Today, we say this universally, and we say it especially to our siblings of color, our siblings in the queer community, our siblings who are immigrants and migrants. Each of you matter. Each of you are a creature of God in God’s image. Each of you are beloved. We stand with you in just love.
“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.”
As we enter the holiday season, please consider giving a gift to Katie’s Fund in honor of a departed loved one for All Saint’s Day, a gift in gratitude for a friend, pastor, or parent for Thanksgiving, and a gift to be shared during Christmas.
When you give a gift before December 31, and fill out the acknowledgement form, the name(s) of the person(s) you are honoring will be displayed on our website throughout the season of Epiphany and in a future issue of Gather magazine.
Poet Rainer Maria Rilke writes, “Go to the limits of your longing. Embody me. Flare up like a flame and
THANK YOU!
You helped us grow Katie’s Fund with $2,000 in pledges on #GivingTuesday!
You can still donate to Katie’s Fund!
Go to welca.org/donate to make an online gift, selecting Katie’s Fund in the drop-down designation list.
Or send a check made payable to Women of the ELCA to Women of the ELCA, ELCA Gift Processing Center, PO Box 1809, Merrifield VA 22116-8009. Note “Katie’s Fund” in the memo line.
Women of the ELCA Scholarships help women continue their education in ordained ministry, academics and leadership. The 2025-2026 scholarship application process opens December 15.
We are committed by our purpose statement to promoting healing and wholeness in our church, society, and world. Raising Up Healthy Women and Girls Seed grants embolden women and girls to make a difference where they are. Application materials for the 2024-2025 Raising Up Healthy Women and Girls seed grants must be postmarked or emailed by April 5, 2025. All applications must be submitted by active units of Women of the ELCA who are familiar with the Raising Up Healthy Women and Girls initiative and the criteria of this program. Download and send completed application to [email protected] or mail it to Women of the ELCA RUHWG Seed Grants Program, 8765 W. Higgins Road, Chicago IL 60631.
Looking for ideas on health projects? Download our resource.
Our Blue Christmas Service offers a safe place to bring your grief, fear, and loss. Brief readings. Quiet and reflective music. Prayers. All are welcome. Spanish translation provided. The service takes place at 7 p.m. CST on Saturday, December 21, 2024.
At the 12th Triennial Convention in Phoenix in 2023, harm was caused to many of you during the election process. We apologize for this harm and its continuing effects. Please read this letter of apology by the Churchwide Executive Board and staff.
Mujeres de la ELCA ofrece recursos de programas gratuitos y descargables, todos en inglés y muchos en español, para ayudarlo a crecer en la fe y participar en el ministerio y la acción.
When buying and giving/receiving gifts becomes the main point of Christmas, it can take the focus away from the joy of Jesus being born and the celebration with our loved ones. Read the latest devotion by the Rev. Dr. Becca Ehrlich.
Southwestern TexasEight participants from the Southwestern Texas Synodical Women’s Organization attended the Texas United Women of Faith/Texas Impact Legislative Event with the seed grant dollars. These eight participants are supporting Project Radical Hospitality, a synod-wide effort to foster a deeper understanding of community by direct, tangible actions of hospitality. While at the event, participants studied current Texas legislatives issues related to Immigration, women’s (maternal) health and reproductive rights, climate action, and gun violence, among other topics. “As we begin our next strategic plan’s cycle, Project Radical Hospitality members are concentrating on service to immigrants/communities/services along with education and legislative priorities,” reports Lisa Lopez, SWO president. Read more stories.
Eastern North DakotaThe Eastern North Dakota Synodical Women’s Organization took its seed grant, combined it with its fund for cluster gatherings and created one large “Round-Up” on April 20, 2024. The entire day was offered free of charge to attendees, and registration was at least four times greater than in past years. A catered noon meal was provided by Casa de Fe, a mission group that funds an orphanage in Central America. The group shared their story and mission goals. Read more stories.
Saint Paul Area
The Saint Paul Area Synodical Women’s Organization held a “thank you dinner” for women who had been involved with the SWO over the years and asked each of them to bring someone with them. “It was great to thank those who have been involved … and get them back in the feel that our SWO is alive and well and that we need them to once again be active in our SWO,” reports SWO president Becky Maier. “Since this event we have seen a rise in participation at cluster meetings and at our SWO Soup Lunch and have seen excitement in what is to come.” Read more stories.
Kristina Diaz, popular Boldcafe.org writer and artist, designed a weekly Advent calendar that she included in her latest article, “Time
Kristina Diaz, popular Boldcafe.org writer and artist, designed a weekly Advent calendar that she included in her latest article, “Time
by Jennifer Hockenbery The story that is often told to and by school children about the first Thanksgiving is that