ELCA News Blog
July 31, 2006
ELCA 'Global Fest' brings together church mission personnel
by Melissa Ramirez Cooper, ELCA News Service
International and domestic mission personnel from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) and the Episcopal Church gathered together July 29 for "Global Fest" at the 2006 ELCA Global Mission Event. Co- sponsored by the Episcopal Church and endorsed by the ELCIC, the GME brought together participants of all ages from across the United States and around the world July 27-30 to the University of Massachusetts in Amherst.
Dressed in their "global finery," GME participants from Africa, Asia and Pacific Islands, Caribbean, Central America, Europe, Middle East, North America, South America and elsewhere took part in an outdoor festival that featured church missions and ministries. The fest included an evening program of global music and dance, video interviews with international mission personnel and more.
Held at the university's Fine Arts Center the host for the evening was the Rev. David Lerseth, director for global mission support, ELCA Global Mission, who invited mission personnel of all ages to "stand and be recognized" for their service. Participants of the ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission also took the stage. Under that program, young adults -- ages 19-30 -- are placed in settings that provide service in social ministry, youth work, congregational outreach, education, social justice and health care in Argentina, Egypt, Germany, India, Kenya, Mexico, the Philippines, Slovakia, Uruguay and the United Kingdom.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org http://www.elca.org/news ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog