by Frank Imhoff, ELCA News Service
Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is
working to meet a 25-month challenge from the ELCA's Mission
Investment Fund (MIF). The challenge began June 1, 2006. One
year later, Women of the ELCA participants had opened 217 new MIF
accounts with investments totaling $395,840.
The MIF challenged the ELCA women's organization to open 1,000
new individual MIF accounts before June 30, 2008. If that goal
is met, MIF will give $25,000 to sponsor a "major event" at the
next Triennial Gathering of Women of the ELCA, July 10-13, 2008,
at the Salt Place Convention Center, Salt Lake City. The 7th
Triennial Convention of Women of the ELCA will precede the
gathering, July 8-10, 2008.
All parties benefit from the challenge -- Women of the ELCA,
those who invest with MIF and the church. The MIF's primary
mission is to provide low-interest loans to mission congregations
to purchase land and construct church buildings, and to
established ELCA congregations for renovation, expansion and
relocation projects. Loans are also available to ELCA-related
ministries such as seminaries, outdoor ministries, colleges and
universities. Investors earn interest as their investments help
build the church.
- - -
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
