ELCA Women Affirm Stronger Families, Deal with Resolutions

ST. LOUIS (ELCA) -- Delegates to the Fourth Triennial Convention of Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) adopted a series of resolutions to uphold healthier families, support efforts to minimize spouse abuse and address various other issues.
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. About 4,000 women attended the convention, which included 468 voting delegates.
Delegates resolved (429-22) that Women of the ELCA "shall affirm and promote programs that uphold family life and healthy relations between children and their care givers." The resolution advocated for schedules "that allow families of children who are active in sports, school or community activities to continue to nurture their faith within their homes and churches." The resolution also asked members to write letters in support "of television programming that portrays positive role models."
The resolution was submitted by representatives of the ELCA's Rocky Mountain Synod -- one of the ELCA's 65 synods. It noted "the tragedy at Columbine High School calls on us to evaluate carefully how our society deals with children."
"The Columbine tragedy was something that deeply affected the country and our synod," said Diane Frederick, delegate from the Rocky Mountain Synod. "We don't want this to happen anywhere else." She emphasized that the resolution asks Women of the ELCA to address the potentially "negative influences" of television.
Delegates called (448-2) on the Women of the ELCA, its synodical boards and congregational units "to continue to address domestic violence and spousal abuse" with current resources and to post the resources in appropriate locations. The resolution also called on units of Women of the ELCA "to affirm local ministries dealing with domestic violence through advocacy, donations and volunteerism."
Delegates referred to the Women of the ELCA executive board a proposal that the organization remain active in preventing the breakdown of family units "through coordination with community resources and development of curriculums, resources and programs" to maintain healthy marriages; furnish parenting education; host "adopt-a-grandparent" programs; support extended families; provide educational programs on financial management, nutrition, income opportunities, job seeking and job maintenance; and offer grants, guidance and support for furthering of education.

APPROVED
The delegates approved several other resolutions.
+ Delegates encouraged each participant within its member units "to engage in mentoring one woman at a time with personal commitment, spiritual fellowship and individual invitation." (435-3)
+ Delegates requested a representative be present at annual national gatherings of the Lutheran Student Movement-USA -- an independent organization of college students who are members of the ELCA, The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. (447-2)
+ Delegates called on the executive board to "clarify the language regarding the role of clusters/conferences and how they should be funded as well as how they should disperse their funds." Clusters or conferences are groups of congregations in a geographic area smaller than a synod. (430-27)
+ Delegates clarified language in the Women of the ELCA constitution regarding clusters and conferences. The language change was needed since clusters and conferences are not to have treasuries. (306-142)

REFERRED
The delegates referred several resolutions to the executive board for action.
+ Delegates called on the board to consider bonding or insuring the work of treasurers of women's organizations in congregations, conferences and clusters in much the same way that bonding protection is provided for Women of the ELCA and synodical women's organizations.
+ In planning for upcoming triennial conventions, delegates asked the board to call on the Committee for Reference and Counsel to meet daily and bring to the floor resolutions presented the previous day, "so that time for discussion and vote on resolutions may be distributed throughout the time of the convention."
+ Delegates asked convention keynote speakers to "be selected purposefully for their ability to share the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives."
+ Delegates asked the board to convey a concern to the ELCA Division for Church in Society for "a study of physician-assisted suicide in hopes of preparing a statement for the next triennial."
+ Delegates asked the board to convey concern to the Division for Church in Society "that a study be done on the disparity between disability and workers' compensation between men and women."
+ Delegates referred a resolution to the board, with a request for a report at the 2002 Triennial Convention, calling for Women of the ELCA to "translate into Spanish the 'Lutheran Woman Today' Bible study on Genesis, "In God's Image," and all subsequent Bible studies printed in 'Lutheran Woman Today.'"
+ Delegates agreed in advance to refer three remaining resolutions to the board when convention business time expired. They were a proposed change in wording of Women of the ELCA's purpose statement, a proposal to affirm existing and upcoming programs for young women, and a suggestion to focus some activities and workshops at the 2002 convention for women under age 35.
The Fifth Triennial Convention of Women of the ELCA will be held in July 2002 in Philadelphia.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html