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

One
by Valora Starr

5.1.2014
|
Post

englishlogostandardSometimes it’s good to get out and fellowship with others, not to compare, but to see what God is up to. A few days ago I attended the United Methodist Women Quadrennial Assembly. The theme for the assembly was “Make It Happen!” and, if I can say, Methodist women are tops at thinking grand. It wasn’t the décor or freebies. It wasn’t the workshops or that their keynote speaker was former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.

I couldn’t quite put my finger on what this grandness was and then I heard it—Clinton spoke of herself as part of the organization. And, as I spoke with women in the lines for everything (especially the hotel elevators), they spoke of their personal contribution to the “special mission the UMW was called to 150 years ago.” That’s how they speak about themselves. It was the spirit of the women gathered as one that was grand. There was a sense of purpose and power.

As we waited for the Clinton plenary to begin, an older woman by herself asked if she could sit with us. As we made small talk I commented about the spirit of the women. She said, “It’s what keeps me connected.” Then, she cautioned, “But, it can slip away so easily. What you see here now takes work. It’s all about relationships.”

The more I think about of many generations, the theme for our Ninth Triennial Gathering, it is just the place to recapture our spirit of oneness.

Are you coming?

Valora K Starr is director of discipleship.

Share
No Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Categories

  • Post (1,270)
  • News (296)
    • Gathering 2021 (9)
    • Triennial Convention 2021 (7)
  • Devotions (79)
  • 2122 (3)
  • Uncategorized (2)
Women of the ELCA
22 May
Women of the ELCA
@WomenoftheELCA

How you think about #aging can impact your health. #OlderAmericiansMonth #ActBoldly #WeAreWELCA womenoftheelca.org/blog/post/…

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.