Yoga: A New Christian Practice

Illustration and photo credits for Café Issue 2

In this issue of Café, we are pleased to share the talents of Women of the ELCA staff member, Beth McBride. The image used on the cover is actually a smaller portion of a larger mixed media piece called, “Interior.” This striking, reflective work reminds the viewer of the power of the impressionist style of painting. The lights and darks give life to the image and beckon the viewer to pause and reflect. It seemed a perfect match for this issue’s theme. We are deeply appreciative to the artist for permitting its use here. Ms. McBride completed her studies of studio art at Arizona State University in 1997.

Interior art elements related to this issue’s themed pages (photography and banner art) are also courtesy of Beth McBride. The models in the Hot Topic article are Karen Dersnah and Eva James Yeo. We thank them for their permission to use their images in this issue of Café.

Bittersweet Temptation: The Story of Chocolate and Breaking the Cycle of Oppression

Café is a new electronic magazine whose goal is to be a resource for women to build community, participate in advocacy, strengthen faith, and strive toward enlightenment. It incorporates a Lutheran perspective for women of the Christian faith or simply for anyone who is interested in how faith can relate to the issues that face women today.

Five issues of Café are produced each year and are delivered to subscribers by email. Café is provided free to anyone who wishes to subscribe. Click the Subscribe button for details.

August 2003 marks the first issue of Café. Once delivered, back issues will be available for online viewing.

Of course, Café didn’t just come together by itself. In summer 2003, Emilie Rommel and Sarah Dreier accepted internships with Women of the ELCA. The magazine staff for Lutheran Woman Today and many others within the Lutheran Center in Chicago, Illinois, provided guidance and support for Sarah and Emilie as they took the idea for Café and ran with it. (Our undying thanks to the staff in the ELCA Department of Communication who held our hands as we expanded our minds!) 

What had been a kernel of an idea for a grant proposal in January 2003 had developed into a funded project by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Women of the ELCA. Focus groups were held and input was given. Several groups of young women came together to share ideas, entertain dreams, and create a vision of what they would like to see offered from their church in a form that was meaningful for their lives. Thus was born Café—an e-zine for women age 20-35 who seek Community, Advocacy, Faith and Enlightenment in their lives.

Do you have ideas or thoughts about something that you would like to see as a topic in a future issue of Café? We know you do! Email us at cafe@elca.org and let us know what is on your mind. We are always looking for new ideas.

It is possible and probable that summer internships will be offered for the planning and production of Café’s second year. When available, a link will be posted here for more information.

 Thanks for checking out Café. We hope you enjoy each issue.