INDIANAPOLIS (ELCA) -- Transformation and information came out of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) 2001 Churchwide Assembly's "County Fair" in Indianapolis. The County Fair was created as a midway of resources and data tucked into a dunking booth, quilts, a barn, and a variety of games that drew voting members and visitors into conversation with each of the ministry units of the ELCA during assembly Aug. 9-11.
The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the ELCA, is meeting here Aug. 8-14 at the Indiana Convention Center. There are more than 2,000 people participating, including 1,040 ELCA voting members. The theme for the biennial assembly is "Making Christ Known: Sharing Faith in a New Century."
Voting members and visitors could stroll the 'midway' for three days, when not seated next-door in the plenary hall. No cash changed hands at the County Fair -- it's purpose was to be a way for voting members and visitors to learn more about each unit of the church, said Kristi Bangert, fair coordinator and ELCA director of internal church communication and marketing, ELCA Department for Communication. "The purpose is to help all the units to tell what they do, to put faces behind the work that occurs, and to make a personal connection."
"The County Fair was a huge undertaking, physically, but it's far more useful than doing a pipe-and-drape display. There's a greater investment in time and materials, but the materials have another life after the assembly." Bangert explained.
Seventeen volunteers, some from as far away as Michigan, worked for two days in 100-degree heat and humidity to transform an empty hall into a mock midway with booths for Lutheran ministries. All the lumber for the booths and the plants and the wheelbarrows were donated to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Indianapolis. The gift, valued at $10,000, has enough lumber to provide the wall studs for two houses. In this 50th year anniversary of Habitat, Indianapolis is building or renovating 50 structures.
At least 300 quilts will be distributed globally through Lutheran World Relief (LWR). The quilts provided an illusion of walls and showcased quilt-maker skills; they are on their way to the LWR Minneapolis warehouse for shipping, Bangert said.
This assembly's County Fair theme drew creative responses from different units -- resources and samples were stored in wheelbarrows and playful games scattered through the display. A Saturday lunch featured fair favorites -- food on sticks, finger food, and traditional snacks like popcorn, cotton candy, snowcones and pie. -- -- --
Information about assembly actions is at http://www.elca.org/assembly/01 on the ELCA's Web Site. Recorded updates during the assembly are available by calling 773/380-2477.
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
