Form a group
What are the women in your congregation doing?
- Do they come together for Bible study?
- Do some gather around any issues or advocate for others in the community?
- Do some belong to the altar guild?
- Do others serve funeral lunches?
- Do any visit nursing homes?
- Are some quilting, making school kits, or assembling layette kits for Lutheran World Relief?
- Do they consider themselves part of Women of the ELCA?
Well, perhaps they should!
Women of the ELCA can include all these activities and more. When you hear "Women of the ELCA," we hope you think about how this organization provides a home for women of all ages, with all their varied interests and activities. This is not a "one size fits all" organization, and although at one time we were considered an auxiliary, this has not been true since the formation of the ELCA in 1987. We are a part of the whole church, doing our part for the sake of the Gospel, with a focus on women.
What is our part?
Consider our
mission statement: "To mobilize women to act boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ."
Look at our
purpose statement, which amplifies the mission 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."
Without really knowing it, many women in your congregation are already fulfilling our purpose and mission statements. And by bringing all their ministries together under the umbrella of Women of the ELCA, all can reap even more benefits in support of both their ministries and personal growth.
What’s in it for you?
Get together with the other women in your congregation and talk about the fact that all of you are about the business of acting on your faith in Jesus Christ. And as part of that, you desire to affirm more fully one another’s gifts and support one another in your callings. It is said that "many can accomplish what the few cannot." Imagine the potential if you were to consolidate your efforts: It could revitalize all your ministries, offer new opportunities for ministry in places without any formal connection to Women of the ELCA, and result in greater enthusiasm and diversity in ministry with the strength of numbers. And you can make both local and global connections.
By being part of Women of the ELCA you will learn about resources for programs and retreats. You’ll get leadership support through
Interchange, the organization’s newsletter, from your synodical women’s leadership, and from events of the entire organization. You’ll be inspired, motivated, and supported on your faith journey with
Lutheran Woman Today magazine. You also may be elected a delegate to your synodical convention or even the Triennial Convention, where major decisions for the organization are made.
Wouldn’t it be fun and interesting to get together every few months to hear what each of the groups is doing—to share needs and accomplishments and to help each other when you can? (Many existing units of Women of the ELCA call these "general meetings," and they hold them two or three times a year. During the rest of the year the women gather in small groups to carry out their varied ministries.)
How do you proceed?
If you’d like to explore the possibility of bringing all the women’s ministries in your congregation under one umbrella for mutual support and encouragement, invite women to talk about the possibilities together. Try a Sunday forum between worship services, a weekend or evening "tea," or perhaps even a retreat. Or develop some survey questions and take them to every woman in the congregation — much like your congregation does in its annual stewardship and pledge emphasis. Then decide on what structure will best suit your needs. (See sample
ways to organize or create your own model.)
What does it take?
There are three types of groups in Women of the ELCA. We call these groups "units." Forming a unit is fairly simple. The
model constitution states: "To accomplish the purpose of Women of the ELCA women in this unit shall commit themselves to (a) come together for study, support, and action; (b) participate in the ministry of Women of the ELCA beyond the congregation; (c) support financially the total program of Women of the ELCA; and (d) designate leadership that shall be in communication with the synodical and churchwide women’s organization" (Article II, Section 2).
For an overview of what participants in Women of the ELCA are doing and what’s available to support you in your ministries, explore this Web site. If you need help with organizing or just want to talk to someone about this, call us at 800-638-3522, ext. 2450. We’ll be happy to listen, share ideas, and help you with the process.
This is what it’s all about—women of the church working together to make a difference!