Stephanie Burke works on a massive painting during communion at closing worship of the Ninth Triennial of the Women of the ELCA.


Repair, rebuild, T


Six generations gather for ninth Women of the ELCA triennial Text by Elizabeth Hunter, photos by Jim Veneman


aking their cue from the prophet Isaiah to help repair, rebuild and restore the world around them, more than 2,300 women—700 of whom were fi rst-


timers—gathered July 24-27 in Charlotte, N.C., for the Ninth Triennial of the Women of the ELCA. T e gathering theme, “Of many generations,” was


inspired by Isaiah 58:12: “Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many gen- erations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in.” Opening worship preacher Claire Burkat told the


gathering: “We are living in a time in history [when] six generations are living at the same time.” Burkat, bishop of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, asked the women to raise their hands when they heard their generation: under 18 years of age, 18 to 35, 36 to 50, 51 to 68, 69 to 89 and, fi nally, over 90. T e fi ve women over


24 www.thelutheran.org


90 received a standing ovation. “All of us together, as a gathering of powerful


Lutheran women, [will] be challenged in seminars and inspired in worship and touched by one another’s stories and guided by the Holy Spirit this weekend,” she said. “When we leave, we will have ways and means to repair the breach wherever God sends us.”


Women lead, laugh ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton thanked the Women of the ELCA and its predecessors for their lead- ership in making it possible for women to be ordained; their giving, including a giſt of $84,000 to the ELCA Malaria Campaign; and their recent action to bring attention to human traffi cking. It’s not just ordained or elected women who lead the church, she said, adding, “You have to understand that


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