I think we should always learn something from our experiences, even if it is during a global pandemic. I have found that there is only so much binge-watching your mind (and rear end) can take but like anything, you can increase your endurance with a little training.
It took some experimenting, but I was able to determine the optimum time to go to the grocery store to find toilet paper in stock. Who knew it would be as valuable as gold!
I learned that I like working in my lab much more than working in my yard. Maybe most alarming is that I have found that no matter how hard you try, you can’t hide your “turkey” neck when you are on Zoom.
Community is key
Most importantly, this time of social distancing has made me realize just how much community means to me.
I have genuinely missed meeting in person with my WELCA group, and I was sad that we could not meet in Phoenix this summer. I was so looking forward to seeing women that have met over the years. Any of you who know me know that I am not a big hugger, but I miss the hugs I get when we gather as sisters in Christ.
There is a line in Joni Mitchell’s “Big Yellow Taxi” (warning if you listen to it, you may not be able to get the tune out of your head) that says, “They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.”
These last few months have me thinking what if this pandemic paved over Women of the ELCA, and it went away? It became just a parking lot. For me, there would be a longing for that community of women I have grown so very close to. I think many of us feel the same way.
Support our ministries
These thoughts have made me more determined to do what I can to support our ministries. I am encouraging women to continue to give an offering to their unit and synodical organizations as they are able. And I hope you will prayerfully consider becoming a Faithful Friend.
I am pledging to increase my giving to all the expressions of Women of the ELCA, and this fall, I am going to send a personal Thankoffering since my unit will not be meeting. I already subscribe to Gather magazine. How about you? Please join me and keep us from becoming just another parking lot.
Jody Smiley is a soon-to-be-retired environmental analytical chemist at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va. She is also president of the Virginia Synodical Women’s Organization. Jody was vice president of Women of the ELCA’s executive board from 2014-2017.
Photo by Benjamin Nwaneampeh on Unsplash
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Well, we retired here 7 years ago, and I had no interest in being part of WELCA. I thought it was an old ladies organization. But, I agreed to become secretary on the board. I then realized we needed updating and a fresh look, and lots of advertising. I’m no longer secretary, but Publicity Chair. You can check out some of our advertising on our website https://stjohnsnorthfield.org/women/, and we have a Facebook page. I try to keep up with recent advertising, making our image relevant. We also began doing programming that reaches the greater community. Our programs are called “Courageous Conversations” where we invite speakers to talk about hot button issues. This year it’s all about racism. We have zoom programs. Our small groups meet on zoom these days. I also, with my sister, started a small group (we don’t call it a circle) for Baby Boomers. That really woke us up. These are the women who have time and energy to be movers and shakers. Half of our board members are now from that group. We’re not young pups, but we’re making headway. We also offer one WELCA Bible study open to men and women, and our monthly programs are advertised to the entire community.
Thanks, Julie, for further explanation. No, Women of the ELCA isn’t just for older women. I became active when I was 25 and have remained active ever since (now I’m 61). It sounds like you’ve been the catalyst in your congregation. So often all it takes is one or two women with a vision and the Spirit does the rest. Blessings on your continued ministry!
Continuing this support of your ministries is amazing and looks like you are even expanding. These are things we are thankful for and are blessed to see. I hope your small groups and circles will have a Thankoffering service and gift to WELCA to celebrate this wonderful ministries.
Our WELCA is thriving right now. Our small groups and circles are all meeting on Zoom. We are busy collecting items for LWR, and just last week brought 110 Personal Care Kits to the LWR warehouse. This month we’ll be doing Baby Care kits. Our quilters are still sewing, our knitters are knitting. Our monthly (Zoom) programs are labeled Courageous Conversations, featuring speakers on hot button topics. This year the topic is racism. Our programs are open to the public and well attended.
Julie, this is so encouraging to see. Why do you think your unit is thriving right now? Another way of asking the question is, how could other units learn from your unit and thrive as well?