by John R. Brooks, ELCA News Service
The Small Town and Rural Ministry Alliance (STaR) of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will hold its
annual meeting July 20-22 at Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove,
Pa. Susquehanna University is one of 28 ELCA colleges and
universities. Participants will have an opportunity to worship together, to
share common concerns or ideas with others in rural settings, to
hear from speakers acquainted with small town and rural
ministries and to meet in several "affinity groups" which provide
a forum for specific small town and rural interests.
Scheduled keynote presenters are the Rev. Andrea DeGroot-Nesdahl,
bishop, ELCA South Dakota Synod, Sioux Falls; Kathryn F. Wolford,
president, Lutheran World Relief, Baltimore; and Sister Christine
Pratt, OSU, rural life director, Roman Catholic Diocese of
Toledo, Ohio.
About 55 percent of the ELCA's 10,544 congregations are in small
town and rural settings. The ELCA formed the STaR Alliance to
better serve this constituency.
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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
