I once heard it said, “The only way a dream lives is if you keep it alive.”
Since we celebrated the 25th anniversary of Women of the ELCA in 2012, Nelson Mandela’s death in December 2013 and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s 85th birthday on January 15, my thoughts often naturally drift to legacy.
Now, while I sit here completing tasks for the upcoming Ninth Triennial Gathering (July 24-27 in Charlotte, NC; I know it’s a shameless plug but, I’m trying to make a point), I realize of many generations (Isaiah 58:12), the gathering theme, is all about legacy and dreaming. But keeping a dream alive requires me to do something.
Nelson was 44 when he walked into prison. Rev. King was 26 when he became the spokesperson for the bus boycott. Their dreams did not start with either of them but their efforts to keep it alive began long before their names were synonymous with it.
And, yes, Lutheran women have been organized and gathering long before Women of the ELCA. Now, for my point. Women of the ELCA will soon be 27 and we’re preparing an awesome gathering but, it will take more than my thinking hopeful thoughts to make sure girls—little ones, teen ones, and young adult ones— are at the gathering where they will experience, learn and practice how to keep dreaming the dream described in Isaiah 58:12.
What can you do? Glad you asked. If you are coming, bring a girl with you. There is a wonderful program planned just for them. If you are not coming, talk to women in your unit, congregation and synodical women’s organization that are and offer a registration or two for girls.
I’m making sure a girl will be present because I realize the only way Women of the ELCA will live is if you and I keep her alive.
Girls ages 13-18 can register for $75 each along with a registered adult. Visit welcatg.org for all the gathering information.
Valora K Starr is director for discipleship.
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