Nonviolence (2000-2010)" and for the year 2000 to be declared the "Year of Education for Nonviolence" with a special emphasis on children and youth. The ELCA Church Council voted in April to support the appeal.
Delegates approved a four-point resolution the board advanced: + "supporting the Nobel Peace Prize laureates' appeal for a 'Decade for a Culture of Nonviolence' and a 'Year of Education for Nonviolence' with special emphasis on children and youth;" + urging ELCA congregations to "teach, practice and model nonviolence;" + affirming ELCA initiatives "focusing on leadership and safe havens for children;" and + asking everyone in Women of the ELCA "to work cooperatively in identifying strategic ways that adults and youth leadership might learn the elements of active nonviolent peacemaking and effectively serve and support victims of violence in their efforts to achieve wholeness, = self-respect and peace."
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
