ELCA NEWS SERVICE September 28, 2005 ELCA Pastor Speaker on 'Day 1' Radio Program Oct. 2 05-181-JB CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Ann M. Svennungsen, president, The Fund for Theological Education, Atlanta, and a pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), is the featured speaker on the Oct. 2 broadcast of "Day 1," heard on radio stations throughout the United States and on the Internet. The Fund for Theological Education provides fellowships and networks of support to pastors and scholars from all Christian denominations and backgrounds. The Fund also helps congregations and denominations nurture men and women for ministry and teaching. The title of Svennungsen's broadcast is "The Gift of Community," in which she speaks about community in congregations, pastoral leadership and healing. "I believe that we need good congregations. We need good pastors. It's within community that we are healed. It's within community that we bear the fruit of healing and justice for the world; but even more than pastors and congregations, even more than fruit and branches, we need the vine," she said in the broadcast. "We need the presence of Christ. Jesus said, 'I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit.' Yes, we are called to abide, to remain in Christ and in his community," Svennungsen said. "As disciples, we abide in Jesus Christ. We delight in the community of branches that surround us on the vine, and we rejoice in a God who promises to hold us secure. For, you see, this God will never get tired. This God will never let you go," she said. Svennungsen is a public speaker and author of several articles and Bible studies. She serves on the Alban Institute board of trustees. The institute, an ecumenical, interfaith organization, provides resources to congregations through book publishing, educational seminars, consulting services and research. Svennungsen holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn., where she graduated summa cum laude. In 1981 she received a master of divinity degree at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn., where she was a recipient of the Seminary Preaching Award. Before her present role as fund president, Svennungsen served seven years as senior pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Moorhead, Minn. She also served as pastor of congregations in Iowa City, Iowa, and Minneapolis. --- Information about "Day 1" radio stations, broadcast times and speakers is at http://www.day1.net on the Web. For information contact: John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask] http://www.elca.org/news