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Join Us At Our Gathering

We invite you to experience a life-changing event with other bold women of faith in September 2023.

Online registration

Print registration

All people attending the Gathering must register online or use the printed registration form.

Please stay in touch for more information

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Our Speakers
Krish O’Mara Vignarajah
Speaker
Krish O’Mara Vignarajah Speaker

Krish O’Mara Vignarajah is the President and CEO of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS). She served in the Obama White House as Policy Director for First Lady Michelle Obama, leading the Let Girls Learn initiative, and at the State Department as Senior Advisor under Secretaries of State Hillary Clinton and John Kerry. At the State Department, Krish coordinated the development and implementation of multiple programs including those concerning refugees and migration, engagement with religious communities, the legal dimensions of U.S. foreign policy, and regional issues relating to Africa and the Middle East. Before joining the White House, Krish practiced law at Jenner & Block in Washington, DC, clerked for Chief Judge Michael Boudin on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, and taught at Georgetown University as an adjunct. She holds a B.S. in Molecular Biology and an M.A. in Political Science from Yale College, a J.D. from Yale Law School, and an M.Phil in International Relations from Oxford University (Marshall Scholarship).

Bishop Deborah K. Hutterer
Worship leader
Bishop Deborah K. Hutterer Worship leader

The Rev. Deborah K. Hutterer is a life-long Lutheran brought to the denomination by default who stayed by choice. Prior to her 2004 ordination, Hutterer created and launched two businesses, worked in the insurance industry, and held many positions at then Augsburg College (now Augsburg University) in Minneapolis, Minn. She served as chief development officer for Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest in Phoenix from 2012 until her election as bishop of the Grand Canyon Synod of the ELCA in 2018. Previously, she was executive director of Faith in the City in Minneapolis from 2008 to 2012 and served as pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Pontiac, Ill., from 2004 to 2007. Bishop Hutterer holds a Master of Divinity degree from Luther Seminary and a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication from Augsburg University.

Dr. Kelly Glow
Artist in residence
Dr. Kelly Glow Artist in residence

If you usually don’t listen to rap music that may change once you hear Dr. Kelly Glow. Her unique style is fun and full of energy, her lyrics are clear and easy to follow, and her universal style appeals to all ages. This 2015 Gospel Choice Award winner was born and raised in Southern California by Rev. O. Dennis Mims (ELCA) and Doris Mims where she fought against the odds to become a first generation Doctor of Education in her family. Her passion for both Jesus and Hip Hop fuels the purpose behind her musical movement and fan club “GLOW GANG” which stands for “God’s Leading Our Way, Go and Never Give Up.” In 2017, she released a Hip Hop version of Martin Luther’s A Mighty Fortress is Our God and appeared on the cover of Living Lutheran to commemorate the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation. Her mission is to represent the light of God through urban art as described in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light shine before others so that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Are you up for a challenge?

Quilters of all abilities are invited to create a quilt interpreting the Just Love Gathering theme. The challenge comes not only in interpreting the gathering theme but also in working within certain rules. A new twist this year is that the quilt can be rendered in any shape, as long as the finished perimeter is within 60 to 100 inches. Round, rectangular, triangular? The possibilities are many!

The challenge is open to all women who are members of ELCA congregations. The quilt must be the work of a single individual; no group or two person quilts will be accepted. The quilt must be constructed and quilted by the person named on the entry blank. The quilter need not be planning to attend the Just Love Gathering to participate in the quilt challenge, but why not join the fun in Phoenix too?

Want some inspiration? Or maybe you just enjoy looking at the creativity found in past quilt challenges? Take a look at the Black&White+One challenge, from our last gathering in 2017.

Quilts with the completed form and payment must arrived in the churchwide office by August 4, 2023.

For complete instructions, a downloadable fact sheet is available here.

quilt

Our Location

Our event takes place in the heart of downtown Phoenix.

Phoenix Convention Center
100 N 3rd St, Phoenix, AZ 85004
View in Google Maps

Sheraton Grand Hotel
340 N 3rd St, Phoenix, AZ 85004
View in Google Maps
Hotel reservation link

Hyatt Regency Phoenix
122 N 2nd St, Phoenix, AZ 85004
View in Google Maps
Hotel reservation link

Phoenix Convention Center

100 N 3rd St, Phoenix, AZ 85004

View in Google Maps

Sheraton Grand Hotel

340 N 3rd St, Phoenix, AZ 85004

View in Google Maps

Hyatt Regency Phoenix

122 N 2nd St, Phoenix, AZ 85004

View in Google Maps

Visit Phoenix travel guide

The 2023 Official Phoenix Travel Guide, containing trip inspiration, local expertise, tour recommendations, dining details, and more, is out now. Order a free copy and check out what’s new in the Greater Phoenix area ahead of your next visit for the Gathering 2023, September 21-24!

View the guide

phoenixbook
Getting around Phoenix using the Light Rail System

The Valley Metro Light Rail offers a convenient and affordable way to get from the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport to Downtown Phoenix. The Light Rail runs seven days a week, arriving every 20 minutes. The cost is $2 for a one-way ticket for $4 for a day pass.

From the air port:

1. Follow signs to the free PHX Sky Train® from Terminal 3 or 4 to the 44th Street PHX Sky Train® Station.

2. From there, follow the walkway with moving sidewalks on level 2 to the elevator and take the escalator down to the Valley Metro Rail platform at 44th Street and Washington.

3. Purchase a ticket at the 44th St/Washington Valley Metro Rail station and board a westbound train taking you into downtown Phoenix.

4. Exit close to your hotel: Sheraton Phoenix Downtown, Hyatt Regency Phoenix & Phoenix Convention Center use the exit at 3rd Street/Washington

For more information, including light rail maps and schedules, visit the Valley Metro website:

View the Metro website

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Downtown Phoenix Ambassadors

On foot or bikes, Downtown Phoenix Ambassadors can be found throughout the downtown area, providing assistance to visitors. Whether you need directions, a restaurant recommendation, or a walking escort, these ambassadors are there to make your visit to Phoenix a safe, enjoyable, and memorable experience. Look for people wearing orange shirts with “ASK ME” on the back.

Learn more

downtown-ambassador-helping-visitor
Optional Tours
sedona-351683_1280750-500
heard-museumphotography-by-jill-richardswww-jillrichardsphotography-com
phx-city-tour
biospere-pic-750-500
queen-creek-olive-mill-store750-500
apachetrail750-500
dollysteamboat
trolley

Learn more about Phoenix and surrounding areas through specially curated tours offered exclusively by Women of the ELCA.

More

Exhibitors & Vendors

Those interested in becoming an exhibitor or vendor at our Gathering 2023 must complete the appropriate form before registering for the Gathering. The deadline to turn in your forms is June 30, 2023.

Exhibitor and Vendor form
An exhibitor displays items and resources of interest in their exhibit space. Resources and products must relate to the theme and mission of Women of the ELCA. A vendor is a person or business that sells items in their exhibit space.

exhibitor and vendor form

aamp-exhibit
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8765 W. Higgins Rd.

Chicago IL 60631

800-638-3522

[email protected]

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