You know the language of our Purpose Statement. It begins with acknowledging that we are a community of women. As we live into this new reality of a pandemic, efforts to reduce physical community contacts abound (also known as “community mitigation strategies”), and for good reason. But thanks to our faith grounding and modern communication methods, we can remain in community even as we practice physical (social) distancing, for we know that there is no social distancing in God’s love and grace.
You are invited to join Lutheran women across the church every Tuesday at noon (in your time zone) in prayer. Use the simple approach offered here, reflecting on God’s word, offering prayers and reflecting on your self-care and the care of others.
Download the prayer sheet here and distribute widely among the women in your congregation, your circles, even your friends and family. We will pray in community through this pandemic, resting sure in the knowledge that “neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).
Also, access these free prayer resources:
- Daily Grace
- Knitting as a Spiritual Practice
- A three-month summer Bible study on prayer in Gather magazine, “Let Us Pray“
- A downloadable, printable prayer resource that features several articles on prayer from past issues of Gather. Request the free prayer issue here.
Featured photo by Jim Veneman: Amanda Porter of Gracious Saviour Lutheran Church, Detroit, Mich.
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Thank you for praying for my cousin, Sandy. She’s having her seventh surgery next week. Today was her 75th day in the hospital. I believe it’s because of prayer that she’s even alive.
Thanks for sharing this wonderful idea of praying together at noon on Tuesdays.
I did have trouble trying to download – A downloadable, printable prayer resource that features several articles on prayer from past issues of Gather. Request the free prayer issue here. – Said could not be found.
Hope all are staying safe & healthy & connected. God Bless You All.
Hi, Nancy, the link has been repaired. Try again. Thanks!
Thanks for this platform ladies! See you at Triennial.
I’m sharing this on my Facebook newsfeed. I wasn’t active in WELCA when it started so I don’t have that memory but I love this idea. I set an alarm on my phone to remind me.
Susan, have a phone, and never thought to see an alarm for our Tuesday prayer time. Great idea. Will set as soon as I finish this reply. Have had WELCA meetings since 1988. A history that will always bring me joy to remember. The peak of this joy comes at the Triennials. Have been a delegate, volunteer, and an attendee. Hopefully we will be able to have our 11th Triennial in Phoenix in July. Praying all this sheltering in place will be a thing of the past by then.
Oops! My comment meant to read STAFF and Board.
Thank you Linda and /women of the ELCA stagg and board for helping us as an organization gather in prayers as Sisters in Christ!
You’re most welcome, Marie. We are working on some more resources to help us all through these challenging times.
Yes, Myrna, a terrific idea. Recently I asked my church to pray every Tuesday on Tuesday at noon as my memory of the past came back to me. We, Lutheran Women, are bold, strong women and when we pray together he listens, we must wait and be silent. Listen and silent have the same letters and you cannot listen unless you are silent.
Members of our SWO’s leadership team connected via zoom today thanks to Lorie Garcia’s invitation. While we were a small group, it was wonderful to have a chance to talk with friends and share our highs and lows. There were tears and laughter! Plan to continue to do this weekly. Some could not join as they are working so keeping time and methods open with the goal of connecting with as many as possible is our goal in Southwestern Texas. Thank you for the resources that are always top notch!
Zoom and similar platforms are great ways to connect while not in the same physical space. We use Zoom for staff and board conversations. I have read of some staff (in other organizations) gathering on Zoom over lunch so they can simply chat and eat in their own homes.
I haven’t tried Zoom yet so may need some coaching. Prayers and unexpected blessings to all
Marie, another WELCA participant just posted a link to this YouTube video that gives an explanation of how to use Zoom. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMUxzrgZvZQ&fbclid=IwAR04TTHvG6Yx1Knp9l_ChhIvWLtTtA48Yqlq-lwEE6hJEY7SnlMlGWxe4Zw&app=desktop
Some will remember we had a tradition in the early days of our organization of gathering in prayer every Tuesday at noon. Now we re-invent that tradition for a new time and circumstance.
Linda, I love you and your last name. I must say then when I hear Linda Post Bushkofsky said it sticks in my head. I keep saying it often during each day a week or more. Now the reason for my email reply: I have asked my church, Lutheran Church of the Palms in Palm Harbor Florida to pray at noon each Tuesday. This tradition came to mind and I thought to start it here in Pinellas Country Florida. Just saying, we women remember our past, use what we know, and do it again because it was a good idea. God be with you, I know he is with me. Could not do all this if he were not. He is with you and you also know it or you would not be able to all you do.
Judy, aren’t you sweet?! I’m glad you and the folks of Lutheran Church of the Palms are praying each Tuesday noon. As Martin Luther said, “pray, and let God worry.”
Thank you! What a wonderful idea so we continue as community!
Yes, we will have to be creative in finding ways to strengthen and nourish our Women of the ELCA community. I don’t worry about that, because Lutheran women are clever and creative all the time!
Amen! A terrific idea as our churches are closing down for what may be many weeks, and our opportunities to be “in physical community” with others is limited. Thank you!
Yes, Myrna, it’s looking like staying at home is going to be our new reality for a while. Here in Illinois we are on a stay at home order (with some exceptions) through April 7. Chicago schools are closed through April 20. New realities call for new ways of being community!