CHICAGO (ELCA) Under the theme "2001: A Faith Odyssey," 450 Lutheran college and university students and campus ministry staff from across the country will meet in New Orleans, Dec. 28-Jan. 1, 2001, at the Fairmont Hotel for the 31st national gathering of the Lutheran Student Movement-USA (LSM-USA).
Students and campus ministry staff from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will meet with others to explore and share "personal faith journeys" through community service projects, faith-oriente= d=20 study, keynote presentations, small group discussions, worship and workshops. LSM-USA is an independent organization of ELCA, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod students at public, Lutheran and other private colleges and universities.
The Rev. Susan R. Briehl, Spokane, Wash., is a keynote presenter and small-group Bible study leader. Briehl served as executive director of Holden Village, Chelan, Wash., from 1994 to 1999. From 1986 to 1994, Briehl was campus pastor at Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Wash. = --=20 one of 28 colleges and universities of the ELCA. From 1981 to 1986, she served as pastor of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Bellingham, Wash., a congregation of the ELCA.
Dr. Ernestine Montgomery, director for career development, University of New Orleans, is also a keynote presenter.=20
Scott Weidler, associate director for worship and music, ELCA Division for Congregational Ministries, will lead worship.
A highlight of the gathering will be community service projects designed for participants to put their Christian faith into action, said Teresa Palumbo, national staff intern, LSM-USA. Participants will help clean, repair, paint and tile public school buildings in and around New Orleans, she said. Post-gathering service projects, offered Jan. 2-4, include participation in "New Orleans Cares," an organization designed to provide community service projects in New Orleans.
LSM-USA will host legislative sessions designed for students to discuss and debate issues raised in proposed resolutions and position papers. Resolutions and position papers considered will represent "the official stance" of the Lutheran Student Movement and serves "as the collective voice of Lutheran students around the country," Palumbo said.
During business meetings, students will elect new officers for LSM-USA 2001. Russell Peek, Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, Columbia, S.C., is the current president. Cindy Ham, California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, Calif., is secretary and Lisa Parker, University of South Carolina, Columbia, is secretary for international and multicultural concerns. Peek, Ham and Parker are members of the ELCA.
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
