wfn.org | ELCA Women Act on TANF, Terrorism Resolutions

[News News <news@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

July 13, 2002

ELCA WOMEN ACT ON TANF, TERRORISM RESOLUTIONS
WO-02-17-JB

     PHILADELPHIA (ELCA) -- Delegates attending the final business
session July 13 of the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America (ELCA) Fifth Triennial Convention acted on resolutions related
to legislation on the federal welfare program and responses to
terrorism.
     Women of the ELCA's Triennial Gathering is meeting here July 8-14
at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.  The organization's three-year
theme, "Listen, God is Calling," is being unveiled at the convention
amid Bible study, keynote addresses, workshops, field trips, business
sessions and elections.  Nearly 3,200 women from throughout the ELCA and
the world are attending.
     The federal welfare program, Temporary Assistance for Needy
Families (TANF), was reauthorized in the U.S. House of Representatives
this year, and the U.S. Senate is to vote next month, the resolution
said.  The Lutheran Office for Governmental Affairs (LOGA), the ELCA's
federal public policy office in Washington, D.C., and Bread for the
World, a Washington, D.C.-based hunger advocacy organization, have urged
people to advocate for "a just TANF reauthorization," the resolution
said.
     The resolution, adopted overwhelmingly, urged Triennial Gathering
participants to write to their senators, and ask them to oppose any
amendments that would: increase work requirements; remove the option for
states to provide benefits to legal immigrants; narrow the list of
activities defined as work; and mandate full family sanctions.
     "I can't tell you how important this is," said Sharon Heck,
delegate from the ELCA Southern California (West) Synod.  In writing to
elected officials, Heck said women should ask that money be allocated
for child care for mothers who, under terms of the program, must work.
     In a resolution related to the September 11 terrorist attacks, the
women pledged unanimously to "leave vengeance to God and give ourselves
over to His will."  They pledged to pray "constantly for guidance and
healing, rejoicing in hope, comforting those in sorrow, working to live
in harmony, and striving for social justice in our country and in the
world."
     The delegates acted on other issues of significance:
     + They committed themselves to provide reasonable accommodations
to "differently abled" delegates and participants at future Triennial
Gatherings.
     + They declined an attempt to re-word the organization's mission
statement adopted by the executive board in 2001.  However, the
convention, the highest legislative authority for the Women of the ELCA,
chose to ratify the board's decision to approve the mission statement:
"To mobilize women to act boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ."
     + They suggested that the executive board consider new language
for a constitutional amendment adopted July 12.  The amendment
established an "anti-racist" identity as a principle of the
organization.  Though the constitutional amendment was adopted, several
members expressed concern about the language in it and suggested clearer
and stronger wording be used.
     +Delegates referred to the executive board and executive director
a request that Augsburg Fortress, publishing house of the ELCA,
reconsider policies on representation by the publisher at Women of the
ELCA events.  The resolution expressed concern that Augsburg Fortress
displays now limit products available at such events.
     + Delegates referred to the executive board a number of
resolutions on internal matters related to the Triennial Gathering and
the organization's policies.
---
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 Web.

News releases and other information about the gathering are maintained
at http://www.elca.org/wo/events/tg/tg02/connect/news.html on the Web.

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

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