ELCA NEWS SERVICE May 17, 2005 Thousands Of Lutheran Women To Gather In Texas, July 5-10 05-093-MRC CHICAGO (ELCA) -- About 5,000 women from the United States and around the world will focus on health, the ordination of women and other topics at the Sixth Triennial Gathering of Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) July 5-10 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, San Antonio, Texas. The women will explore the theme "Act Boldly" through Bible study, keynote presentations, servant events, business meetings and more. "The triennial gathering brings together women from across the U.S. and Caribbean for worship, praise, learning, service and fellowship. The Sixth Triennial Convention of Women of the ELCA, the highest legislative authority of the organization, will take place during the gathering," said Linda Post Bushkofsky, executive director, Women of the ELCA. Each day of the gathering will begin with "inspiration time," where thousands of women will engage in Bible study, worship and presentations. Featured speakers include Barbara Ehrenreich, author of the book "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America." Ehrenreich will share her experiences that formed the basis of her book and address health issues faced by low-wage-earning women who cannot afford health insurance or to take time off from work to visit the doctor. The Rev. Vashti Murphy McKenzie, bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church and president of the A.M.E. Council of Bishops, will preach July 7 at the "Thankoffering Service," celebrating the work of women and other blessings for which the participants thank God. McKenzie was the first woman elected bishop in the A.M.E., a church whose membership is 70 percent female. The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the ELCA, will preside and the Rev. Andrea Walker, St. John's Lutheran Church, Summit, N.J., will preach at the gathering's opening worship July 6. Ione Hanson, who is married to Mark Hanson, will host the inspiration time July 7. Debra Farrington, author and retreat leader, Harrisburg, Pa., will speak during inspiration time. The Rev. Melanie McRae, spiritual director and chaplain, Minneapolis, will preach and the Rev. M. Wyvetta Bullock, executive assistant to the ELCA presiding bishop for leadership development, will preside at the gathering's closing worship July 10. The Rev. Sarah Henrich, associate professor of New Testament at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn., will lead daily Bible studies, and the Rev. Jeanne Porter, an ordained minister in the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World and associate professor of communication arts at North Park University, Chicago, will lead sessions for the clergywomen's affinity group at the Triennial Gathering. A highlight of the gathering will be "faith-in-action" or servant event opportunities, where Lutheran women will visit the San Antonio community to volunteer and learn about ministries there. Places where women will volunteer their time include the Children's Shelter of San Antonio, inner-city parks, peaceCENTER, San Antonio Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity, El Jardin de la Paz and Woman at the Well House. More than 20 workshops will be offered to explore the theme "Act Boldly." Participants can choose from workshops in three areas: "Boldly empowering ourselves as individuals," "Boldly enriching ourselves as leaders" and "Boldly improving our health as women." A new feature of the Triennial Gathering is "miniversities" -- an opportunity for women to have deeper discussions on a subject not dealt with in a workshop. Topics include sexuality and the church, the heart of multiculturalism, and conflict as "gift and opportunity." Eight "affinity" or special interest groups will gather July 6-7. They are young adult women; clergywomen, who will celebrate the 35th anniversary of the ordination of women in the ELCA; global advocates -- women who have had international travel experiences through seminars, study tours or similar activities; health field workers; people living with disabilities; editors and communicators; paid and volunteer educators; and "Way-making Women" -- women of color who will gather to explore the gifts of culture and community. Participants are encouraged to bring "in-kind gifts" -- tangible items other than money -- to the gathering. These gifts are distributed to local organizations and agencies in support of their ministries. Suggested gifts ideas include national retail gift cards, pre-paid phone cards, health kits and fabric for quilts. Gifts will be collected at "The Dwelling Place" -- the exhibit hall of the gathering located at the Gonzalez Convention Center. The 2005-2006 Bible study will be introduced and led by the Rev. Susan Gamelin, Emmanuel Lutheran Church, High Point, N.C. At a banquet celebration on July 9 at the convention center, participants will celebrate the 35th anniversary of the ordination of women in the ELCA. Participants will also observe the 60th anniversary of Lutheran World Relief -- the overseas relief and development ministry of the ELCA and Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod. Hundreds of voting members from the 64 synodical women's organizations across the United States and Caribbean will elect a new president, vice president, secretary, treasurer and 17 members to the Women of the ELCA executive board during the Sixth Triennial Convention. Other business will include consideration of the 2006 budget, proposed constitutional changes, and deliberation and vote on ministry directions for 2005-2008 triennium. "Delegates will also consider memorials from the synodical women's organizations. Twenty-one synodical organizations have asked delegates to consider a partnership relationship between Women of the ELCA and Adults Savings Kids, an organization seeking to end commercial sexual exploitation. Other memorials address support for immigrants, denounce ageism, and efforts to end world hunger, among other topics," Bushkofsky said. "The gathering and convention also serve to bring to a close the 2002-2005 triennium and its theme, 'Listen! God is Calling,' and to launch the 2005-2008 triennium and its theme, 'Act Boldly.' The theme is rooted in the mission of Women of the ELCA, 'to mobilize women to act boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ,'" she said. The Women of the ELCA organization has more than 7,800 local units in congregations of the ELCA and "institutional settings" across the United States and Caribbean. - - - Information about Women of the ELCA Sixth Triennial Gathering is available at http://www.womenoftheELCA.org/news/events/tg05/ on the Internet. For information contact: John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask] http://www.elca.org/news