ELCA NEWS SERVICE August 13, 2003 ELCA Assembly Hearing on Rural Ministry Alliance 03-CWA-14-BMC MILWAUKEE (ELCA) -- Rural leaders from across the country gathered for a hearing on the Plan for Rural Ministry Alliance at the 2003 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Sandra LaBlanc, ELCA director for rural networking and resourcing, explained the details of the plan to nearly 100 voting members and visitors. The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the ELCA, is meeting here Aug. 11-17 at the Midwest Airlines Center. There are about 2,500 people participating, including 1,031 ELCA voting members. The theme for the biennial assembly is "Making Christ Known: For the Healing of the World." Within the ELCA, 55 percent of congregations are in small towns and rural settings. To better serve this large and diverse constituency and in direct response to a resolution passed at the 2001 Churchwide Assembly, the ELCA developed the Small Town and Rural (STaR) Ministry Alliance. The alliance consists of individuals, congregations, synods and other institutions that pay a fee ($100 or less per year) to form an umbrella organization. Annual membership fees will financially support the STaR Ministry Alliance, and alliance members will sustain one another and their communities through prayer, action and education. Members of the alliance are empowered to start affinity groups or projects under the auspices of the alliance. Affinity groups have been formed to cover the following four rural concerns: + Economics + Moral deliberation over resources and the environment + Multicultural ministry in rural America + Leadership development Affinity groups must have an ELCA connection or be an ecumenical partner, have a rural and small town orientation, and must meet at least once a year. The affinity groups must also meet one of the criteria of the ELCA STaR Ministry Alliance vision statement. The alliance vision statement states that through the alliance members, the ELCA "assumes a leadership role in small town and rural life to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. Sharing God's gift of hope and promises of justice and healing this church will develop and mobilize its assets." Voting members at the hearing shared experiences from their varied ministry settings, discussing the reality of ministry "on the ground" and raising rural issues such as: interdenominational cooperation, lay leadership, rural poverty, urban-rural connections and program support in dwindling congregations. "Any and all prayers for this effort are really appreciated because we know that our small town and rural congregations need your support," said LaBlanc. She introduced Dave Sanders of the Southern Ohio Synod, who began work Aug. 1 as the coordinator (or "weaver") for affinity group participants in the alliance. The weaver puts people with similar interests in contact with each other and provides resources to advance each affinity group's goals. LaBlanc also announced plans for the first ELCA Rural Ministry Conference, which will be held June 24-26, 2004, at Newberry College in Newberry, S.C. The theme for the conference will be "Celebrate Rural Life" and will feature keynote speaker the Rev. Tex Sample. Newberry College is one of 28 colleges and universities of the ELCA. The alliance is housed in the ELCA Division for Outreach. More information about the ELCA STaR Ministry Alliance and application for membership is available at http://www.elca.org/star/. -- -- -- Information about the ELCA Churchwide Assembly can be found at http://www.elca.org/assembly/03 on the Web. For information contact: John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask] http://www.elca.org/news