Elim Lutheran Church Women (Also known as the ELCW)
ThankofferingsThankofferings are a long-standing custom among Lutheran women. We give in thanksgiving for blessings received–and we do receive so many blessings, don’t we? And we are so grateful. That’s why we give Thankofferings.
What do our Thankofferings support?The founders of Women of the ELCA decided back in 1988 that Thankofferings are to support the ongoing ministries of the churchwide women’s organization. Our founders would be amazed to see what that covers these days! Our ongoing ministries include our many online and printed communications channels (including a website), our justice and advocacy work, training and development for elected leaders throughout the women’s organization, our constant work in support of congregational and synodical women’s organizations, the administration of our grants and scholarship programs, all that goes into our triennial convention (the business meeting, that is), and so much more. How Thankofferings workMany women set aside small amounts at home throughout the year and then bring together their gifts with those of the other women in their circles or local groups at the end of the year. The total amount is then sent to the Women of the ELCA headquarters. From: www.womenoftheelca.org/thankofferings Photos from our 2022 Fall retreat33 women gathered in Mill Valley at the beautiful Ralston White Retreat. We met in the living room with windows that showed off the trees as a light rain misted through. Pastor Kathryn Gulbranson led us through times of sharing, stretches, poetry, readings, and lots of time to get to know each other better. We had women from Marin Lutheran and Elim! We ended with a communion service and bubble prayers.
ELCW 2021- May 2023 Board
Doris Widger, President Kathy Matt, Vice President Mercedes Cooke, Secretary Andrea Nortz, Treasurer Karen Pesutich, Elizabeth Circle Rep. Kathy Matt, Esther Circle coordinator Doris Widger, Elizabeth Circle coordinator We are part of the WELCA What is WELCA? It’s an easy way to say Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Our organization includes Lutheran women who gather in more than 7,000 locations in the U.S. and the Caribbean, for service, study, advocacy, fellowship, and more! WELCA embraces all kinds of ministries that support our mission of mobilizing women to act boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ. Learn more at: www.womenoftheelca.org Some of the circles are currently using an ELCA magazine, “Gather” for our monthly Bible Study. To subscribe to this magazine, call: (toll-free) 844-409-0576 or visit their website at: gathermagazine.org. Other groups that are not officially part of the ELCW but you might be interested in: Elim Crafters Leader: Becky Wyrick We meet frequently to work on crafts to sell at pop-up sales on several Sunday mornings during the year. The money raised goes to various Elim and community projects and programs. Contact Becky Wyrick to get on the email list to see when we are meeting. Prayer Shawl Ministry A prayer shawl is a symbol of love, crafted to give comfort and warmth to those who receive it. For many years Elim’s Prayer Shawl Ministry has knitted and crocheted at least 275 prayer shawls to give to people experiencing hardships so that they may know that they are embraced by God and Elim during these difficult times. As we create the shawl, we say a prayer for the often-unknown recipient and before we send them, we gather to bless them using this prayer: “May God's grace be upon this shawl... warming, comforting, enfolding and embracing. May this mantle be a safe haven... a sacred place of security and well-being... sustaining and embracing in good times as well as difficult ones. May the one who receives this shawl be cradled in hope, kept in joy, graced with peace, and wrapped in love. ” (Prayer by Janet Bristow) We send a shawl with our Ministry Teams that go to Mexico and New Orleans, as well as people at Elim who are healing or grieving. You may have seen us at work during the worship services. We also knit and crochet at home. We don’t meet regularly but if you would like to join our group and get directions on how to make a shawl, feel free to talk to one of us: Nancy Clarke, Andrea Nortz, Doris Widger, Robin Butts, Mary Wyrick, and Susan Rodkin. |
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