wfn.org | International Ministries Highlight GME 'Global University'

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

July 27, 2000

INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES HIGHLIGHT GME 'GLOBAL UNIVERSITY'
00-176-JB/MH*

     DECORAH, Iowa (ELCA) -- More than 2,000 participants at this
year's Global Mission Events (GMEs) -- annual conferences which
highlight the international mission of the Evangelical Lutheran Church
in America (ELCA) -- learned about a variety of church ministries at the
"Global University" sessions.
     GMEs were held July 13-16 at Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma,
Wash., and July 20-23 at Luther College, Decorah, Iowa.  Both are higher
education institutions of the ELCA.
     The Global University at each event was a series of nearly 70
workshops led by ELCA staff, clergy, community activists and local
volunteers.  Workshop subjects included evangelism and outreach in the
new century, the global community and church, women's issues, new
missionary opportunities, new forms of music in worship, ministry with
seafarers, the church's response to the AIDS crisis in Africa, the rural
crisis in the United States and world hunger issues.
     "AIDS, The State of the Pandemic." Mary Bush said she hoped the
recent international conference on HIV/AIDS in Durban, South Africa,
would help Americans "rediscover AIDS" and become involved in
controlling the disease.  Bush, Messiah Lutheran Church, Auburn, Wash.,
is a registered nurse and a member of the ELCA HIV/AIDS Speakers'
Bureau.  There are 34.3 million AIDS cases worldwide, she said, with
more than 24 million in sub-Saharan Africa.
     "Prayer is one approach to the epidemic," Bush said. "These are
not nameless people that are dying."  She urged workshop participants to
learn more about HIV/AIDS and join the ELCA Southern Africa Network, an
organization that monitors the struggle for justice in southern Africa;
to support work with ELCA companion synods dealing with AIDS; and to
support local AIDS prevention ministries.
     Bush said she and others are available to speak to church groups
about HIV/AIDS.  The speakers' bureau is administered through the ELCA
Division for Church in Society, Chicago, and is supported by a grant
from Aid Association for Lutherans, a fraternal benefits organization
based in Appleton, Wis.
     "Being a Welcoming Community to Gay and Lesbian People." Morrey
Atkinson, Central Lutheran Church, Seattle, described his experiences in
joining a "Reconciling in Christ" congregation, one that reaches out to
gay and lesbian people and welcomes their participation.
     Central Lutheran "is open and affirming" and is not just a gay or
lesbian church, Atkinson said.  "'Reconciling' in Christ is part of who
we are."
     Rick Pribbernow, a Lutheran pastor, not on the ELCA clergy roster,
is director of Open Door Ministries, Seattle, an organization that
provides consultation for HIV/AIDS and gay and lesbian concerns.
Congregations can become Reconciling in Christ congregations by studying
the issues, by acting to become Reconciling in Christ, by registering
with Lutherans Concerned North America and by publicly stating their
position, he said.
     "Challenges for the ELCA in the New Century." The Rev. Bonnie
Jensen, executive director, ELCA Division for Global Mission, said the
ELCA has relationships with 70 churches worldwide.  Those relationships
have enriched the church, she said. "When we talk about evangelism in
the ELCA, we're looking globally for resources," she said.
     The Rev. Charles S. Miller, executive director, ELCA Division for
Church in Society, said that, of all of the advocacy matters the church
addresses, "poverty is at the top of the list."  He said the ELCA
released $3 million in reserve funds last year for projects to help
people living in poverty.
     "Developing Primary Health Care for All in the New South Africa."
Susan Strasser,  Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Lafayette Calif., and
former nurse in South Africa, discussed the rising death toll in South
Africa due to AIDS and other diseases, and the need for reform of that
nation's health care system.  "I have a lot of hope for transformation
of health care.  I've heard some tremendous stories of health, but we
have to stay focused on the basics," she said.
     "Trafficking of Woman and Children in South Asia." Carin Persson,
a native of Sweden and an ELCA missionary to India, Indonesia and
Thailand for more than 30 years, said  girls are bought and sold in the
region and are then forced to be prostitutes.  "India and Thailand
receive women and children from other countries, and are major
trafficking points," she said.  The alarming rate of trafficking of
women and children in South Asia reflects gender inequality, Persson
said.
     "Russia: Stirring up the Spirit with Soup." The Rev. William P.
Swanson and the Rev. Twila K. Schock, pastors at the Moscow (Russia)
Protestant Chaplaincy for three years, discussed their soup kitchen
ministry that reaches out to the elderly and African university
students.  "Many elderly people have been hit hard by the economic
crash," Schock said. "Many of the students were recruited to study in
Russia during the Cold War but cannot return home for various reasons
such as not being able to find their family because they are in a
refugee camp or some of their families might even be dead.  Many of them
are stuck," she said.  Christ calls us to reach out to people in need,
and that's what compels us to do this, Swanson said.
     "Corporate Social Responsibility." Trudy Brubaker, ELCA director
for corporate social responsibility, Pittsburgh, said through this
ministry the ELCA expresses concern about land mines, the environment
and equity in the workplace.  The corporate responsibility program of
the ELCA offers social statements on issues having to do with
corporations, Brubaker said.
     The corporate social responsibility ministry also provides
social/ethical investment criteria and counsel.  "It's not my job to
tell you what to invest in or not," Brubaker told participants.  "I just
want to make sure you are aware of certain issues."
     "Come to Ethiopia and Meet One of the Fastest Growing Churches in
the World."  The Rev. Said R. Ailabouni, program director for Europe,
the Middle East and the Horn of Africa, ELCA Division for Global
Mission, Chicago, led a discussion on the Ethiopian Evangelical Church
Mekane Yesus.  The church has grown by half a million people in the last
two years, Ailabouni said. "Many of the believers there have such pride
in their heritage, love for the Lord and have a desire to share the
gospel," Ailabouni said.  "The church is built on prayer and is very
diverse, with many nationalities."
     GMEs are sponsored by the ELCA Division for Global Mission in
cooperation with local  committees, synods of the ELCA and staff of the
ELCA churchwide organization.  Financial support was contributed by Aid
Association for Lutherans, a fraternal benefits organization based in
Appleton, Wis., and Lutheran Brotherhood, a fraternal benefits
organization based in Minneapolis.
     In 2001, two GMEs are planned: July 12-15 in Denver and July 19-22
at Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, Pa.  Susquehanna is an ELCA
higher education institution.

     [*Michael N. Hoffman is a senior at the University of Kansas,
Lawrence, Kan.  This summer he is an intern with ELCA News and
Information.]

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