Karris Golden: Lutheran Youth Organization President

GOLDEN IS LYO PRESIDENT

The board of the Lutheran Youth Organization (LYO), the official
Lutheran youth ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America, met under the leadership of a new president Sept. 26-29
in Manhattan, New York.  "The youth of this church have a history
of embracing all diversity with love.  Eventually, I would like
to see the youth lead the entire church into cultural awareness
and understanding," said Karris Golden, LYO board president.
Golden succeeds Vance Robbins, who served as president until July
1996.  Robbins resigned to continue his undergraduate studies at
Texas Lutheran University, Seguin, Texas.  Golden is a
communication student at Wartburg College, Waverly, Iowa.
"Karris brings a steady and strong presence as president," said
the Rev. Cindy L. Ray, ELCA associate director for youth
ministries.  "In the last year, she has worked hard to utilize
the gifts of the board members as vice president of LYO."  The
Lutheran Youth Gathering advisory committee discussed plans for
the 1997 event.  The five-day, senior high gathering will take
place in New Orleans July 23-27, 1997.  The LYO board met at
Trinity Lower East Side Lutheran Parish.  The LYO is lodged in
the ELCA Division for Congregational Ministries.

For information contact: Ann Hafften, Dir., ELCA News Service,
(312) 380-2958 or AHAFFTEN@ELCA.ORG; Frank Imhoff, Assoc. Dir.,
(312) 380-2955 or FRANKI@ELCA.ORG