wfn.org | Lutherans Get a Sense of Sabbath November 10-12

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

November 3, 2000

LUTHERANS GET A SENSE OF SABBATH NOVEMBER 10-12
00-262-FI

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Donna Schaper will be the main
speaker during the "Sabbath Sense 24/7 Conference," Nov. 10-12 in
Dublin, Ohio, sponsored by the Coalition for Ministry in Daily Life
and the Forum for Faith in the Workplace.  The Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America (ELCA) is represented in the leadership of the
coalition and the forum.
     "Sabbath Keeping" is the title of Schaper's latest book.
Schaper, Miami, Fla., is an area minister for the United Church of
Christ and author of several books, including "Raising Interfaith
Children" and "Teaching My Daughter to Mulch: Gardening Meditations."
     "Sabbath Keeping" redefines "sabbath" -- "away from the idea of
isolation for long periods of time to finding sabbath moments in the
course of each day," said Sally A. Simmel, director for daily life
ministry, ELCA Division for Ministry, and board president of the
Coalition for Ministry in Daily Life.
     During the conference, Schaper will present three sessions,
"exploring inspired ways of looking at work and of seeing the
'sacred' in our vocations," said Simmel.  "Since sabbath is also
about play, Schaper will present ideas on how to do that well," she
said.
     "Keeping sabbath keeps me sane," Schaper wrote in the preface
of her book.  "I walk, pray, sing, garden, worship -- and do so with
a discipline and vigor that keeps play and praise in my life.  God is
good to me.
     "Sabbath keeping is a spiritual strategy: it is a kind of judo.
The world's commands are heavy; we respond with light moves.  The
world says work; we play.  The world says go fast; we go slow.  These
light moves carry sabbath into our days, and God into our lives,"
Schaper wrote.
     Paul Everett, past president of the Pittsburgh Experiment, will
address a Friday evening dinner.  Incorporated in 1955, the
Pittsburgh Experiment combined youth and college ministries with
spiritually-based support in the workplace to influence a generation
of community leaders through personal Christian transformation.
     An individual or group will be awarded the Carolyn Dickerson
Minus Award for "making outstanding contributions toward helping
people connect their faith and their work."  Trustees of the Forum
for Faith in the Workplace will present the $1,500 cash award during
the Friday evening dinner.  The first award was given in December
1998 to William Diehl, a member of the Lutheran Church of the Holy
Spirit, Emmaus, Pa.
     Four Saturday afternoon workshops will give participants
opportunities to present and analyze programs and ministries already
helping people integrate their faith with their daily lives.
     The Forum for Faith in the Workplace is a Christian association
whose mission is "to help people everywhere discover the presence and
will of God in their places of work."
     The Coalition for Ministry in Daily Life is an ecumenical,
international, not-for-profit partnership of individuals,
congregations, denominations, colleges, seminaries, publishers and
independent organizations working in support of the ministries in
daily life of all Christians.
-- -- --
     On the Web <http://www.faithintheworkplace.org/> is the home
for the Forum for Faith in the Workplace.

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