July 12, 2008

SALT LAKE CITY – 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 July 13 here at the Salt Palace Convention Center. More than 2,000 women are expected to attend. The event theme, "Come to the Waters," focuses on the celebration of Baptism through Bible study, speakers, community service and worship.

The volunteer work was split into eight "docks" – letter- writing to members of Congress, assembling health and school kits, gathering gift and phone cards, knitting, sewing, donating food, learning about homelessness and exploring involvement in global water projects. The recipients of the gifts include Utah Food Bank Services, Primary Children's Medical Center, Navajo Santa and Crossroads Urban Center.

"The message that we're trying to send with in-kind gifts is helping others through mission projects," said Eva James Yeo, administrative assistant, Women of the ELCA, Chicago. "(For) women who love to knit and crochet, that is an opportunity and a gift they can use. All of the gifts that women have, we have a way that they can use them for the greater good, both locally and globally."

Kimberly Bryant, Chicago, said the water project "dock" helps women learn what it's like to live without free-flowing water. She urged women to "be compassionate and sympathize with (their) sisters in Christ that are from other countries" and to "walk a mile in their shoes."

"It just makes women think about the journey that most women in other countries have to take," Bryant said. "What would you have to give up in your day, how long would that take you and would you be willing to do that?"

Fay Nichols, Berrysburg, Pa., has been working with related gift-giving projects in her home congregation since 1987. She said the most important part is taking care of neighbors.

"Whoever they are, keep them in our prayers – no matter what the need may be," Nichols said. "With all the disasters and things that are happening in the world today, there are so many people. We often think of helping in this manner as helping those across the sea, but we're finding out we need the help right here as well."

Knitting scarves for the elderly in nursing homes is something that Delores Gray, Bronx, N.Y., does in her home congregation. She said that food banks, clothing drives for the homeless and knitting are all helpful ministries. "Lutheran women are already doing it," Gray said. "We're involved in quite a few things, including advocacy in terms of writing our congressmen about bills that are being passed for social problems. We've always been helpful in supplying to social need."

Information about Women of the ELCA's Seventh Triennial Gathering is at http://womenoftheELCA.org/tg08.html, on the Web.

ELCA News Service
Luke Tatge is a senior journalism major at Augustana College, Sioux Falls, S.D. This summer he is an intern with the ELCA News Service.