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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.

Schedule-at-a-glance

View Schedule 

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.”

The Rev. Angela T. !Khabeb
Speaker
The Rev. Angela T. !Khabeb Speaker

The Rev. Angela T. !Khabeb is an ordained minister in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Raised in Omaha, Nebraska, she received her Master of Divinity degree from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago where she was a Bridges Scholar and received the James Kenneth Echols Prize for Excellence in Preaching. Since her ordination, she has received the seminary’s designation of Distinguished Alumna and the 2018 Emerging Voice Award.

Pastor Angie’s ministry experiences are varied. She has served as pastor in three congregations. She is a frequent contributor to Women of the ELCA’s Gather magazine and Bold Café e-zine. She has also written the Grounded in Grace column in the Living Lutheran for three years. Pastor Angie has also enjoyed appearing on ABC’s GMA3 nearly a dozen times.

Pastor Angie also served as a missionary in Namibia for more than 2 years where she met her husband Benhi. They have three beautiful children and live in Minneapolis.

The Rev. Tiffany Chaney
Preacher
The Rev. Tiffany Chaney Preacher

The Rev. Tiffany Chaney is an ordained minister in the ELCA. She lives in Montgomery, Ala., where she serves as Pastor Developer for Gathered by Grace, a mission community of the ELCA, and as Chief Diversity Officer for Baptist Health, a three-hospital health system.

Committed to serving the community, Tiffany is a board member for the Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama and Inspiritus. Tiffany is a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Beta Nu Omega Chapter.

Pastor Tiffany is a graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where she received the Bachelor of Science in finance, the Master of Business Administration, and the

Master of Science in Health Administration degrees, and she is a graduate of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (now United Seminary) where she received the Master of Divinity degree.

Erin Strybis
Workshop presenter
Erin Strybis Workshop presenter

Erin Strybis is a freelance writer and coauthor of The Beauty of Motherhood: Grace-Filled Devotions for the Early Years. She spent over seven years as an editor of Living Lutheran, the magazine of the ELCA, where she edited and wrote dozens of faith stories. Her writing has also appeared in Gather, Bold Cafe, Sparkhouse, The Washington Post, Coffee + Crumbs and elsewhere. She lives in Chicago with her husband and two children. Connect with Erin on Instagram (@erinstrybis), and at erinstrybis.com, where you can subscribe to Nourish, her monthly newsletter. She’s co-presenting the workshop, Tell Your Story: A Writing Workshop for Women.

Kimberly Knowle-Zeller
Workshop presenter
Kimberly Knowle-Zeller Workshop presenter

Kimberly Knowle-Zeller is a writer, ELCA pastor, wife, mother of two, and the co-author of The Beauty of Motherhood: Grace-Filled Devotions for the Early Years. A graduate of Wittenberg University and Trinity Lutheran Seminary, she lives with her family in Cole Camp, Missouri. When she’s not at the park with her children, walking around town, or tending to the garden, you can find her with a pen and paper. Or a good book and a cup of coffee. She believes in the power of words, unearthing the extraordinary in the ordinary, and encouraging others to follow their passions. Read more of her work at kimberlyknowlezeller.com. She’s co-presenting the writing workshop, Tell Your Story: A Writing Workshop for Women.

Jacqueline Bussie
Plenary speaker
Jacqueline Bussie Plenary speaker

Dr. Jacqueline Bussie is an award-winning author, professor, theologian, and student of life in all its messy beauty, as well as a much sought after speaker and workshop facilitator. She’s the author of three books, including Love Without Limits: Jesus’ Radical Vision for a Love with No Exceptions which Publisher’s Weekly described as “a must-read for all Christians interested in inclusivity for their communities.” Love Without Limits was released in 2nd edition paperback and also on Audiobook with Jacqueline narrating on August 2, 2022. An active servant-leader in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Dr. Bussie spent the last twenty years teaching religion to undergraduates at ELCA colleges and serving as the founding Director of the Forum on Faith and Life at Concordia College. Today Dr. Bussie is the Executive Director of the Collegeville Institute in Collegeville, Minnesota.

She will lead the book discussion: Love Without Limits: Jesus’ Radical Vision for a Love with No Exceptions

 

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
Promote the Women of the ELCA gathering

Just love logo

Spread the love and share this logo and event with the women in your life. What does our logo mean?

 

Download the logo (.png)

To use a high resolution, vector or .Ai version of the logo, please email us or call 800-638-3522, ext. 2745.

Just love Powerpoint

Share your experience of a previous triennial gathering with the women in your network. Download this PowerPoint template and add your story to encourage more women to attend the event!

Download the Powerpoint template

testimonial-bg

I have so many great memories of the workshops, helping with LWR quilts, learning about Days for Girls which I have become involved with in my own community, traveling with friends, – by church van and plane both, becoming inspired by the awesome worship, meeting artists AND I tell everyone what a great time we had.

Karen Dicken Stanwood, Washington
testimonial-bg

I am looking forward to the Gathering in Phoenix so I can renew old friendships and worship with hundreds of sisters from all over the world. If one has never been, it is an all-inspiring experience and a new beginning. You’ll want to go again and again. I promise!

Linda Griffith West Columbia, SC
Back to home

8765 W. Higgins Rd.

Chicago IL 60631

800-638-3522

[email protected]

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