DENVER (ELCA) The newly elected president of Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Linda M. Chinnia, Baltimore, brought greetings to the 1999 ELCA Churchwide Assembly on behalf of the women's organization of the church.
The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the ELCA, is meeting here Aug. 16-22 at the Colorado Convention Center. There are more than 2,500 people participating, including 1,039 ELCA voting members. The theme for the biennial assembly is "Making Christ Known: Hope for a New Century."
"We are committed to grow in faith, affirm our gifts and support one another in our calling," Chinnia said.
Women of the ELCA is a "full participant and partner in the ELCA." The organization is committed to giving gifts of time, talent and money to the churchwide organization. Women of the ELCA has given an average annual gift to the larger church of $1 million every year since the ELCA was organized in 1988, she said.
Women of the ELCA is organized in congregations in 64 of the ELCA's 65 synods.
"We have been a visionary force," Chinnia said, citing the organization's involvement in issues of women and children living in poverty, domestic violence, cross-cultural ministries, anti-racism and leadership development.
More than 4,000 women attended the Fourth Triennial Convention of Women of the ELCA held July 8-11 in St. Louis, and participated in Bible study, worship, workshops, business sessions and elections, Chinnia reported.
Chinnia was elected to a three-year term at the convention.
"We pledged ourselves to answer the call found in Micah 6:8," the biblical text that lifts up justice, mercy and walking humbly with God, she said.
At the convention, women lifted up specific concerns to support families, actively involve younger women in the organization, be more inclusive and become a completely anti-racist organization, Chinnia 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
