20 Years of Women of the ELCA: A Joyful Celebration (Ritual)

Home > Celebrating 20 years > Worship > Praying together in thanks for 20 years

Use this ritual as part of your group's celebration of 20 years of Women of the ELCA, perhaps as part of your holiday social. Feel free to adapt it to lift up the accomplishments and concerns of your group.

Things to do ahead of time
Bring others into the preparation for this joyous event. Ask a couple people to help set up before, and a couple others to clean up after. Ask people to organize healthful refreshments and pretty tableware. Ask others to help lead the ritual, which calls for three leaders; depending on your numbers, you may combine roles or expand them.

Choose a place for your celebration: someone's home, a pleasant space at church, a participant's condo clubhouse. Does your meeting space have a piano? Ask someone to play.

Gather materials for your anniversary celebration. Decorations might include at least one Women of the ELCA silk scarf as part of the table decoration and another to line an offering basket. Bring the basket, scarves, or other attractive cloths, a nice candle and holder (and matches), a large clear glass bowl, a beautiful Bible, and a wall cross. Women of the ELCA offering envelopes, pens, and copies of Worship Boldly would also be useful.

Invite all the women of the congregation, including those who might no longer be active in Women of the ELCA. Arrange rides if necessary.

Ask participants to bring a small object that is a symbol of Women of the ELCA ministries over the years: for example, a copy of Lutheran Woman Today magazine with its Bible study; a tote bag from a triennial gathering; a copy of our newsletter; a packet of Fair Trade coffee; a photograph from a global trip, a cross-cultural immersion experience, or a triennial gathering; an iPod holding a Café podcast; or some other small object. Ask each participant to prepare a sentence or two to share with the group about what makes this symbol meaningful to her, keeping in mind our mission statement, "Mobilizing women to act boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ."

Ask participants to consider prayerfully how they might respond in thanks for the ministry of Women of the ELCA, and let them know that an anniversary offering will be received at the celebration. (Anniversary offerings are sent to the churchwide Women of the ELCA office and divided among Augusta Victoria Hospital in Jerusalem, a Stand with Africa Water Project, and the ongoing ministries of Women of the ELCA.)

In the center of the room, arrange a table with at least one Women of the ELCA silk scarf or another attractive cloth, a lit candle, and a glass bowl of clean water. Set the cross and Bible on the table as well. Have ready an offering basket lined with another attractive cloth. Have Women of the ELCA offering envelopes and pens ready.

Arrange the seating so that all can see and come to the table.

You might place a copy of Worship Boldly and a copy of the ritual that follows at each place, or you might ask someone to greet participants as they arrive and hand them these items.

20 years of Women of the ELCA: A joyful celebration

As people arrive, ask them to place their objects on the table next to the Bible and bowl. If they wish, they may bless themselves with water. When all is ready, Leader 1 stands and begins.

Leader 1: When two or three or more are gathered in Christ's name, he is present with us as he has promised. And so we begin, as we always do, + in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

All: Amen.

Leader 2: Holy God, you have gathered together women of faith in many places over the past twenty years, calling us to act boldly on our faith in your Son our Lord Jesus Christ. Empowered by your Holy Spirit, women have worked to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, and care for the poor. We praise you for the faith you nurture in women's hearts, and we thank you for giving us the opportunity to come together to serve you. In Jesus' name we pray,

All: Amen.

Hymn: "Signs and Wonders," Worship Boldly, p. 5

Leader 3: Twenty years ago, Women of the ELCA was formed by the coming together of three groups: Women in Action for Mission, Lutheran Church Women, and American Lutheran Church Women. Working together, these bold women drew up our purpose statement. Let us read it aloud together:

All:               As a community of women
                         created in the image of God,
                         called to discipleship in Jesus Christ,
                         and empowered by the Holy Spirit,
                     we commit ourselves to grow in faith,
                         affirm our gifts,
                         support one another in our callings,
                         engage in ministry and action,
                         and promote healing and wholeness
                                in the church,
                                the society,
                                and the world.

Leader 1: Acting on the wisdom captured in this statement, we have carried out our purpose boldly over the years. We have gathered symbols here of the good work and witness of Women of the ELCA; these objects carry meaning for the women who brought them and for all of us. Let us explore those meanings together.

I invite you to come to the table, lift up the object you brought, and tell us how this symbol reflects our mission statement, "Mobilizing women to act boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ."

(Participants briefly describe what each object represents. When all have been discussed, Leader 2 speaks.)

Leader 2: How many lives have been changed for the better because of the good work and witness of Women of the ELCA? How many people have been drawn closer to Christ through what we do and say? We know that thousands and thousands of women participate in Women of the ELCA; if each one of us touches only a few more, together, we can change the world!

Leader 3: We are grateful for the work and witness of women in all the expressions of Women of the ELCA over the years. Let us pray:

Lord God, we thank you for the work and witness of women in circles, groups, and units over the years.

All: Thanks be to God.

Leader 1: Lord God, we thank you for the work and witness of women in conferences and clusters over the years.

All: Thanks be to God.

Leader 2: Lord God, we thank you for the work and witness of women in synodical organizations and conventions over the years.

All: Thanks be to God.

Leader 3: Lord God, we thank you for the work and witness of women in churchwide boards and offices over the years.

All: Thanks be to God.

Leader 1: Lord God, we thank you for the work and witness of the women who have gone before us, and for the work and witness of those who will come after us. In your love for your church and your world, you will inspire these women to service, just as you have already done over the years. Thanks be to God!

All: Thanks be to God!

Leader 2: How shall we respond to God's gracious gift over these many years? Our anniversary offering is the gift of a grateful heart. Our anniversary offering will help bring clean water to those who thirst in Zimbabwe and health care to those who suffer in Palestine. Our anniversary offering will help support the work and witness of Women of the ELCA. Let us be generous.

(Volunteers may distribute pens and Women of the ELCA offering envelopes at this time; the musician(s) may plan "Ubi Caritas," Worship Boldly, p. 131. Let the singing continue as the participants place their cash or check offering into the envelopes. When it seems that all are ready, pass the offering basket. Keep the singing going until everyone has had a chance to make her offering and the basket is carried up to the table.)

Leader 1: The generosity of women is a reflection of the generosity of God. That generosity is what has made Women of the ELCA strong over the past twenty years. That generosity will carry it on into a bright future! Thanks be to God!

All: Thanks be to God!

Leader 2: Let us gather our prayers into one, as we pray in the words our Savior taught us:

All: Our Father ...

Leader 1: Our service is now ended. Let us go forth to love and serve the Lord and one another.

All: Thanks be to God!

Audrey Novak Riley, author of this ritual, is associate editor, Lutheran Woman Today magazine. For more information on the Women of the ELCA 20th anniversary, visit www.womenoftheelca.org/20years/

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Home > Celebrating 20 years > Worship > Praying together in thanks for 20 years Use this ritual as part of your group's celebration of 20 years of Women of the ELCA, perhaps as part of your holiday social. Feel free to adapt it to lift up the accomplishments and concerns of your group. Things to do ahead of time Bring others into the preparation for this joyous event. Ask a couple people to help set up before, and a couple others to clean up after. Ask people to organize healthful refreshments and pretty tableware. Ask others to help lead the ritual, which calls for three leaders; depending on your numbers, you may combine roles or expand them. Choose a place for your celebration: someone's home, a pleasant space at church, a participant's condo clubhouse. Does your meeting space have a piano? Ask someone to play. Gather materials for your anniversary celebration. Decorations might include at least one Women of the ELCA silk scarf as part of the table decoration and another to line an offering basket. Bring the basket, scarves, or other attractive cloths, a nice candle and holder (and matches), a large clear glass bowl, a beautiful Bible, and a wall cross. Women of the ELCA offering envelopes, pens, and copies of Worship Boldly would also be useful. Invite all the women of the congregation, including those who might no longer be active in Women of the ELCA. Arrange rides if necessary. Ask participants to bring a small object that is a symbol of Women of the ELCA ministries over the years: for example, a copy of Lutheran Woman Today magazine with its Bible study; a tote bag from a triennial gathering; a copy of our newsletter; a packet of Fair Trade coffee; a photograph from a global trip, a cross-cultural immersion experience, or a triennial gathering; an iPod holding a Café podcast; or some other small object. Ask each participant to prepare a sentence or two to share with the group about what makes this symbol meaningful to her, keeping in mind our mission statement, "Mobilizing women to act boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ." Ask participants to consider prayerfully how they might respond in thanks for the ministry of Women of the ELCA, and let them know that an anniversary offering will be received at the celebration. (Anniversary offerings are sent to the churchwide Women of the ELCA office and divided among Augusta Victoria Hospital in Jerusalem, a Stand with Africa Water Project, and the ongoing ministries of Women of the ELCA.) In the center of the room, arrange a table with at least one Women of the ELCA silk scarf or another attractive cloth, a lit candle, and a glass bowl of clean water. Set the cross and Bible on the table as well. Have ready an offering basket lined with another attractive cloth. Have Women of the ELCA offering envelopes and pens ready. Arrange the seating so that all can see and come to the table. You might place a copy of Worship Boldly and a copy of the ritual that follows at each place, or you might ask someone to greet participants as they arrive and hand them these items. 20 years of Women of the ELCA: A joyful celebration As people arrive, ask them to place their objects on the table next to the Bible and bowl. If they wish, they may bless themselves with water. When all is ready, Leader 1 stands and begins. Leader 1: When two or three or more are gathered in Christ's name, he is present with us as he has promised. And so we begin, as we always do, + in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. All: Amen. Leader 2: Holy God, you have gathered together women of faith in many places over the past twenty years, calling us to act boldly on our faith in your Son our Lord Jesus Christ. Empowered by your Holy Spirit, women have worked to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, and care for the poor. We praise you for the faith you nurture in women's hearts, and we thank you for giving us the opportunity to come together to serve you. In Jesus' name we pray, All: Amen. Hymn: "Signs and Wonders," Worship Boldly, p. 5 Leader 3: Twenty years ago, Women of the ELCA was formed by the coming together of three groups: Women in Action for Mission, Lutheran Church Women, and American Lutheran Church Women. Working together, these bold women drew up our purpose statement. Let us read it aloud together: All: As a community of women created in the image of God, called to discipleship in Jesus Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we commit ourselves to grow in faith, affirm our gifts, support one another in our callings, engage in ministry and action, and promote healing and wholeness in the church, the society, and the world. Leader 1: Acting on the wisdom captured in this statement, we have carried out our purpose boldly over the years. We have gathered symbols here of the good work and witness of Women of the ELCA; these objects carry meaning for the women who brought them and for all of us. Let us explore those meanings together. I invite you to come to the table, lift up the object you brought, and tell us how this symbol reflects our mission statement, "Mobilizing women to act boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ." (Participants briefly describe what each object represents. When all have been discussed, Leader 2 speaks.) Leader 2: How many lives have been changed for the better because of the good work and witness of Women of the ELCA? How many people have been drawn closer to Christ through what we do and say? We know that thousands and thousands of women participate in Women of the ELCA; if each one of us touches only a few more, together, we can change the world! Leader 3: We are grateful for the work and witness of women in all the expressions of Women of the ELCA over the years. Let us pray: Lord God, we thank you for the work and witness of women in circles, groups, and units over the years. All: Thanks be to God. Leader 1: Lord God, we thank you for the work and witness of women in conferences and clusters over the years. All: Thanks be to God. Leader 2: Lord God, we thank you for the work and witness of women in synodical organizations and conventions over the years. All: Thanks be to God. Leader 3: Lord God, we thank you for the work and witness of women in churchwide boards and offices over the years. All: Thanks be to God. Leader 1: Lord God, we thank you for the work and witness of the women who have gone before us, and for the work and witness of those who will come after us. In your love for your church and your world, you will inspire these women to service, just as you have already done over the years. Thanks be to God! All: Thanks be to God! Leader 2: How shall we respond to God's gracious gift over these many years? Our anniversary offering is the gift of a grateful heart. Our anniversary offering will help bring clean water to those who thirst in Zimbabwe and health care to those who suffer in Palestine. Our anniversary offering will help support the work and witness of Women of the ELCA. Let us be generous. (Volunteers may distribute pens and Women of the ELCA offering envelopes at this time; the musician(s) may plan "Ubi Caritas," Worship Boldly, p. 131. Let the singing continue as the participants place their cash or check offering into the envelopes. When it seems that all are ready, pass the offering basket. Keep the singing going until everyone has had a chance to make her offering and the basket is carried up to the table.) Leader 1: The generosity of women is a reflection of the generosity of God. That generosity is what has made Women of the ELCA strong over the past twenty years. That generosity will carry it on into a bright future! Thanks be to God! All: Thanks be to God! Leader 2: Let us gather our prayers into one, as we pray in the words our Savior taught us: All: Our Father ... Leader 1: Our service is now ended. Let us go forth to love and serve the Lord and one another. All: Thanks be to God! Audrey Novak Riley, author of this ritual, is associate editor, Lutheran Woman Today magazine. For more information on the Women of the ELCA 20th anniversary, visit www.womenoftheelca.org/20years/	Search Send this page to a friend Quick Links Devotion Praying together in thanks for 20 years ( a ritual)

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