wfn.org | 2000 ELCA Global Mission Events Feature 'Pray in the Spirit'

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

May 26, 2000

2000 ELCA GLOBAL MISSION EVENTS FEATURE 'PRAY IN THE SPIRIT' THEME
00-146-JB

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Global Mission Events (GMEs) -- opportunities
for members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) to
learn about the church's mission work -- are scheduled at two sites in
the United States this summer.  The theme for each is "Pray in the
Spirit At All Times."
     The events are scheduled July 13-16 at Pacific Lutheran
University, Tacoma, Wash., and July 20-23 at Luther College, Decorah,
Iowa.  Both schools are higher education institutions of the ELCA.
     "Global Mission Events are for everyone to experience what the
ELCA is doing globally and locally in mission," said the Rev. Barbara J.
Lund, associate director for global events, ELCA Division for Global
Mission.  The division is the primary organizer of the Global Mission
Events, with support from personnel in other ELCA divisions and
departments, and from Lutheran social ministry agencies.
     Local volunteer committees working with the division help organize
the GMEs, Lund said.
     In addition to learning more about the church's mission, GME
participants attend worship, Bible studies and workshops, hear
inspirational speakers, and enjoy music and food from around the world,
Lund said.
     Scheduled as featured speakers and workshop leaders at each event
are the Rev. H. George Anderson, ELCA presiding bishop; Viola Raheb,
program director, schools, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and
Palestine; Dr. Mamy Ranaivoson, a physician from the Malagasy Lutheran
Church, Madagascar, who is a missionary to Papua New Guinea; and the
Rev. Philip Tan Sink Dark, pastor at Christ Lutheran Church, Kuala
Kampur, Malaysia, a congregation of the Lutheran Church in Malaysia and
Singapore.
     In addition, the Rev. Twila Schock, ELCA missionary to Moscow,
Russia, is scheduled to speak at the Pacific Lutheran University GME.
The Rev. M. Wyvetta Bullock, executive director of the ELCA Division for
Congregational Ministries, is a scheduled presenter at the Luther
College GME.
     Each GME will feature a display known as the "ELCA Mission History
and Research Project," featuring material from the ELCA Archives and
Records Center, Elk Grove Village, Ill.  The displays will include
photographs of the Lutheran Church's work in mission and some of its
missionaries from the 20th century.  Participants are welcome to
contribute material for the displays.
     Workshops and seminars, known as  "Global University Sessions,"
are highlights of each Global Mission Event, Lund said.  As many as 70
sessions are scheduled at each GME this year, she said.  Proposed topics
for this year's Global University Sessions include evangelism and
outreach in the new century, the global community and church, women's
issues, new missionary opportunities, new forms of music in worship,
ministry with seafarers, the church's response to the AIDS crisis in
Africa, the rural crisis in the United States and world hunger issues.
     Workshop presenters are from North and South America, Africa,
Europe and Asia.
     Attendance at each of the GMEs will range from 600 to as many as
1,200 people, Lund  said.  Families are welcome and encouraged to
attend.  Child care is provided, and there are programs for children,
for junior and senior high school students and for adults, she said.
      A highlight of each GME is the GlobalFest. GlobalFest features
interactive exhibits, stage presentations, music, dance and dress from
various parts of the world.  GlobalFest is led by missionaries,
international students and others in mission, Lund said.
--------------------
     The registration deadline for all events is June 19.  Participants
can register for all or part of a Global Mission Event.  Registration
information can be found on the Web at
www.elca.org/dgm/gme2000/index.html or  call 1-800-638-3522, ext. 2642.

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