ELCA NEWS SERVICE
July 9, 2005
Women Of The ELCA Learn And Relax At The 'Dwelling Place'
05-121-MRC
SAN ANTONIO (ELCA) -- As the San Antonio Police respond to domestic
violence calls, they will now be equipped with soft, fuzzy bears to give
children involved in the call. On July 8 Women of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) gave the police about 1,400 bears, each
individually dressed with a sweater, backpack and sunglasses at the
"Dwelling Place." The 133,000-sqaure-foot Dwelling Place served as place
for women to learn, shop and relax during the organization's international
gathering.
Women of the ELCA's Sixth Triennial Gathering is meeting here July
5-10 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. The organization's
three-year theme, "Act Boldly," is being unveiled at the convention amid
Bible study, keynote presentations, workshops, community service, business
sessions and elections. More than 2,100 women from across the United
States and around the world are participating.
Sergeant Jimmy Porter, Sex Crime and Family Violence Unit, San
Antonio Police, said what Lutheran women are doing here "is a very good
thing. As families come (into the police station) for questioning and
children are present, we offer children a teddy bear."
"The bear helps children relax and feel more comfortable," said
Sergeant Karen Falks, Sex Crime and Family Violence Unit, San Antonio
Police.
Falks and Porter received the bears at the "Give a bear because you
care" exhibit hosted by Trivent Financial for Lutherans, a not-for-profit
financial services organization based Minneapolis.
The exhibit is designed to "show participants how easy it is to do
service-related projects that impact the lives of others," said Laurie A.
Wilkinson, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Appleton, Wis. "We've also
had women pray over the bears," she said.
The Dwelling Place also served as a place for women to donate
"in-kind gifts" to support some of the ministries of San Antonio's social
service organizations and Lutheran World Relief (LWR) -- the overseas
relief and development ministry of the ELCA and Lutheran Church-Missouri
Synod. Women donated more than $21,475 worth of gift cards from various
retail stores; 707 health kits; 100,042 minutes worth of phone cards; and
599 quilt kits, with 108 quilts assembled for LWR.
At the Dwelling Place women sampled fair-trade chocolate and coffee,
especially the new "Organic Sisters' Blend" to honor "women around the
world." The new coffee blend also honors the 90-Ton Challenge, a
year-long campaign that more than doubled the amount of fair-trade coffee
purchased by Lutherans. Women of the ELCA, LWR and Equal Exchange led the
campaign last year.
The Rev. Peter W. Marty, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Davenport, Iowa,
host of Grace Matters -- the radio ministry of the ELCA -- greeted Women
of the ELCA at a special reception July 8.
"I'm awed by the commitment of church women, who in many cases drive
their congregations and serve so effectively. It's nice to think of them
as listeners and supporters" of Grace Matters, said Marty.
In an interview Marty said, "Christian radio might be the most
non-threatening method for non-Christians to come to know God. Sometimes
the best, personal invitation still frightens people. The radio allows
people to take Christianity at their own pace."
Marty said he would like Grace Matters "to be thoughtful radio, where
people reflect on life's deepest questions. It's a program that
encourages people to think seriously about their relationship with God.
This is not shallow radio, we aim to dig deep. Grace Matters is everyday
Christianity for everyday people, communicated in a rich and honest way."
Other highlights of the Dwelling Place included a "Heavenly Harp"
exhibit, where harpist Tami Briggs, St. Louis Park, Minn., performed and
shared her ministry of educating people about "using music for good
health;" art, jewelry and crafts made by artisans around the world;
one-on-one conversations with international guests; and Eve's Garden, a
"tranquil" place where women enjoyed chair massages, tai chi, music
therapy and other "mind, body and soul experiences."
- - -
Information about the Women of the ELCA's Sixth Triennial Gathering
is at http://www.womenoftheELCA.org on the Web.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask]
http://www.elca.org/news
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