wfn.org | Reich Receives Lutheran Economic Study

[ELCANEWS@ELCASCO.ELCA.ORG]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE - NEWSBRIEF

February 11, 1997

REICH RECEIVES LUTHERAN ECONOMICS STUDY

Before he left office as U.S. Secretary of Labor, Robert B. Reich
met with nine religious leaders for "a very engaging and
intriguing discussion about how religious communities are
addressing and working on economic issues, especially those
related to labor and inequality," said the Rev. Karen L.
Bloomquist, director for studies, Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America.  Bloomquist was among those who met with Reich on
Jan. 7
in Washington, D.C.  She presented him with a copy of "Give Us
This Day Our Daily Bread: Sufficient, Sustainable Livelihood For
All," a 117-page document being used in the ELCA's 11,000
congregations to facilitate a study on economic life this year.
"I think he immediately sensed the significance of some of what
we're trying to do," said Bloomquist.  "Our discussion focused on
how churches are trying to address the wider public culture ...
what is happening, especially to poor people, in the midst of it
... how do we work together at the significant challenges that
are there."  Others at the meeting represented the National
Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., Roman Catholics,
evangelical Christians and Jews.  Reich called the meeting "one
of the most interesting discussions" he had as Labor Secretary
and said he hoped "we can continue our discussions in the
future."  Reich is now a professor of social and economic policy
at Brandeis University, Waltham, Mass.  "He did clearly indicate
that the incoming secretary was quite interested in this
meeting," said Bloomquist.

For information contact:
Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html