Bushkofsky Named Director for Women of the ELCA

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Linda Post Bushkofsky, 43, Chaska, Minn., was named the fourth executive director for Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the women's organization of the church. Women of the ELCA's executive board elected Bushkofsky during its meeting here March 14-17. She will assume her new post Aug. 1.
"I have a special place in my heart for the women of our church. They have nurtured my faith, challenged my assumptions and provoked my conscience," said Bushkofsky in an interview.
"With the great need contemporary women have for reaching out to one another around issues of faith and spirituality, Women of the ELCA need not be seen as an anachronism in the 21st century," she said. "I look forward to working with the executive board and the staff in making the organization a meaningful, relevant and vital community for all women of the church. In doing so, it will be a delight to partner with other units of the church as we carry out our common mission."
"The women of our congregational units are the lifeblood of the organization, and I'm anxious to spend time with them, getting to know the needs of our congregational units and how the churchwide staff might serve as a ministry partner with and a resource for the women as they carry

out their baptismal calls," Bushkofsky said.
Women of the ELCA has more than 7,800 "local units in congregations" and, since 1999, "institutional settings" across the United States and Caribbean. The organization's mission is "to mobilize women to act boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ." Since 1997, Bushkofsky has been associate executive for communication and interpretation for the Synod of Lakes and Prairies, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Bloomington, Minn. From 1993 to 1996, she served as administrator for the ELCA Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod, Wescosville, Pa. Bushkofsky taught legal writing and analysis at Villanova University School of Law, Villanova, Pa., from 1988 to 1992. She was an attorney at Hamburg, Rubin, Mullen and Maxwell, Lansdale, Pa., from 1986 to 1988, and a law clerk for the Pennsylvania Superior Court, Allentown, Pa., 1984 to 1986.
Bushkofsky is currently pursuing a master of arts degree in religious communication at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn. In 1984 she earned a juris doctor degree at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, Pittsburgh, and a bachelor of arts degree in English and political science at Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, Pa., in 1981. Susquehanna is one of 28 colleges and universities of the ELCA.
Active in all levels of the women's organization, Bushkofsky serves as a columnist for "Lutheran Woman Today," the magazine of Women of the ELCA. She also served as president of the women's organization at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Whitehall, Pa.
Bushkofsky and her husband, the Rev. Dennis L. Bushkofsky, have one daughter. They are members of Edina Community Lutheran Church, Edina, Minn.
Bushkofsky will succeed Catherine I.H. Braasch, who will complete her term this summer. Her decision not to serve for another four-year term included family health reasons and her preparation to enter the ordained ministry. Braasch's end-of-service will coincide with the Women of the ELCA's Fifth Triennial Gathering in Philadelphia, July 8- 14, 2002. She will officially leave office Aug. 31.
"Our executive board has made a stunningly wonderful choice for our next executive director," Braasch said.
"Linda Post Bushkofsky combines love for Women of the ELCA and the leadership abilities needed to guide this organization in our mission: To mobilize women to act boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ. I'm delighted by her selection and more confident than ever in the future of Women of the ELCA," Braasch said.
"By a unanimous vote, the executive board of Women of the ELCA selected Linda Post Bushkofsky. She brings a rich background of active participation in all expressions of Women of the ELCA, [including] leadership abilities, communication skills and ecumenical experiences. She is an excellent choice to help our organization move into an exciting future as we live out our mission," said Linda Chinnia, Baltimore, president of Women of the ELCA.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html