Congo, they organized women to stand up for peace. “Women of the ELCA, what are you reclaiming today?” Gbowee asked. “What have you allowed your community ... the Lutheran tradition [or] your comfort zone to take away from you?” Saying it’s not enough to send out school kits, health kits, prayer shawls and encouraging words, she added, “It’s time to rise up [and] reclaim the space God has given us.” Not to worry, Gbowee said:
“[God] who called you will equip you.” M
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while you facilitate ours. God’s Work, Our Hands.
congregational mission Collectively,
Convention business D
elegates elected Jennifer Michael to a three-year term as
Women of the ELCA president dur- ing the organization’s July 12-14 convention in Spokane, Wash. Michael, 43, a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Pensacola, Fla., and a mother of three, succeeds Beth Wrenn, Kill Devil Hills, N.C. On the synod level, Michael has served as a lay minister of word and sacrament in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and is a former president of the Florida-Bahamas women’s organization.
The nearly 400 delegates also elected JoAnn Fuchs, West Colum- bia, Texas, as vice president; Jackie Wilson, Hot Springs, Ark., as sec- retary; and Barbara Martz, New Kensington, Pa., as treasurer, along with a 17-member executive board. In a separate action, delegates took a first vote approving a consti- tutional change that would reduce future boards from 17 to nine mem- bers. The final vote will be held at the 2014 convention.
During the convention the new
name of Lutheran Woman Today magazine, Gather, was announced. Several women said it had appeal for younger generations and new- comers. Wrenn ruled a resolution calling for no change to the name as out of order because of its signifi- cant financial implications.
WOMEN OF THE ELCA/RAJAH BOSE
More than 365 people took part in a “Run Walk and Roll” event July 16 that raised more than $18,000 for “Raising Up Healthy Women and Girls,” a Women of the ELCA seed grant program.
36 The Lutheran •
www.thelutheran.org
In other business, delegates:
• Adopted a $2.3 million budget for fiscal year 2012, $110,000 less than the approved budget for 2011. • Encouraged members to financially support ELCA World Hunger and Lutheran campus ministries. • Requested prayer and support for victims of the 2011 North Dakota floods. • Asked Women of the ELCA mem- bers to learn about climate change and its effects, and work with the ELCA to advocate for new energy sources. • Supported educational programs that help women and children avoid commercial sexual exploitation and human trafficking. • Urged members to reach out to women in places that are struggling with “issues related to congregations’ decisions to leave the ELCA by mod- eling God’s love, care and compas- sion.” The memorial also called for resources, relationships and inclusiv- ity for women in these situations. • Advocated for protection of women and children from sexual violence, including women in the military. • Supported the “1,000 Days Initia- tive” toward eliminating hunger and malnutrition in women and children. • Asked leaders to eliminate bias and exclusion based on color, language or ability, and to consider Spanish translation at the next triennial convention. M
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