Goldberger Named Editor for 'Lutheran Woman Today'

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Nancy J. Goldberger, Chicago, became the second editor of Lutheran Woman Today on March 5. Lutheran Woman Today is the magazine of Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the women's organization of the church.
Goldberger succeeds Nancy J. Stelling, Raleigh, N.C., who retired Dec. 1. Stelling joined Women of the ELCA on Sept. 1, 1987. That year Women of the ELCA was born at its Constituting Convention June 11-14; the ELCA was formed at its Constituting Convention April 13, 1987.
This fall Lutheran Woman Today will have a new look, according to Goldberger. The physical size of the magazine will shift from a digest format to a full-size magazine, she said. "Readers will see full-color pages, and the length and depth of articles will be expanded. The new format will give readers more of what they like," she said.
"It is clear that people love Lutheran Woman Today," said Goldberger. Women of the ELCA's Bible study, carried in each issue, is an important asset of the magazine, she said.
"A bonus of the magazine's new format addresses supplemental material needed for use of the Bible study. Readers of the magazine have had to use a leader's guide, resource book, Bible and the magazine separately to put together a nine-month Bible study. The new format allows for the inclusion of these supplements, which will begin in the fall of 2002," Goldberger said.
Born in Strausburg, Ill., Goldberger earned a bachelor of science degree in education from Concordia University, River Forest, Ill., in 1982. She earned a master's degree in education from Loyola University Chicago in 2000.
From 1997 to 2001 Goldberger was director of the Student Union and Center for Student Life, Loyola University Chicago. From 1986 to 1997 she was an editor for Publications International, Chicago. Goldberger served as an elementary school teacher at Peace Lutheran Church, Warren, Mich., from 1984 to 1987, and at Salem Lutheran Church, Gretna, La., from 1982 to 1983.
"[Lutheran Woman Today] says something about faith in everyday life. It keeps it simple while treating the subject being featured with depth," said Deb Bogaert, managing editor, Lutheran Woman Today.
"The Bible study moves a reader from being an observer to a participant. It is designed to provide a forum for discussion and deeper, richer understanding of the topic being featured. We want to continue to challenge our readers and provide ways readers can connect with one another," Bogaert said.
Bogaert succeeded Susan Edison-Swift, who resigned Sept. 8. From September 1999 to September 2000, Bogaert served as Lutheran Woman Today's associate editor. From 1994 to 1999, Bogaert was periodicals coordinator and editor for Liturgy Training Publications, Chicago. From 1992 to 1993 she was production editor for Publications International. She earned a master's degree in theology from Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, in 2000 and a master's degree in journalism from the Medill School of Journalism, Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill., in 1992. Bogaert earned a bachelor of arts degree in religious studies at DePaul University, Chicago, in 1991.
Barbara Ruckholdt is executive editor for Lutheran Woman Today.
Lutheran Woman Today is published 10 times a year, monthly except for bi-monthly issues in January/February and July/August. Each issue carries and supports Women of the ELCA's Bible study, the most widely used Bible study in the ELCA. In addition to stories, the magazine features IdeaNet -- organizational "tips" -- and information about Women of the ELCA programs, activities and events. Women of the ELCA is active in 7,832 "congregational units" in 64 of the 65 ELCA's synods.

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