Women of the ELCA Closes Gathering with Call to Act
SALT LAKE CITY (ELCA) -- The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Northeastern Ohio Synod, Cuyahoga Falls, said Lutherans are often nostalgic for "the good old days" instead of remembering they have been called to "adventure and abundance." She preached July 13 during the closing...
Women of ELCA, GME Guest Endures Immigration Process, Arrives in U.S.
SALT LAKE CITY (ELCA) -- Azur Riki was one of several international guests invited to the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Seventh Triennial Gathering here July 10-13, to share stories about her life and church. But getting here was an endurance test for Riki, who worked...
Women of the ELCA Celebrates its 20th Anniversary
SALT LAKE CITY (ELCA) -- Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) celebrated the close of its second decade July 12 with the distribution of its 20th anniversary offering, updates on current programs and the introduction of a new program. More than 2,000 women were here July 10-13...
Women of the ELCA Donates Blankets, Assembles Health Kits
SALT LAKE CITY (ELCA) -- Volunteers at the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) gathering here worked to assemble and distribute "in-kind gifts" to congregations and non-profit agencies in the area. These gifts include gift cards and pre-paid phone cards; materials for school and health kits; quilts,...
Bockelman Emphasizes Baptism at Women of the ELCA Gathering
SALT LAKE CITY (ELCA) -- In a two-part Bible study based on the power of Baptism, the Rev. Karen Bockelman, assistant to the bishop, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Northeastern Minnesota Synod, Duluth, told of the importance of "walking wet." Women of the ELCA's Seventh Triennial Gathering is...
Women of the ELCA Gathering Emphasizes Healthy Women and Girls
SALT LAKE CITY (ELCA) -- Nearly 400 women and a few men participated in a 4K Run, Walk and Roll July 12, one of many activities that emphasized good health for women and girls during the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Seventh Triennial Gathering here July...
Women of the ELCA Told of God's 'Building Blocks'
SALT LAKE CITY (ELCA) -- In a July 11 worship service at the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Seventh Triennial Gathering here, the Rev. Marysol Diaz, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, focused her sermon on "Water, Spirit, Word." The gathering theme, "Come to the Waters," focuses on the...
Women of the ELCA Gathering Welcomes International Guests
SALT LAKE CITY (ELCA) -- A number of international guests attended the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Seventh Triennial Gathering here July 10-13, sharing stories of their faith, their joys and concerns, and their everyday lives. The gathering theme, "Come to the Waters," focuses on the...
Neumark Tells Women of the ELCA that Bold Sisters Change the World
SALT LAKE CITY (ELCA) -- Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah may not be household names, but the Rev. Heidi B. Neumark, Trinity of Manhattan Lutheran Church, New York, related their story from the biblical book of Numbers and how they changed ancient tradition in a way that is still...
Women of the ELCA Hosts 23 Workshops for Gathering Participants
SALT LAKE CITY (ELCA) -- Advocacy, antiracism, the Bible, discipleship, health and wholeness, international guests, liturgy, money, neighbors' beliefs, participation, politics, prayer, sabbath, sacred space, self-expression, singing, social statements, witnessing and young adults were workshop topics that drew the attention of more than 2,000 participants of Women of the Evangelical...
Women of the ELCA Tackles Community, Church, Global Issues
SALT LAKE CITY (ELCA) -- A hearing and three briefings offered participants of Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) opportunities for education and conversation July 10 between their 2008 convention and gathering. The hearing was related to the ELCA's draft social statement on human sexuality. The briefings...
ELCA Presiding Bishop Thanks Women of the ELCA for Church Leadership
SALT LAKE CITY (ELCA) -- In a wide-ranging presentation July 10 the presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) thanked Women of the ELCA participants for the "countless ways" in which they are leading the church, and he commented on topics such as biblical literacy, evangelism and...
Chittister Tells Women of the ELCA to Boldly Challenge War, Peace Processes
SALT LAKE CITY (ELCA) -- Women of faith have a special calling to restore religion's principles of nonviolence, Sister Joan Chittister, O.S.B., told more than 2,000 women July 11 in the keynote of the Seventh Triennial Gathering of Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Her address on...
Women of the ELCA Elects Vice President, Other Officers, Board Members
SALT LAKE CITY (ELCA) -- Charlene Spillman, Kyle, Texas, was elected July 9 to a three-year term as vice president of Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The organization in convention elected Betty Brandt, Grand Rapids, Minn., secretary; Anjanette B. Hodges, Christiansburg, Va., treasurer; and 17 other...
Women of the ELCA Delegates Adopt Proposals on Environmental Matters
SALT LAKE CITY (ELCA) - At a July 9 session of Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), delegates adopted by a vote of 356-16 resolutions that focused on topics such as minimizing or eliminating the use of plastics, reducing the consumption of bottled water and raising awareness...
Women of the ELCA Elects Beth Wrenn President for 2008-2011
SALT LAKE CITY (ELCA) -- Voting delegates attending the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Triennial Convention here elected Beth G. Wrenn, Kill Devil Hills, N.C., as the organization's president for the next three years. Wrenn, a member of Kure Memorial Evangelical Lutheran Church, Kure Beach, N.C.,...
Lutheran youth from Iowa, Tanzania to partner at parish rally
by Luke Tatge*, ELCA News Service The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Western Iowa Synod will send 21 of its youth to Tanzania July 21-Aug. 13 to visit with youth of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT) Southern Diocese, work on service projects and visit area institutions. The...
ELCA Presiding Bishop, Lutheran Leaders Write to Presidential Candidates
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Stating that Lutherans have a long history and significant experience related to health and human services, relief and development, and refugee protection and immigration, four Lutheran leaders wrote to the major political party candidates for U.S. President. In their letter the leaders, including the Rev. Mark S....
'All Hands On Deck' Needed for Flood Recovery in Midwest
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Recovery efforts in the flood-ravaged Midwest will require an "all hands on deck" approach, according to the Rev. Kevin A. Massey, director, Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR). Every program and project Lutherans have will be needed given the extent of flood damage there, he said. LDR is a...
LWF Calls for Peace, Justice, Prayer Amid Zimbabwe Runoff Election
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- In anticipation of the June 27 runoff election in which Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe was re-elected, the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Council called for "urgent establishment of a peace building process in the country, incorporating all national actors, regional organizations and the international community." The council met...
