wfn.org | ELCA Women Are like a Kaleidoscope, Says President Bernahl

[News News <news@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

July 9, 1999

ELCA WOMEN ARE LIKE A KALEIDOSCOPE, SAYS PRESIDENT BERNAHL
99-WO-04-FI

     ST. LOUIS (ELCA) -- Sharroll Bernahl, Fort Morgan, Colo.,
president of Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA),
compared the church's women's organization to a kaleidoscope, in her
final report as president.
     The Fourth Triennial Convention of Women of the ELCA is meeting
July 8-11 here at the America's Center.  The organization's three-year
theme, "Live God's Justice," is unveiled at the convention amid Bible
study, keynote addresses, workshops, business sessions and elections.
     After the first ballot was taken in the election of a new
president, Bernahl presented her report to the convention.  At the start
of the election process there are no nominations; the first ballot is a
nominating ballot.
     If a nominating committee had asked her in 1996 to be nominated
for president, Bernahl said she would have said "no."  Instead of
politics, the process relies on God's Holy Spirit, and trusting God
guided her through a three-year term as president, she said.
     Bernahl compared Women of the ELCA to a beautiful brass
kaleidoscope that she received as a gift.  Looking into the
kaleidoscope, one sees a host of sparkling flecks of light and "each is
needed for that magnificent picture," she said.
     "The challenge in the kaleidoscope is that we do not control the
final picture," said Bernahl.  "God is in control."
     Like a kaleidoscope, Women of the ELCA is "continually changing --
a community on a journey," she said.  God is the organization's strong,
central focal point, Bernahl said.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html