PHILADELPHIA (ELCA) -- Delegates to the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Fifth Triennial Convention elected three officers and 17 members of the executive board July 12 to complete the organization's leadership team for 2002-2005. Mary Ellen M. Kiesner, Menomonee Falls, Wis., was elected July 11 to serve a three- year term as president of the Women of the ELCA.
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.
Delegates elected Nancy Christian, Fertile, Minn., vice president. Christian, a member of Concordia Lutheran Church, Fertile, was elected on the third ballot for vice president 230-183 over Janet Calico, Dallas. Others considered on the third ballot were Arlene K. Roth, Ames, Iowa, 26 votes; Joyce M. Opjorden, Ventura, Calif., 11 votes; and Robin L. Kieffer, Apple Valley, Minn., nine votes. There was 26 names on the nominating ballot.
Elected secretary was Gail M. Powell, Rockwood, Mich. Powell, a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Riverview, Mich., was elected on the first ballot 341-128 over Kathryn M. Schnierle, Cincinnati. Powell and Schnierle were the only nominees.
Carmen K. Richards, Hope, N.D., was elected treasurer on the first ballot 299-169 over Audrey J. Thompson, Atwater, Minn. Richards, a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church. Richards and Thompson were the only nominees.
Twelve members of the executive board were elected on the first ballot, including Calico, Kieffer, Opjorden, Roth and Schnierle. Others elected on the first ballot were Susan A. Alston-McRae, Jersey City, N.J.; Mary Bridges, Russell, Kan.; Diana Ceballos-Gonzalez, San Juan, Puerto Rico; Desiree A. Cole, Waukegan, Ill.; Carolyn R. Cook, Forest Grove, Ore.; Sonja M. Richwine, Van Buren, Ill.; and Denise B. Smith, Eagle River, Alaska.
No executive board members were elected on the second and third ballots. The remaining members were elected on the fourth ballot. They are Elizabeth Y. Gaskins, Smyrna, Ga.; Susan J. Humphrey, Tulsa, Okla.; Valerie R. Sayler, Stanton, N.D.; Marilyn Stember, Denver; and Geneva G. Wallace, Lusby, Md.
Officers and board members will be installed into their offices before the conclusion of the gathering July 13. --- 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.
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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.
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