Our History: 25 Years & Counting
Emotions and expectations were high when representatives from three Lutheran women’s groups convened in June 1987 in Milwaukee. Their challenge? To cap years of work to officially constitute a new organization--linking themselves under a new banner: Women of the ELCA.
When the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) was officially constituted on January 1, 1988, three distinct Lutheran bodies came together--The American Lutheran Church (ALC), The Lutheran Church in America (LCA), and the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches (AELC).
Each church body had women’s groups already active in its own ministries and projects. They were, correspondingly, American Lutheran Church Women (ALCW), Lutheran Church Women (LCW), and Women in Action for Mission, (WAM).
Our purpose hasn’t wavered since we created our first constitution. “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."
Since constituting in 1988, Women of the ELCA has belonged to the women; it is self-incorporated. No money from the ELCA budget is given to Women of the ELCA; all monetary support comes from the women themselves.
Thanks to you, Women of the ELCA continues its ministry today.
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