wfn.org | ABCUSA: Stromberg Is Nominee for Mowbray Ecumenical Award

["SCHRAMM, Richard" <Rich.Schramm@abc-usa.org>]

American Baptist News Service (Valley Forge, Pa. 12/16/04)--Jean S.
Stromberg, former executive director of the United States Office/World
Council of Churches, has been nominated for the Luke Mowbray Ecumenical Award
of American Baptist Churches USA.

The award will be presented next July in Denver, Colo., during the Biennial
Meeting of American Baptist Churches USA.

Stromberg, an experienced and respected ecumenist, served for more than a
quarter century in leadership roles at the World Council.  Initially
(1977-1988) she was managing editor for mission publications, and later
served as executive assistant to the general secretary before directing the
U.S. office from 1992 to 2003.	

Stromberg also was executive assembly coordinator for the WCC's Eighth
Assembly held in Harare, Zimbabwe in 1998, which brought together
approximately 5,000 delegates and visitors.

The WCC is composed of more than 340 church denominations, representing about
400 million Christians in 120 countries and territories throughout the world.
 American Baptist Churches USA was a founding member of the WCC in 1948.

Stromberg holds a B.A. degree from Wheaton College (Wheaton, Ill.) and an
M.A. degree from the University of Minnesota. 

The nomination was determined during the meeting last month of the
denomination's Committee on Christian Unity.  The Rev. Rothang Chhangte,
director of Ecumenical Formation for American Baptist Churches USA, said, "In
selecting Jean the committee recognized her lifetime contributions to
Christian unity and the significant contributions she has made to the
worldwide ecumenical movement.	The committee was particularly impressed with
her work for the 8th General Assembly meeting of the WCC in Harare, Zimbabwe.
 Her work won her much respect in ecumenical circles as well as praise for
her gifts and skills as a worship leader."   

Chhangte also noted that as the executive director of the WCC U.S. office
Stromberg "helped connect U.S. churches to the larger Christian body.  This
was wonderfully exemplified by the  'Living Letters' tour of the United
States she helped organized immediately following the tragedy of September
11, 2001--a visit by international church leaders from the Middle East, South
Africa, Russia, Indonesia and France who wanted to share the pain of their
U.S. sisters and brothers and join with us as we explored the Christian
response to such horror. Under Jean's leadership the ecumenical visit became
a reassuring confirmation that, in times of tragedy and grief, people of
faith around the world stand together in human pain and Christian unity. Jean
has embodied in her life and work the evangelical and ecumenical spirit of
American Baptists wherever she went, and in doing so has brought us honor and
respect."  

K/2004ABNS/04ABN142

American Baptist News Service: Office of Communication, American Baptist
Churches USA, P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851; (800)ABC-3USA x2077
/ (610)768-2077; fax: (610)768-2320; www.abc-usa.org;
richard.schramm@abc-usa.org