MINNEAPOLIS (ELCA) -- On a hot, sunny day in Iraq the Rev. Harry W. Griffith, an ELCA chaplain and commander in the U.S Navy Chaplain Corps received an unusual gift: 3,000 boxes of Girl Scout cookies.
Wednesday he urged the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly to continue supporting the armed forces, especially the military chaplains.
The chuchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the ELCA, is meeting here Aug. 17-23 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. About 2,000 people are participating, including 1,045 ELCA voting members. The theme for the biennial assembly is "God's work. Our hands."
Griffith said that the military receives care packages in the hundreds, but they will always continue to need the prayers and support of the ELCA.
He also said that support is needed not only for those stationed in combat operations, but for veterans returning from various duties around the world, as well as their friends and family."Military life affects not just the warrior, but those who are left behind," Griffith said.
He also presented the assembly with "Care for Returning Veterans" a DVD to help congregations assist those returning from combat.
---
Information on the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly can be found at http//www.elca.org/assembly.
Information on ELCA military chaplains can be found at http://tinyurl.com/krwl3c on the ELCA Web site.
* Carrie L. Draeger is a senior communication major with a concentration in journalism at Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Wash. This summer she is an intern with the ELCA News Service.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog
- - -
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
