SAN ANTONIO (ELCA) - Delegates to the Sixth Triennial Convention of Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) elected a vice president, secretary and treasurer to three-year terms July 8. They also completed work on memorials, which are requests for organizational action on various issues from local units.
Women of the ELCA's Gathering is meeting here July 5-10 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. The organization's three-year theme, “Act Boldly,” is being unveiled at the convention amid Bible study, keynote presentations, workshops, community service, business sessions and elections. More than 2,100 women from across the United States and around the world are participating.
Delegates elected Elizabeth Y. Gaskins, Smyrna, Ga., vice president; Kathryn M. Schnierle, Cincinnati, secretary; and Robin K. Bert, Chester, Ill., treasurer. Carmen K. Richards, Hope, N.D., was elected president July 7. All will assume their offices at the conclusion of the convention and will serve through the 2008 Triennial Convention in Salt Lake City.
In other action, delegates adopted a $3.41 million budget for 2006 and adopted several memorials. Some of the memorial topics were:
+ Commercial sexual exploitation: Delegates encouraged local Women of the ELCA units to “expand their involvement” in addressing commercial sexual exploitation through and with several organizations, encouraged work with churches globally to combat commercial sexual exploitation, asked Women of the ELCA to provide information and resources on the topic and called for “a coordinated churchwide response” to this issue.
+ Immigration justice: Delegates affirmed the work of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, Baltimore, to assist women in becoming advocates for refugees and immigrants, encouraged Women of the ELCA to pray for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and its employees and to advocate that facilities used to detain immigrants and refugees “meet minimum detention standards” and asked Women of the ELCA to provide materials and ideas so that women can welcome and support refugees.
+ Ageism: Delegates encouraged women to “share in the reality of the aging process” and “embrace our elders and (encourage) them to continue living life with purpose and meaning.”
+ Ending hunger: Delegates called on the Women of the ELCA “to continue to make ending hunger a core conviction for the women of the church” and continue efforts to feed hungry people, advocate for policies to end hunger, contribute to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal, pray for leaders and commit to a “just and humble lifestyle.”
+ Studies on Sexuality and unity: Women of the ELCA will pray for all people involved in the decisions on homosexuality policy to be made at the 2005 ELCA Churchwide Assembly next month in Orlando, Fla., and pledge to “continue to be witnesses to our unity through Jesus Christ.”
+ Sudan: The convention resolved to become more informed about Sudan, its history, Christian sisters and brothers who are suffering, become “engaged in ministry and action,” and pray and act on behalf of all people who are victims of humanitarian crises.
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Information about the Women of the ELCA's Sixth Triennial Gathering is at http://www.womenoftheELCA.org on the Web.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news
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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
