ANNUAL RESOURCE GUIDE - 2020 Southeastern Synod Women of the ELCA - Website - www.seswelca.com - Southeastern Synod ...
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
2020
ANNUAL RESOURCE GUIDE
Southeastern Synod Women of the ELCA
Website - www.seswelca.com
Facebook Page - www.facebook.com
(search for Southeastern Synod Women of the ELCA)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Purpose Statement ........................................................................................................................... 4
Message From Your President........................................................................................................ 5
Love Offering.................................................................................................................................... 5
Important Dates .............................................................................................................................. 6
Thirty-Third Annual Convention .................................................................................................. 7
One Mission - Three Perspectives .................................................................................................. 8
Mission: Action (Stewardship) ...................................................................................................... 9
Days for Girls International ....................................................................................................... 9
Inspiritus—Lutheran Service Agencies ..................................................................................... 10
Samaritan’s Purse ...................................................................................................................... 11
Ronald McDonald House Charities ......................................................................................... 12
Web Browsing ........................................................................................................................... 13
Mission: Community (Justice) ..................................................................................................... 14
Bold Women’s Day .................................................................................................................... 14
Church Women United ............................................................................................................. 14
Companion Synod Program ...................................................................................................... 15
Worship in Pink ......................................................................................................................... 15
Advocacy .................................................................................................................................. 15
Rachel’s Day - Justice for Children and Youth ......................................................................... 15
Mission: Growth (Discipleship) ................................................................................................... 16
A Place for You.......................................................................................................................... 16
Bold Connections ...................................................................................................................... 16
Café .......................................................................................................................................... 16
Gather ....................................................................................................................................... 17
Interchange ............................................................................................................................... 17
Other Resources ........................................................................................................................ 17
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Other Programs of the Synodical Organization
Katie’s Fund .............................................................................................................................. 18
Lutheran World Relief ............................................................................................................. 19
LWR Drop-off Sites for 2020 ................................................................................................... 20
LWR Reporting Form ............................................................................................................... 21
Clusters ........................................................................................................................................... 22
2020 Spring Cluster Meetings ................................................................................................... 23
2019-2020 Cluster Leaders ....................................................................................................... 24
Annual Cluster Meeting Report ................................................................................................. 26
Congregational Unit Update....................................................................................................... 27
Litany ........................................................................................................................................ 28
Congregational Units .................................................................................................................... 29
Constitution and Bylaws for Congregational Units .................................................................. 29
Treasurer’s Information ............................................................................................................. 30
Treasurer’s Form A .................................................................................................................... 31
Resources ........................................................................................................................................ 32
Publications ............................................................................................................................... 32
Spanish Language Resources .................................................................................................... 33
Speakers Bureau ........................................................................................................................ 33
Synodical Convention Scholarships ........................................................................................... 33
Website and Facebook ............................................................................................................... 34
Women of the ELCA Project Grants From Churchwide ........................................................... 34
Women of the ELCA Academic Scholarships .......................................................................... 34
Other Resources and Programs ................................................................................................. 34
Links ............................................................................................................................................... 35
Synodical Board and Non-Board Positions for 2019-2020 ......................................................... 36
Glossary of Terms ......................................................................................................................... 37
3
PURPOSE STATEMENT
As a community of women
created in the image of God,
called to discipleship in Jesus Christ,
and empowered by the Holy Spirit,
We commit ourselves to grow in faith,
affirm our gifts,
support one another in our callings,
engage in ministry and action, and
promote healing and wholeness in the church,
the society, and the world.
4
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Welcome to our Annual Resource Guide, I hope it contains all the information you will need to plan your
activities for the coming year, from our planning calendar to the many resources available to you through our
synodical organization and the church-wide organization. Each committee has included current information on
their ministries and the many ways you can serve others through the Women of the ELCA.
Our theme for 2020 is “Jars of Clay” and the Bible verse is 2 Corinthians 4:7 (ESV) ―We have this treasure in
jars of clay to show that this all surpassing power is from God and not from us. I look forward to seeing the
many ideas you will use as you plan your activities for the year and hope you send many pictures for our
Weaver.
We have also included information about the 2020-2021 Love Offering which will go to Church-wide Women
of the ELCA. Watch our newsletter and website for information on our In-Kind Gathering of Gifts which will
go to the M.U.S.T. Ministries Elizabeth Inn Homeless Shelter in Marietta, GA.
You can find more details on the events and programs of our organization in The Southeastern Weaver, on our
website at www.seswelca.com or on our Facebook page, Southeastern Synod Women of ELCA. I look
forward to seeing each of you in September at the Hilton Convention and Conference Center in Marietta,
Georgia.
Blessings,
2020—2021 LOVE OFFERING
The 2020 – 2021 SE Synod WELCA love offering, will benefit our Churchwide organization, Women of the ELCA. We
are a generous group of women whether by synod, cluster, church or individual, to many organizations, and next year we
will support our churchwide organization to continue to do the good works they do to assist our synod and benefit others.
WELCA was formed in 1987 with a mission of “mobilizing women to act boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ”, and that
is exactly what the SE WELCA does with such vigor! You boldly collect goods, money, support others and help those
less fortunate, solely because of your faith in Jesus Christ and following His word. When called to action, you come
together, mobilize, and act.
Today, the organization is active in approximately 7,000 of the 9,200 ELCA congregations and in 64 of the 65 synods
and since constituting in 1988, Women of the ELCA has belonged to the women; it is self-incorporated. No money from
the ELCA budget is given to Women of the ELCA; all monetary support comes from the women themselves.
According to their website, the Women of the ELCA’s community of women provide services in their churches, commu-
nities, and even the world. They engage in ministry, take action through advocacy, promote healing and wholeness, and
support one another in our callings. They offer anti-racism training; address domestic violence, commercial sexual
exploitation, and human trafficking; and support families with special needs. They assist participants in their desire to
discern God’s call in their lives and to discover their spiritual gifts through workshops, retreats, resources, scholarships,
and global education. In addition, they offer grants to not-for-profit organizations, both domestic and international, that
support healing and wholeness for women of all ages through the affirmation and advancement of women’s emotional,
physical, and spiritual health.
As a part of this vibrant group, we proudly commit to supporting our church-wide organization in 2020 to continue
assisting women to do more!
Karen Andrews
5
2020 IMPORTANT DATES
for
Women of the ELCA
Jan 31, 2020 End of fiscal year 2019 - All 2019 offerings must be received by this date
Feb 1, 2020 Start of fiscal year 2020 - Offerings for Churchwide Women of the ELCA begin
Jan 31-Feb 1-2 Winter Board Meeting - St. Johns’, Atlanta, GA
Feb 15, 2020 Churchwide Grant and Scholarship Applications due
Feb 21-23, 2020 Conference of Synodical Presidents - Chicago, IL
Feb 23, 2020 Bold Women’s Day - Women of the ELCA
Mar 6, 2020 World Day of Prayer - Church Women United
Mar-Apr 2020 Spring Cluster Meetings
May 1-3, 2020 Spring Board Meeting - Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Marietta, GA
May 3, 2020 May Friendship Day - Church Women United
May 5, 2020 Rachel’s Day - Justice for Children and Youth (First Sunday in May)
Jun 5-7, 2020 Southeastern Synod Assembly - Chattanooga, TN
Jul 14-16, 2020 Triennial Convention—Phoenix, AZ
Jul 16-19, 2020 Triennial Gathering—Phoenix, AZ
Aug 28-29, 2020 Lutheran World Relief In-Gathering
Sep 18-20, 2020 33nd Annual Convention - Hilton Hotel & Conference Center, Marietta, GA
Sep 27, 2020 Southeastern Synod Women of the ELCA Sunday
Nov 6-8, 2020 Fall Board Meeting - Lutheranch, Tallapoosa, GA
Jan 31, 2021 End of fiscal year 2020 - All 2020 offerings must be received by this date
6
THIRTY-THIRD ANNUAL CONVENTION
Dates September 18-20, 2020
Location Hilton Marietta Hotel & Conference Center, Marietta, GA
Theme “Jars of Clay”
Bible Verse 2 Corinthians 4:7
Hymn Spirit of the Living God
Logo Linda Few
Churchwide Rep Raeann Purcell, Wilbur-by-the-Sea, Florida
Chaplain Pastor Karen Boda, Assistant to Bishop Strickland
Keynote Speaker CeCee Mills
Bible Study Leader TBD
Special Guest Bishop Kevin Strickland
Music and Choir Director Dana Lee Smith
Parliamentarian Jenny Mae Smith
Worship Services Friday evening, Sunday morning
Love Offering Church-wide Women of the ELCA
In-Kind Gifts M.U.S.T. Ministries—Marietta, GA
Registrar Barbara Schwanebeck
Board Liaison Patti Austin
Host Clusters Good N.E.W.S. (Cluster 2) and Trinity (Cluster 3)
Convention Co-Chairs Kathy Seraphine (Cluster 2) and Louise Iconis (Cluster 3)
7
ONE MISSION - THREE PERSPECTIVES
ACTION (Stewardship)
COMMUNITY (Justice) GROWTH (Discipleship)
The Southeastern Synod Women of the ELCA serves three overlapping mission areas: Each unique yet cohe-
sive and interdependent integrals (essential or necessary for completeness) of the focus (center of activity).
For several years churchwide organization staff has emphasized Stewardship, Discipleship and Justice within
the three mission perspectives. These (sub) names identify with programs that coincide with ongoing changes
and missions of the church and society as a whole, and in particular needs of women throughout the world.
Your synodical board has elected to support this emphasis, in keeping with our Purpose Statement. To that
end you will see some changes, including the relevant sub-description in the above Circles of Expression.
Please visit www.womenoftheelca.org, the churchwide website for further descriptions of our Action
(Stewardship), Community (Justice) and Growth (Discipleship) missions. We look forward to your continued
enthusiasm and support.
8
MISSION: ACTION (STEWARDSHIP)
“ Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may
discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 12:2
Mission Statement
The Stewardship (Action) Committee supports, empowers, and encourages women to demonstrate
their Christian love through ministries of service to those in need throughout God’s world.
Committee Members
Gloria Martin Co-chair — gvbmartin@yahoo.com
Diana Palma Co-chair — palmadbmax@gmail.com
Karen Andrews (ex-officio) - karenand@yahoo.com
The committee members will share in the responsibilities of making individual units aware of oppor-
tunities for ministry. We are encouraging our Women of the ELCA to promote newest ministry
opportunities as well as to continue supporting some of our favorite continuing ministries.
MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES
Throughout the world, thousands of women and girls lack access to adequate products to manage their men-
struation hygienically, safely, and with dignity. In addition, many also lack access to menstruation and sexual
and reproductive health education and knowledge. Days for Girls is working to tackle these challenges by in-
creasing access to menstrual health solutions and education by developing global partnerships, cultivating so-
cial enterprises, mobilizing volunteers, and innovating sustainable solutions that shatter stigmas and limita-
tions for women and girls. Together, we're creating a world with dignity, health, and opportunity for Every
Girl, Everywhere. Period.
WELCA Units are encouraged to become new volunteers by joining teams or creating new teams.
This valuable effort helps to improve menstrual education along with the kits they sew and distribute around
the world.
There are several teams outside the Atlanta area. Their contact information is:
lawrencevillewestga@daysforgirls.org johnscreekga@daysforgirls.org
westmariettaga@daysforgirls.org dallasga@daysforgirls.org
woodstockga@daysforgirls.org
Find additional sites in your local area at: https://www.daysforgirls.org/search-maps
To receive the monthly newsletter visit: https://www.daysforgirls.org/contact-us
For information on creating a new chapter, or to contact a chapter or team near you, go to www.daysforgirls.org/
Facebook page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/DaysforGirls
9
Lutheran Services of Georgia and
Lutheran Services in Tennessee
have joined forces and
changed names to Inspiritus.
Inspiritus empowers those who face challenges and disruptions: children who have been abused or neglected,
people with developmental disabilities, refugees and immigrants, individuals affected by natural disaster, and
people in low- income communities. Our name is derived from the word inspirit, which means to fill with
strength or courage, and that is what Inspiritus does. We inspirit! In 2019 Inpiritus joined forces of Lutheran
Services in Georgia and Tennessee to better meet the needs of individuals and families to discover their inner
strength and resilience, leading to a more fulfilling life. There are now 5 offices in Georgia (Atlanta, Albany,
Columbus, Rome and Savannah) plus 1 in Nashville, Tennessee and most recently 1 in Birmingham, Ala-
bama. By offering programs that help families meet basic needs including shelter, food and healthcare Inspir-
itus provides a foundation. From this strong base, programs support connections within the community and
finding safe healthy housing as well as financial stability, leading to independent self-determined lives.
Join with Inspiritus to empower a neighbor whose life has been disrupted. Lutheran Church WELCA groups
are encouraged to engage in a variety of meaningful projects throughout the year that provide support SES as
well as Churchwide programs. Check out these volunteer and engagement opportunities for your WELCA
Group to become involved:
Hold A Donation Drive Collect furniture and household items for a refugee apartment, collect donations
for youth and family permanency, collect supplies for the Inspiritus’ camps and afterschool program, or
collect essential items for a child in a new foster home.
Assemble Kits for Inspiritus Collect items and assemble toiletry kits, first aid kits, stock the pantry kits to
donate to Inspiritus. We will provide a list of needed items for each kind of kit.
Host a Homecoming Party for a Foster Care Family Host a gathering where each attendee brings items
from a wish list provided by Inspiritus to help a foster care or adoptive family prepare the bedroom and
home for a new child joining their family. Help the group learn more about Inspiritus and our work in Fos-
ter Care and how they can support Inspiritus.
Sponsor a Field Trip Make possible enrichment and recreational activities for children, youth and adults
served through Inspiritus’ programs by providing tickets to special places and events that don’t generally
offer free or discount tickets to non-profit groups like the aquarium, a special sporting event, a museum or
festival.
Help with Disaster Recovery & Response Inspiritus partners with groups to respond to areas in Georgia
where disasters have occurred. Send a team of volunteers to work on disaster response projects in areas
where disasters have occurred.
Support or Begin New Community Enrichment Programs in your community:
MyCanvas is a mobile youth art enrichment program serving low-income children in the middle Tennes-
see region. Art engages creativity, imagination, and self-expression, but it can also be a powerful tool for
change and healing. MyCanvas was designed to help children in economically challenged communities
learn to cope with daily stress and frustrations. The program works to nurture self-esteem and self-
confidence of the participants through artistic creation and expression. MyCanvas encourages children and
youth to explore and develop their talents, find their voice, and tell their stories with confi-
dence. MyCanvas programs are conveniently offered in local neighborhoods and offered free of
charge. An annual art show in October in the local community allows the family of friends of the youth to
see their works displayed.
10Inspiritus’ Healthy Gardens equips low-income communities with the knowledge and tools they need to
grow their own garden. Through Healthy Gardens, families and individuals have easy and free access to
fruits and vegetables to supplement their meals as well as a healthy outlet for relieving stress and staying
active. Gardeners often experience immense satisfaction and empowerment through growing their own
food right outside their door. Inspiritus provides everything needed for a family or individual to start their
own garden, including raised-bed garden kits, soil, seeds, plants, watering cans and more. Education is
offered before the season begins and continues throughout the growing season. Many of the gardeners
choose to plant crops in each of the Spring, Summer, and Fall growing season. The Healthy Gardens
program began in 2011 with 12 gardens in the Cheatham Place Community in North Nashville. Those 12
gardens grew to 158 gardens in three counties in Middle Tennessee in 2018.
Building Healthy Families offers an educational support group for women living in poverty focused on
encouraging healthy family skills. Participants gather weekly for a class, meal, and the opportunity to
choose personal or household items from the Caring Closet. As it says in the Building Healthy Families
Community statement, it is “a time for multi-generational therapeutic sisterhood to learn, grow, and
become more powerfully whole.”
Family Reunification and Refugee Resettlement
Throw A Housewarming Party for a Refugee Family Welcome a refugee family to their new home by
throwing a party at which party-goers will gift the family with the things they need to start their new life in
Georgia.
You can choose a room like kitchen or bathroom and gather those items all the way to providing the furnish-
ings of an entire apartment and setting up the home for a new refugee family! (Atlanta and Savannah)
Are you looking for a way to help Unaccompanied Children? Contact Inspiritus for opportunities to serve and
advocate with Inspiritus and other organizations.
There are many ways to contribute to these and the many other programs for Disability Host Home Services,
Children & Family Services, and Financial Empowerment. Consider your options for making contributions
as ONE TIME GIFTS, RECURRING DONATIONS, BECOMING A CORPORATE SPONSOR, OFFER-
ING A MATCHING GIFT, and GIVING AT WORK. Select your WELCA group’s way to support Inspiritus
today and make the contact to get started “uplifting and empowering individuals and families in need, guiding
them on a path toward thriving” at https://weinspirit.org/
Samaritan’s Purse
Samaritan’s Purse is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical
aid to hurting people around the world. Since 1970, Samaritan’s Purse has helped meet needs of people who
are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine with the purpose of sharing God’s love
through His Son, Jesus Christ.
From children to seniors, people pack shoebox gifts each year to bless children in need around the world.
Year-round volunteers support these efforts across the country and world. Churches and groups of all sizes
collect boxes from their communities. Some churches also serve as drop-off locations for shoeboxes the third
week of November every year. Thousands of volunteers serve annually preparing and inspecting shoeboxes
for international shipping. Every hour work stops for a few minutes to pray for the children who will receive
the boxes.
We encourage you to continue your support of Samaritan’s Purse/Operation Christmas Child through shoebox
gifts received from Operation Christmas Child. To get a list of the items needed and instructions on how to
prepare a shoebox gift for Samaritan’s purse go to www.samaritanspurse.com.
11Ronald McDonald House Charities
The mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) is to create, find and support programs that di-
rectly improve the health and well-being of children and their families. The vision of RMHC is a world
where all children have access to medical care, and their families are supported and actively involved in their
children's care. In order to accomplish this mission and vision, RMHC is funded primarily by the generous
support of individuals, businesses and organizations like WELCA.
RMHC supports children and families by delivering programs and services in more than 64 countries and re-
gions. 96 cents of every dollar spent by the global office of RMHC is used to fund RMHC programs in local
communities across the globe. The first Ronald McDonald House was built in Philadelphia in 1974. Today,
there are 368 Ronald McDonald Houses in 43 countries and regions, 252 Ronald McDonald Family Rooms in
25 countries and regions and 50 Ronald McDonald Care Mobiles in 10 countries and regions. Last year,
RMHC served millions of children and families through their network of local Chapters and families saved an
estimated $932,626,089 in out-of-pocket lodging and meal expenses due to the presence of Ronald McDonald
House and Ronald McDonald Family Room programs.
WELCA is a proud supporter of RMHC by donating via the Pop Tab Collection. Collecting pop tabs is a
great way to teach kids about philanthropy and the importance of recycling while raising funds to help chil-
dren and their families at the same time.
It takes approximately 1,128 pop tabs to equal one pound. The program brings in an average of $6,000 each
year. They accept more than just soda pop tabs; tabs can come from energy drinks, soup cans, or anything
with a metallic tab. The Pop Tab program is important because it provides extra revenue that can help make
up for the donations that families cannot make. To house one family at Ronald McDonald House Charities©
of the Coastal Empire is between $100-$140 per night. That is a total of $1,157-$1,625 a night when our 13-
bedroom House is full. We ask for a $10 per night room contribution from our families, but no family is
turned away based on the inability to pay.
As noted in the latest weaver publication, YOU, women of the SE Synod out did yourselves with donations of
pop tabs for Ronald McDonald House at the convention! The baskets were overflowing. We had a total of
46.5 lbs. of pop tabs donated. Keep collecting those metallic tabs (aluminum tabs are not accepted).
Note: You can easily test for metallic tabs at home, they will not stick to a magnet! Just test the tabs
against your refrigerator magnets, if they do not stick, they are good to donate!
Karen Andrews
Treasurer
12Web Browsing
Since 1999, The Greater Good Network has given more than $30 million to non-profit charities around the
world. That means millions have received help and assistance because of your efforts. Along the top of the
screen, you will find tabs to various causes where you can click to donate including Hunger, (to give food),
Breast Cancer (to fund free mammograms), Animals (to give food and care for rescued animals), Veterans (to
provide free meals), Autism (to fund free therapy), Alzheimer’s (to fund research), Diabetes (to fund re-
search), Literacy (to give books), and Rainforest (to protect and preserve habitat). To donate you click on the
charity tab of your choice (you can choose them all once daily) and then click on the large button that says
“”Click Here to Give – it’s FREE!”
Through these websites there are opportunities to purchase merchandise to further benefit the many charities,
and some of the merchandise is provided through Global Girlfriend, which is an organization that helps wom-
en worldwide gain economic security. Visit these websites and click across the tabs daily … it’s fast, it’s
free, and it really makes a difference. Read more at www.greatergood.com and join them on Facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/CharityUSA .
You Search, We Give
Do you know about GoodSearch? This is a Yahoo-powered search engine that allows you to choose a cause
or charity to support, and each time you do an internet search using GoodSearch, the GoodSearch organiza-
tion will make a monetary donation to your chosen charity. The website offers GoodShop and GoodDining
that allows you to earn even more money for your chosen charity when you make online purchases or dine at
certain restaurants using a registered credit or debit card.
As of January 1, 2016 $12,142,695 has been raised for causes. Set GoodSearch as your homepage to insure
you donate to your cause every time you search the web. Go to www.goodsearch.com to learn more about
this great program.
With AmazonSmile, a portion of your eligible Amazon purchase can go to Women of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America, Lutheran Campus Ministries, Lutheran World Relief, and many other Lu-
theran organizations! It is a simple and automatic way for you to support your favorite charitable organiza-
tion every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same
low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that
Amazon will donate a portion (0.5%) of the purchase price to your favorite charitable organization. When
you first visit AmazonSmile, you will be prompted to select a charitable organization from almost one mil-
lion eligible organizations. In order to browse or shop at AmazonSmile, customers must first select a charita-
ble organization. Then you will be able to search for items, shop, and make your purchase. Try it today!
You’ll be surprised how quickly 0.5% adds up to make your donation a substantial amount!
13MISSION: COMMUNITY (JUSTICE)
“He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these,
you did not do for me.’ Matthew 25:45
Mission Statement
We are called as a diverse body of women to promote justice by embracing, educating and
empowering women to be bold in their faith and to walk humbly with God.
Committee Members and Responsibilities
Sissy Gifford (chair) - ggiff819@aol.com
Bernice Bland - bernice.bland@gmail.com
Beth Drane (ex-officio) - tenneliz2000@yahoo.com
Members of this committee will share in the responsibilities of making individual units aware of BOLD
opportunities.
OUR PROGRAMS
Bold Women’s Day
Bold Women’s Day is observed annually on the fourth Sunday of February. All Lutheran women have acted
or are acting boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ. Some women are bold in their unceasing prayers. Other
women are bold in their service to those in need. Whether we live out our bold story of faith in the work-
place, family home, or community, our faith compels us to make a difference in the lives of others. This is all
about how we live out our baptismal call about being a disciple of Christ.
Many resources are available for use in planning this celebration at www.womenoftheelca.org. You will find
DVDs, a litany for Bold Women’s Day, information on Katherine Von Bora Luther, bible studies and much
more. Be BOLD and creative in your planning!
CHURCH WOMEN UNITED
Church Women United is a racially, culturally and theologically inclusive Christian women’s movement that
celebrates unity in diversity and works for a world of peace and justice. CWU is biblically based, and
welcomes all that share the Christian faith and are impassioned by the Holy Spirit to act on behalf of women
and children throughout the world. The United Nations recognizes CWU as a nongovernmental organization.
Christian women around the world participating in CWU express their love for and loyalty to Christ with
three celebrations each year - Human Rights Day, World Community Day (dates to be announced), and, May
Friendship Day (first Friday in May ). They also participate in the World Day of Prayer (March 6, 2020) For
more information about Church Women United and/or to find the dates for these celebrations, visit their web-
site www.churchwomen.org.
14Companion Synod Program
The ELCA has companion synods in Guatemala, Malaysia/Singapore; Bavaria, Germany; and Ethiopia. The
Women of the ELCA may support this effort through the following:
Make the companion synods a part of your opening prayer at each meeting and ask your church to include
them each week in the prayers of the church
Create a bulletin board display
Call Global Missions for literature to display
Support special projects of these synods
Call the synod office for current or ongoing needs
Worship in Pink
October is recognized as Breast Cancer Month. Breast cancer can be overwhelming but there is strength in
faith. Komen Atlanta’s Worship in Pink program invites and empowers Atlanta’s faith-based organizations to
come together to spread the lifesaving message of breast cancer early detection. WIP is a program designed to
open the lines of communication about breast health, promote breast cancer education and celebrate the lives
of those who have fought against breast cancer. Worship in Pink may be a worship service, a moment of
silence, or any way you choose to participate. We encourage faith based organizations in our neighborhood to
sign up for free educational outreach programs to educate their respective members and families on breast
health and breast cancer. This will be an awesome way for our congregations to make a huge impact as we join
in support to fight against breast cancer.
Advocacy
Advocacy is defined as the act of speaking on the behalf of or in support of another person, place, or
thing. Women of the ELCA work on many advocacy initiatives including combating commercial sexual
exploitation, human trafficking, and supporting families with special needs through our online resources. We
advocate for racial and cultural equity through our anti-racism training and our cross-cultural programming.
“Real Equality isn’t possible, if we don’t celebrate our differences.”
There are many Advocacy programs at work within the Women of the ELCA on a national, synod and even
unit levels. For more information go to: www.womenoftheelca.org and click on the JUSTICE tab or search
the work ADVOCACY for programs and resources. You can also go to www.elca.org to see what the ELCA
as a whole is doing for Advocacy or to www.elca-ses.org for information on wants going on at the synod level.
Rachel’s Day - Justice for Youth and Children
Rachel’s Day is usually observed on the first Sunday in May. The day takes its name from Jeremiah 31:15-17
in which the matriarch Rachel grieves for her children. Rachel’s Day is a time to mourn the loss of our
children and to renounce the forces of violence and fear. In 2020 Rachel’s Day is observed on May 3.
Help for celebrating Rachel’s Day:
Go to www.womenoftheelca.org for programs
Invite professionals to speak to groups in your congregation
Make a donation or volunteer at an appropriate center or agency that supports children
and youth at risk for violence
Begin at Home. Make children aware of how violence can affect our lives
(TV, internet, texting, etc.)
Enlist youth to participate in an activity
Use prayers, Rachel’s Day Litany, and other resources during worship or study
15MISSION: GROWTH (DISCIPLESHIP)
“ since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you
with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,
10
so that you may live a life worthy of the LORD and please him in every way: bearing fruit
in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God” Colossians 1:9-10
Mission Statement
Responding to the needs to grow in God’s grace, the Growth Committee will use multiple
means of outreach to spread God’s word to the priesthood of all believers.
Committee Members and Responsibilities
Terry Chongulia (chair) - terrychongulia@gmail.com
Billie Goepfert - billiegoepfert@yahoo.com
Shirley Connelly (ex-officio) - slconnelly@gmail.com
RESOURCES FOR GROWTH
A Place For You—Finding Your Place in the Women of the ELCA
Have you ever wondered how you can become more involved in the wonderful organization we call the
Southeastern Synod Women of the ELCA? Now you can learn how the churchwide and synodical organiza-
tions work, as well as the clusters and congregational units within our synod. You will discover your spiritual
gifts and how you can use them as a woman of the ELCA. Please contact Louise Iconis at 404-769-8253 or
louise@iconis.com to schedule an event in your area.
Bold Connections and Café
Stay connected with Bold Connections, the free monthly e-newsletter of the Women of the ELCA featuring
the latest news and information about our programs and activities. Whether you participate a lot or a little in
the Women of the ELCA, and no matter what your role, you’ll find helpful news and information on your pro-
grams and activities and stories of how together we are living out our purpose and mission.
For more information go to www.elca.org/Bold-Connections.
Café is an on-line magazine, shares stories written by bold young women who write about faith, relationships,
advocacy and more. Readers and writers of Café include pastors, seminary and college students, and other
young adult women who use Café as a Bible study individually or with a group. Although many women in
their 20s and 30s contribute in every issue, Café can be used and shared by women of all ages.
See more at www.boldcafe.org.
16RESOURCES FOR GROWTH
Gather Magazine
Gather, the magazine of the Women of the ELCA, guides you as you live and experience your faith every
day. In addition to a regular Bible study, the magazine offers a mix of faith-in-life articles, theological reflec-
tions, devotions and stories that speak to the hearts and souls of progressive Christian women. Gather
connects Christian women of all ages with like-minded others who are committed to growing in faith and
building the kingdom of God—next door and across the globe.
Gather is published 10 times a year with combined issues in January/February and July/August. Digital
access is free to print subscribers.
The cost is $19.95 per year. (Quantities for 11 or more are $18 per copy - can be mailed to same or multiple
addresses). www.gathermagazine.org
Interchange
Interchange, is our leadership newsletter sent quarterly by regular mail to Women of the ELCA leaders in
congregational units, synodical organizations and clusters or conferences. It contains organizational news,
new resource information, program updates and more. Leaders are encouraged to share the contents with all
the women in their group.
On-line issues of Interchange are typically posted about a month after the print publication date and can be
downloaded in PDF format from our website. Intercambio is the Spanish version of the newsletter. Go to
www.elca.org/interchange-back-issues to find current and previous issues.
Other Resources
For more ideas on how you can continue to grow and learn, see our list of resources on pages 32-34 and links
to outside websites on page 35. Watch our newsletter, The Southeastern Weaver, and our website,
www.seswelca.com, for more growth opportunities.
17OTHER PROGRAMS OF THE SYNODICAL ORGANIZATION
Katie’s Fund/
Visit Katie’s Table at the Convention
Katharina von Bora Luther was a practical and bold woman of faith.
Through Katie’s Fund, Women of the ELCA honors her life by support-
ing global connections, leadership development and living theology.
Will you help continue Katie’s legacy? www.welca.org/katiesfund
Katie's Fund was established as an endowment in 1997 and is now more than $1 million. The endowment
honors the legacy of Katharina von Bora Luther, helps to raise up bold leaders for the churchwide women’s
organization and support bold and creative ministry for generations to come. Your gifts to Katie’s Fund,
whether to the endowment or to the current fund, ensure the organization’s continued commitment to commu-
nity, growth and action. The interest income is used each year, helping to grow and generate more support for
ministry, year after year. Income earned by the Katie’s Fund Endowment, along with Katie’s Fund Current,
supports ministry in three key areas.
Leadership Development: providing opportunities for current and future leaders to participate in and
further the mission of Women of the ELCA.
Global Connections: building global partnerships that increase multicultural awareness and promote
service.
Living Theology: nurturing faith through Bible studies, worship experiences and educational theologi-
cal formulas.
These three areas are central to the life of Women of the ELCA. They represent ministries that prepare, nur-
ture and sustain participants as they further the mission of Women of the ELCA: mobilizing women to act
boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ.
Last fall, your churchwide board approved an exciting new initiative—The All Anew Campaign for Katie’s
Fund—with the goal of tripling our endowed Katie’s Fund by the 2020 Triennial Convention and Gathering.
That means tripling the life-changing ministry that Katie’s Fund can make possible! The total goal of the
All Anew Campaign for Katie’s Fund is to grow the fund from its current total of about $1.5 million to
$4.5 million.
Learn more about Katie Luther in A Bold Life of Faith: Katharina von Bora Luther.
The Southeastern Synod Women of the ELCA support Katie’s Fund at our annual convention by selling
items at Katie’s Table. Watch The Southeastern Weaver and our website at www.seswelca.com for more
information about Katie’s Table at this year’s convention.
18Quilts and Kits of Care
You can give families around the world some of life’s essentials, as well as a reminder that they are not alone.
School Kits, Personal Care Kits, Fabric Kits, Baby Care Kits, Mission Quilts, and more…..are small gestures
with a Spirit-inspired impact. Women of the ELCA’s annual contributions make us part of Lutheran World
Relief’s broad focus: a world where all people live in justice, dignity, and peace….working to end poverty,
injustice and human suffering. Through participating in LWR Quilt & Kit Ministry, we put our faith into
action, stretching hearts and hands across the ocean to people in need.
Information on the contents of and packing instructions for all kits may be found on the LWR website under
the heading “Get Involved” (www.lwr.org). The website also has a page summarizing where our various
contributions were distributed last year.
Something new in recent years! Do you want to know where your Quilts and Kits go? Go onto the LWR
website www.lwr.org/tracker and learn how to barcode your boxes! Follow the journey of your gifts of love
as they make their way around the world.
Be creative! Challenge circles and Sunday School classes to compete to donate the most of one kind of kit or
schedule “assembly days” for fun and fellowship to put kits together, distribute empty school bags to the
congregation with a list of needed contents, share quilt & kit shopping lists with friends, civic clubs and other
organizations, ask about the possibility of merchant discounts for bulk supplies.
Reminders about details
--Quilts, Personal Care Kits, and School Kits are the most needed;
--soap to be included in kits should be bath size (4-5 oz.) and must be in its original wrapper;
--each type of kit or quilts must be boxed separately and clearly labeled;
--maximum weight per box is 40 pounds…..less is better for spinal health!
--absolutely no plastic or paper bags;
--your church’s donations (delivered to a collection site) must include a copy of the 2020 Reporting Form
--Quilt & Kit Ingathering's will be held on Friday, Aug 28 and Sat, Aug 29, 2020 at 7 locations throughout
the Southeastern Synod
Quilt & Kit Shipping Fund
Contributing toward shipping may be a simpler way for some women to participate. Estimated costs of ship-
ping a single kit range from $1.00 (fabric kit) to $2.65 (personal care kit). Checks should be made payable to
Southeastern Synod Women of the ELCA and mailed to our Synodical Treasurer, Karen Andrews, with a
notation in the memo line “LWR-Quilt & Kit Shipping Fund”.
Additional ways to support LWR Goals
Other options are to purchase and share information about LWR Fair Trade coffee and chocolate or items
available through the handicraft project. Details about each of these opportunities are on the website.
192020 LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF INGATHERING SITES
Ingathering Dates: Friday, August 28 and Saturday, August 29
2020 LWR Key Leader: Janice Hawkins Email jchawkin@bellsouth.net: Ph. 770-712-6090
ALABAMA—Coast
Friday and Saturday: 9 am – 12 noon
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Church Phone: 251-621-2968 (call coordinator)
8271 Whispering Pines, Daphne 36526
Coordinators: Tommie Morgan Phone: 251-591-1019 or 251-342-9337
Eileen Becker Phone : (cell) 251-454-5912 or (home) 251-666-1896
ALABAMA --Central—Call coordinator to drop off at church Aug 24-27 for truck loading on Friday, Aug 28
Shades Valley Lutheran Church Church Phone: 205-871-3512 (call coordinator)
720 Shades Creek Parkway, Birmingham 35209
Coordinators: Anne Scholl Phone : 770-403-0023
Kathryn Waters Phone: 205-967-8101 or 205-243-8038
ALABAMA—Northeast
Saturday: 9 am – noon NO FRIDAY DROP-OFF
Messiah Lutheran Church Church Phone: 256-721-0041 (call coordinator)
7740 Hwy 72 West, Madison 35758
Coordinator: Rhonda Gaede Phone: 256-679-2931
GEORGIA—Atlanta Area
Friday 8:30am – 1 pm Saturday 9 am—noon
Trinity Lutheran Church Church Phone: 770-972-4418 (call coordinator)
1826 Killian Hill Road, Lilburn 30047
Coordinator: Janice Hawkins Phone : 770-712-6090
GEORGIA—Coast
Friday: 1 pm -5 pm Saturday: Drop-off by appointment—call Sandy Gibson at 912-658-0868
St. Johns Lutheran Church Church Phone: 912-826-5411 (call coordinator)
Highway 21 & 7th Street, Rincon 31326
Coordinators: Sandra Gibson Phone: (cell) 912-658-0868 or (home) 912-826-5005
Marty Hendrix Phone: (cell) 912-661-4122 or (home) 912-754-4860
TENNESSEE-Nashville Area
Friday: 9 am–1 pm Saturday: Drop-off by appointment-call Joni at 615-584-9309
Saint Andrew Lutheran Church Church Phone: 615-794-1624 or 615-714-2928
908 Murfreesboro Rd, Franklin 37064 call Jolene Richardson to arrange time & place for truck
Coordinator: Joni Donegan Phone: 615-584-9309
TENNESSEE—East/Central
Friday: 4-8 pm Saturday: 8:30 am – 11 am
Reformation Lutheran Church Church Phone: 423-638-4627 (call coordinator)
400 West Main St., Greeneville 37743
Coordinators: Mary Jane Gray Phone: (cell) 423-525-2177 or (home) 423-422-4828
Barbara Richards Phone: 423-525-3254
PLEASE NOTE THERE WILL NOT BE A LWR TRUCK
AT THE CONVENTION IN MARIETTA, GA
20.LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF 2020 CHURCH REPORTING FORM
(Give this completed form to the receiving person at the LWR truck collection site.)
Church name:___________________________________________________________________
City/State_______________________________________________________________________
Cluster Name/Number_____________________________________________________________
_______Check here if this donation is from a non-ELCA congregation. A special thanks to you!
ITEM # OF BOXES # OF KITS/QUILTS WEIGHT
Quilts ___________ ________________ ___________
Personal Care Kits ___________ ________________ ___________
School Kits ___________ ________________ ___________
Baby Care Kits ___________ ________________ ___________
Fabric Kits ___________ ________________ ___________
TOTALS ___________ ________________ ___________
REMEMBER: NO plastic or paper bags inside box. EACH BOX’S MAXIMUM WEIGHT IS 40 LBS!
Only one type of kit or item in each box.
LABEL each box in LARGE BLOCK LETTERS using a heavy black marker with following information:
--Church name, city, state --Cluster number & name
--Weight in lbs. (after sealing) --Name of type of kit/quilts/soap in each box
You can now log on to the LWR Quilt & Kit Tracker at www.lwr.org/tracker and print out a special
barcode to put on your shipment of Quilts & Kits. That way, you and your congregation can track your
gifts as they reach those in need all around the world.
NOTE: Donations to the Quilt & Kit Shipping Fund are essential to project success! Make checks pay-
able to Southeastern Synod Women of the ELCA with a memo notation “LWR Quilt & Kit Shipping
Fund” and mail them to our Synodical Treasurer:
Karen Andrews, 950 Eagles Landing Pkwy -Suite 617, Stockbridge, GA 30281
Your gifts of time and resources toward making LWR Quilts & Kits are beautiful expressions of God’s love
and grace to those in greatest need. Thank you for your partnership in putting them together.
Collection Site Coordinators –
please have copies of this reporting form available on collection day!
*****PLEASE NOTE that as of May 1, 2020 Lutheran World Relief is
not accepting donations of bulk (boxed) soap or Fleece-tied blankets.
These items will not be loaded on the truck! *****
21CLUSTERS
Clusters are the link between the local congregational units and the board of the Synodical Women’s
Organization.
Spring Cluster Meetings are held annually-usually in March or April. Cluster business and elections are
conducted along with worship services, crafts, Bible studies, and reports from the synodical board. Some
clusters include a special speaker.
Registration fees cannot exceed $20 ($4 per person going to the synodical organization). After direct
expenses of the day are reimbursed, remaining monies are submitted to the synodical treasurer, which are
divided between the synodical and churchwide organizations. Additional offerings may be designated for the
synodical Love Offering, churchwide initiatives such as Katie’s Fund, or special recipients such as the
Lutheran World Relief Quilt and Kit Shipping Fund.
Each cluster will send to the Cluster Liaison:
summary forms,
roll call,
minutes,
copy of the agenda and
summaries of the evaluations .
Clusters are encouraged to have extra cluster events such as retreats or service projects.
Each cluster has a Coordinator (or Co-Coordinators), a Recorder, and a Member-at-Large each elected for a
three (3) year term on a rotating basis. Each leader may be reelected once and all must be from different
congregational units. In 2020 each cluster will be electing a new Member-at-Large. Any unexpired terms
will also need to be filled (Recorder for 1 year and/or Coordinator for 2 years).
Each cluster has a designated board member as a resource. Capturing the inner workings of each cluster event
is key to accurate annual synodical reporting. The board liaison helps cluster leaders gather and prepare
information for reporting:
Annual Cluster Meeting Report with election results
Roll Call
Minutes
Agenda
Evaluation and any Congregational Unit Update forms
Regular communication is vital for sharing ideas and concerns.
Always feel free to contact either your Board Representative (see page 23) or the Cluster Liaison, Shirley
Connelly at 770-891-5513 text or call, slconnelly@gmail.com.
222020 SPRING CLUSTER MEETINGS
BOARD
CLUSTER DATE LOCATION REPRESENTATIVE
1-Ebenezer March 7 Zion Lutheran, Guyton, GA Shirley Connelly
2-Good N.E.W.S. April 17-19 Lutheranch, Tallapoosa, GA Karen Andrews
3-Trinity April 17-19 Lutheranch, Tallapoosa GA Bernice Bland
4-Magi April 25 Living Grace, Tucker GA Terry Chongulia
5-Mission TBA Christ Lutheran, Oakwood GA Gloria Martin
6-Agape March 28 Grace Oak Ridge, Oakridge TN Beth Drane
7-Diaspora March 28 St. Marks, Huntsville, AL Diana Palma
8-The King April 25 Christ Lutheran, Nashville TN Billie Goepfert
9-Gulf Coast April 25 Grace, Gulf Shores, AL Sissy Gifford
232019-2020 CLUSTER LEADERS
Cluster 1 - Ebenezer
C Sheila Moon 185 Royal Oak Drive, Guyton GA 31312 912-678-5417
skmdesign@hotmail.com
R Lynne Hollenbach 16 Jamaica Run, Savannah, GA 31410 912-656-7137
colinalynne@gmail.com
M Cheryl Pannal 165 Palmetto Road, Guyton GA 31312 912-667-5315
cheryltpannal@yahoo.com
Cluster 2 – Good N.E.W.S.
C Kathy Seraphine 1200 Seven Spring Circle, Marietta Ga 30068 770-971-7654
kathleenseraphine@gmail.com
R Debbie Lundell 141 Crown Oaks Drive, Stockbridge, GA 30281 770-815-8918
debrallundell@comcast.net
M Phyllis Hutchings 10082 Tara Glynn Drive, Hampton, GA 30228 770-882-8023
pmarhut@yahoo.com
M Cherie Tidwell 8 Rover Road, Williamson, GA 30292 770-227-7531
sheridantid@att.net
Cluster 3 – Trinity
C Linda Few 1109 Oriole Dr. SW, Atlanta, GA 30311 404-556-5858
fewbaby@bellsouth.net
R Louise Iconis 1540 Diplomat Drive, Cumming, GA 30041 404-769-8253
louise@iconis.com
M Christine Davis 1226 Shore Drive, Atlanta, GA 30311 404-696-3736
davis1226@comcast.net
Cluster 4 – Magi
C Alice Schuemann 2304 Cambridge St., Snellville, GA 30078 912-965-0615
schuemann@gmail.com
R Terri Lange 20 Logans Run, Covington, GA 30016 770-845-0958
trlange@bellsouth.net
M Bernice Bland 4262 Village Square Ln, Stone Mtn, GA 30083 404-294-8247
Bernice.bland@gmail.com C 404-42-6563
M Diane England 3478 Kensington Park, Avondale Est, GA 30002 470-426-5415
dmeblue@gmail.com W 404-385-
1146
Cluster 5 – Mission
C Barbara Ayers 1910 Bernice Dr., Cumming, GA 30041 770-887-7031
bmaptcruiser@comcast.net
Cluster 6 – Agape
C Donna Hoglund 137 Brandeis Lane, Oak Ridge, TN 37830 931-248-5101
Donna.hoglund40@gmail.com
R Debbie Hampstead 7725 Whitcomb Road, Powell, TN 37849 865-963-2840
dhampste@utk.edu
M Mary Smith 808 Highview Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37415 423-718-1362
msmith4488@epbfi.com
242019-2020 CLUSTER LEADERS
Cluster 7 – Diaspora
C Elise Englebert 5335 Samons Rd, Dora, AL 35062 205-300-8129
seminolenut@gmail.com
R Paula McMillan 5514 Kennesaw Pass, Pinson, AL 35126 205-854-1462
pfmp139@gmail.com
M Pat Barber 1307 Rhett Avenue SW, Huntsville, AL 35801 256-536-9357
patriciavbarber@yahoo.com
Cluster 8 – The King
C Dian Luffman 5131 Ashley Drive, Nashville, TN 37211 615-712-3244
dianluff@gmail.com
R Maureen Garrett 60 Sarvis Ridge Road, Normandy, TN 37360 931-580-0615
mmemechante@gmail.com
M Jen Yamin 44 Carrington Rd, Hendersonville, TN 37075 615-512-7806
Jenbyamin@comcast.net
Cluster 9 – Gulf Coast
C Linda Johnson 315 Meadowwood Circle, Long Beach, MS 504-433-4768
lsjohnson1911@hotmail.com 39560
C Ingrid Miscavage 315 Meadowwood Circle, Long Beach, MS 228-380-2918
dragonslair51@aol.com 39560
R Kathy Zimmerman P O Box 3726, Gulf Shores, AL 36547 814-623-6563
Kathy.zee@hotmail.com
M Betty Wilson 157 Travia Ave, Biloxi, MS 39531 228-436-3472
bmwilson521@yahoo.com
LEGEND
C – Coordinator
R – Recorder
M – Member at Large
25ANNUAL CLUSTER MEETING REPORT
(Please fill out all data concerning your cluster)
Cluster ____________________________________ Date of Meeting ___________________________
Host Congregation _______________________________________________________________________
Attendance _________________________No. of CU/ICU’s _________________________
CURRENT AND NEWLY ELECTED CLUSTER LEADERS (Please print clearly)
Coordinator ________________________________________________Home Phone___________________
Address__________________________________________________________________________________
Email Address ______________________________________________Term Expires__________________
Recorder ___________________________________________________Home Phone___________________
Address__________________________________________________________________________________
Email Address ______________________________________________Term Expires__________________
Member-at-Large ___________________________________________Home Phone___________________
Address _________________________________________________________________________________
Email Address ______________________________________________Term Expires__________________
Registration Fee:
Not to exceed $20 per person $
Subtract $4 per person for Synodical Women’s Organization (SWO) $
BALANCE $
Disbursements:
Meal $
Program (Honorariums, gifts, etc.) $
Communications (Postage, etc.) $
Supplies/Copies $
Other $
TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS
Please reimburse Host Church before sending to SWO $
BALANCE REMAINING -
(subtract Total Disbursements from Balance listed above) $
Regular Offerings-from Worship Service (to be sent to SWO) $
One half offering will be sent to Churchwide by the Synod Treasurer
Other Offerings (Love or Special)-Please Designate
$
TOTAL REMITTED TO SYNODICAL ORGANIZATION
(Add Balance Remaining, Regular Offerings and Other Offerings ) $
Please make checks payable to SESWELCA and send with form to the Treasurer, Karen Andrews at 950 Eagles Landing Pkwy, Suite
617, Stockbridge, GA, 30281. Copies should also be sent to the Cluster Liaison, Shirley Connelly at 4746 Riverroad Trail, Snellville,
GA, 30039. Also to the President, Patti Austin, 218 E. Trinity Place, Decatur, GA, 30030.
26
Revised January 25, 2018You can also read
