Triennial gathering learning opportunities abound
Learning opportunities take multiple forms at of many generations, the Ninth Triennial Gathering, July 24-27, 2014, in Charlotte, N.C. Whether you attend a workshop, view a film or engage in a servant project, these learning opportunities allow you to grow your faith, explore new possibilities and connect with other women.
Ten workshops offered
Learn about the importance of good nutrition for women and children in the 1,000 days between a woman’s pregnancy and her child’s second birthday, in the workshop “1,000 days: the foundation for life.” Learn how women of every generation have the ability to create a comprehensive charitable plan to financially support the ministries that bring them joy in the workshop “Experience the joy of giving.” Both of these workshops offer practical, take-home information you can share with others.
“Better understand mental illness” will help you recognize how to bring hope and recover to those living with mental illness. You’ll also explore the ELCA Social Message, The Body of Christ and Mental Illness. With “Bullying: teaching our children the new rules of engagement,” you’ll get the tools needed to stand in the gap for a child being bullied and learn to create and foster a culture where bullying is unacceptable.
Two workshops directly engage Women of the ELCA units. In “Streets to live in: a WELCA model” you’ll discover success stories of Women of the ELCA units and ideas for launching, organizing or renewing units, with Sherry Fowler. In “Creating intergenerational space with Café groups,” you’ll learn ways women are creating intergenerational space using Café (boldcafe.org), Women of the ELCA’s on-line magazine for young adult women.
Come share time with our international guests representing companion synod relationships around the globe in “Make global connections.” Learn how to extend hospitality to persons of all sexual orientations in “Building an inclusive church.” Connect your past to the future to tell the story that is the patchwork quilt of your life in “Generations: the quilt of our lives.” In “Moving forward on your own: for widows, wives and friends learn how grief impacts a widow’s decision-making and what financial steps to take.
Three films screened
Three films will be shown at of many generations, offering different ways to explore the gathering theme and our organization’s commitment to promoting healing and wholeness in the church, the society and the world. Each is followed with a facilitated discussion session.
“I BELIEVE YOU: Faiths’ Response To Intimate Partner Violence” is an hour-long interfaith documentary that explores the stories of survivors of abuse and the response of faith groups to address their needs. It was written and produced by Debra Gonsher Vinik and directed and edited by David Vinik. The documentary was nominated for two 2012 Emmy Awards for Best Religious Programming and Best Editing.
Spanning 500 years—from the first New World colonies to our nation’s nineteenth-century westward expansion, from the days of gunboat diplomacy to the turn of the millennium—“Harvest of Empire: A History of Latinos in the United States” features family portraits of real-life immigrants from Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala and Nicaragua along with sketches of the political events and social conditions that compelled them to leave their homeland. In addition, it gives a fascinating look at how these Latino pioneers have transformed the cultural landscape of the United States.
“Miss Representation,” by Jennifer Siebel Newsom, explores how the media’s misrepresentations of women have led to the underrepresentation of women in positions of power and influence. In a society where media is the most persuasive force shaping cultural norms, the collective message that our young women and men overwhelmingly receive is that a woman’s value and power lie in her youth, beauty and sexuality, and not in her capacity as a leader.
Servant events planned
You can serve others locally, domestically and globally through servant opportunities at of many generations. All servant events will take place on-site in the convention center during the Friday and Saturday afternoon learning sessions. Servant events will include projects like sewing quilts, knitting caps and assembling school and health kits. Through these interactive learning opportunities, you will engage in discipleship, stewardship and justice as you learn how to rebuild, repair, and restore your local surroundings and reclaim the spaces of communities as places of transformation, justice and opportunity for women and girls.
For more information about workshops, films or servant events, visit welcatg.org.