Pivot
More than 200 Lutheran women gathered by Zoom under the theme Pivot, Don’t Panic!, Feb. 18-20, 2021. The event addressed what it means to be a leader in these uncertain times. Below are videos of the event and resources offered to the participants. The event took the place of our annual Conference of Presidents gathering.
Pivot Don’t Panic! was an invitation-only leadership event for Women of the ELCA leaders. About 200 women gathered by Zoom Feb. 18-20, 2021, to hear what it means to be a leader in these uncertain times.
Video timeline Land acknowledgment, Linda Post Bushkofsky: 00:20
Introduction, Lisa Plorin: 2:20
Beginning prayer, Pat Caley: 4:29
Bible study, Wyvetta Bullock: 7:29
Women of the ELCA pivots, Linda Post Bushkofsky: 37:29
Presiding Bishop speaks, Elizabeth Eaton: 46:26
Closing prayer, Pat Caley: 103:47
During a Pivot Don’t Panic! session Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021, three Women of the ELCA leaders offer their input on the organization. First, Lisa Plorin, president of the churchwide executive board; second Anna Sarver, treasurer of the churchwide board, and, finally, Linda Post Bushkofsky, executive director. Please listen to these three leaders speak about Women of the ELCA’s ministry and direction.
Women of the ELCA staff talk about how to move the mission forward in this time of social distancing (and any time really) during a Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021, Pivot Don’t Panic! session for church leaders.
Thursday, Feb. 18
7 p.m. in your zone
The women in each ELCA region will meet via Zoom at 7 p.m. in your time zone for a conversation among all the synodical presidents and the board members attending Pivot, Don’t Panic! All of Regions 1 and 2 will use 7 p.m. PST; all of Region 3 will use 7 p.m. CST; all of Region 9 will use 7 p.m. EST.
Friday, Feb. 19
1-4 p.m. CST (virtual doors open at 12:30 p.m.)
Welcome from Churchwide President Lisa Plorin. The Rev. Dr. Wyvetta Bullock leads a Bible study focusing on biblical leaders who pivoted instead of panicking when change was thrust upon them. A discussion of staff support for synodical organizations, units, and participants. ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton will bring greetings.
Saturday, Feb. 20
1-4 p.m. CST (virtual doors open at 12:30 p.m.)
State of the Ministry report from the churchwide president, treasurer, and executive director. Purpose Statement and our Principles of Organization discussion. Breakout sessions to explore what it looks like to be a leader in our organization. Discuss what leaders will need to do as we move through and beyond the pandemic. Close with a Thankoffering service.
On Saturday, Pivot Don’t Panic! closed with a Thankoffering service. You may print or download this bulletin to your desktop if you would like to use the worship experience.
Download the Thankoffering Bulletin
Watch a video of the thankoffering service
Between now and Thursday, Feb. 18, we ask you to create a Thankoffering container. It can be a jar, can, or box. Decorate it in any way. Make it your own! We’ve provided custom-designed labels and instructions here. Complete your Thankoffering container before Thursday evening’s regional meetings because we’ll have a show-and-tell of all the many creative containers.
All of us are given gifts by the Holy Spirit, gifts that shape who we are and how we operate in the body of Christ. Discovering your spiritual gifts and exploring how you can better use them is part of growing in faith and life and discipleship. These gifts are part of your DNA. Spiritual gifts are as unique to you as your fingerprints and dental records. We offer you this resource and gift assessment so you can discover (or rediscover) your spiritual gifts. You can also find “Gifts for You: Opening Your Spiritual Gifts” on our resource page: welca.org/resources.
Download the resource
Download the Spiritual Gifts Assessment
Faithful Friends is an easy way for you to support Women of the ELCA – automatically! You can start giving online right now. Just click here! When you sign up for Faithful Friends, you choose the amount to be automatically charged to your credit card or automatically withdrawn from your checking account. Thank you for being our faithful and loyal friend.
We’ve provided these journaling questions to help you process each day of the event. Answer them when you’re at your best, but do answer them for later reference and to be better able to share your experience with your friends who couldn’t make the event.
Event participants considered these four questions before they met in their regions Thursday night. You might think about them, too.
1. What are you doing in your synodical organization to connect with your congregational units during the pandemic?
2. What’s working in your clusters or conferences?
3. How are your units engaging with campus ministries?
4. How do you support and engage with women on the roster?
While we can’t be together in the same space, we can be eating the same food! So, pick a recipe, pull it together with your favorite dippers, and be ready Thursday evening for your regional gathering. The three recipes are fruit dip, beer dip, and spinach dip, for the healthy and hearty among us.
