ST. LOUIS (ELCA) -- "We are all children of a just and loving father," Mary Elizabeth Pfeiffer, 20, told 4,000 participants of the Fourth Triennial Convention of the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Pfeiffer, a board member of the ELCA Lutheran Youth Organization, brought greetings on behalf of the LYO.
The 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.
"It is tricky to grow up in a post-modern culture," Pfeiffer said. "Children are acting like teenagers, teenagers are forced to take on roles of adults and, too often, our leaders and public figures behave like children."
The lines between childhood and adulthood are often blurred, Pfeiffer said. Yet, what matters most is the strength of commitment, she said.
"For you and I, that commitment is the same. Youth and adult alike, we are the church, committed to do what the Lord requires of us. To do justice, love kindness and walk humbly, children of God," said Pfeiffer.
LYO is governed by a 16-member board including one representative from the Definitely Abled Committee, one representative from the Multicultural Advisory Committee and two advisory members. The board meets twice each year.
"LYO is the voice from the youth to the churchwide organization," said Pfeiffer. The board deals with issues the youth have brought to its attention as needs or concerns, she said.
A new board is elected every three years at the organization's national gathering. The next gathering, "Dancing at the Crossroads," will be held here in June and July, 2000.
Pfeiffer is originally from Bullhead City, Ariz. She will be a junior studying art history this fall at California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, Calif., a college of the ELCA.
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
