wfn.org | Magnus Says 'Goodbye' As ELCA Vice President

[ELCANEWS@ELCASCO.ELCA.ORG]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

August 16, 1997

MAGNUS SAYS 'GOODBYE' AS ELCA VICE PRESIDENT
97-CA-06-DM

     PHILADELPHIA (ELCA)   Kathy J. Magnus, vice president of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America since 1991, gave her final report to
an ELCA Churchwide Assembly Friday.  She outlined the work of the ELCA's
Church Council for the past two years and said her goodbyes to the
assembly.
     "I expect this church to be a force in the next millennium," Magnus
said.  Then, indicating that she will not suddenly become uninvolved in
ELCA affairs, she added, "I will pray and continue to work to make this a
multicultural church, a church with strong global connections, a church
where all people can experience the gift of the Good News in a community of
grace."
     In a clearly emotional moment when Magnus concluded her report,
voting members gave her a sustained standing ovation.  She had announced
earlier, when her husband accepted an executive position at the church
body's national offices in Chicago, that she would resign effective at the
close of the Aug. 14-20 assembly.
     "Serving this church first on the Council and then as vice president
has undoubtedly been one of the most rewarding and challenging experiences
of my life," said Magnus, who as vice president chairs the Church Council.
She has been a member of the Council since the ELCA was formed 10 years
ago.
     Her overview of the Church Council's work for the past biennium
included a laundry list of "successes   not our success as a Council, but
achievements of this church."  She cited new mission congregations;
clustering the ELCA's eight seminaries into regional networks; global
mission events and youth gatherings; establishing a "mission investment
fund"; commitment to being multicultural; developing evangelism and
stewardship strategies; and "a growing sense of partnership between synods
(geographical areas) and the churchwide organization."

For information contact:

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