wfn.org | Global Mission Events Feature "Live God's Peace Together" Theme

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

June 22, 2001

GLOBAL MISSION EVENTS FEATURE "LIVE GOD'S PEACE TOGETHER" THEME
01-172-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- "Live God's Peace Together" will be the theme
when members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
gather this year for Global Mission Events (GMEs).  The events are
annual opportunities for Lutherans to learn about the church's
mission work in the world.
     GMEs are scheduled July 12-15 at the Denver Marriott Tech
Center and July 19-22 at Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, Pa.,
one of 28 colleges and universities of the ELCA.
     "Through the celebration of worship and challenges [set forth]
from presenters and workshop leaders, GMEs offer freshness on how
lives are being touched by Christ locally and globally," said the
Rev. Barbara J. Lund, associate director for global events, ELCA
Division for Global Mission.  "Listening and learning about the lives
of people who live in a variety of contexts here and around the world
enriches the church," she said.
     The Division for Global Mission is the primary organizer of
GMEs, with support from staff in other ELCA divisions, commissions
and departments, and Lutheran social ministry agencies.
     Local volunteer committees working with the division help
organize GMEs, Lund said.
     Workshops and seminars, known as "Global University Sessions,"
are highlights of the Global Mission Events.  Proposed session topics
include HIV/AIDS in Africa, rural life and farming in the United
States, outreach for starting new congregations in the United States,
a Christian response to hunger and poverty, and the global community
and church.
     "Workshops are led by people involved in mission
internationally and here," said Lund.  "Presenters are from Africa,
Asia, Caribbean, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and North
America," she said.
     Dr. Pauline Riak, executive director of Sudanese Women's
Association in Nairobi (SWAN), and Telar Deng, architect of the
People to People Program, New Sudan Council of Churches, will lead a
presentation about Lutheran World Relief's (LWR) role in providing
humanitarian aid and promoting peace in Sudan.  Kathryn F. Wolford,
LWR president, and Adrienne Shannon, LWR public policy associate,
will facilitate the presentation, Lund said.
     LWR works overseas in relief and development on behalf of the
ELCA and the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod.
     Denise M. Laugtug, director, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee
Service (LIRS) Ambassadors Circle, will lead a presentation called,
"Bringing the words of new hope and new life to your community
through the LIRS Ambassadors Circle."  Laugtug will welcome Dubravka
Mujagic, a former refugee from Bosnia, and Mekabou Fofana, a 17-year-
old who sought asylum from Liberia.  Mujagic and Fofana will share
experiences about their entrance into the United States.
     LIRS is a ministry of the ELCA, Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod
and Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
     At the opening celebration, the Rev. David L. Miller, editor of
The Lutheran, will call attention to the theme of the GMEs and the
impact of faith in the world today, Lund said.
     The Rev. Gladys G. Moore, assistant to the bishop, ELCA New
Jersey Synod, Hamilton Square, will preach during closing worship.
     More than 700 Lutherans will attend the GME in Denver and more
than 1,400 will attend the event at Susquehanna University.
     "GMEs are inter-generational events," said Lund.  The events
will feature programs for children, child care and opportunities for
young people to meet with missionaries and speakers.  They will
engage in servant projects that include work at a food shelter and
Bible camp, Lund said.
     Another highlight of GMEs is GlobalFest, which features
interactive exhibits, stage presentations, music, dance and dress
from countries around the world.  GlobalFest is led by ELCA
missionaries, international students and others in mission.
- - -
     Information can be found at www.elca.org/dgm/gme2001 on the
Web.

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