ELCA NEWS SERVICE

May 3, 2007  

ELCA 'Connecting Event' for Large Congregations Set for June 18-21
07-077-FI

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- "Let the River Flow" is a connecting event
for pastors, ministry and program staff, and key leaders of large
congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
(ELCA), said the Rev. Mark A. Grorud, ELCA director for
relationships with large membership congregations.  The gathering
is set for June 18-21 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church,
Burnsville, Minn.
     "This is an event for large congregations in the ELCA and
for anyone who feels they can benefit from this opportunity,"
Grorud wrote in an online invitation.  Six hundred have already
registered, and there's room for more, he said.
     Speakers for the event include the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA
presiding bishop; the Rev. M. Wyvetta Bullock, executive for
leadership development, ELCA Office of the Presiding Bishop; the
Rev. Martin E. Marty, professor emeritus, history of modern
Christianity, University of Chicago; Dr. Reggie McNeal, director,
Leadership Development Office, South Carolina Baptist Convention;
the Rev. Barbara R. Rossing, professor, New Testament, Lutheran
School of Theology at Chicago; and Leonard Sweet, professor,
evangelism, Drew Theological School, Madison, N.J.  Peder Eide
and Ken Medema will lead music.
     Eighty-four workshops address such topics as "Church Growth
and Transition," "Evangelism, Hospitality and Outreach," "Global
Missions and Mission Trips," "Health and Wholeness," "Media and
Technology," "Multicultural Ministries" and "Social Concerns."
There will be time to share "best practices" from particular
ministry areas.
-- -- --
     Details of the "Let the River Flow" event and registration
forms are at http://www.ELCA.org/largecongregations/ on the ELCA
Web site.

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