wfn.org | ELCA Churchwide Assembly Sponsors Live Web Chats

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

August 9, 1999

ELCA CHURCHWIDE ASSEMBLY SPONSORS LIVE WEB CHATS
99-200-LS

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Those unable to attend the Churchwide Assembly
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Aug. 16-22 in
Denver can participate in 11 real-time online chats on the World Wide
Web through the ELCA home page.
     The online chats will generally follow presentations and
churchwide votes, said Miriam Woolbert, specialist for networks, ELCA
Department for Communication.
     Live chats "present an opportunity to dialogue with church leaders
about topics discussed that day at the Churchwide Assembly," she said.
     Hosts for each of the one-hour online sessions will encourage
dialogue rather than give formal presentations, said Woolbert.
     * Tues., Aug. 17, 7 p.m., EDT, "Report of the Vice President and
the Church Council," Dr. Addie J. Butler, ELCA vice president
     * Tues., Aug. 17, 8 p.m., EDT, "Women and Children Living in
Poverty," Joanne Chadwick, executive director, ELCA Commission for Women
     * Wed., Aug. 18, 2:30 p.m., EDT, "Safe Haven for Children," Terry
Bowes, chair for the ELCA initiative "Help the Children"
     * Wed., Aug. 18, 3:30 p.m., EDT, "Lutheran Services in America,
Deaf and Disabilities Report," the Rev. Robert N. Bacher, ELCA executive
for administration
     * Wed., Aug. 18, 3 p.m., EDT, "Call to Discipleship," the Rev.
Paul E. Lutz, associate director, adult education, ELCA Division for
Congregational Ministries
     * Thurs., Aug. 19, 3 p.m., EDT, "Ecumenical Decisions," the Rev.
Daniel F. Martensen, director, ELCA Department for Ecumenical Affairs
     * Thurs., Aug. 19, 4 p.m., EDT, "Ecumenical Decisions," the Rev.
Michael L. Cooper-White, executive assistant to the bishop; director,
ELCA Department for Synodical Relations
     * Fri., Aug. 20, 8 p.m., EDT, "Statement on Economic Life," the
Rev. Karen L. Bloomquist, director for studies, ELCA Division for Church
in Society
     * Fri., Aug. 20, 9 p.m., EDT, "Youth and the ELCA," Meredith
Lovell, board member, Lutheran Youth Organization
     * Sat., Aug. 21, 7:30 p.m., EDT, "Division for Outreach Issues:
Rural Ministry, Urban Strategy, Gay and Lesbian Conversation," the Rev.
Richard A. Magnus, executive director, ELCA Division for Outreach
     * Sun., Aug. 22, 3 p.m., EDT, "Assembly Wrap-Up," the Rev. Eric C.
Shafer, director, ELCA Department for Communication
     This is the second assembly that online chats have been available.
A small number of online chats were moderately attended at the 1997
Churchwide Assembly in Philadelphia, Woolbert said.  More live chats are
available this year, she said.
     The ELCA home page -- www.elca.org -- will list daily highlights
of the assembly, as well as links to documents, chat rooms, audio and
video.  For the first time, assembly plenary sessions will be "Web
cast," Woolbert said.  A camera will provide a new still photo every 15
seconds.  All the audio from plenary sessions will be available on the
Web site, she said.

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