I had yet another all anew moment this past weekend at the Southwest California Synodical Women’s Organization (SWO) Autumn Renewal.
The SWO retreat theme–Dream Anew–asked the women to think about their dreams and visions for the organization, and also for themselves.
Their hopefulness and willingness to take the next step to dream anew energized me. And I loved their boldness to speak their desires to one another in the room to say: “I can see it, and I can help make it happen.”
I left there pumped and thankful that God is blessing Women of the ELCA through ordinary women who dare to continue to dream. I thought many times during that closing session about how I could take the time to help more serving the community meal at my church.
Collecting food
I got up at 5:30 a.m. on Monday (my travel day to return home) still in need of more sleep. My sister-in-love invited me to go with her to pick up food from businesses around Los Angeles for My Friends House, a food pantry originally established by Ascension Lutheran Church, Los Angeles.
I have sorted food in a pantry, but I’ve never really thought about those who get up early so that others can eat. In the quietness of the streets, we made our way to the first two stops, and then we loaded and unloaded the truck by 8 a.m.
I now know that I can find the time to do more.
Gleaning food is usually done by one woman or one man. So, my help during those two hours between 6 and 8 a.m. was much appreciated.
[bctt tweet=”I now know that I can find the time to do more.” username=”womenoftheelca”]
Now that I see the impact of those two hours, I plan to make this part of my service. I’ll let you know how it goes during the wee hours of the cold and snowy Chicago winter morning.
Are you still thinking about what’s all anew for you and your group? The seed grant application process for the Women ELCA’s health initiative, Raising Up Healthy Women and Girls, will open shortly. The deadline for applying for a grant is Dec. 15. If you would like to know more or need encouragement, email me at [email protected]. The Ascension Lutheran Church Women of the ELCA unit received an early RUHWG health initiative grant for instituting a healthy cooking class.
Valora K Starr is director for discipleship for Women of the ELCA.