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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

July 13, 2002

ELCA WOMEN, INTERNATIONAL AND ECUMENICAL WOMEN GATHER
WO-02-15-MR

     PHILADELPHIA (ELCA) -- Fourteen Lutheran women from Brazil, Egypt,
Estonia, Ghana, Haiti, India, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Palestine,
Sudan and Tanzania traveled from their homes here to attend Women of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's (ELCA) Triennial Gathering at
the Pennsylvania Convention Center July 8-14.
     Women of the ELCA's three-year theme, "Listen, God is Calling," is
being unveiled at the gathering amid Bible study, keynote presentations,
workshops, field trips, business sessions and elections.  More than
3,200 women from across the United States and around the world are
participating.
     "The value of inviting Lutheran women from around the world to the
Triennial Gathering is to provide women here with a sense that we're
part of a global community," said Doris Strieter, program director for
global advocacy and education, Women of the ELCA, Chicago.  "It is also
an educational opportunity to learn the issues and struggles women from
around the world face.  We are sisters together in building up the body
of Christ," she said.
     International participant Marcia Blasi, Nao Me Toque, Brazil, is
currently residing in the United States conducting an independent study
program (after earning a master's degree) at the Graduate Theological
Union, Berkeley, Calif.  Blasi enjoyed "the sharing and warmth" among
members of Women of the ELCA, as well as the "diversity of women here
and their expressions of faith."
     A special forum hosted by the international guests took place at
the Pennsylvania Convention Center here July 13.  The forum room was
adorned with pictures, books and artwork illustrating the various
countries represented.
     Initially, 17 women were scheduled to attend the Triennial.  The
United States denied a visa for Mary Sowdhamani, India.  Mary Laiser,
Tanzania, was granted a visa but denied entry into the United States.
Eunice Phillip Jada, Kenya, had a death in her family and could not
attend.
     More than 30 women from the Episcopal Church took part in the
Triennial Gathering in an effort to support "Called to Common Mission,"
the full communion agreement between the ELCA and the Episcopal Church.
     The invitation extended to the Episcopal women surfaced from the
ecumenical friendship between Sally Sedgwick, acting coordinator for
women's ministries, Episcopal Church (U.S.A.), and Catherine "Cathi"
I.H. Braasch, executive director, Women of the ELCA.  Sedgewick led a
workshop at the gathering called "Living in the Light: The Gospel
Challenge to Our Ecumenical Life."  Participants of the workshop
discussed the full communion relationship of the ELCA and Episcopal
Church.
     Women from the Episcopal church also attended "Way-Making Women: A
Way to Unity" at the Wyndham Franklin Plaza Hotel here July 8-10.   The
gathering -- a component of Women of the ELCA's Triennial Gathering --
brought together 400 African American and Black, American Indian and
Alaskan Native, Asian and Pacific Islanders, Latina, Middle Eastern and
Arab, and European American women to celebrate culture and pave a way
for unity.
-- -- --
Editors:  Photographs from "Way-Making Women: A Way to Unity" and Women
of the ELCA's Triennial Gathering are maintained at
http://www.elca.org/wo/events/tg/tg02/connect/photos.html on the
Internet.  News releases and other information about the gathering are
maintained at http://www.elca.org/wo/events/tg/tg02/connect/news.html on
the Internet.

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Melissa Ramirez, newsroom manager (215) 418-2045 or mramirez@elca.org

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