wfn.org | Women of the ELCA Oppose Land Mines, Violence

[ELCANEWS@ELCASCO.ELCA.ORG]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

July 14, 1996

WOMEN OF THE ELCA OPPOSE LAND MINES, VIOLENCE
96-WO-22-AH

     MINNEAPOLIS (ELCA) -- Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America, meeting in its Third Triennial Convention here July-14, took
a stand against land mines and urged support for the victims of church
burnings and violence in America.  Delegates encouraged women of the
church to pray for the abolition of land mines and for those who risk
sacrificing their bodies to clear mine fields  an arm and a leg at a
time.'"
     Women of the ELCA should "urge the President of the United States
and members of Congress to support a comprehensive ban on land mines,
and to support the United Nations'
mine clearance and victims' assistance programs," the action said.
     The convention heard reports of widespread arson of U.S.
churches, cited the "pain and loss" of congregations whose churches
have been burned and urged prayer for both the victims and "those
responsible for these acts of violence."
     Another action cited violence in schools and on the streets,
weapons on school grounds and the need to create drug-free school
zones.  The convention asked congregational units to make themselves
aware of programs for youth in their communities and encourage
participation.  The churchwide organization is to provide resources
for living as Christians in a violent society.
     Concern for members with disabilities was reflected in two
actions.  The executive board was asked to consider providing planning
materials for the next triennial convention on tape or in braille.
The board and participants were asked to work with leaders of the ELCA
to establish American Sign Language as one of the official "languages
other than English" in the life of the church.
     An action related to gambling encouraged participants in Women of
the ELCA to contact their  senators to urge passage of Senate Bill
S-704 which calls for a national examination of the impact of gambling
on social welfare in the United States.
     Other actions dealt with organ donation, use of the common cup
for Holy Communion, ministry on the Seward Peninsula of Alaska,
observing Sunday as a day of rest, encouraging young women's
participation in the next convention, and preventing the exploitation
of children.

     For information contact: Ann Hafften, Dir., ELCA News Service,
(312) 380-2958; Frank Imhoff, Assoc. Dir., (312) 380-2955; Lia
Christiansen, Asst. Dir., (312) 380-2956