Title: Women of the ELCA Seek to  Live God's Justice'
ELCA NEWS SERVICE

March 20, 1998

WOMEN OF THE ELCA SEEK TO  LIVE GOD'S JUSTICE'
98-059-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Thousands of women from the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America (ELCA) will have the opportunity in 1999 to "develop a
deep and biblical understanding of God's justice" at the Women of the ELCA
Fourth Triennial Convention.  The organization's executive board met here
March 12-15 and identified goals for the convention.
     The event is set for July 8-11, 1999, in St. Louis.  About 6,000
participants are expected to register.
     The convention will enhance community among participating women and
among women throughout ELCA, according to Marlene S. Joseph, associate
executive director for the organization.
     The triennial convention is the chief legislative authority of Women
of the ELCA and the occasion for election of new officers.  "Besides
business, the convention provides opportunities for Bible study,
theological reflection and worship that praise and glorify God and
encourage spiritual growth," said Sharroll Bernahl, president, Fort Morgan,
Colo.
     One goal of the event is "to foster and strengthen women's
understanding of themselves as partners in the mission and ministry of the
organization and to provide opportunities for them to engage in discussion
and decision-making on issues that will influence the future of Women of
the ELCA," said Joseph.
     Every three years Women of the ELCA sets a theme for its next
triennium.  "Live God's Justice," the 1999 to 2002 theme, will be launched
at the convention.  It is based on the biblical text Micah 6:8.  Related
resources and programs will be introduced at the event.
     "The convention will equip women to live in God's justice in all
arenas of life.  They will come to strengthen their skills, increase their
understanding of justice issues, especially those related to women, and
become effective advocates for healing and wholeness in all of society,"
said Joseph.
     "I think when participants walk into a gathering such as this and see
many women of different backgrounds and age groups, they are overwhelmed,"
said Judy Wagner St. Pierre, a board member from Newport News, Va.  "At the
same time, you are comforted because you are part of something so big you
couldn't imagine it at home," she said.
     The convention will also "foster a sense of global, multicultural
community and a willingness to stand with other women in all
circumstances," said Joseph.
     A Women of Color Gathering will precede the convention July 5-7 in
St. Louis.  That event provides an opportunity "for women to come together
to hear the voices of other women of color, to support each other and
validate the fact that we have leadership skills and something to offer the
organization," said Linda Chinnia, a board member from Baltimore.
     "This gathering will encourage women of color to feel a sisterhood
and to be more visible at the larger Women of the ELCA convention.  It is
very easy to disappear among 6,000 participants," Chinnia said.
     In other business, the executive board voted to budget more money in
1999 to provide anti-racism training for presidents of the 64 ELCA synod
women organizations.  Women of ELCA established an anti-racism network in
1997.
     "The board examines the budget with four priorities in mind:
spirituality, stewardship, anti-racism and worship," said Chinnia.  "As the
board examines the budget we are really looking to see how these priorities
play out in programs of Women of the ELCA," she said.
     The $3.9 million budget for 1998 reflects program expense of $1.7
million, a $1 million gift to the ELCA, $520,000 for administration,
$304,200 for grants and scholarships and $90,000 for the work of the
executive board and travel.
     Women from across the church have responded to "Katie's Fund" with
gifts totaling more than $110,000, Executive Director Catherine I.H.
Braasch told the board.  Katie's Fund, established last year to mark the
tenth anniversary of Women of the ELCA, is a permanent endowment fund that
provides programs, resources and opportunities for women in the areas of
global sharing, leadership development and faith.  The fund is named after
Katharina (Katie) von Bora, wife of 16th century German reformer Martin
Luther.
     There are 8,596 Women of the ELCA units in ELCA congregations.


For information contact:
Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask]
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html