ELCA Women Hear from Organizational Leaders

PHILADELPHIA (ELCA) -- Leaders of Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) reflected on the past three years and offered their views of the future in a series of remarks to 500 convention voting delegates here July 11.
Women of the ELCA's Triennial Gathering is meeting here July 8-14 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. 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. More than 3,200 women from across the United States and around the world are participating.
Women of the ELCA operates on a three-year thematic programming cycle. The organization's executive board adopted a new mission and purpose for the organization during this triennium, a significant accomplishment, said Linda Chinnia, Women of the ELCA president, Baltimore. Chinnia is completing her three-year term at this convention.
The organization's mission is "to mobilize women to act boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ."
A "constant" in the organization is that women are engaged to affirm healing and wholeness in the church and in the world, Chinnia said. Women of the ELCA has built its present ministry with the help of outstanding leaders from the past. Among its work today is promotion of global understanding, prayer and partnerships, she added.
"We have claimed and tested our heritage," Chinnia said. "We have asked hard questions to move ahead in bold, new ways. God's future has called us, and we are saying yes."
La Vaun Danielson, executive board member, Franklin, Minn., said the executive board accomplished much in this triennium. She cited an organizational self-assessment effort, special Women of the ELCA units formed with the help of existing units in congregations, the creation of an anti-racism network, Women and Children Living in Poverty ministries, a special program to invite younger women to become active in the organization, and greater numbers of subscriptions for the recently redesigned "Lutheran Woman Today," a magazine for Women of the ELCA.
Catherine "Cathi" I.H. Braasch, Women of the ELCA executive director, thanked members and staff for her five years in the organization's churchwide leadership role. Braasch previously announced she will leave her position next month. Braasch, who has been studying for the ordained ministry, will begin serving an internship next month at Hope Lutheran Church, Smithfield, Neb., she said.
"Thank you for the privilege of being with you for this season of five years," Braasch told the delegates. The delegates responded by adopting a resolution thanking Braasch.
Voting members were introduced to Linda Post Bushkofsky, who will assume the role as Women of the ELCA executive director next month. Bushkofsky has been an active member of the organization for several years. She told delegates I want to "hear your stories."
"You have nurtured my faith, challenged my assumptions and you've provoked my conscience," she said.
In a brief financial report to delegates, Sally Frank, Women of the ELCA treasurer, Beaver, Pa., reported regular offering to Women of the ELCA were down 7 percent in the previous fiscal year. "Thankofferings," in which women give thanks for specific ministries through financial gifts, were up 14 percent, she said. Delegates will consider a new budget for 2003 at this convention.
In another action July 11, the delegates agreed to continue a global education and advocacy program, sponsored by the Women of the ELCA and ELCA Division for Global Mission. The program addresses "issues faced by women around the world" and "advocates for justice and empowerment for women," according to a resolution delegates adopted. The resolution encouraged synodical women's organizations to financially support global communities and to support them in prayer. The resolution was presented to the convention by the Southeastern Minnesota Synod women's organization. -- -- -- Editors: Photographs from Women of the ELCA's Triennial Gathering are maintained at http://www.elca.org/wo/events/tg/tg02/connect/photos.html on the Web.

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