by Melissa Ramirez Cooper, ELCA News Service
International and domestic mission personnel from the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Evangelical Lutheran Church in
Canada (ELCIC) and the Episcopal Church gathered together July 29
for "Global Fest" at the 2006 ELCA Global Mission Event. Co-
sponsored by the Episcopal Church and endorsed by the ELCIC, the
GME brought together participants of all ages from across the
United States and around the world July 27-30 to the University
of Massachusetts in Amherst.
Dressed in their "global finery," GME participants from Africa,
Asia and Pacific Islands, Caribbean, Central America, Europe,
Middle East, North America, South America and elsewhere took part
in an outdoor festival that featured church missions and
ministries. The fest included an evening program of global music
and dance, video interviews with international mission personnel
and more.
Held at the university's Fine Arts Center the host for the
evening was the Rev. David Lerseth, director for global mission
support, ELCA Global Mission, who invited mission personnel of
all ages to "stand and be recognized" for their service.
Participants of the ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission also took
the stage. Under that program, young adults -- ages 19-30 -- are
placed in settings that provide service in social ministry, youth
work, congregational outreach, education, social justice and
health care in Argentina, Egypt, Germany, India, Kenya, Mexico,
the Philippines, Slovakia, Uruguay and the United Kingdom.
- - -
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
