Title: 1999 Global Mission Events Feature "Next Century" Theme
ELCA NEWS SERVICE
June 10, 1999
1999 GLOBAL MISSION EVENTS FEATURE "NEXT CENTURY" THEME
99-156-JB
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Global Mission Events (GME) -- opportunities for
people to learn about global and local mission, participate in Bible
studies, attend a variety of workshops, hear inspirational speakers, and
enjoy music and food -- are scheduled at three sites in the United
States this summer under the theme "Walking Together into the Next
Century."
This summer's events are scheduled July 15-18 at Purdue
University, West Lafayette, Ind.; July 23-25 at the Marriott World
Center, Orlando, Fla.; and July 29-Aug. 1 at the University of Nebraska,
Lincoln.
Global Mission Events are sponsored by the Division for Global
Mission of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), with the
support of other ELCA units. Local volunteer committees working with
the division help organize the GMEs. Ruth Haak, manager for resources
and logistics, ELCA Division for Global Mission, is coordinating local
space arrangements.
"This is a real team effort involving people from the churchwide
office, regions, synods and more than 100 local volunteers," said the
Rev. Margarita Martinez, associate director for global events, ELCA
Division for Global Mission.
Scheduled as featured speakers and workshop leaders at each event
are the Rev. David M. Beckmann, an ELCA pastor who is president of Bread
for the World, an ecumenical advocacy organization concerned with hunger
issues; Dr. Mercy Amba Oduyoye, professor and founder, Institute of
Women in Religion and Culture, Trinity Theological College, Accra,
Ghana; and Pauline Nygard, a young missionary who grew up in Cameroon.
Nygard's parents, the Rev. Mark L. and Linda Nygard, are now
missionaries in Senegal.
The Rev. Ruben Duran, executive for congregational outreach, ELCA
Division for Outreach, will lead workshops and preach at Sunday worship
services.
Attendance at each event is expected to range from 450 to as many
as 1,500 people, Martinez said.
"The people in the pews are eager to listen and learn what our
church is doing in mission," she said. "This (GME) is always an
attraction because we consider ourselves to be a church that is in
mission."
Families are welcome and encouraged to attend. Child care is
provided, and there are programs for junior and senior high school
youths and for adults, Martinez said.
"This is the only ELCA event that is completely
intergenerational," she said.
The 1999 GMEs will emphasize "Jubilee 2000/USA," an international
campaign for the new millennium to forgive huge international debts held
by some of the world's poorest countries, Martinez said.
In addition to plenary sessions and worship, workshops and
seminars, known as the "Global University," are highlights of each
Global Mission Event, Martinez said. As many as 70 workshops and
seminars are held at a typical GME, she said. Some of the topics at
this year's Global University include Jubilee 2000/USA; the plight of
refugees; the changing face of Lutheranism; international volunteer
opportunities; how Christianity and Islam can work together; mission
work in Africa, Middle East, Asia, Latin America and North America;
mission in the 21st century; and the multicultural church.
A highlight of each GME is the GlobalFest, Martinez said.
GlobalFest features interactive exhibits, stage presentations, music,
dance and dress from various parts of the world. GlobalFest is led by
missionaries, international students and others in mission, she said.
Global Mission Events are open to anyone.
"A Global Mission Event is an experience," Martinez said. "You
will enjoy and interact with people of other cultures. You will learn
and stretch your mind to the world."
[Editors: The registration deadline for all events is June 15.
Participants can register for all or part of a Global Mission Event.
Registration information can be found on the World Wide Web at
www.elca.org/dgm/gme, or call 1-800-638-3522, ext. 2642.]
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask]
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html
|