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Plan ahead for the 2026 Gathering in Des Moines, Iowa!

July 16-19, 2026

Learn More about Des Moines

Event registration will open July 16, 2025!

View photos from the 2023 Just Love Gathering

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Our Location

Our event takes place in the heart of downtown Des Moines.

Iowa Events Center
730 3rd Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
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Hilton Des Moines
435 Park Street
Des Moines, IA 50309
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Des Moines Marriott Downtown
700 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA, 50309
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Iowa Events Center

730 3rd Street, Des Moines IA 50309

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Hilton Des Moines

435 Park Street Des Moines, IA 50309

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Des Moines Marriott Downtown

700 Grand Avenue Des Moines, Iowa, 50309

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The Rev. Martha Ambarangu
Speaker
The Rev. Martha Ambarangu Speaker

Martha Ambarangu is a Pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania and a New Testament PhD Candidate at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. An ELCA Global Mission International Leaders Program scholar, she is also a member of African Women Leaders Network in the Young Women Leaders Pillar which of the United Nations and the National Director of the Circle of Concerned Women Theologians in Tanzania. Ambarangu is a wife, mother of two smart and beautiful girls, Michelle and Millicent, and the author of Heri and Nyamandi’s Summer, a children’s book.

Elise Seyfried
Speaker
Elise Seyfried Speaker

Elise Seyfried is the author of five collections of humorous spiritual essays. Her essays have also appeared in publications including Gather, Living Lutheran, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Next Avenue, HuffPost, Insider, and The Independent. Elise has twice produced This is My Brave (live performances featuring people with mental illness telling their stories), and she is a “bipolar” book in The Human Library (an international program whose motto is “un-judge someone.”). Elise often speaks to groups on the subject of women’s mental health. She is the mom of five and grandma of three, and has retired after 20 years as Spiritual Formation Director at Christ’s Lutheran Church in Oreland, Pa.

Become a Sponsor

The Triennial Gathering brings together 1,000-3,000 WELCA leaders and participants for four days to worship, hear inspiring speakers, engage in service projects, participate in a 5K run, and interact with others in a large exhibit hall with educational, service, and shopping experiences. Learn how your ministry or organization can help women experience this life-changing event.

Download Sponsorship Opportunities

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Share the logo and more

Share the “I am worthy” logo, Powerpoint template and flyer with your congregation! Help us promote this life-changing event with women of all ages.

Help promote the gathering!

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8765 W. Higgins Rd.

Chicago IL 60631

800-638-3522

[email protected]

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