ST. LOUIS (ELCA) -- "We are women who gather and grow and go out to proclaim God's peace and live God's justice," Catherine I. H. Braasch, executive director of Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) told 4,000 participants at the Fourth Triennial Convention of Women of the ELCA.
The convention met here July 8-11 at the America's Center. The organization's three-year theme, "Live God's Justice," was unveiled at the convention amid Bible study, keynote addresses, workshops, business sessions and elections.
In her report to the convention, Braasch thanked the women for their involvement; reflected on the theme "Live God's Justice"; and announced allocations of "Katie's Fund," an endowment named after Katharina Von Bora, wife of 16th century German church reformer Martin Luther.
Braasch compared her reflections to looking in a "three directional rearview mirror" as she thanked the three expressions of the organization -- congregation, synod and churchwide -- for their involvement.
"The mirror shows me nearly 8,600 congregational and intercongregational units where women 'on the ground' grow in faith, affirm and develop their God-given gifts and support one another in witness and service," she said.
"We give thanks to God for leaders in congregations who will ask the questions 'why' and 'what if' and then go on and answer them," Braasch said.
She thanked the presidents in each of the organization's 64 synodical women's groups for their leadership, and for the opportunity to speak and be present at synod women's conventions.
"An executive director's ministry includes assisting the executive board in its role of casting a vision for the organization," Braasch said.
She said those outside the organization can look to Women of the ELCA for programs and resources that are "Christ-centered,=20 community-strengthening, growth-stimulating, action-focused and field-teste= d."
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the endowment fund known as "Katie's Fund," Braasch said. Today, the endowment totals more than $185,000, she said.
Terry Bowes, interim director of Women of the ELCA from 1996 to 1997, told participants about the history of "Katie's Fund."
Lutheran women have always had three commodities -- global awareness, a desire to live their faith and leadership skills, Bowes said. "We decided to use that history to build our future," she said.
"Katie's Fund" will be used for special projects to be determined by the executive director, Bowes said.
The first project "Katie's Fund" will support is one that "has been on the hearts and minds of every woman in this room," Braasch said.
Funds will be given to "Young Women See Visions," a program designed to increase participation of younger women in Women of the ELCA.
"The time has come to gather the hopes and dreams of women of all ages," Braasch said. "What this project will do is to help equip future generations."
Monies from "Katie's Fund" also will be used to support evangelism in 50 new ELCA congregations in 1999-2000, Braasch said.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html
- - -
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
