CHURCHWIDE NEWS
In a specially called meeting December 23, Women of the ELCA’s executive board decided how and when to hold the organization’s convention and gathering.
The meeting and Just Love Gathering were initially scheduled for July 14-16, 2020. When the coronavirus pandemic hit, the board, in its April 2020 meeting, rescheduled the convention and gathering for early August 2021.
Therefore, believing that in-person meetings will be unsafe into 2021, the executive board approved these three recommendations:
“The executive board recognizes that the recommendations carry with them several other implications,” Bushkofsky said. “Despite the challenges, we feel that these are the best options at the current time.”
The meeting and Just Love Gathering were initially scheduled for July 14-16, 2020. When the coronavirus pandemic hit, the board, in its April 2020 meeting, rescheduled the convention and gathering for early August 2021.
Therefore, believing that in-person meetings will be unsafe into 2021, the executive board approved these three recommendations:
- That the Eleventh Triennial Convention, currently scheduled for August 3-5, 2021, be held virtually (or digitally) on those same dates. Before the organization can hold a virtual convention voting members of the Tenth Triennial Convention (2017) must approve it. So the staff will take steps necessary to be in touch with the voting members regarding proposed changes to the constitution. Those proposed changes were made by the executive board at its October 2020 meeting.
- That the Just Love Gathering, currently scheduled for August 5-8, 2021, be postponed and registration refunds be offered. Staff will then find other ways to build community and bring women together virtually in 2021 and 2022.
- That the Twelfth Triennial Convention and a Gathering be held in Phoenix, Arizona, during the week of September 18, 2023.
“The executive board recognizes that the recommendations carry with them several other implications,” Bushkofsky said. “Despite the challenges, we feel that these are the best options at the current time.”
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