Women of the ELCA Exhibits Organizational Growth

PHILADELPHIA (ELCA) -- Adding three new units to the more than 7,800 congregational units of the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America may not seem like much, but these three are "special units" that represent one of the new ways the organization hopes to grow.
Joy Lutheran Church, Spartansburg, S.C; Grace Lutheran Church, Gulf Shores, Ala., and Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Fairhope, Ala., are mission congregations, one of the "new points of entry" for the organization.
Colleges, seminaries, nursing homes and other institutions are places where more "special units" could be added in the near future, said Catherine I. H. Braasch, executive director of the organization.
"We're especially excited that these first three special units came forth in congregations under development. As a small group ministry, Women of the ELCA can be an important, vital point of entry for women into the life of Christ, as well as into women's ministries," Braasch said in an interview after the board meeting.
The three special units were approved by the organization's executive board meeting here Oct. 13-14.
The board also received reports and took actions on new points of entry for participation in the organization through its anti- racism ministry and its triennial gathering.
The board adopted a proposed amendment to the organization's constitution that states: "This community of women shall regard an anti-racism identity as an institutional asset and actively seek full participation and shared power in determining its mission, structure, constituency, policies and practices." The proposed amendment is scheduled to be considered at the Women of the ELCA Fifth Triennial Convention in July 2002.
Board members took part in an anti-racism workshop just prior to their meeting here and are recommending the executive boards of the organization's 64 synodical units take part in similar anti- racism experiences. The board is planning to have a presentation on disabilities ministries at a future board meeting.
The board will present its 2002 triennial convention theme as "Listen, God is Calling." About 500 women will attend as convention delegates to deal with organizational business, but between 4,000 and 5,000 women are expected to participate in the event to be held in Philadelphia July 8-14, 2002.
A women of color gathering, which had been a pre-convention event, will now be included at the beginning of the overall event. "Listen, God is Calling" will also include participation by young women and girls as developed by those involved in Young Women Seeing Visions, an exploration ministry of the organization with young women and girls.
The board approved a schedule for the event that includes worship, Bible study, workshops, forums, exhibits and business sessions. A legislative experience in Washington, D.C., is tentatively planned at the end of the event.
The board selected San Antonio, Texas, as the site for the Sixth Triennial Convention of the Women of the ELCA in 2005.
Women of the ELCA involves an estimated half-million women. It is currently going through an organizational self-assessment "designed to test our organization's readiness, willingness and capacity to focus on women's ministry in three to five key areas, and to help up identify these areas," Braasch said.
"In 2000 and beyond our challenge will be to listen to God's call, build on what we have been given, claim and test the heritage that is ours, and focus on strategically placing ourselves, individually and organizationally, in the place where the Lord can work through us -- the right place, the right time, the right reasons."
Data is being collected and processed. A report and recommendations are expected to be acted on at the board's March 2001 meeting.
"I have been busily involved in the organization self- assessment as a member of the leadership team," said Linda Chinnia, Baltimore, president of the organization. "I am confident that this process will lead us into new avenues for involvement and action!"
The first year of the 1999-2000 triennium has been a time of staff transitions, including new assignments and groupings within existing staff, completion of temporary assignments and hiring to fill vacancies, Braasch told the board. The organization has 27 staff members. In her report, Braasch listed 16 staff changes for the year.
In addition to working on broadening its membership and developing the organization, the board is dealing with declining revenue.
The board adopted a budget for 2001 of $3,878,770 although revenues are anticipated at $3,612,114. That leaves a $266,656 "challenge" which could also be called a "deficit," Braasch said, "except for the fact that we have more than adequate reserves to make up this modest difference between the organization's expectations and conservative estimates of revenue." It is lower than the 2000 budget "challenge" of $478,872.
The budget is based on a recommendation made to the board in March 2000, which set the goal to have a balanced budget, based on current year revenues, by 2003, Braasch said in an interview.
"We are achieving significant economies by putting a sharp pencil to past practices and seeking additional revenue streams," Braasch said.
The organization in the past has budgeted a $1 million gift to the church. That is now budgeted for $700,000. Last year the actual gift was $514,607 and income is coming in slower this year than last year. "Historically, Women of the ELCA receives two-thirds of its revenue during the last quarter of the fiscal year," Braasch said after the board meeting.
"I have a really hard time approving a budget that is really not balanced," said Janet Brewer, Anchorage, Alaska, vice president of the organization.
"Part of me says this is not fiscally responsible, but ministry doesn't happen in a bank account," said Jackie Chattopadhyay, Tustin, Calif.
If additional income is not developed, the shortfall will be made up from reserves.
"We have been blessed by reserves by the good stewardship of sisters before us, sisters now and sisters coming after us. If we are saying we want to use money for mission, I feel strongly that is why the sisters gave it," Braasch said.

*Carolyn Lewis, Frazer, Pa., is a correspondent for The Lutheran, a magazine for the ELCA, and former ELCA news director.

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