ELCA Assembly Receive Women and Children Living in Poverty Report

DENVER (ELCA) -- The Women and Children Living in Poverty project of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has been an emphasis of the church since 1993, Tina Dabney told the 1999 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. Dabney, project director for ministry with women and children living in poverty, ELCA Division for Church in Society, delivered a progress report on the project.
The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the ELCA, is meeting Aug. 16-22 here at the Colorado Convention Center. There are more than 2,500 people participating, including 1,039 voting members. The theme for the biennial assembly is "Making Christ Known: Hope for a New Century."
The 1993 ELCA Churchwide Assembly adopted "a plan to listen and act" with an emphasis on listening.
Dabney said since then ELCA congregations have provided shelter, food pantries, day care for children, adult literacy programs, job training and community organizing. "But we've been there, done that. Justice must become the church's primary objective," she said.
"We should stop putting a face to poverty. Instead, put a face to the fact that we can eradicate poverty," Dabney said. She encouraged the assembly's voting members and visitors to participate in the United Nations' "Day to Eradicate Poverty" on Oct. 17.
In June 1998, a consultation on welfare reform took place in Chicago, Dabney said. The purpose of the consultation was to reaffirm, modify and set priorities for the ELCA's strategy on women and children living in poverty in light of welfare reform.
Women who formerly or currently struggle with poverty attended the consultation, along with representatives of social ministry organizations, ecumenical representatives, government employees, state public policy officers and ELCA office staff.
"There was candid dialogue on the potential implications of welfare reform on low income families," said Dabney. "The meeting developed priorities for the church to enhance and create momentum to support women and children living in poverty."
First, the church must combine resources and strengthen its communication efforts. Second, the church must acknowledge the gifts of people living in poverty, and third, the church must provide models of ministry with women and children living in poverty, Dabney said.
"Women and children living in poverty is one of the most pressing issues of our time," said Dr. Addie Butler, ELCA vice president, Philadelphia.

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