CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Catherine (Cathi) I.H. Braasch, executive director for Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), announced she will step down from her current position on Aug. 31, 2002. Braasch announced her plans in a March 29 letter to the leaders of the church's 64 synodical women's organizations.
In her letter, Braasch cited several factors for her decision not to serve for another four-year term. They included family reasons related to her husband's health plus her preparation to enter the ordained ministry. Braasch said she hopes to begin the internship and residency phase of the process when she steps down.
The timing of her departure relates specifically to Women of the ELCA's Triennial Gathering July 8-14, 2002, in Philadelphia. Braasch's current term ends officially Aug. 31, but the board extended it one year to allow her to remain as executive director through the Gathering.
"To change executive directors 10 months before the Triennial Gathering and Convention would not be in the best interests of either the organization or the individual serving in this role," she said in her letter.
In her role, Braasch provides leadership for the ELCA churchwide women's organization, which supports women by providing opportunities for learning and personal growth.
"We've just adopted an exciting new mission statement: 'To mobilize women to act boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ,'" Braasch noted. "This mission, plus goals focused on connecting the generations, creating community, and faith-based change for the good of church and society, are important to the lives of women and to this church. I'm praying for the woman who will follow me, and I'm grateful to have this new direction established for someone else to lead in the future."
The Women of the ELCA executive board affirmed Braasch's plans in a March 24 letter to members of the organization. The board discussed the leadership transition in executive session during its March 22-24 meeting here.
"For the past 3 and one-half years, she (Braasch) has served this organization as a servant leader, working closely with the executive board, the synodical organizations, the women in the pew and her staff," said Linda M. Chinnia, president of Women of the ELCA, Baltimore. "During the remainder of this triennium, she is committed to working closely with Women of the ELCA to ensure a smooth transition of executive leadership."
Braasch said for her it's a time to "look forward."
"I am convinced that there has never been a better time to be Women of the ELCA and that, with God's guidance and the full partnership of the ELCA, our best years are yet to come," she said in her letter.
Braasch, 52, became executive director Sept. 1, 1997. Prior to her position with Women of the ELCA, she was director of leadership for outreach ministries in the ELCA Division for Outreach and earlier served as a deployed mission director and director for rural ministry in the division.
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
