Women of the ELCA
Our mission is mobilizing women to act boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ.
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.
The Fall 2018 issue of The Voice is now available. Download now.
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Biennial Convention of the the Women of the ELCA Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod
On June 2, 2018 the Southeast Pa. Women of the ELCA met at Messiah Lutheran Church, Downingtown. Our theme was the story of Mary and Martha. Our speakers were David Fuerst from Lutheran World Relief and Consuelo Gutierrez-Crosby from Infaith Women Give. Both speakers also gave workshops on their organizations. We also had a workshop lead by Fern Hagedorn on the ELCA Social Statement on Women and Justice which gave us an opportunity to offer our comments on the statement. Our service project was packing personal care kits from our In Kind gifts (33 were assembled and 2 bags of left over donations were given to the Welcome Church.)
During our business meeting we heard reports from President Joy Grace and Chuchwide representative Lois Bylund. We held elections for officers and new board members. We did not have a nominee for President (our original nomine was moving from the area.). We addressed this problem at the July Board meeting which Linda Post Bushkofsky attended. During our September Board meeting, Vice President Phyllis Boyer agreed to serve as president untilour June 2019convention. This leaves the Vice Presidency position open.
President: Phyllis Boyer
Vice President: Open
Secretary: Helen Dungan
Treasurer: Cindy Ryan
Board: Linda Garcia, Dale O’Hara, Joan Seader, Rev. Sarah Stobie, and Sandra Zimmerman
2018 Ingathering
We thank everyone who contributed to the Ingathering at our Convention in June. We assembled 33 personal care kits at the convention and received the following donations from churches in our synod:
- 374 Mission Quilts
- 29 Fleece Tied Blankets
- More than 83 Personal Care Kits
- 98 School Kits
- 42 Baby Care Kits
Since we received more donations than our truck would hold, we still have about 50 quilts remaining to be delivered. We plan to take them to one of the regional Ingatherings happening within Lower Susquehanna Synod this Fall.
Fall Conference Gatherings
Delaware Conference — Saturday, Oct. 13, 10 am at Faith Immanuel Lutheran Church, 65 Penn Blvd., East Lansdowne, PA 19050
PROGRAM: Participants will share program ideas they have for future programs and share past year programs they had at their congregational units.
Contact: Doris Krewson, 610.497-9026, dkrewson5@verizon.net
Upper Bucks Conference — Saturday, Oct. 20, 9 am, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 19 S. 5th Street, Perkasie
Topic: Most merciful God: living in God’s forgiveness and love. Rev. Dr. Jennifer Ollikainen Pastor of Trinity and author of article about forgiveness in September 2018 Gather magazine.
Please RSVP to Linda Garcia by Wednesday, October 17, 2018 by email jaglsg@comcast.net or phone 215-257-2925
- Download a flyer: Upper Bucks 2018 Fall gathering
Upper Montgomery Conference — Saturday, Oct. 20, 9:30 am, at Augustus Lutheran Church, 717 W. Main Street, Trappe.
Topic: “Equality” based on Galatians 3:28.
Contact the church at 610.489.9625
- Download a flyer: Upper Montgomery 2018 Fall Gathering
2018 WELCA Region 7 Gathering
The retreat was held April 27-29, 2018 at Holy Family Retreat Center in West Hartford, Connecticut. The theme was “We Are an Offering. Our Bible studies and the keynote address both expounded on the scripture, 1 Peter 4:7-11. Our Bible study leader actually brought in a car manifold to use as a visual when describing the manifold grace of God. As the manifold mixes together air and gas to make the car run, so God uses manifold outlets that the spirit can flow to you or through you using your gifts to serve one another. We had a biology lesson on flower reproduction which highlighted God’s incredible creation; our devotions used poetry and our closing worship included drama, liturgical dance, music and poetry. Folks got an opportunity to showcase their talents at the Saturday evening talent show – which embodied both the humorous and the serious. It was a great experience. The next Region 7 Retreat will be offered in April 2021. Mark your calendars, watch for specific information to be announced, and plan to attend.
Resources
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. We regret that we did not get the Voice out in 2017, but the Spring 2018 issue of The Voice is now available.
- The Voice, Spring 2018
- Summary of Actions, 10th Triennial, 2017
- State of the Organization, Feb 2018, Churchwide Board President Lisa Plorin
- 2018 Ingathering Information
- The Voice, Fall 2016
- The Voice, Spring 2016
- The Voice, Fall 2015
- The Voice, Spring 2015
- Biannual Conference Report Form
- Biannual Conference Treasurer’s Form
Contact Information:
Phyllis Boyer, President Email: frauphilly@gmail.com
Vice-President vacant
Helen Dungan, Secretary Email: dunganh@lafayette.edu
Cindy Ryan, Treasurer Email: cindyryan817@gmail.com
Linda Garcia, Board Email: jaglsg@comcast.net
Dale O’Hara, Board Email: oharadvd@aol.com
Joan Seader, Board Email: joaneseader@gmail.com
Pastor Sarah Stobie, Board Email: pastorsarahstobie@gmail.com
Sandra Zimmerman, Board Email: spzimm@icloud.com
Joy Grace, Conference Coordinator Email: jgrace@partneresi.com
2018 Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America