wfn.org | ELCA Global Mission Board Urges Nonviolence

[Brenda Williams <BRENDAW@elca.org>]

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

October 28, 1998

ELCA GLOBAL MISSION BOARD URGES NONVIOLENCE
98-38-223-SS*

     TECHNY, Ill. (ELCA) -- Violence has a serious impact on the lives of
children around the world.  So, the board of the Division for Global
Mission of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) voiced its
support for a "Decade of Nonviolence" when it met here Oct. 15-17.
     Twenty Nobel Peace Prize Laureates have sponsored an appeal "for the
children of the world" and called for a Decade of Nonviolence (2001 to
2010) "to teach the practical meaning and benefits of nonviolence in our
daily lives in order to reduce violence and build a new culture of
nonviolence."
     The board directed the division's staff to consult with the ELCA's
Division for Church in Society on finding the best ways to support the
Nobel Laureates' appeal.  They will also consider ways the ELCA may provide
the global community's leadership with resources on nonviolence, especially
materials dealing with violence toward children and youth.
     The action came in conjunction with related reports about violence in
South America and Africa and about a major initiative for the ELCA.  Board
members heard that children in Colombia -- through the Children's Movement
for Peace -- are raising international consciousness about children
worldwide who silently suffer the consequences of violence.
     The effects of violence in Sierra Leone's civil strife led the board
to request a needs assessment and a response for those affected in western
Africa.  The board asked that ELCA members pray for peace with justice for
that country and its people.
     The board also heard a report on the ELCA's "Initiatives to Prepare
for a New Century" which urges that "we redouble our efforts to aid
children, youth and young adults at risk from racism, hunger, violence and
poverty, both at home and throughout the world."
     In other actions, the Division for Global Mission's board:
     + Requested the ELCA Church Council to approve a transfer of funds so
a history research project might continue.  The project identifies,
collects, preserves and interprets documents that tell the global mission
story of the ELCA and its predecessor church bodies.
     + Asked the council to urge ELCA members and congregations to use the
25th anniversary of the World Hunger Appeal in 1999 to increase support for
and awareness of hunger in the world.
     + Continued discussion of a long-range planning document, "Global
Mission 21," which visualizes the ELCA as "walking together in a solidarity
that practices interdependence and mutuality" with partner churches around
the world.
     The Church Council is the ELCA's board of directors and serves as the
legislative authority of the church between its meetings of the Churchwide
Assembly.  The council meets Nov. 12-16 in Chicago.  Assemblies are held
every other year; the next is August 16-22 in Denver.

[*Sonia C. Solomonson is senior editor for The Lutheran, magazine of the
ELCA.]

For information contact:
Frank Imhoff, Assoc. Director 1-773-380-2955 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html