wfn.org | ELCA Women must Gather, Grow and Go, Says Executive Director

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

July 13, 1999

ELCA WOMEN MUST GATHER, GROW AND GO, SAYS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
99-WO-25-LS

     ST. LOUIS (ELCA) -- "We are women who gather and grow and go out
to proclaim God's peace and live God's justice," Catherine I. H.
Braasch, executive director of Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church
in America (ELCA) told 4,000 participants at the Fourth Triennial
Convention of Women of the ELCA.
     The convention met here July 8-11 at the America's Center.  The
organization's three-year theme, "Live God's Justice," was unveiled at
the convention amid Bible study, keynote addresses, workshops, business
sessions and elections.
     In her report to the convention, Braasch thanked the women for
their involvement; reflected on the theme "Live God's Justice"; and
announced allocations of "Katie's Fund," an endowment named after
Katharina Von Bora, wife of 16th century German church reformer Martin
Luther.
     Braasch compared her reflections to looking in a "three
directional rearview mirror" as she thanked the three expressions of the
organization -- congregation, synod and churchwide -- for their
involvement.
     "The mirror shows me nearly 8,600 congregational and
intercongregational units where women 'on the ground' grow in faith,
affirm and develop their God-given gifts and support one another in
witness and service," she said.
     "We give thanks to God for leaders in congregations who will ask
the questions 'why' and 'what if' and then go on and answer them,"
Braasch said.
     She thanked the presidents in each of the organization's 64
synodical women's groups for their leadership, and for the opportunity
to speak and be present at synod women's conventions.
     "An executive director's ministry includes assisting the executive
board in its role of casting a vision for the organization," Braasch
said.
     She said those outside the organization can look to Women of the
ELCA for programs and resources that are "Christ-centered, 
community-strengthening, growth-stimulating, action-focused and field-tested."
     This year marks the 10th anniversary of the endowment fund known
as "Katie's Fund," Braasch said. Today, the endowment totals more than
$185,000, she said.
     Terry Bowes, interim director of Women of the ELCA from 1996 to
1997, told participants about the history of "Katie's Fund."
     Lutheran women have always had three commodities -- global
awareness, a desire to live their faith and leadership skills, Bowes
said. "We decided to use that history to build our future," she said.
     "Katie's Fund" will be used for special projects to be determined
by the executive director, Bowes said.
     The first project "Katie's Fund" will support is one that "has
been on the hearts and minds of every woman in this room," Braasch said.
     Funds will be given to "Young Women See Visions," a program
designed to increase participation of younger women in Women of the
ELCA.
     "The time has come to gather the hopes and dreams of women of all
ages," Braasch said. "What this project will do is to help equip future
generations."
     Monies from "Katie's Fund" also will be used to support evangelism
in 50 new ELCA congregations in 1999-2000, Braasch said.

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