wfn.org | ELCA Assembly County Fair Informs

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

August 13, 2001

ELCA ASSEMBLY COUNTY FAIR INFORMS
01-CWA55-LJG

     INDIANAPOLIS (ELCA) -- Transformation and information came out of
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) 2001 Churchwide
Assembly's "County Fair" in Indianapolis.  The County Fair was created
as a midway of resources and data tucked into a dunking booth, quilts, a
barn, and a variety of games that drew voting members and visitors into
conversation with each of the ministry units of the ELCA during assembly
Aug. 9-11.
     The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the
ELCA, is meeting here Aug. 8-14 at the Indiana Convention Center.  There
are more than 2,000 people participating, including 1,040 ELCA voting
members.  The theme for the biennial assembly is "Making Christ Known:
Sharing Faith in a New Century."
     Voting members and visitors could stroll the 'midway' for three
days, when not seated next-door in the plenary hall.  No cash changed
hands at the County Fair -- it's purpose was to be a way for voting
members and visitors to learn more about each unit of the church, said
Kristi Bangert, fair coordinator and ELCA director of internal church
communication and marketing, ELCA Department for Communication. "The
purpose is to help all the units to tell what they do, to put faces
behind the work that occurs, and to make a personal connection."
     "The County Fair was a huge undertaking, physically, but it's far
more useful than doing a pipe-and-drape display.  There's a greater
investment in time and materials, but the materials have another life
after the assembly." Bangert explained.
     Seventeen volunteers, some from as far away as Michigan, worked
for two days in 100-degree heat and humidity to transform an empty hall
into a mock midway with booths for Lutheran ministries.  All the lumber
for the booths and the plants and the wheelbarrows were donated to
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Indianapolis.  The gift, valued at
$10,000, has enough lumber to provide the wall studs for two houses.  In
this 50th year anniversary of Habitat, Indianapolis is building or
renovating 50 structures.
     At least 300 quilts will be distributed globally through Lutheran
World Relief (LWR).  The quilts provided an illusion of walls and
showcased quilt-maker skills; they are on their way to the LWR
Minneapolis warehouse for shipping, Bangert said.
     This assembly's County Fair theme drew creative responses from
different units -- resources and samples were stored in wheelbarrows and
playful games scattered through the display.  A Saturday lunch featured
fair favorites -- food on sticks, finger food, and traditional
snacks like popcorn, cotton candy, snowcones and pie.
-- -- --
     Information about assembly actions is at
http://www.elca.org/assembly/01 on the ELCA's Web Site.  Recorded
updates during the assembly are available by calling 773/380-2477.

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