wfn.org | ELCA Women Complete Leadership Team for 2002-2005

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

July 13, 2002

ELCA WOMEN COMPLETE LEADERSHIP TEAM FOR 2002-2005
WO-02-10-JB

     PHILADELPHIA (ELCA) -- Delegates to the Women of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Fifth Triennial Convention elected
three officers and 17 members of the executive board July 12 to complete
the organization's leadership team for 2002-2005.  Mary Ellen M.
Kiesner, Menomonee Falls, Wis., was elected July 11 to serve a three-
year term as president of the Women of the ELCA.
     Women of the ELCA's Triennial Gathering is meeting here July 8-14
at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.  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.  Nearly 3,200 women from throughout the ELCA and
the world are attending.
     Delegates elected Nancy Christian, Fertile, Minn., vice president.
Christian, a member of Concordia Lutheran Church, Fertile, was elected
on the third ballot for vice president 230-183 over Janet Calico,
Dallas.  Others considered on the third ballot were Arlene K. Roth,
Ames, Iowa, 26 votes; Joyce M. Opjorden, Ventura, Calif., 11 votes; and
Robin L. Kieffer, Apple Valley, Minn., nine votes.  There was 26 names
on the nominating ballot.
     Elected secretary was Gail M. Powell, Rockwood, Mich.  Powell, a
member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Riverview, Mich., was elected on the
first ballot 341-128 over Kathryn M. Schnierle, Cincinnati.  Powell and
Schnierle were the only nominees.
     Carmen K. Richards, Hope, N.D., was elected treasurer on the first
ballot 299-169 over Audrey J. Thompson, Atwater, Minn.  Richards, a
member of Redeemer Lutheran Church.  Richards and Thompson were the only
nominees.
     Twelve members of the executive board were elected on the first
ballot, including Calico,
Kieffer, Opjorden, Roth and Schnierle.  Others elected on the first
ballot were Susan A. Alston-McRae, Jersey City, N.J.; Mary Bridges,
Russell, Kan.; Diana Ceballos-Gonzalez, San Juan, Puerto Rico; Desiree
A. Cole, Waukegan, Ill.; Carolyn R. Cook, Forest Grove, Ore.; Sonja M.
Richwine, Van Buren, Ill.; and Denise B. Smith, Eagle River, Alaska.
     No executive board members were elected on the second and third
ballots.  The remaining members were elected on the fourth ballot.  They
are Elizabeth Y. Gaskins, Smyrna, Ga.; Susan J. Humphrey, Tulsa, Okla.;
Valerie R. Sayler, Stanton, N.D.; Marilyn Stember, Denver; and Geneva G.
Wallace, Lusby, Md.
     Officers and board members will be installed into their offices
before the conclusion of the gathering July 13.
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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 Web.

News releases and other information about the gathering are maintained
at http://www.elca.org/wo/events/tg/tg02/connect/news.html on the Web.

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

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