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This past summer the churchwide women's organization had
several opportunities to partner with other units of the ELCA at national
events. These opportunities offered Women of the ELCA a chance to share the
mission and ministries of the women's organization, learn about our partners'
ministries, and dream together of new cooperative possibilities. Article III of
the churchwide constitution of Women of the ELCA lists "principles of
organization." The principles set out the fundamental ways in which we
will order our lives together as Women of the ELCA. One of these principles is
interdependence. We agree that "All entities of the ELCA, the unit, the
synodical women's organization, and the churchwide women's organization shall
function interdependently and share responsibility for fulfilling the common
purpose." (Article III, Section 6)
Large congregations event
In June, Women of the ELCA helped to sponsor "Let the River Flow," a connecting
event for pastors, ministry and program staff, and key leaders of large
congregations of the ELCA. All who attended this event received copies of two of
our resources, Worship Boldly and Listening to God: A Guide to
Discernment. A Women of the ELCA display greeted attendees, and staff were
present to talk about our ministries. Staff also presented two workshops on our
health initiative. Staff learned about women's ministries in large congregations
and what the organization could produce that would be helpful for such
congregations.
Global Mission Event
In July, Women of the ELCA had a presence at the Global Mission Event, with
this year's theme of "New Heaven and Earth." Two "conversations with Women of
the ELCA" were held, and 62 women joined with staff to reminisce over global
treks of the past and to talk about future global connections.
Rostered leaders event
In August Women of the ELCA helped to sponsor "Affirming Young Leaders: Thanks
Be to God!" This event celebrated, strengthened, and enhanced the public
ministry of nearly 100 young rostered leaders (31 years old and younger). The
leaders explored vocational issues, health and wellness, and resources for
support and vitality in ministry. Using a cafe theme, staff introduced the
rostered leaders to the many ministries and resources of Women of the ELCA,
setting out to eliminate stereotypes about the women's organization and offering
ways in which to partner with local congregations.
Participants were asked to identify the top five issues
facing women and girls in their congregations. The top two issues were balancing
one's life (career, family, church) and body and self-image issues. The third
issue revolved around family: raising a family, caring for children, raising
faithful children, single parenthood, day-care. This simple research will help
our organization reach and meet the needs of younger women in our congregations.
20th anniversary
The 20th anniversary of Women of the ELCA
has been observed and celebrated across the organization this year.
Congregational units have held special events, as have synodical women's
organizations, often as part of a synodical convention. The churchwide
expression of Women of the ELCA has supported this anniversary in several ways.
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An anniversary brochure was produced and first
distributed to congregational units in the fall of 2006. It proved so
popular that a second printing was done. About 15,000 brochures have been
distributed in total.
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Nancy Stelling wrote a relatively brief, award-winning
history of the women's organization;
it appears on the Web site and was printed in the June 2007 issue of
Lutheran Woman Today magazine. Much positive feedback was received from
that article.
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Anniversary Web pages were created and published. They
include, in addition to Stelling's history, the text of the anniversary
brochure, most notably the different ways to celebrate our anniversary and
information about the anniversary offering.
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The anniversary study tour to Germany included 76
participants and six staff. An article in the October issue of Lutheran
Woman Today and the Germany trip blog
(http://20thanniversarytour.blogspot.com/) tell about the trip.
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The anniversary
offering will be distributed one-half to the ongoing ministries of Women
of the ELCA and one-half to two ministries identified at the Sixth Triennial
Convention in 2005 as being dear to the hearts of women in this church.
These ministries are Augusta Victoria Hospital in Jerusalem and a Stand with
Africa clean water project. As of September 28, 2007, a total of $17,404.10
had been received for the offering. Nearly 100 gifts have been made to the
offering so far, with the average being $183.20. The first gift was made on
January 30, 2007, by the congregational unit at Santa Cruz Lutheran Church,
Tucson, Arizona. The largest single gift so far was made by the Virginia
Synodical Women's Organization ($3,289.00). The gifts are about about evenly
divided between individuals and Women of the ELCA congregational units.
2008 Triennial Gathering and Triennial Convention
 Looking ahead to 2008, registration opened on September 4, 2007, for the 7th
Triennial Gathering of Women of the ELCA. The
gathering, with the theme "Come to the Waters," will occur July 10–13, 2008, in
Salt Lake City. Among the featured speakers are Sister Joan Chittister, Bible
study presenter the Rev. Karen Bockelman, and preachers the Rev. Elizabeth
Eaton, the Rev. Heidi Neumark, and the Rev. Maryson Diaz. Workshops, servant
events, a collection of in-kind gifts, and an ELCA Board of Pensions–sponsored
run/walk/roll round out the activities. Registration information is available at
www.womenoftheelca.org. Preceding
the gathering will be the 7th Triennial Convention of
Women of the ELCA, July 8-10.
Women of the ELCA has partnered with the ELCA Mission
Investment Fund on a challenge: if Women of
the ELCA participants open 1,000 new accounts with MIF, MIF will donate $25,000
for the 2008 Triennial Gathering. To date, 282 accounts have been opened with
nearly $900,000 deposited with MIF. The challenge continues through June 2008.
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