ELCA NEWS SERVICE

July 11, 2008  

Women of the ELCA Tackles Community, Church, Global Issues
08-110-FI/JB/LT*

     SALT LAKE CITY (ELCA) -- A hearing and three briefings
offered participants of Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church
in America (ELCA) opportunities for education and conversation
July 10 between their 2008 convention and gathering.  The hearing
was related to the ELCA's draft social statement on human
sexuality.  The briefings dealt with commercial sexual
exploitation, water issues, and women and children living in
poverty.
     Women of the ELCA's Seventh Triennial Convention was July 8-
10 here at the Salt Palace Convention Center.  More than 2,000
women are expected July 10-13 for the Seventh Triennial Gathering
of Women of the ELCA.  The event theme, "Come to the Waters,"
focuses on the celebration of Baptism through Bible study,
speakers, community service and worship.

ELCA Draft Social Statement on Human Sexuality
     About 50 people attended a hearing on the "Draft Social
Statement on Human Sexuality," released in March 2008.  The
hearing is one of more than 100 hearings being held throughout
the ELCA, inviting members to comment on contents of the
document, said the Rev. Susan L. Engh, director for congregation-
based organizing, ELCA Church in Society, Chicago, who
represented the task force that developed the draft.  ELCA
members may submit comments on the draft until Nov. 1. In
February 2009 the task force will release a proposed social
statement which reflects input on the draft social statement.
The social statement is to be presented for consideration to the
2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Minneapolis.
     Among the comments from those attending the hearing here
were that the draft should deal more with the "theology of
creation;" provide help to parents when they communicate with
their children on sexuality matters; define which sexual
behaviors are acceptable and which are not; be organized better;
emphasize trust in relationships and reconciliation in Christ;
and provide help to members with how to have a successful
marriage.
     Participants affirmed some language, such as the emphasis on
trust in relationships, while some advocated for altering or
striking some of the draft language, such as references to
repentance and celibacy. There was disagreement on whether
marriage should be defined as between a man and a woman or
between two adults, and there was disagreement on draft language
that the church "does not wish to alter" the understanding that
marriage is between a man and a woman. Some said Scripture should
be the ultimate authority on sexuality matters, while others said
Scripture can be used to exclude or hurt some people.

Commercial Sexual Exploitation
     In a briefing on ending commercial sexual exploitation and
trafficking, the Rev. Ann M. Tiemeyer, program director for
women's ministries, National Council of Churches USA, New York,
outlined ways Lutherans can work to "break the cycle of supply
and demand" to stop humans being "treated as commodities."
     "We know calling for legislation makes the crime more
visible," Tiemeyer said.  "It's part of the challenge and what
makes it so important.  Education is critically important in this
issue so that people understand the depth of the problem."
     Janice Franck, Dunnell, Minn., worked for about 12 years
with Adults Saving Kids, a program that aims to prevent
commercial sexual exploitation and bring honor and accountability
to all relationships.  She said the challenges facing the program
include uncommitted parents and aging congregations.  "There
isn't a commitment anymore like there used to be," Franck said.
"You hope by praying for (the children) and encouraging them that
they will be guided on the right path."

Water Issues
     Three women conducted a briefing on water issues: Dory
Campbell, coordinator, Evangelical Lutheran Coalition for Mission
in Appalachia, Indiana, Pa.; Kim Stietz, director for
international public policy, ELCA Washington Office, Washington,
D.C.; and the Rev. Teresita C. Valeriano, regional officer for
North America, Lutheran World Federation (LWF), Chicago.
     Campbell described how mountaintop removal mining reduced
the quality of water and increased the likelihood of flooding in
nearby communities.  She invited the audience to pray for those
affected, learn more about the issues and take action.
     Stietz discussed progress made in recent years to improve
water quality around the world and how to be involved in advocacy
efforts to continue that progress.  She said improving water
quality is a critical element in achieving the U.N. Millennium
Development Goals, which range from cutting extreme poverty in
half to halting the spread of HIV and AIDS by 2015.
     Valeriano said women attending the 2003 LWF Assembly in
Winnipeg, Manitoba, made water issues an emphasis for the
federation.  Lutheran women in other regions of the world have
met to discuss issues related to conserving water and getting it
to where it is needed, she said.  The LWF is a communion of 141
member churches representing 68.3 million Lutherans in 79
countries.

Women and Children Living in Poverty
     In a briefing about helping women and children living in
poverty, Josselyn Bennett, director for poverty ministries, ELCA
Church in Society, Chicago, described efforts that the ELCA
churchwide organization is making in providing grants for relief,
development and organizing.
     Bennett said it's important to encourage all synods to be
"good stewards" of the money they're provided.  The demand for
grants has increased while the amount of funds available has
stayed virtually the same, she said.  "We kind of live in this
tension with this rising increase of requests," Bennett said.
     According to Bennett, some ELCA colleges and universities
are offering free courses to those living in poverty, and a
November grant-writing training program will be offered in
Atlanta.
     Emily Hansen, associate for programs, Women of the ELCA,
Chicago, said nearly $3 million in grants has been given by Women
of the ELCA since 1988, with the largest of these gifts being
offered annually to the ELCA World Hunger program.  "We're doing
a lot of exciting things as an organization," she said.
- - -
     Information about the Women of the ELCA Seventh Triennial
Convention is at http://www.womenoftheELCA.org/tg08/tc.html and
that about the Women of the ELCA Seventh Triennial Gathering is
at http://womenoftheELCA.org/tg08/ on the Web.

*Luke Tatge is a senior journalism major at Augustana College,
Sioux Falls, S.D.  This summer he is an intern with the ELCA News
Service.

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John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask]
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