Title: Women of the ELCA Elects New President ELCA NEWS SERVICE July 11, 1996 WOMEN OF THE ELCA ELECTS NEW PRESIDENT 96-WO-07-LC MINNEAPOLIS (ELCA) -- Sharroll A. Bernahl, Fort Morgan, Colo., was elected president of Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America July 11 on the fourth ballot. Bernahl, 52, a member of the organization's Executive Board, was elected with 268 votes from the 485 voting members. Women of the ELCA's Third Triennial Convention is meeting here July 11-14 under the theme "Proclaim God's Peace." Bernahl said her vision for Women of the ELCA is that: "we're all community ... everyone is allowed in," during her speech prior to the third ballot. During a round of speeches made by the five finalists following the second ballot, Bernahl noted that both her 75-year-old mother and 25-year-old daughter are members of Women of the ELCA. Bernahl was elected to the Executive Board at the Second Triennial Convention in Washington, D.C., in 1993. She holds positions on Women of the ELCA's Affirmative Action Committee and Governance Document Review Committee. A registered nurse instructor at Morgan Community College, Bernahl is also a part-time college student. At her home congregation, Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, she is a Bible study leader, a lay assistant minister and adult forum leader. She serves on the Pastor-Parish Support Committee and the ELCA Long Term Care Facility executive board. Eighty-seven women received first-vote nominations. The top five vote-getters on the first ballot were Merle Freije, Mayville, N.D., 79 votes; Faith Ashton, Chapel Hill, N.C., 58; Georganne Robertson, Olympia, Wash., 39; Bernahl, 28; and Jane Erdahl, Salt Lake City, Utah, 20. On second ballot, Freije led with 131 votes, Ashton 93, Robertson 60, Erdahl 37 and Bernahl had 35. On the third ballot, Bernahl jumped from fifth to second with 99 votes. Freije led with 141. "I am a strong believer in prayer," Bernahl said to the convention after her election. "I mandate each of you to pray for me and this organization." The triennial convention is the chief legislative authority of Women of the ELCA. At the convention about 500 delegates elect officers and board members, consider resolutions from congregational units and synodical women's organizations, and set priorities for the triennium. More than 500,000 Lutheran women participate in the organization. For information contact: Ann Hafften, Dir., ELCA News Service, (312) 380-2958; Frank Imhoff, Assoc. Dir., (312) 380-2955; Lia Christiansen, Asst. Dir., (312) 380-2956