PHILADELPHIA (ELCA) -- Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) learned about global advocacy, women's leadership and disability issues July 10 as a part of the ELCA Fifth Triennial Gathering here at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
Women of the ELCA's Triennial Gathering is meeting here July 8-14. The organization's three-year theme, "Listen, God is Calling," is being unveiled at the convention amid Bible study, keynote addresses, workshops, field trips, business sessions and elections.
Participants at the "Global Education and Advocacy Network" seminar reflected on international advocacy efforts by the ELCA's Women Building Global Community program. Prior to the convention participants of the program underwent advocacy training at international global education seminars sponsored jointly by the Women of the ELCA and the ELCA companion synods program. They now work as speakers and resource persons in their synods. There are 65 synods in the ELCA.
Public policy advocacy is one of the elements stressed by Women Building Global Community, said Sandra Holloway, director of global education and stewardship, ELCA Division for Global Mission. She also stressed the importance of getting women involved in their synod's international companion synod program.
"We have come to realize that the issues related to us [in the United States] are the ones related to women around the world," said Holloway. "If we join with other women through our companion synod [relationships], we can make it possible to have a voice in the world."
During the seminar, new resources designed to educate women on how to get involved in politics or how to stand up for justice were distributed. The Rev. Janet H. Hunt, Rock Island, Ill., spoke to participants about the importance of staying aware of issues that affect women.
The seminar also included international guests who spoke about their experiences around the world. Marcia Blasi of Brazil said that the companion synods program was worth promoting.
"We need to be connected with women around the world," said Blasi. "If everyone lives in their own world, we won't connect. Peace will come if we get together."
Three other seminars were held. They were:
+ "Leadership Training Follow-Up," brought together Women of the ELCA's synodical presidents who went through training for the "Leading Boldly: Mobilizing the Women of the ELCA through Assessment and Planning" project.
+ "Perspectives of the Differently Abled," which included differently abled people and professionals in the fields of disability experience and education.
+ "Organizational Self-Assessment," designed for the Women of the ELCA's organizational review led by the Peter F. Drucker Foundation.
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EDITORS: Photographs from "Way-Making Women: A Way to Unity" and Women
of the ELCA's Triennial Gathering are maintained at
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*Amy Wineinger is a junior at Wartburg College, Waverly, Iowa. This
summer she is an intern with ELCA News and Media Production.
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
