Skip to Main Content
Women of the ELCA
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Tools For Leaders
  • Publications
  • Daily Grace
  • Contact
  • Ministry & Action
    • Discipleship
    • Justice
      • Human Trafficking
      • Racial Justice Advocacy
      • Racial Justice Advocacy Network resources
      • Domestic Violence
    • Membership
    • Stewardship
      • Thankofferings
      • Faithful Friends
      • Katie’s Fund
      • Gift Planning
    • Special Initiatives
      • Raising Up Healthy Women & Girls
      • Dear Friend in Christ
    • Scholarships
      • Lutheran laywomen
      • Lutheran Ordained Ministry
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Events
  • About
    • History
    • Executive Board
    • Staff
    • Get Involved
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Tools For Leaders
  • Publications
  • Daily Grace
  • Contact
« Back to WELCA Blog

It’s time to get ready for Phoenix in July!
by Guest blogger

2.3.2020
1 Comment
|
Gathering 2021, Post

by Sue Lyons

Women of the ELCA’s 2020 Gathering will be the fifth one I have attended, and I can’t wait! I “JUST LOVE” seeing so many women with such varied backgrounds coming together for worship, fellowship, and all the experiences that a triennial gathering can provide.

I “JUST LOVE” the speakers and workshops. I “JUST LOVE” interacting with my sisters in faith, from light conversation during a meal to sharing ideas for service projects. I “JUST LOVE” knowing that I am part of something so much bigger than myself.  To sum it up, I “JUST LOVE” triennial gatherings.

Come to the Waters

My first gathering was Salt Lake City in 2008, where we were invited to “Come to the Waters” and celebrate our baptism. The experience left me thirsty for more spiritual opportunities like this.

Renew, Respond, Rejoice

In 2011, I went to Spokane to “Renew, Respond, Rejoice.” Participants were invited to connect with our Lutheran sisters, celebrate our Christian faith, and discover our heart for service.

It was in Spokane that I was first heard and was inspired by Leymah Gbowee. Leymah, an amazing paragon of faith and strength, had, along with two other Liberian women, received the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize for her work in leading a women’s peace movement that brought an end to the Second Liberian Civil War in 2003.

of many generations

Charlotte welcomed women “of many generations” to the 2014 Gathering. We celebrated the generations of women who have helped transform the lives of others. During one worship service, the pastor recalled the parable of the woman whose small amount of yeast yielded a large batch of bread.

“Yeast, starting as a small morsel, worked by the hands of this faithful woman, has its way, and transforms everything. So, with the morsel, God sets about leavening the world.” We were challenged to go beyond our church doors to reach out to women in need, especially those held captive in human trafficking.

All Anew

“All Anew” was the theme for the 2017 Gathering in Minneapolis. It was a wonderful opportunity to be energized, renewed, and transformed spiritually. The speakers were amazing, and Leymah Gbowee joined us once again. At our final worship service, the Rev. Angela Khabeb exclaimed: “News flash! Christianity is not comfortable. If you are comfortable in Jesus, you’re doing it wrong.”

We were commissioned to move forward into the world, knowing that, even though we are imperfect, often broken, and rough around the edges, we are one body in Christ.

“We are one in the Spirit; we are one in the Lord, and they’ll know we are Christians by our love.”

Now it’s time to get ready for Phoenix in July! And, you know, it will be one of the coolest, most refreshing experiences you will ever have. You will “JUST LOVE” it! Check it out at welcatg.org.

This article by Sue Lyons, vice president of the Lower Susquehanna Synodical Women’s Organization, first appeared in the SWO’s January/February newsletter, News & Views.

 Feature photo: Sue Lyons, left, Helen Henninger, center, and Lois Ann Griffiths, president of the Lower Susquehanna SWO, participate in the Gathering 2017 Run, Walk & Roll.

Share
Comments (1)
  • Linda Post Bushkofsky says:
    2/3/2020

    Thanks, Sue, for being such a devoted advocate for Women of the ELCA and the Gatherings. You’ve described what I experienced at the first one in 1990: they are transformative events!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Categories

  • Post (1,256)
  • News (295)
    • Gathering 2021 (9)
    • Triennial Convention 2021 (7)
  • Devotions (76)
  • 2122 (3)
  • Uncategorized (2)
Women of the ELCA
29 Jan
Women of the ELCA
@WomenoftheELCA

Happy birthday, Katharina von Bora Luther! 🎉⭐️🎂 From "A Bold Life of Faith: Katharina von Bora Luther" by Linda Post Bushkofsky, A resource from Women of the ELCA, 2009. womenoftheelca.org/filebin/pd… #KatiesBirthday #2122KatiesFund #KatharinavonBoraLutherwasborntoday #Jan29 pic.twitter.com/fC9yD265al

Expand reply reply retweet retweet favorite favorite
Back to home

8765 W. Higgins Rd.

Chicago IL 60631

800-638-3522

[email protected]

Stay In Touch

Sign up for the WELCA Newsletter

Explore WELCA
  • Ministry & Action
  • Daily Grace
  • Resource Library
  • Events
  • Blog
  • News
  • About WELCA
  • Tools For Leaders
  • Publications
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Photos
Explore Publications

Bold Cafe

A Lutheran perspective for women of Christian faith or any woman who is interested in how faith relates to the issues facing women today.

Gather Magazine

A mix of articles, theological reflections, devotions and stories of comfort and challenge that help readers grow in faith.

Cafe Podcast

Subscribe to our podcast:

Click to subscribe

© Copyright 2023 Women of the ELCA. All Rights Reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Contact
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
© Copyright 2023 Women of the ELCA. All Rights Reserved.