Title: Gwen Carr Opens ELCA Women of Color Event ELCA NEWS SERVICE July 10, 1996 GWEN CARR OPENS WOMEN OF COLOR EVENT 96-WO-01-LC MINNEAPOLIS (ELCA) -- Bonds between people are important. A bond is something that holds people together. It is a relationship, a promise, said Gwen Carr, Salem, Ore., at the opening of the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's "Women of Color Gathering." About 135 women of color gathered July 8-10 for worship, ethnic caucuses, workshops, and speeches. The gathering preceded Women of the ELCA's Third Triennial Convention. Thousands of women are expected to attend the convention which meets here July 11-14 under the theme "Proclaim God's Peace." "We talk a lot in this church about diversity," said Carr, president of the Women of the ELCA from 1990 to1993. "We interact with each other, but we don't bond." Truth, candor and vulnerability are all steps toward relationships. We can't make and keep promises until we are open, accepting and forgiving of each other, said Carr. "Trusting is a difficult promise for people of color. In spite of that, in the midst of it, God gives us no excuses...none," she said. God calls us to unity of the spirit and the bond ofpeace with all people, she added. Workshops dealt with such issues as domestic violence, English as the official language, refugee ministry, expressions of spirituality, women of color and leadership, affirmative action, and advocating for children. A large delegation of women from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands were unable to attend at the last minute, grounded by Hurricane Bertha. About 10 international women were part of a panel presentation. Nirmala Peter,from India, recently graduated from Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn. Peter plans to return to India and start a women's training center to teach tailoring and sewing. "When I came to the United States I was amazed at the freedom women had," she said. "Here, I had an opportunity to grow, to have my talents recognized," said Peter. "You people have empowered me. I have a vision to go back and empower other women." When I look out into this group, I feel like I am back in Tanzania, said Eliashukura Nasaki. Nasaki's husband is studying at Waldorf College, Dubuque, Iowa. When God called me to work among the Hispanics in the United States, nobody could believe me, said Gissela Blanco. "Things God put in my heart nobody can take out." Blanco is from Peru, studying at Luther Seminary. During a small group exercise, African American, Native American, Hispanic and Asian women shared their experiences as women of color in the church. "I have been so wrapped up in my experience as an African American woman, I don't know anything about the Native American women's experience," said one participant. I will take their stories back to my congregation, she added. Color and culture do matter in this country, and they matter to us, said Carr. We talk a lot about all being the same in God's eyes. That's not true. We are all different, she added. "We come (to Minneapolis), to quote Robert Frost, because we have promises to keep and miles to go before we sleep.' We are bonding with women of color, with Women of the ELCA," Carr said. The Rev. Margrethe C. Kleiber, Tierrasanta Lutheran Church, San Diego, Calif., preached at the closing worship. "We can keep the promise, the promise of peace." Unlike the Hawaiian lei, the promise of peace is not a perishable promise, it is God's promise to us, she said. The closing offering will be donated to the rebuilding effort of burned black churches. The women of color will present a resolution to the convention on Thursday asking that future gatherings be planned in conjuction with the convention and a line item for the event be in future budgets. The triennial convention is the chief legislative authority of Women of the ELCA. At the convention about 500 delegates will elect officers and board members, consider memorials from congregational units and synodical women's organizations, and set priorities for the triennium. For information contact: Ann Hafften, Dir., ELCA News Service, (312) 380-2958; Frank Imhoff, Assoc. Dir., (312) 380-2955; Lia Christiansen, Asst. ir., (312) 380-2956