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Some 2,100 women of the Lutheran faith, from across the United States and the Caribbean, have begun arriving in Salt Lake for their Triennial Convention.
The leaders of the Lutheran women's convention are gathering here to worship. Joining them this week, more than 1,000 others in what they call their "gathering."
The women from the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands will discuss such topics as safe drinking water, raising healthy girls, money and spirituality.
Three years ago, when the leaders of this group decided on a site for this convention, many of the women began asking: "Why Salt Lake?"
"We were welcomed by people of all faiths. I remember there was a children's Baptist choir that was in our hotel in the lobby, and they sang to us. We were so welcomed, and I just felt such a warm feeling, and I knew this is where we needed to be," explained Carmen Richards, president of the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.
Utah's Lutheran women say they are anxiously awaiting this meeting and the opportunity to share what it's like to live in a place where people often discuss religion.
The pastor of Salt Lake's Mount Tabor Lutheran Church will lead a panel talking about what a Lutheran can expect in a state where the majority of religious people are Latter-day Saints.
"Talking about what it's like to stay true to your own faith while still respecting your neighbor's faith, and how do we work together for the common good, our common goals? There are differences that we have, but there's also a lot that we have in common," said The Rev. Annemarie Burke, pastor at Mount Tabor.
The women will choose new leaders at this convention and address some of the big issues facing women of faith in today's society. "I think there's no greater expectation from this convention than to celebrate our faith and celebrate each other," Richards said.
The Lutheran women's convention continues through July 13 at the Salt Palace Convention Center. They say women of all faiths are welcome to join them.
E-mail: cmikita@ksl.com
