ELCA NEWS SERVICE July 10, 2008 Women of the ELCA Elects Vice President, Other Officers, Board Members 08-108-FI SALT LAKE CITY (ELCA) -- Charlene Spillman, Kyle, Texas, was elected July 9 to a three-year term as vice president of Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The organization in convention elected Betty Brandt, Grand Rapids, Minn., secretary; Anjanette B. Hodges, Christiansburg, Va., treasurer; and 17 other women to three-year terms on its executive board. Earlier July 9 the delegates elected Beth Wrenn, Kill Devil Hills, N.C., president of Women of the ELCA. 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. Spillman, a retired legislative assistant for Southwestern Bell and AT&T, is a former president and board member of the women's organization of the ELCA Southwestern Texas Synod. Spillman received 221 votes on the third ballot for vice president, and Jennifer Michael, Tampa, Fla., received 137 votes. There were 27 nominees in the balloting for vice president. Brandt received 223 votes on the ballot for secretary, and Sharon L. Heck, Whittier, Calif., received 150 votes. Hodges received 322 votes on the ballot for treasurer, and Marjorie (Marge) E. Dykstra, Akron, Iowa, received 53 votes. Those elected to Women of the ELCA's executive board are: + vEnessa Acham, Lebanon, N.H. + Marlene J. Bergum, De Pere, Wis. + The Rev. Rosalind M. Brathwaite, Astoria, N.Y. + Diane L. Brauer, Lincoln, Neb. + Kristine (Kris) E. Brugamyer, Dickinson, N.D. + Marjorie (Marge) E. Dykstra, Akron, Iowa + Diane J. Frederick, Oak Park Heights, Minn. + Jo Ann Fuchs, West Columbia, Texas + Sharon Heck, Whittier, Calif. + Sandra Lange, Choteau, Mont. + Cam Martin, Minocqua, Wis. + Jennifer S. Michael, Tampa, Fla. + Vickie L. Murph, Columbus, Ohio + Glynis Reid-Megargel, Old Bridge, N.J. + Phyllis Rude, Anchorage, Alaska + Marie A. Tesch, Waseca, Minn. + Charleen Walker-Horton, York, Pa. There were 43 nominees in the balloting for Women of the ELCA executive board. - - - Information about the Women of the ELCA Seventh Triennial Convention is at http://www.womenoftheELCA.org/tg08/tc.html on the Web. EDITORS: "vEnessa Acham" and "Vickie L. Murph" are spelled correctly. 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