ELCA Women, International and Ecumenical Women Gather

PHILADELPHIA (ELCA) -- Fourteen Lutheran women from Brazil, Egypt, Estonia, Ghana, Haiti, India, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Palestine, Sudan and Tanzania traveled from their homes here to attend Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's (ELCA) Triennial Gathering at the Pennsylvania Convention Center July 8-14.
Women of the ELCA's three-year theme, "Listen, God is Calling," is being unveiled at the gathering amid Bible study, keynote presentations, workshops, field trips, business sessions and elections. More than 3,200 women from across the United States and around the world are participating.
"The value of inviting Lutheran women from around the world to the Triennial Gathering is to provide women here with a sense that we're part of a global community," said Doris Strieter, program director for global advocacy and education, Women of the ELCA, Chicago. "It is also an educational opportunity to learn the issues and struggles women from around the world face. We are sisters together in building up the body of Christ," she said.
International participant Marcia Blasi, Nao Me Toque, Brazil, is currently residing in the United States conducting an independent study program (after earning a master's degree) at the Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, Calif. Blasi enjoyed "the sharing and warmth" among members of Women of the ELCA, as well as the "diversity of women here and their expressions of faith."
A special forum hosted by the international guests took place at the Pennsylvania Convention Center here July 13. The forum room was adorned with pictures, books and artwork illustrating the various countries represented.
Initially, 17 women were scheduled to attend the Triennial. The United States denied a visa for Mary Sowdhamani, India. Mary Laiser, Tanzania, was granted a visa but denied entry into the United States. Eunice Phillip Jada, Kenya, had a death in her family and could not attend.
More than 30 women from the Episcopal Church took part in the Triennial Gathering in an effort to support "Called to Common Mission," the full communion agreement between the ELCA and the Episcopal Church.
The invitation extended to the Episcopal women surfaced from the ecumenical friendship between Sally Sedgwick, acting coordinator for women's ministries, Episcopal Church (U.S.A.), and Catherine "Cathi" I.H. Braasch, executive director, Women of the ELCA. Sedgewick led a workshop at the gathering called "Living in the Light: The Gospel Challenge to Our Ecumenical Life." Participants of the workshop discussed the full communion relationship of the ELCA and Episcopal Church.
Women from the Episcopal church also attended "Way-Making Women: A Way to Unity" at the Wyndham Franklin Plaza Hotel here July 8-10. The gathering -- a component of Women of the ELCA's Triennial Gathering -- brought together 400 African American and Black, American Indian and Alaskan Native, Asian and Pacific Islanders, Latina, Middle Eastern and Arab, and European American women to celebrate culture and pave a way for unity. -- -- -- 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 Internet. News releases and other information about the gathering are maintained at http://www.elca.org/wo/events/tg/tg02/connect/news.html on the Internet.

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