wfn.org | ELCA Women Learn about Women's Advocacy, Disability Issues

[News News <news@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

July 11, 2002

ELCA WOMEN LEARN ABOUT WOMEN'S ADVOCACY, DISABILITY ISSUES
WO-02-02-AW*

     PHILADELPHIA (ELCA) -- Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America (ELCA) learned about global advocacy, women's leadership and
disability issues July 10 as a part of the ELCA Fifth Triennial
Gathering here at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
     Women of the ELCA's Triennial Gathering is meeting here July 8-14.
The organization's three-year theme, "Listen, God is Calling," is being
unveiled at the convention amid Bible study, keynote addresses,
workshops, field trips, business sessions and elections.
     Participants at the "Global Education and Advocacy Network"
seminar reflected on international advocacy efforts by the ELCA's Women
Building Global Community program.  Prior to the convention participants
of the program underwent advocacy training at international global
education seminars sponsored jointly by the Women of the ELCA and the
ELCA companion synods program.  They now work as speakers and resource
persons in their synods.  There are 65 synods in the ELCA.
     Public policy advocacy is one of the elements stressed by Women
Building Global Community, said Sandra Holloway, director of global
education and stewardship, ELCA Division for Global Mission.  She also
stressed the importance of getting women involved in their synod's
international companion synod program.
     "We have come to realize that the issues related to us [in the
United States] are the ones related to women around the world," said
Holloway.  "If we join with other women through our companion synod
[relationships], we can make it possible to have a voice in the world."
     During the seminar, new resources designed to educate women on how
to get involved in politics or how to stand up for justice were
distributed.  The Rev. Janet H. Hunt, Rock Island, Ill., spoke to
participants about the importance of staying aware of issues that affect
women.
     The seminar also included international guests who spoke about
their experiences around the world.  Marcia Blasi of Brazil said that
the companion synods program was worth promoting.
     "We need to be connected with women around the world," said Blasi.
"If everyone lives in their own world, we won't connect.  Peace will
come if we get together."
     Three other seminars were held.  They were:
     + "Leadership Training Follow-Up," brought together Women of the
ELCA's synodical presidents who went through training for the "Leading
Boldly: Mobilizing the Women of the ELCA through Assessment and
Planning" project.
     + "Perspectives of the Differently Abled," which included
differently abled people and professionals in the fields of disability
experience and education.
     + "Organizational Self-Assessment," designed for the Women of the
ELCA's organizational review led by the Peter F. Drucker Foundation.

-- -- --
EDITORS: Photographs from "Way-Making Women: A Way to Unity" and Women
of the ELCA's Triennial Gathering are maintained at
http://www.elca.org/wo/events/tg/tg02/connect/photos/html on the
Internet.  News releases and other information about the gathering are
maintained at
http://www.elca.org/wo/events/tg/tg02/connect/new.html on the Internet.

For information contact:
Melissa Ramirez, newsroom manager (215) 418-2045 or mramirez@elca.org

*Amy Wineinger is a junior at Wartburg College, Waverly, Iowa.  This
summer she is an intern with ELCA News and Media Production.

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