SAN ANTONIO (ELCA) -- As the San Antonio Police respond to domestic violence calls, they will now be equipped with soft, fuzzy bears to give children involved in the call. On July 8 Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) gave the police about 1,400 bears, each individually dressed with a sweater, backpack and sunglasses at the "Dwelling Place." The 133,000-sqaure-foot Dwelling Place served as place for women to learn, shop and relax during the organization's international gathering.
Women of the ELCA's Sixth Triennial 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.
Sergeant Jimmy Porter, Sex Crime and Family Violence Unit, San Antonio Police, said what Lutheran women are doing here "is a very good thing. As families come (into the police station) for questioning and children are present, we offer children a teddy bear."
"The bear helps children relax and feel more comfortable," said Sergeant Karen Falks, Sex Crime and Family Violence Unit, San Antonio Police.
Falks and Porter received the bears at the "Give a bear because you care" exhibit hosted by Trivent Financial for Lutherans, a not-for-profit financial services organization based Minneapolis.
The exhibit is designed to "show participants how easy it is to do service-related projects that impact the lives of others," said Laurie A. Wilkinson, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Appleton, Wis. "We've also had women pray over the bears," she said.
The Dwelling Place also served as a place for women to donate "in-kind gifts" to support some of the ministries of San Antonio's social service organizations and Lutheran World Relief (LWR) -- the overseas relief and development ministry of the ELCA and Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Women donated more than $21,475 worth of gift cards from various retail stores; 707 health kits; 100,042 minutes worth of phone cards; and 599 quilt kits, with 108 quilts assembled for LWR.
At the Dwelling Place women sampled fair-trade chocolate and coffee, especially the new "Organic Sisters' Blend" to honor "women around the world." The new coffee blend also honors the 90-Ton Challenge, a year-long campaign that more than doubled the amount of fair-trade coffee purchased by Lutherans. Women of the ELCA, LWR and Equal Exchange led the campaign last year.
The Rev. Peter W. Marty, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Davenport, Iowa, host of Grace Matters -- the radio ministry of the ELCA -- greeted Women of the ELCA at a special reception July 8.
"I'm awed by the commitment of church women, who in many cases drive their congregations and serve so effectively. It's nice to think of them as listeners and supporters" of Grace Matters, said Marty.
In an interview Marty said, "Christian radio might be the most non-threatening method for non-Christians to come to know God. Sometimes the best, personal invitation still frightens people. The radio allows people to take Christianity at their own pace."
Marty said he would like Grace Matters "to be thoughtful radio, where people reflect on life's deepest questions. It's a program that encourages people to think seriously about their relationship with God. This is not shallow radio, we aim to dig deep. Grace Matters is everyday Christianity for everyday people, communicated in a rich and honest way."
Other highlights of the Dwelling Place included a "Heavenly Harp" exhibit, where harpist Tami Briggs, St. Louis Park, Minn., performed and shared her ministry of educating people about "using music for good health;" art, jewelry and crafts made by artisans around the world; one-on-one conversations with international guests; and Eve's Garden, a "tranquil" place where women enjoyed chair massages, tai chi, music therapy and other "mind, body and soul experiences."
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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
