ST. LOUIS (ELCA) Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the ELCA Commission for Women are similar, yet have unique roles in the larger church, said Joanne Chadwick, executive director for the Commission for Women, greeting 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.
Women of the ELCA focuses on women, Chadwick said, while the Commission for Women focuses on the church.
Chadwick called the commission "absolutely necessary in order that this church truly recognize the gifts women bring to the church. We try to speak to the church," she said.
The commission strives for "equal participation of women in all expressions of the church," she said.
Two of the ELCA's 65 synod bishops are women and 13 percent of ELCA clergy are women, Chadwick said.
The commission also speaks out against violence toward women, she said.
"We are responsible that this church be safe for all persons. This church will not tolerate violence of any kind," Chadwick said.
Quoting from the mission statement, she said the commission "will advise, encourage and challenge the ELCA to achieve full participation of women in this church and society."
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
