wfn.org | ELCA Women Endorse 'Positive Environment' for Children

[News News <news@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

July 10, 1999

ELCA WOMEN ENDORSE 'POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT' FOR CHILDREN
99-WO-17-FI

     ST. LOUIS (ELCA) -- The executive board for Women of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) introduced several
resolutions which the organization's Fourth Triennial Convention
adopted.  Topics included compensation of child-care professionals and
the Ecumenical Decade of Churches in Solidarity with Women.
     The Women of the ELCA convention is meeting July 8-11 here at the
America's Center.  The organization's three-year theme, "Live God's
Justice," is unveiled at the convention amid Bible study, keynote
addresses, workshops, business sessions and elections.
     The convention resolved "that Women of the ELCA work toward a
Christ-centered, positive environment for children in families,
congregations and communities."  Delegates supported "working with
agencies that strive to help children" and "policies and programs that
allow parents to be primary caregivers when it would not endanger the
children."
     Another resolution urged all members of the ELCA to support the
work of teachers and other child-care professionals.  It asked women's
organizations across the church "to advocate for congregations and
social ministry organizations to provide adequate benefit packages to
early childhood staff."
     A final resolution the board brought to the convention affirmed a
letter from the Ecumenical Decade Festival of Churches in Solidarity
with Women -- 1,200 women gathered Nov. 27-30, 1998, in Harare,
Zimbabwe.  That event concluded the Ecumenical Decade of Churches in
Solidarity with Women which the World Council of Churches initiated.
     "Although addressed to the World Council of Churches, the letter
speaks also to Women of the ELCA's purpose to 'promote healing and
wholeness in the church, the society and the world,'" said background
information accompanying the resolution.  The letter offered specific
words of thanks and encouragement to church leaders and to the men,
women, youth and children of the churches to eliminate racism and
sexism.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html