2000 ELCA Global Mission Events Feature 'Pray in the Spirit'

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Global Mission Events (GMEs) -- opportunities for members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) to learn about the church's mission work -- are scheduled at two sites in the United States this summer. The theme for each is "Pray in the Spirit At All Times."
The events are scheduled July 13-16 at Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Wash., and July 20-23 at Luther College, Decorah, Iowa. Both schools are higher education institutions of the ELCA.
"Global Mission Events are for everyone to experience what the ELCA is doing globally and locally in mission," said the Rev. Barbara J. Lund, associate director for global events, ELCA Division for Global Mission. The division is the primary organizer of the Global Mission Events, with support from personnel in other ELCA divisions and departments, and from Lutheran social ministry agencies.
Local volunteer committees working with the division help organize the GMEs, Lund said.
In addition to learning more about the church's mission, GME participants attend worship, Bible studies and workshops, hear inspirational speakers, and enjoy music and food from around the world, Lund said.
Scheduled as featured speakers and workshop leaders at each event are the Rev. H. George Anderson, ELCA presiding bishop; Viola Raheb, program director, schools, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and Palestine; Dr. Mamy Ranaivoson, a physician from the Malagasy Lutheran Church, Madagascar, who is a missionary to Papua New Guinea; and the Rev. Philip Tan Sink Dark, pastor at Christ Lutheran Church, Kuala Kampur, Malaysia, a congregation of the Lutheran Church in Malaysia and Singapore.
In addition, the Rev. Twila Schock, ELCA missionary to Moscow, Russia, is scheduled to speak at the Pacific Lutheran University GME. The Rev. M. Wyvetta Bullock, executive director of the ELCA Division for Congregational Ministries, is a scheduled presenter at the Luther College GME.
Each GME will feature a display known as the "ELCA Mission History and Research Project," featuring material from the ELCA Archives and Records Center, Elk Grove Village, Ill. The displays will include photographs of the Lutheran Church's work in mission and some of its missionaries from the 20th century. Participants are welcome to contribute material for the displays.
Workshops and seminars, known as "Global University Sessions," are highlights of each Global Mission Event, Lund said. As many as 70 sessions are scheduled at each GME this year, she said. Proposed topics for this year's Global University Sessions include evangelism and outreach in the new century, the global community and church, women's issues, new missionary opportunities, new forms of music in worship, ministry with seafarers, the church's response to the AIDS crisis in Africa, the rural crisis in the United States and world hunger issues.
Workshop presenters are from North and South America, Africa, Europe and Asia.
Attendance at each of the GMEs will range from 600 to as many as 1,200 people, Lund said. Families are welcome and encouraged to attend. Child care is provided, and there are programs for children, for junior and senior high school students and for adults, she said.
A highlight of each GME is the GlobalFest. GlobalFest features interactive exhibits, stage presentations, music, dance and dress from various parts of the world. GlobalFest is led by missionaries, international students and others in mission, Lund said. --------------------
The registration deadline for all events is June 19. Participants can register for all or part of a Global Mission Event. Registration information can be found on the Web at www.elca.org/dgm/gme2000/index.html or call 1-800-638-3522, ext. 2642.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
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