ELCA NEWS SERVICE

May 17, 2005

Thousands Of Lutheran Women To Gather In Texas, July 5-10
05-093-MRC

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- About 5,000 women from the United States
and around the world will focus on health, the ordination of
women and other topics at the Sixth Triennial Gathering of Women
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) July 5-10 at
the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, San Antonio, Texas.
     The women will explore the theme "Act Boldly" through Bible
study, keynote presentations, servant events, business meetings
and more.
     "The triennial gathering brings together women from across
the U.S. and Caribbean for worship, praise, learning, service and
fellowship.  The Sixth Triennial Convention of Women of the ELCA,
the highest legislative authority of the organization, will take
place during the gathering," said Linda Post Bushkofsky,
executive director, Women of the ELCA.
     Each day of the gathering will begin with "inspiration
time," where thousands of women will engage in Bible study,
worship and presentations.
     Featured speakers include Barbara Ehrenreich, author of the
book "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America."
Ehrenreich will share her experiences that formed the basis of
her book and address health issues faced by low-wage-earning
women who cannot afford health insurance or to take time off from
work to visit the doctor.
     The Rev. Vashti Murphy McKenzie, bishop of the African
Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church and president of the A.M.E.
Council of Bishops, will preach July 7 at the "Thankoffering
Service," celebrating the work of women and other blessings for
which the participants thank God.  McKenzie was the first woman
elected bishop in the A.M.E., a church whose membership is 70
percent female.
     The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the ELCA, will
preside and the Rev. Andrea Walker, St. John's Lutheran Church,
Summit, N.J., will preach at the gathering's opening worship July
6.  Ione Hanson, who is married to Mark Hanson, will host the
inspiration time July 7.  Debra Farrington, author and retreat
leader, Harrisburg, Pa., will speak during inspiration time.  The
Rev. Melanie McRae, spiritual director and chaplain, Minneapolis,
will preach and the Rev. M. Wyvetta Bullock, executive assistant
to the ELCA presiding bishop for leadership development, will
preside at the gathering's closing worship July 10.
     The Rev. Sarah Henrich, associate professor of New Testament
at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn., will lead daily Bible
studies, and the Rev. Jeanne Porter, an ordained minister in the
Pentecostal Assemblies of the World and associate professor of
communication arts at North Park University, Chicago, will lead
sessions for the clergywomen's affinity group at the Triennial
Gathering.
     A highlight of the gathering will be "faith-in-action" or
servant event opportunities, where Lutheran women will visit the
San Antonio community to volunteer and learn about ministries
there.  Places where women will volunteer their time include the
Children's Shelter of San Antonio, inner-city parks, peaceCENTER,
San Antonio Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity, El Jardin de la Paz
and Woman at the Well House.
     More than 20 workshops will be offered to explore the theme
"Act Boldly."  Participants can choose from workshops in three
areas:  "Boldly empowering ourselves as individuals," "Boldly
enriching ourselves as leaders" and "Boldly improving our health
as women."
     A new feature of the Triennial Gathering is "miniversities"
-- an opportunity for women to have deeper discussions on a
subject not dealt with in a workshop.  Topics include sexuality
and the church, the heart of multiculturalism, and conflict as
"gift and opportunity."
     Eight "affinity" or special interest groups will gather July
6-7.  They are young adult women; clergywomen, who will celebrate
the 35th anniversary of the ordination of women in the ELCA;
global advocates -- women who have had international travel
experiences through seminars, study tours or similar activities;
health field workers; people living with disabilities; editors
and communicators; paid and volunteer educators; and "Way-making
Women" -- women of color who will gather to explore the gifts of
culture and community.
     Participants are encouraged to bring "in-kind gifts" --
tangible items other than money -- to the gathering.  These gifts
are distributed to local organizations and agencies in support of
their ministries.  Suggested gifts ideas include national retail
gift cards, pre-paid phone cards, health kits and fabric for
quilts.  Gifts will be collected at "The Dwelling Place" -- the
exhibit hall of the gathering located at the Gonzalez Convention
Center.
     The 2005-2006 Bible study will be introduced and led by the
Rev. Susan Gamelin, Emmanuel Lutheran Church, High Point, N.C.
     At a banquet celebration on July 9 at the convention center,
participants will celebrate the 35th anniversary of the
ordination of women in the ELCA.  Participants will also observe
the 60th anniversary of Lutheran World Relief -- the overseas
relief and development ministry of the ELCA and Lutheran Church-
Missouri Synod.
     Hundreds of voting members from the 64 synodical women's
organizations across the United States and Caribbean will elect a
new president, vice president, secretary, treasurer and 17
members to the Women of the ELCA executive board during the Sixth
Triennial Convention.  Other business will include consideration
of the 2006 budget, proposed constitutional changes, and
deliberation and vote on ministry directions for 2005-2008
triennium.
     "Delegates will also consider memorials from the synodical
women's organizations.  Twenty-one synodical organizations have
asked delegates to consider a partnership relationship between
Women of the ELCA and Adults Savings Kids, an organization
seeking to end commercial sexual exploitation.  Other memorials
address support for immigrants, denounce ageism, and efforts to
end world hunger, among other topics," Bushkofsky said.
     "The gathering and convention also serve to bring to a close
the 2002-2005 triennium and its theme, 'Listen!  God is Calling,'
and to launch the 2005-2008 triennium and its theme, 'Act
Boldly.'  The theme is rooted in the mission of Women of the
ELCA, 'to mobilize women to act boldly on their faith in Jesus
Christ,'" she said.
     The Women of the ELCA organization has more than 7,800 local
units in congregations of the ELCA and "institutional settings"
across the United States and Caribbean.
- - -
     Information about Women of the ELCA Sixth Triennial
Gathering is available at
http://www.womenoftheELCA.org/news/events/tg05/ on the Internet.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask]
http://www.elca.org/news