ELCA NEWS SERVICE
July 10, 2008
Women of the ELCA Elects Beth Wrenn President for 2008-2011
08-106-JB
SALT LAKE CITY (ELCA) -- Voting delegates attending the
Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
Triennial Convention here elected Beth G. Wrenn, Kill Devil
Hills, N.C., as the organization's president for the next three
years. Wrenn, a member of Kure Memorial Evangelical Lutheran
Church, Kure Beach, N.C., was elected July 9 on the third ballot
for president.
Women of the ELCA's Seventh Triennial Convention is being
held through July 10 here at the Salt Palace Convention Center.
More than 2,000 women are expected July 10-13 for the Seventh
Triennial Gathering of Women of the ELCA. The event theme, "Come
to the Waters," focuses on the celebration of Baptism through
Bible study, speakers, community service and worship.
Wrenn, 56, was elected with 197 votes. Others nominees who
received votes on the third ballot were Charlene Spillman, Kyle,
Texas, 78 votes; Linda Buckel, Bittinger, Md., 41 votes; Jennifer
Michael, Tampa, Fla., 41 votes; and Diane L. Brauer, Lincoln,
Neb., 21 votes. Wrenn led on all ballots for president. She will
succeed Carmen Richards, Hope, N.D., whose term as president ends
when the convention ends July 10.
"We have 'Come to the Waters' this week for many reasons,"
Wrenn said in her acceptance remarks to the delegates. "We have
'Come to the Waters' with a thirst for inspiration. We 'Come to
the Waters' seeking challenges to help us find ways to act boldly
in our faith. When we leave this place, we must take these life-
giving waters with us and share our mission and our enthusiasm
with all women."
She asked members of Women of the ELCA to be open to
including more women in the organization.
"There are women who have never been a part of this
organization because they don't know who we are," Wrenn said.
"They don't have any idea what strong advocates we are for those
who cannot speak for themselves, so we have to share that good
news. We have to be willing to accept change and to listen to
women, hear their stories, let them know that there's a place for
them in this organization."
In an interview with the ELCA News Service, Wrenn emphasized
that Women of the ELCA must be flexible. Without flexibility, an
organization cannot grow, she said.
"Our constitution was written with flexibility in mind, and
I think we really do forget the importance of that," she said.
One of the most important things that members of Women of
the ELCA can do is tell their stories to other women, Wrenn said.
That includes their faith stories and stories of what they do as
members of Women of the ELCA, she said.
Wrenn, born in Lincolnton, N.C., earned a bachelor's degree
in elementary education from Greensboro College, Greensboro, N.C.
She is a licensed real estate broker and a former public school
teacher.
Wrenn is active in the churchwide Women of the ELCA,
currently serving on the organization's executive board and
executive committee. She is a past president of the ELCA North
Carolina Synod women's organization. At Kure Memorial
Evangelical Lutheran Church she formerly served as council
president and was chair of the congregation's 50th anniversary
celebration.
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Information about the Women of the ELCA Seventh Triennial
Gathering is at http://womenoftheELCA.org/tg08/ on the Web.
Audio of Beth Wrenn's acceptance remarks is at
http://media.ELCA.org/audionews/080709a.mp3 and
http://media.ELCA.org/audionews/080709b.mp3 on the ELCA Web site.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask]
http://www.elca.org/news
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog
