Women of the ELCA executive board members met October 17-18, 2025, in Chicago to examine the organization’s finances, consider constitutional changes, plan the upcoming 2026 Triennial Convention, discuss the implementing of the organization’s new strategic plan, and take a range of actions.
Finances ‘moving in a positive direction’
Board Treasurer Jennifer Armstrong-Schaefer reported that WELCA’s total net assets are still negative, but “moving in a positive direction.”
In 2023, Armstrong-Schaefer explained, WELCA assets stood at -$69,879. In 2024, they were -$50,240. This represented a gain of $19,639, she said. She also reported that WELCA reduced its debt to the ELCA from $1,722,964 in 2023 to $927,289 in 2024—a decrease of $795,675.
“We continue to make financial decisions to keep us moving in a positive direction,” Armstrong-Schaefer said. “As I am out and about, women tell me they are thankful for our transparency. I am happy we have a better hold on things.”
The board will meet again in December, once the financial audit is complete, to vote on the 2026 budget, as well as the next steps for the debt payback plan.
As part of the financial review, the board listened to a presentation by Josh Kerney, director of planned giving, ELCA Foundation, on the ELCA Ministry Growth Fund. Kerney said the fund “provides a stable, socially responsible investment option for ELCA-related ministries,” and added: “Where we put our money says so much about who we are in community.” After the presentation, the board voted to continue to keep all of Women of the ELCA’s endowments with the foundation.
Public apology planned
Board members Lori Garcia and Tracy Williams led a session on racial justice, based on See Me, Believe Me: A Guide to Deepen Allyship with Congregational Leaders of Color, written by the Rev. Dr. Yolanda Denson-Byers.
During the discussion, board members apologized to Sheena Foster and Tracy Williams who experienced harm during the election process at the 12th triennial convention in 2023 in Phoenix. The board acknowledged that more needed to be done. After discussion, they agreed to have a public apology to Foster and Williams at the beginning of the 2026 Triennial Convention in Des Moines, Iowa.
Related to this, the board approved a new rank order voting process for elections. Nominations are open on the Women of the ELCA website here.
Recent projects and activities
Jennifer Hockenbery, interim executive director, highlighted projects and activities over the past six months within WELCA’s strategic plan, which included:
- Establishing the S.A.L.T. (Share Abundance, Love, and Thanks!) appeal, aimed at closing WELCA’s 2024 funding gap of $250,000. Gifts given to S.A.L.T. by January 31, 2026, will be matched up to $50,000.
- Producing new resources on the topics of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and gun violence prevention.
- Celebrating the close of the 2122 capital campaign for Katie’s Fund with a program at Gustavus Adolphus College remembering the 500th anniversary of the Luther wedding and a reception at Paddlefish Brewing. Katie’s Fund has raised $850,000 in donations and pledges since it launched the campaign in 2022. In total, Katie’s Fund has grown into a more than $2.5 million endowment. Katie’s Fund provides funding for programs, resources and opportunities in leadership development, global connections and living theology.
- Launching WELCA Campus Ambassadors, a program designed to connect young women on college campuses with peers, raise awareness of WELCA’s ministry, and introduce young women to authentic intergenerational community.
- Participating in the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Phoenix. Staff and board members distributed “How to be Political,” a resource for those interested in doing work related to the ELCA Faith and Civic Life social statement, copies of WELCA’s Impact Report and pins proclaiming the theme of the upcoming triennial gathering, “I am worthy.”
- Hosting a mission trip to Tanzania. and one WELCA participant, Nola Smith, traveled to the Meru Diocese to meet with girls and women involved in the African Girls Scholarship and Mentorship program (AGSMP), which has received three seed grants from Women of the ELCA.
- Updates on the 2026 Triennial Gathering, including that more than 100 individuals have given a total of $7,785 to the “Gathering Legacy Gift” initiative, which supports the 2026 triennial and future triennial events. (LINK to the TG Page? Talk about updates—encourage registration?)
Register today for the 2026 Women of the ELCA Triennial Gathering in Des Moines, Iowa! Join women from across the country for worship, advocacy, inspiration, sisterhood and more. Visit welcatg.org for all the details!