Title: Women of the ELCA Executive Director to Step Down in 2002
ELCA NEWS SERVICE
April 30, 2001
WOMEN OF THE ELCA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO STEP DOWN IN 2002
01-105-JB
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Catherine (Cathi) I.H. Braasch, executive
director for Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA),
announced she will step down from her current position on Aug. 31, 2002.
Braasch announced her plans in a March 29 letter to the leaders of the
church's 64 synodical women's organizations.
In her letter, Braasch cited several factors for her decision not
to serve for another four-year term. They included family reasons
related to her husband's health plus her preparation to enter the
ordained ministry. Braasch said she hopes to begin the internship and
residency phase of the process when she steps down.
The timing of her departure relates specifically to Women of the
ELCA's Triennial Gathering July 8-14, 2002, in Philadelphia. Braasch's
current term ends officially Aug. 31, but the board extended it one year
to allow her to remain as executive director through the Gathering.
"To change executive directors 10 months before the Triennial
Gathering and Convention would not be in the best interests of either
the organization or the individual serving in this role," she said in
her letter.
In her role, Braasch provides leadership for the ELCA churchwide
women's organization, which supports women by providing opportunities
for learning and personal growth.
"We've just adopted an exciting new mission statement: 'To
mobilize women to act boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ,'" Braasch
noted. "This mission, plus goals focused on connecting the generations,
creating community, and faith-based change for the good of church and
society, are important to the lives of women and to this church. I'm
praying for the woman who will follow me, and I'm grateful to have this
new direction established for someone else to lead in the future."
The Women of the ELCA executive board affirmed Braasch's plans in
a March 24 letter to members of the organization. The board discussed
the leadership transition in executive session during its March 22-24
meeting here.
"For the past 3 and one-half years, she (Braasch) has served this
organization as a servant leader, working closely with the executive
board, the synodical organizations, the women in the pew and her staff,"
said Linda M. Chinnia, president of Women of the ELCA, Baltimore.
"During the remainder of this triennium, she is committed to working
closely with Women of the ELCA to ensure a smooth transition of
executive leadership."
Braasch said for her it's a time to "look forward."
"I am convinced that there has never been a better time to be
Women of the ELCA and that, with God's guidance and the full partnership
of the ELCA, our best years are yet to come," she said in her letter.
Braasch, 52, became executive director Sept. 1, 1997. Prior to
her position with Women of the ELCA, she was director of leadership for
outreach ministries in the ELCA Division for Outreach and earlier served
as a deployed mission director and director for rural ministry in the
division.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask]
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html
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