PHILADELPHIA (ELCA) -- Participants attending the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Fifth Triennial Gathering gave hundreds of children's books and packages containing a variety of personal care items, such as soap and linens, to Philadelphia-area ministries. Known as "in-kind" gifts, the items are intended for the benefit of women and children in need.
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. Nearly 3,200 women from throughout the ELCA and the world are attending.
Women attending the gathering brought the personal care kits and books with them to Philadelphia for the benefit of local ministries.
"This is one way we can fulfill our purpose, by expressing our faith in Jesus Christ," said Catherine "Cathi" I.H. Braasch, Women of the ELCA executive director, at a ceremony to present the gifts to representatives of the Philadelphia ministries.
"We learn a great deal from the communities we visit, and we give back to those communities," she added.
"This is a tremendous gift of new hope and new life for immigrants coming into this country," said Ann P. Wilson, acting president, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS), Baltimore. LIRS is a ministry that serves refugees, their families and communities.
"Your ministry and your gifts are deeply appreciated," said the Rev. Isaac Miller, Church of the Advocate, an Episcopal Church congregation in Philadelphia. Miller represented Philadelphia Interfaith Action, a coalition of local congregations that work to strengthen local communities. Miller also thanked the ELCA for congregations serving inner-city Philadelphia, and working cooperatively to "transform" inner-city neighborhoods.
"The books are very important to our ministries," said Susan Pursch, representing Lutheran Children and Family Services and Liberty Lutheran Services, social ministry organizations in Philadelphia. "These gifts have a longer life than the time you will spend here for your convention."
The in-kind gifts were given to several other Philadelphia-area organizations:
+ Aid for Friends, provides meals for homebound people.
+ Bridge of Peace Community Church, a Lutheran congregation in Camden, N.J., works with other Lutheran churches in community outreach.
+ Iglesia Luterana Nueva Creacion, provides assistance to low- income families.
+ Lutheran Deaconess Community, promotes spiritual development and service to others.
+ Lutheran Settlement House, supports women and children.
+ Project H.O.M.E., offers housing and support to homeless people.
+ Silver-Springs Martin Luther School, provides homes, education and support for children at risk.
+ University Lutheran Church, collaborates with other partners in ministry to support people living with AIDS. -- -- -- Editors: Photographs from "Way-Making Women: A Way to Unity" and Women of the ELCA's Triennial Gathering are maintained at http://www.elca.org/wo/events/tg/tg02/connect/photos.html on the Web.
News releases and other information about the gathering are maintained
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(215) 418-2045 or mramirez@elca.org
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
