Radical Welcome book discussion

In this part of our attempt to answer the question “How do we grow the organization?” we will learn how to go from being a hospitable organization to being a totally welcoming one.

Twenty-some years ago, when Women of the ELCA’s predecessor church bodies came together, the question was, “What should the new women’s organization look like?” Today’s question, “How can we grow Women of the ELCA?” builds on the principles and purpose statement that emerged from those early visionaries.

Today we are challenged to take hold of a vision that will help us grow and be energized and renewed. From January through May 2009, the churchwide organization hosted an online discussion of book Radical Welcome: Embracing God, the Other, and the Spirit of Transformation, by Stephanie Spellers. The Rev. Spellers is an Episcopal priest working in the area of radical welcome. Look for her article in the January/February 2009 issue of Lutheran Woman Today magazine, and see the discussion that took place on our blog. The organized study of the book is concluded, but we encourage you to take up the study any time at your own pace with the resources you'll find on these Web pages.

Getting started

Order information: Individual and group orders are available at a discount off the regular price of $17 through December 2010. To get the group discount, have one person collect the money and place the order for your entire group. See the order information page for more details.
Bulletin insert: Customize this insert by adding the name of the person who will gather and place your book orders.
Reading schedule: Here is a suggested schedule for engaging Radical Welcome in short segments over a 5-month period.
Ideas for your congregation or group: We encourage you to have discussions in your congregation's women's group, whether face-to-face or by e-mail. The ways to take part are as varied as your women's group or congregation.

Online resources