wfn.org | ELCA Women Are Similar, Different from Commission for Women

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

July 13, 1999

ELCA WOMEN ARE SIMILAR, DIFFERENT FROM COMMISSION FOR WOMEN
99-WO-27-LS

     ST. LOUIS (ELCA)   Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America (ELCA) and the ELCA Commission for Women are similar, yet have
unique roles in the larger church, said Joanne Chadwick, executive
director for the Commission for Women, greeting participants at the
Fourth Triennial Convention of Women of the ELCA.
     The convention met here July 8-11 at the America's Center.  The
organization's three-year theme, "Live God's Justice," was unveiled at
the convention amid Bible study, keynote addresses, workshops, business
sessions and elections.
     Women of the ELCA focuses on women, Chadwick said, while the
Commission for Women focuses on the church.
     Chadwick called the commission "absolutely necessary in order that
this church truly recognize the gifts women bring to the church. We try
to speak to the church," she said.
     The commission strives for "equal participation of women in all
expressions of the church," she said.
     Two of the ELCA's 65 synod bishops are women and 13 percent of
ELCA clergy are women, Chadwick said.
     The commission also speaks out against violence toward women, she
said.
     "We are responsible that this church be safe for all persons.
This church will not tolerate violence of any kind," Chadwick said.
     Quoting from the mission statement, she said the commission "will
advise, encourage and challenge the ELCA to achieve full participation
of women in this church and society."

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