http://www.elca.org/newsOfficial news releases of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Americahttp://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rssen-usThu, 24 Jul 2008 21:19:53 GMTEvangelical Lutheran Church in America. All Rights Reserved.20http://archive.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?article=3924http://archive.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?article=3924Thu, 24 Jul 2008 05:00:00 GMT CHICAGO (ELCA) -- International Disaster Response of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) provided $75,000 to help meet the needs of people in Burundi, where several waves of ethnic violence and political upheavals have affected the country in central Africa. It also provided $195,757 to support college students in Nias, Indonesia. Coordinated by ELCA Global Mission, International Disaster Response channels its funds through international church organizations an...http://archive.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?article=3923http://archive.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?article=3923Thu, 24 Jul 2008 05:00:00 GMT CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The 2008 Lutheran Men's Gathering of Lutheran Men in Mission (LMM), the men's ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), will bring together approximately 600 men Aug. 1-3 at the Hilton Hotel and Qwest Center, Omaha. The event theme, "Coming of Age," focuses on LMM's 20th anniversary, its new relationship with the ELCA and its emphasis on the spirituality of men ages 18-34. The gathering will be preceded by the 2008 LMM Assembly July 31-A...http://archive.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?article=3922http://archive.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?article=3922Thu, 24 Jul 2008 05:00:00 GMT CHICAGO (ELCA) -- As the flood waters rose in and around the town of Mason City, Iowa, in June 2008, members of Trinity Lutheran Church there were prepared. Having developed a disaster preparedness plan a year ago, members of Trinity were able to be an active and important part of the community's early flood recovery work. Heavy rains produced floods in Mason City, affecting businesses and homes, according to the Rev. Michael R. Stadie, Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) coordi...http://archive.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?article=3921http://archive.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?article=3921Mon, 21 Jul 2008 05:00:00 GMT CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Minneapolis, a faith-based membership financial organization, has announced a plan to generate $1.5 million to aid flood-affected areas in Indiana, Iowa and Wisconsin. Thrivent Financial hopes to collect $1 million in donations and fundraising by chapter members and will add the remaining $500,000 from organization fundraising efforts. Half of the relief money will be distributed to organizations and recipients within the fl...http://archive.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?article=3920http://archive.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?article=3920Tue, 15 Jul 2008 05:00:00 GMT SALT LAKE CITY (ELCA) -- Azur Riki was one of several international guests invited to the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Seventh Triennial Gathering here July 10-13, to share stories about her life and church. But getting here was an endurance test for Riki, who worked through the complexities of the U.S. immigration system, made even more complex because she is living with HIV. Riki, a member of the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria, lives in J...http://archive.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?article=3919http://archive.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?article=3919Tue, 15 Jul 2008 05:00:00 GMT SALT LAKE CITY (ELCA) -- The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Northeastern Ohio Synod, Cuyahoga Falls, said Lutherans are often nostalgic for "the good old days" instead of remembering they have been called to "adventure and abundance." She preached July 13 during the closing worship of Women of the ELCA's 2008 gathering. More than 2,000 women were here July 10-13 at the Salt Palace Convention Center for the Seventh Triennial Gat...http://archive.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?article=3918http://archive.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?article=3918Mon, 14 Jul 2008 05:00:00 GMT SALT LAKE CITY (ELCA) -- Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) celebrated the close of its second decade July 12 with the distribution of its 20th anniversary offering, updates on current programs and the introduction of a new program. More than 2,000 women were here July 10-13 at the Salt Palace Convention Center for the Seventh Triennial Gathering of Women of the ELCA. The event theme, "Come to the Waters," focused on the celebration of Baptism through ...http://archive.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?article=3917http://archive.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?article=3917Sat, 12 Jul 2008 05:00:00 GMT SALT LAKE CITY (ELCA) -- Nearly 400 women and a few men participated in a 4K Run, Walk and Roll July 12, one of many activities that emphasized good health for women and girls during the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Seventh Triennial Gathering here July 10-13. The gathering theme, "Come to the Waters," focuses on the celebration of Baptism through Bible study, speakers, workshops, community service and worship. Approximately 2,000 women are atten...http://archive.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?article=3916http://archive.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?article=3916Sat, 12 Jul 2008 05:00:00 GMT SALT LAKE CITY (ELCA) -- In a two-part Bible study based on the power of Baptism, the Rev. Karen Bockelman, assistant to the bishop, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Northeastern Minnesota Synod, Duluth, told of the importance of "walking wet." Women of the ELCA's Seventh Triennial Gathering is being held through July 13 here at the Salt Palace Convention Center. More than 2,000 women are in attendance. The event theme, "Come to the Waters," focuses on the ce...http://archive.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?article=3915http://archive.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?article=3915Sat, 12 Jul 2008 05:00:00 GMT SALT LAKE CITY (ELCA) -- A number of international guests attended the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Seventh Triennial Gathering here July 10-13, sharing stories of their faith, their joys and concerns, and their everyday lives. The gathering theme, "Come to the Waters," focuses on the celebration of Baptism through Bible study, speakers, workshops, community service and worship. The event is being held at the Salt Palace Convention Center. ...http://archive.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?article=3914http://archive.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?article=3914Sat, 12 Jul 2008 05:00:00 GMT SALT LAKE CITY (ELCA) -- Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah may not be household names, but the Rev. Heidi B. Neumark, Trinity of Manhattan Lutheran Church, New York, related their story from the biblical book of Numbers and how they changed ancient tradition in a way that is still observed today. Neumark spoke during morning worship July 12 for Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). More than 2,000 women are here at the Salt Palace Convention Center...http://archive.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?article=3913http://archive.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?article=3913Sat, 12 Jul 2008 05:00:00 GMT SALT LAKE CITY (ELCA) -- In a July 11 worship service at the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Seventh Triennial Gathering here, the Rev. Marysol Diaz, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, focused her sermon on "Water, Spirit, Word." The gathering theme, "Come to the Waters," focuses on the celebration of Baptism through Bible study, speakers, workshops, community service and worship. The event is held through July 13 here at the Salt Palace Convention Center. ...http://archive.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?article=3912http://archive.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?article=3912Sat, 12 Jul 2008 05:00:00 GMT SALT LAKE CITY (ELCA) -- Advocacy, antiracism, the Bible, discipleship, health and wholeness, international guests, liturgy, money, neighbors' beliefs, participation, politics, prayer, sabbath, sacred space, self-expression, singing, social statements, witnessing and young adults were workshop topics that drew the attention of more than 2,000 participants of Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The Seventh Triennial Gathering of Women of the ELCA runs t...http://archive.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?article=3911http://archive.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?article=3911Sat, 12 Jul 2008 05:00:00 GMT SALT LAKE CITY (ELCA) -- Volunteers at the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) gathering here worked to assemble and distribute "in-kind gifts" to congregations and non-profit agencies in the area. These gifts include gift cards and pre-paid phone cards; materials for school and health kits; quilts, heart pillows and fleece for blankets; and yarn for knitting hats and preemie caps. Women of the ELCA's Seventh Triennial Gathering is being held through Ju...http://archive.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?article=3910http://archive.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?article=3910Fri, 11 Jul 2008 05:00:00 GMT SALT LAKE CITY (ELCA) -- Women of faith have a special calling to restore religion's principles of nonviolence, Sister Joan Chittister, O.S.B., told more than 2,000 women July 11 in the keynote of the Seventh Triennial Gathering of Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Her address on women, religion and war challenged the audience to reclaim religion from those who would misuse it "to justify a world at war." The gathering theme, "Come to the Waters," fo...http://archive.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?article=3908http://archive.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?article=3908Fri, 11 Jul 2008 05:00:00 GMT SALT LAKE CITY (ELCA) -- A hearing and three briefings offered participants of Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) opportunities for education and conversation July 10 between their 2008 convention and gathering. The hearing was related to the ELCA's draft social statement on human sexuality. The briefings dealt with commercial sexual exploitation, water issues, and women and children living in poverty. Women of the ELCA's Seventh Triennial Convention ...http://archive.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?article=3907http://archive.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?article=3907Fri, 11 Jul 2008 05:00:00 GMT SALT LAKE CITY (ELCA) -- In a wide-ranging presentation July 10 the presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) thanked Women of the ELCA participants for the "countless ways" in which they are leading the church, and he commented on topics such as biblical literacy, evangelism and diversity for the whole church. The Rev. Mark S. Hanson presented a "State of the ELCA" address here to delegates attending the final session of the Women of the ELCA convention....http://archive.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?article=3906http://archive.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?article=3906Thu, 10 Jul 2008 05:00:00 GMT SALT LAKE CITY (ELCA) -- Charlene Spillman, Kyle, Texas, was elected July 9 to a three-year term as vice president of Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The organization in convention elected Betty Brandt, Grand Rapids, Minn., secretary; Anjanette B. Hodges, Christiansburg, Va., treasurer; and 17 other women to three-year terms on its executive board. Earlier July 9 the delegates elected Beth Wrenn, Kill Devil Hills, N.C., president of Women of the ELCA. ...http://archive.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?article=3905http://archive.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?article=3905Thu, 10 Jul 2008 05:00:00 GMT SALT LAKE CITY (ELCA) - At a July 9 session of Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), delegates adopted by a vote of 356-16 resolutions that focused on topics such as minimizing or eliminating the use of plastics, reducing the consumption of bottled water and raising awareness of mountaintop removal mining. The delegates adopted the memorials en bloc. Women of the ELCA's Seventh Triennial Convention is being held through July 10 here at the Salt Palace Con...http://archive.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?article=3904http://archive.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?article=3904Thu, 10 Jul 2008 05:00:00 GMT SALT LAKE CITY (ELCA) -- Voting delegates attending the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Triennial Convention here elected Beth G. Wrenn, Kill Devil Hills, N.C., as the organization's president for the next three years. Wrenn, a member of Kure Memorial Evangelical Lutheran Church, Kure Beach, N.C., was elected July 9 on the third ballot for president. Women of the ELCA's Seventh Triennial Convention is being held through July 10 here at the Salt Pala...http://www.elca.org/ScriptLib/CO/ELCA_News/emblemforreleases.gifhttp://www.elca.org/news