ST. LOUIS (ELCA) -- The Fourth Triennial Convention of Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) received a special greeting from those who attended the Women of Color Gathering held here July 5-7 at the Marriott Pavilion Downtown. The greeting was delivered by Inez Torres Davis, director of cross-cultural program for Women of the ELCA.
The organization's 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.
"From Monday through Wednesday, women of all races came together for a time of worship and learning," Davis said. "This year's gathering considered racism, anti-racism and internalized racial oppression, all are topics about which Women of the ELCA is learning."
About 400 African American, American Indian and Alaska Native, Asian and Pacific Islanders, Latina, Middle Eastern and Arab, and European American women gathered under the theme "For Such A Time As This," to create support systems and to share common concerns. The theme of the gathering was based on Bible verses Esther 4:13-14.
With more than "40 hours of workshops, community caucuses and worship, women grew in their excitement and commitment to Jesus' gospel of confession and forgiveness, of faithfulness and grace. It was a great pre-convention event," Davis said.
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
