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Title: ELCA Communicators Gather in Chicago ELCA NEWS SERVICE ELCA COMMUNICATORS GATHER IN CHICAGO About 128 people who tell the stories of mission and ministry in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America gathered in Chicago Feb. 8-11 for the 1996 ELCA Communicator's Consultation. The 128 represented 58 of the ELCA#s 65 synods. "This is the one chance synod communicators, who often work on their own, have to meet and mix in person with each other and staff," said the Rev. Eric C. Shafer, ELCA director for communication. Participation has doubled since the last consultation in October 1994. The Internet World Wide Web explosion has come to the church. Workshops on how to design a web page were over flowing, reports Shafer. The four other workshops offered were: LutherLink 101, two-way video conferencing, non-linear video editing, and digital audio editing. LutherLink is the ELCA's computer network (part of the ecumenical Ecunet). The Rev. H. George Anderson, bishop of the ELCA, brought a greeting in a medium familiar to this group -- video. Angels were given a marvelous agility so that they could move from one place to another in no time at all, said Anderson. Communicators are like angels in that respect using today#s technology, he said. Kathryn Wolford, director, Lutheran World Relief, New York, told stories of LWR's overseas work. LWR works with local organizations rather than sending people in from the U.S. "It is developmentally and cost effective," said Wolford. James Wall, editor, Christian Century, spoke on the church and movie ratings, and Portia Badham talked about the Faith and Values Channel on cable television. The church's role in media education, communication advocacy, cable access and synod support for congregations "online" were just some of the other topics addressed. The consultation "has become a continuing education event" for all to share successes and new ideas for "communicating the Gospel of Jesus Christ in ways old and new," said Shafer. For information contact: Ann Hafften, Dir., ELCA News Service, (312) 380-2058; Frank Imhoff, Assoc. Dir., (312) 380-2955; Lia Christiansen, Assit. Dir., (312) 380-2956