wfn.org | Lutherans Converge on Washington for Briefing

[Brenda Williams <BRENDAW@elca.org>]

Reply-To: ElcaNews <ELCANEWS@ELCASCO.ELCA.ORG>
ELCA NEWS SERVICE

March 6, 1998

LUTHERANS CONVERGE ON WASHINGTON FOR BRIEFING
98-09-046-FI

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- About 80 members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church
in America (ELCA) interested in first-hand information on current
legislative issues are expected to be among 400 people in Washington, D.C.,
March 29-April 1 for the Interfaith Public Policy Briefing.  The Lutheran
Office for Governmental Affairs (LOGA) will host an open house on March 30.
     "Eighty advocates is a lot," said the Rev. Faye R. Codding, grass
roots coordinator at LOGA.  Some received scholarships to attend, but most
are lay members of the ELCA who have to take off work and pay their own
way, she said.  "They make a significant commitment."
     "Voices for Justice '98: Local Action for Global Impact" is the theme
of the 28th annual briefing.  LOGA is one of 18 religious organizations
supporting the event.
     A new feature is a special training track for young adults, said
Codding.  The track will include introductions to advocacy in Washington
and at home, workshops on policy and legislative issues, and opportunities
to form networks with other advocates with similar interests.  Organizers
solicited donations to the "Next Generation Fund" while offering
scholarships to young adults wanting to attend.
     Several Lutheran legislators have been invited to attend and to speak
to the gathering, but their schedules cannot be confirmed until the week
before the briefings.
     The open house in LOGA's offices will include the screening of a 17-minute
videotape, "Voice in God's World," about the advocacy work of the
Lutheran church.  The first ELCA Church State Award will be presented
during a Lutheran briefing dinner.

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