Title: Women of the ELCA Convention Workshop Options ELCA NEWS SERVICE July 14, 1996 WORKSHOPS: PARENTING, GAMBLING, SELF-ESTEEM 96-WO-20-KSE MINNEAPOLIS (ELCA) -- Meeting here for the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Third Triennial Convention, 5,700 participants choose from about 200 workshop options. Some examples: Singing Our Faith Today; Involving Youth in the Women of the ELCA; Gospel and Peace Themes in Children's Literature; Round tables were held on such diverse subjects as newsletter design, organ donation, campus ministry, HIV/AIDS issues, and the Middle East Peace Process. What follows are some highlights. Professor Diane Jacobson, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, leader of From Slavery to Service: A Study of Exodus--the 1997 Bible Study: "I love Scripture and I love Exodus, which is really the center of the Old Testament." "When reading a story in Scripture, ask yourself Who has a name? Who does the action?'" From a video shown in Kathryn Wolford's workshop More Legs ... Less Arms Let's Ban Land Mines and Build Peace: "One person steps on the landmine, but all of our lives change." A participant commented about this workshop: "Wolford made clear the connection between land mines and hunger. Farm land can't be tilled if it's full of mines. And in a farming society, when people lose their limbs, they can no longer work to feed their families." Wolford is director of Lutheran World Relief. A participant from Toledo, Ohio, said about The Road from Mecca to Calvary: My Personal Faith Journey: "I was really impressed. I got a lot out of Shai Celeste's workshop--the Muslim population in Toledo is growing. Everyone had tears when she was telling her faith journey." Janine Fagan, New Haven, Conn., reflected on Positive Parenting: "It was a good reminder about not using physical punishment--to do problem-solving. It was interesting to hear about other parents' problems with their children--helps you realize you're not the only one." Brad Huffey in Journey of Faith: From Denial to Acceptance of Homosexuality: "I was in internal turmoil. I couldn't tell anyone because I didn't want to hurt my parents. The pain I felt from people's rejection was not as bad as the pain I felt internally." A participant in the workshop, on welcoming gay and lesbian people said, "The church where I am secretary puts the line We are a church for all people' on all of their printed materials." Beulah Nelson, Cushing Wis., on Gambling: Recreation or Risk: It was very good. The session made interesting connections that I hadn't thought of before. I didn't know gambling was such a big problem." On Self-Esteem: Out With the Negative, In with the Positive, Judy Lalim of Maynard, Minn., comments: "It made us see that each of us has a unique gift. And if we don't use those gifts, those gifts are lost." For information contact: Ann Hafften, Dir., ELCA News Service, (312) 380-2958; Frank Imhoff, Assoc. Dir., (312) 380-2955; Lia Christiansen, Asst. Dir., (312) 380-2956