Here in the Midwest, we all go kind of nuts (in a nice way) in summer. It’s probably because winter is so long and miserable. People flock to the parks and beaches and back yards with their families and friends, cooking out or just hanging out. Groups of friends go to outdoor concerts together, sometimes with surprisingly elaborate picnics packed into their portable coolers. Yes, summer is when friends get together and enjoy God’s gracious and generous gifts together.
Many Women of the ELCA groups gather in summertime, too–ranging from small groups enjoying the Gather Bible study in someone’s back yard to three-day weekend synodical gatherings at a fancy resort. These gatherings of friends are just one of the many ways we live into the beginning of our purpose statement–the part where we name ourselves a community of women created in the image of God.
In the image of God
What does that mean, to be created in the image of God? When we understand God as Three-in-One, we understand that God is about relationship and interrelationship–and so are we. When we understand God as gracious and generous, we understand that God lovingly gives joyfully, generously, and without stopping–and so can we.
One good way we can do that is by joining Faithful Friends. When you sign up to give regularly via your credit or debit card at welca.org/faithfulfriendsonline, you are making a commitment to support the community of women that we all love. Friends get together in summertime–and getting together to support the ongoing churchwide ministries of Women of the ELCA as Faithful Friends is a wonderful way to live into the rest of our purpose statement.
Audrey Novak Riley is director for development and stewardship for Women of the ELCA.
reply
retweet
favorite