The coronavirus outbreak has us all doing things we never thought we’d do (social distancing!), and not doing things we’ve always loved to do.
Women who love coming together face to face for the Gather Bible study, or for Cafe faith reflections, or for making quilts – or for any reason at all! – are giving up those good things for now, for the greater good. It’s so hard, I know – I miss my choir and the joy of lifting our voices together in prayer more than I can describe.
But letting go of something good for the sake of the greater good is a classic Lenten spiritual practice.
Lonely wilderness time
So here in this lonely wilderness time of stay-home orders, let’s embrace this practice. Let’s turn our hearts around about it. Let’s use this time of letting go to strengthen and celebrate the ties that have kept us together this far and can continue to keep us together even through and beyond what’s going on around us. But how?
By combining the practice of letting go with the practice of gratitude.
For at least 200 years, Lutheran women have acted on gratitude in a particular way: Thankofferings (please see our free resource, All About Thankofferings). That practice ties us together not only across the street and across the country, but across the years! This is how we can strengthen and celebrate our community of women created in the image of God.
Today, I’m grateful for the phone. I’m grateful for the internet. I’m grateful for the neighbors all around the world who sing together from their windows, balconies, and porches (google “window singalong” or “balcony singalong” for many lovely examples). What are you grateful for today? How will you act on that gratitude?
Audrey Novak Riley is director for stewardship for Women of the ELCA. Photo by Stephen Curtain | Creative Commons by-nc-nd/2.0
Read on for specific directions on how we can make our Thankofferings in this time of social distancing – or any time at all.
It’s been shown time and again that gratitude is good for us – spiritually, mentally, and even physically. Making a Thankoffering is gratitude in action. And Women of the ELCA is grateful to you for taking that action. Thank you!
Individuals giving online
Individuals may make Thankofferings online with a credit card here. That’s the easiest, quickest way for an individual to make a Thankoffering.
Individuals giving by mail
Please make out your check to Women of the ELCA and write “Thankoffering” on the memo line. Then mail it to:
Women of the ELCA
ELCA Gift Processing Center
P.O. Box 1809
Merrifield VA 22116-8009
Congregational units giving by mail
We don’t yet have a way for congregational units to give online and have it properly recorded, so please continue to give by mail.
Please make out your check to Women of the ELCA and write “Thankoffering” on the memo line. Download and print out a copy of Form B in English or Spanish and fill it out according to the directions on the form. Then mail the check and the form to:
Women of the ELCA
ELCA Gift Processing Center
P.O. Box 1809
Merrifield VA 22116-8009