CHICAGO (ELCA) -- "Revelation, Rapture and the New Jerusalem" is the first of a new series called "Eye Openers," one-hour programs designed to initiate discussion on topics of interest to women. The program was developed by Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the women's organization of the church.
"The series will include topics of interest to women, such as women in church history, cross-cultural awareness, Bible study, ways to involve young women in church life, justice issues and self-care," wrote Lynn Frank in the Fall 1999 Women of the ELCA Interchange, the newsletter of the women's organization. Frank is leadership development specialist for Women of the ELCA.
Frank said the Eye Openers programs are intended to challenge current or common thinking, "to help us open our eyes a little wider."
Revelation, Rapture, and the New Jerusalem presents a Lutheran perspective of the "rapture" and the new millennium to come, Frank said.
"Rapture refers to the time when all believers will be taken up from earth into the air to meet Jesus Christ. The most common interpretation of the rapture is that it ushers in a 1,000-year reign of Christ. Those who are left alive on earth will face chaos and tribulation for 42 months, or 3-and-a-half years, until they are destroyed at Harmagedon," said Frank. "Harmagedon is the spelling in the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible for what has commonly been called Armageddon," she said.
Revelation, Rapture and the New Jerusalem is available in the Fall 1999 Interchange. Each program will also be made available from Women of the ELCA on the Web site www.elca.org/wo.
Coming in early 2000 are programs on advocacy for children, Rachel's Day (reflection on violence against children) and cultural diversity, said Frank. She said all programs will contain guides for leaders and a list of needed materials.
"Although the programs are intended to be one-hour long, most will include options for lengthening or shortening," said Frank.
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
