CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Art, faith and life in rural America will be the focus for Lutherans attending the 2001 Rural Ministry Conference March 11-13 at the Holiday Inn and Five Flags Center, Dubuque, Iowa. Under the theme "Patchwork of Faith and Rural Culture," participants will engage in Bible study, receive keynote presentations and attend workshops.
The Center for Theology and Land sponsors the annual conference. Established in 1987, the center is a program of Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, and the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary (UDTS). Wartburg is one of eight seminaries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). UDTS is a seminary of The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Ecumenical Ministries of Iowa is co-sponsoring the conference.
Jutta F. Anderson, art historian, theologian and contributing writer for "Christianity and the Arts," will deliver a keynote presentation called "The Psychology and Theology of Art: How Art Helps Us to Cope." Anderson, Prospect Heights, Ill., is a member of the ELCA.
Other speakers include Dr. Robert M. Shelton, president, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Austin, Texas, and Ben Helmer, officer for rural and small community ministries, The Episcopal Church, New York.
Dr. Ann Hoch, assistant dean, professor of homiletics and director of external programs, University of Dubuque Theological Seminary, will lead the Bible studies.
Workshop topics range from music used in worship to evangelism in rural settings. Gretchen Ritola, assistant to the bishop, ELCA Nebraska Synod, Omaha, will lead a workshop on "Liturgy in the Rural Context." Ritola received the "Friend of Rural Ministry" award at the 2000 Rural Ministry Conference.
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and United Methodist Church will also host workshops. Music will be provided by the Nashville Blue Grass Band.
Members of the Center for Theology and Land will launch a "story quilt" project at the conference. The quilt will be made of stitched "blocks" that illustrate a message or story about rural life or ministry. Written stories describing the message of each block will accompany the quilt.
According to a Wartburg news release, the quilt is designed to "bring a message of light and hope for the future of rural America, rural culture and rural ministry." The finished quilt will be displayed at the 2002 Rural Ministry Conference.
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
