wfn.org | Lumpkin Receives First ELCA Church/State Award

[Brenda Williams <BRENDAW@elca.org>]

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

April 20, 1998

LUMPKIN RECEIVES FIRST ELCA CHURCH/STATE AWARD
98-13-090-FI

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Adrienne Lumpkin, Portsmouth, Va., received the
first Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Church/State Award
given by the Lutheran Office for Governmental Affairs (LOGA), Washington,
D.C.  It was presented March 30 in Washington during the Lutheran Dinner --
an annual tradition of the Interfaith Public Policy Briefing.
     Lumpkin lived in New York until about ten years ago, when she moved
to Portsmouth.  In the 1950s and '60s she worked as a union organizer with
hotel workers and was very active in the civil rights movement.  She
continues that work as an ELCA advocate focusing on the needs of people
living in poverty, housing concerns and civil rights.
     "Adrienne lives out her understanding of the gospel," said the Rev.
Russell O. Siler, LOGA director.  "She reflects God's love for her in her
faithful witness in behalf of the poor and oppressed of God's world."
     The ELCA Church/State Award is awarded by LOGA to a person or people
whose life and ministry demonstrate a commitment to speaking out on behalf
of those who have little or no voice in society, said Siler. The award
serves to recognize and hold up the examples set by people throughout the
church who incorporate advocacy as an integral part of their lives.
     Lumpkin is an active member of St. Andrew Lutheran Church in
Portsmouth and of Women of the ELCA.  She chairs the social action
committee of the ELCA's Virginia Synod.
     "Women can especially applaud and thank God for Adrienne Lumpkin's
faithful advocacy that led to this honor," said Catherine I.H. Braasch,
executive director of Women of the ELCA.  Lumpkin has served as Mission
Action chair in her synodical women's organization.  She is also organizing
the Priscilla Circle, a new congregational unit of the Women of the ELCA at
St. Andrew Lutheran Church.
     "She is a prophet and an apostle in all she does," said Lumpkin's
pastor, the Rev. William Batterman.
     Jeanne Christensen of First Evangelical Lutheran Church in
Greensburg, Pa., said, "I thought it was wonderful ... a nice tribute to
someone who has been active for so long in advocacy.  Advocates don't
usually get recognized; they don't do what they do for the rewards."
     Christensen was one of about 80 ELCA members in Washington for the
Interfaith Public Policy Briefing.  The briefing March 29-April gave about
400 advocates from religious organizations across the United States first-hand information on
current legislative issues.

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