wfn.org | ELCA Women Elect New President

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

July 9, 1999

ELCA WOMEN ELECT NEW PRESIDENT
99-WO-05-JB

     ST. LOUIS (ELCA)   Linda M. Chinnia, a member of Holy Comforter
Lutheran Church, Baltimore, was elected to a three-year term as
president of the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
(ELCA) July 8 by delegates attending the organization's convention here.
     The Fourth Triennial Convention of Women of the ELCA is meeting
here July 8-11 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.
     Chinnia, 51, is director for elementary schools for the Baltimore
City Public School System. She was elected 307-148 on the fourth ballot
over Mary G. Seale, Roosevelt, N.Y.
     "I want to thank all of you, and I thank God for this opportunity
and this call," she said in her remarks after the election.  "I promise
to do my best with God's help.  We will definitely go forth to 'Live
God's Justice' as the Women of the ELCA."
     Prior to her election, Chinnia addressed the convention along with
four other nominees for the presidency.
     "Our theme challenges us to vision, plan and act to destroy all
things that separate us from the love of God," she told the convention.
She said it is her vision that women use their mothers and the Biblical
models of Esther and Lydia "to truly live the Gospel with peace and
justice."
     Chinnia, a native of Baltimore, is currently a member of the Women
of the ELCA executive board.  She was involved in planning the St. Louis
convention and the Women of Color Gathering which preceded the
convention.  She serves the ELCA's Delaware-Maryland Synod as a member
of its church in society committee.  At Holy Comforter, Chinnia is a
member of the worship and music committee, leader of the children's
choir and a member of the adult choir member.
     She serves as a member of the Lutheran Center capital campaign
committee in Baltimore and was previously an executive board member of
Tressler Lutheran Services of Maryland.  Chinnia is a member of the
American Federation of School Administrators.
     Chinnia is married.  She and her husband, Kevin Chinnia Sr., have
three sons: Kevin Jr., John and Mark.
     Chinnia will be installed as president July 11.  She succeeds
Sharroll Bernahl, Fort Morgan, Colo.
     Other finalists for president included Janet L. Brewer, Anchorage,
Alaska; Janet V. Calico, Dallas; and Jackie Hinkle Chattopadhyay,
Tustin, Calif.   With Chinnia and Seale, they received the most votes on
the first ballot, in which more than 50 women were nominated by the
delegates.

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