wfn.org | ELCA Assembly Receive Women and Children Living in Poverty Report

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

August 19, 1999

ELCA ASSEMBLY RECEIVE WOMEN AND CHILDREN LIVING IN POVERTY REPORT
99-CWA-29-MR

     DENVER (ELCA) -- The Women and Children Living in Poverty project
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has been an
emphasis of the church since 1993, Tina Dabney told the 1999 ELCA
Churchwide Assembly.  Dabney, project director for ministry with women
and children living in poverty, ELCA Division for Church in Society,
delivered a progress report on the project.
     The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the
ELCA, is meeting Aug. 16-22 here at the Colorado Convention Center.
There are more than 2,500 people participating, including 1,039 voting
members.  The theme for the biennial assembly is "Making Christ Known:
Hope for a New Century."
     The 1993 ELCA Churchwide Assembly adopted "a plan to listen and
act" with an emphasis on listening.
     Dabney said since then ELCA congregations have provided shelter,
food pantries, day care for children, adult literacy programs, job
training and community organizing.  "But we've been there, done that.
Justice must become the church's primary objective," she said.
     "We should stop putting a face to poverty.  Instead, put a face to
the fact that we can eradicate poverty," Dabney said.  She encouraged
the assembly's voting members and visitors to participate in the United
Nations' "Day to Eradicate Poverty" on Oct. 17.
     In June 1998, a consultation on welfare reform took place in
Chicago, Dabney said.  The purpose of the consultation was to reaffirm,
modify and set priorities for the ELCA's strategy on women and children
living in poverty in light of welfare reform.
     Women who formerly or currently struggle with poverty attended the
consultation, along with representatives of social ministry
organizations, ecumenical representatives, government employees, state
public policy officers and ELCA office staff.
     "There was candid dialogue on the potential implications of
welfare reform on low income families," said Dabney.  "The meeting
developed priorities for the church to enhance and create momentum to
support women and children living in poverty."
     First, the church must combine resources and strengthen its
communication efforts.  Second, the church must acknowledge the gifts of
people living in poverty, and third, the church must provide models of
ministry with women and children living in poverty, Dabney said.
     "Women and children living in poverty is one of the most pressing
issues of our time," said Dr. Addie Butler, ELCA vice president,
Philadelphia.

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