wfn.org | Lutheran Women Pray for Peace, Engage in Moral Deliberation

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

October 28, 2002

LUTHERAN WOMEN PRAY FOR PEACE, ENGAGE IN MORAL DELIBERATION
02-251-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The executive board of Women of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) -- the women's organization of the
church -- called for "earnest prayer and moral deliberation" on a
possible war between the United States and Iraq.  The board also
attended to other business when it met here Oct. 17-20.
     The executive board requested that the ELCA Church Council -- the
ELCA's board of directors and legislative authority between ELCA
churchwide assemblies -- invite members, congregations and the 65 synods
of the church to "pray for peace, the people of Iraq, leaders of the
United States and our military personnel and their families."  It also
moved to invite synodical women's organizations, congregational units
and "all women of the ELCA to be in earnest prayer."
     The board cited the public witness and support for peace by the
Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the ELCA.  "We must stand
unequivocally for peace. We extend our prayers for peace to all who must
decide and to all who are affected, here, in the Persian Gulf region and
around the world," Hanson said in an August 30 statement.
     The board also noted the ELCA's social statement, "For Peace in
God's World."  In particular, the board affirmed: "While we support the
use of non-violent measures, there may be no other way to offer
protection in some circumstances than by restraining forcibly those
harming the innocent.  We do not, then -- for the sake of neighbor --
rule out possible support for the use of military force.  We must
determine in particular circumstances whether or not military action is
the lesser evil."
     The board's resolution was accepted on Oct. 20.  The day before,
it defeated a proposal to support the ELCA Commission for Women's
resolution on "Potential War and Military Action on Iraq," and it
examined the National Council of Churches "A Call to Action by the
Justice for Women Working Group" statement against a possible war with
Iraq.
     Shortly after the defeat, the board asked Mary Ellen Kiesner,
Menomonee Falls, Wis., Women of the ELCA president and board chair, to
call together an "ad hoc committee" charged with crafting an
"appropriate response" on the possibility of war with Iraq for the
board's consideration.	The board accepted the committee's proposal
unanimously.
     In the board's discussion on the topic of war with Iraq, Denise
Smith, Eagle River, Alaska, board member, cautioned the board "not to be
anti-war.  War is an option.  It is not a new concept.	It is in the
Bible."
     "War can be a solution, but it is not the only solution," said
Desiree Cole, Waukegan, Ill., board member.  "I'm not against the
military, but we have to look at the reasons for and consequences of
war," she said.
     The board devoted much of its meeting to addressing several
resolutions referred to them by Women of the ELCA's 2002 Fifth Triennial
Convention, July 8-14, Philadelphia.  The convention is the chief
legislative authority of Women of the ELCA.  The board referred to Women
of the ELCA's executive director actions that:
     + call for study and review of "budgetary implications" to
establish "The Day Full of Light" -- a Sunday set aside to educate
"individuals and congregations about the grip the sex industry has on
society"
     + "encourage wise stewardship of water."  The action calls for the
reduction of personal, household and workplace consumption of water and
other non-renewable resources by 10 percent
     + provide materials that help synodical women's organizations and
congregational units carry out "projects that assure youth are nurtured
in their faith and practice it in daily life"
     + support an appeal to the U.S. Congress "to repeal mandatory
minimum sentences to allow for judicial flexibility and treatment of
addicted individuals."	Speaking in favor of the resolution, Joyce
Opjorden, Ventura, Calif., board member, said, addicted individuals
"need treatment, not jail"
     The board also committed time to receiving reports from program
directors of the women's organization and to reviewing draft materials
on the ELCA's comprehensive strategic planning process and its
evangelism strategy.
-- -- --
     Women of the ELCA's home page is at http://www.elca.org/wo/ on the
ELCA Web site.	The August 30 statement of Presiding Bishop Mark S.
Hanson on Iraq is at http://www.elca.org/bishop/iraq.html on the Web.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
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