File - Southeastern Synod Women of the ELCA

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The Southeastern Weaver
Newsletter of The Southeastern Synod
Women of the ELCA
February 2016
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
by Louise Iconis
And please remember these words of Maya
Angelou through the coming year –
“We all should know that diversity makes for a rich
tapestry, and we must understand that all the
threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter
what their color.”
At our November meeting at Lutheranch. the
synodical board committed ourselves to live out our
baptismal vows through our service to the Women of
the ELCA. Actually, our whole ministry is a reminder
of our baptisms – to be an active and vital part of the
church; to proclaim the good news through word and
deed; to serve all people, following the examples of
Jesus; and to strive for justice and peace for all.
Our theme for this year is “Weave Us Together” based
on the Bible verse Colossians 2: 2 –
“I want you woven into a tapestry of love, in touch
with everything there is to know of God. Then you
will have minds confident and at rest, focused on
Christ, God's great mystery.”
We ask that you use this theme and Bible verse as you
plan your activities for the year. Look for ways that
your WELCA unit or cluster can become more
involved with issues like justice and advocacy through
organizations such as the Southeastern Synod
Advocacy Team. You can also make plans now to
attend the convention in September to learn more
about these issues.
Congratulations to Melissa Moody who has taken a
full-time job with Days for Girls International.
We will be able to say we knew her when…
2 THE SOUTHEASTERN WEAVER Resources for Young Women
Cheryl Pannal
Greetings and Happy New Year from your Sisters in
Christ of Cluster 1. As we begin the new year, you
may want to research some new material for your
Bible Studies that are ELCA approved and may be
downloaded from the ELCA website.
These
resources are directed toward younger women, and
are some of the topics which we will be focusing on
during our 2016 WELCA Convention. Lots of
conversation is advised for these Bible Studies!
“Miss Representation”
This is a three session Bible Study which examines
equality for women. It looks at how the media
affects the self-image of young girls, and how it
forces them to feel about themselves. There are
discussions on the video about how some wellknown celebrities have been treated by the media.
The film shows solutions that target the root of the
problems in order to empower women.
The DVD is available through some local libraries,
can be viewed on www.netflix.com
or ordered through www.itunes.com.
http://download.elca.org/ELCA%20Resource%20Re
pository/Miss_Representation_Discussion_Guide_A
.pdf
http://download.elca.org/ELCA%20Resource%20Re
pository/Miss_Representation_Discussion_Guide_B.
pdf (This is a slightly longer session.)
“A Path Appears”
The first episode makes us aware that sex trafficking
is not far from our back doors. There are stories
from victims and survivors that give powerful
insights into the lives of these young women and
girls. The second episode goes on to discuss poverty
and child labor. Episode three is about what we can
change to make “A Path Appear.” This DVD is also
available through some local libraries, can be viewed
on www.netflix.com or ordered through
www.itunes.
http://download.elca.org/ELCA%20Resource%20Re
pository/A_Path_Appears_Discussion_Guide_.pdf
Café
Café is a magazine for young adult women who
want to build their faith. It can be used individually
or for a group Bible Study. It incorporates a
Lutheran perspective for Christian women who are
interested in how their faith relates to issues that
they are facing today. You may sign up to receive a
monthly e-newsletter on the website along with
news, events and updates. http://www.boldcafe.org
TREASURER’S REPORT
Greetings and best wishes for a very Happy New
Year. As you may know, our fiscal year ends the
31st of January 2016. We still have time to work on
our giving, especially the Love offering. Lutheran
Social Services is a very important organization and
needs all the help we can give. You have all been so
generous in the past, and I know you will continue to
show your love through your giving.
The last general offering that went to Churchwide
was: $3487.03. Katie's Fund: $2066.05 Disaster
Relief: $500 LWR Shipping $2179.45 Lutheran
Services of Tennessee, Lutheran Services of Georgia
and Lutheran Ministries of Alabama each received
$1153.
We still have some on the books that hasn't been sent
yet but are hoping we can have a lot more to send by
the end of January.
Thank you again for your continued generosity.
God's Work, Our Hands.
Blessings to you,
Dianna Kroeger
Treasurer S.E.S. WELCA
3 THE SOUTHEASTERN WEAVER 2016 Spring Cluster Meetings
1 - Ebenezer
April 9
Zion, Guyton, GA
Cheryl Pannal
2 - Good News
April 9
Grace, Carrollton, GA
Annelle Colevins
3 - Trinity
April 15-16
Calvin Retreat Ctr., Hampton, GA
Kathy Hill
4 - Magi
March 12
All Saints, Lilburn, GA
Harolyn Light
5 - Mission
TBA
6 - Agape
April 9
Messiah, Knoxville, TN
Dian Luffman
7 - Diaspora
April 9
St. Mark’s, Huntsville, AL
Margery Kellar
8 - The King
March 12
St. Andrew, Franklin, TN
Joni Donegan
Janice Hawkins
LWR News By Janice Hawkins
The SES Fall Quilt & Kit Ingathering dates and locations have been set for August 26 and 27, 2016. See the
enclosed list for a place and time near you! The locations have remained the same, but some of the drop-off
times have been adjusted. This will also be published on the Lutheran World Relief website under
“Ingathering Locations” along with the updated Church Reporting Form. The 2016 Church Reporting Form
will also be published in the May/June Weaver and is also available in the 2016 Annual Resource Guide.
This form needs to be filled out by each church when dropping off their Quilts & Kits at the truck.
Each year our collection has been increasing so keep working on those Quilts & Kits! Our gifts allow
Lutheran World Relief to respond to some of the most urgent needs in the world today. In 2015 the people of
Nepal were shaken by 2 earthquakes. LWR distributed over 9,000 Quilts and 1,000 Personal Care Kits. As
the civil war in Syria continues, thousands of refugees and migrants from Northern Africa, Syria, Afghanistan
and Iraq are flowing into Europe. In response to the Syrian refugee crisis LWR was able to send Quilts, Baby
Care Kits, School Kits, and Personal Care Kits to distribute to refugees reaching more than 235,912 people.
LWR was also able to distribute Quilts, Personal Care Kits, Baby Care Kits, and School Kits to those in need
in Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Iraq and many others in villages, schools, hospitals and refugee camps around
the world.
Right now LWR is in urgent need of School Kits, but as the refugee crisis continues Quilts and Personal Care
Kits are also needed. Be sure to involve everyone in your community in this important ministry. Sunday
School children love to put together School Kits! Personal Care Kits are easy, inexpensive, and quick to do
as a service project.
For the most up-to-date information on Quilt and Kit content and instructions please visit the LWR website at
http://lwr.org/getinvolved/kits. You can also call LWR and have them ship you many resources to have
handy and distribute at your church and in your community.
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4 THE SOUTHEASTERN WEAVER 2016 LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF DROP-OFF SITES
Ingathering dates: Friday, August 26 and Saturday, August 27
2015 SES Women of the ELCA Board Liaison: Janice Hawkins
Email [email protected]:
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
Coordinator: 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 18-21 for truck loading on Friday 21st
Shades Valley Lutheran Church
Church Phone: 205-871-3512 (call coordinator)
720 Shades Creek Parkway, Birmingham 35209
Coordinator: Kathryn Waters at 205-967-8101 or 205-243-8038
ALABAMA—Northeast
Saturday: 9 am – 1 pm
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 9 am – 1 pm Saturday 9am-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: 12 noon-6 pm
Saturday: 10 am – 1 pm
St. Johns Lutheran Church
Church Phone: 912-826-5411 (call coordinator)
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Highway 21 & 7 Street, Rincon 31326
Coordinator: Carolyn Arnsdorff
Phone: 912-754-6733 or 912-663-0624
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-call Jolene Richardson
908 Murfreesboro Rd, Franklin 37064
Coordinator: Joni Donegan
Phone: 615-584-9309
TENNESSEE—East/Central
Friday: 4:30-8 pm Saturday: 9 am – 12 noon
Big Lots store parking lot
Store Phone: 423-638-1336 (call coordinator)
1505 E. Andrew Johnson Highway, Greenville 37743
Coordinator: Mary Jane Gray Phone: 423-525-2177
THERE WILL NOT BE A LWR TRUCK AT CONVENTION AT
THE HILTON IN PEACHTREE COURNERS, GA
5 THE SOUTHEASTERN WEAVER By Kathy Hill 2016 LOVE OFFERING
By Kathy Hill
The SES Women of the ELCA Love Offering for
2016-2017 will go to the Lutheran Campus
Ministries in our synod. When our children go off
to college they are not only away from home and
family, but away from their church home and
church family as well. They have the chance to
keep the community of a church family through
Lutheran Campus Ministries. Across our synod we
have 18+ universities and colleges that have a
Lutheran Campus Ministry on site or nearby as a
collective for several campuses in close proximity.
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East Tennessee State University
Vanderbilt University
University of Tennessee
Kennesaw State University
University of Georgia
Lutheran Campus Ministry Atlanta (Georgia
Tech, Agnes Scott, Emory, and Georgia
State)
• Atlanta University Center Lutheran Campus
Ministry (Clark Atlanta, Morehouse,
Spelman, Morris Brown, Morehouse
School
of
Medicine
and
The
Interdenominational Theological Center)
• Savannah School of Art and Design
• Savannah State University
Lutheran Campus Ministries is a special
community that engages people in academic
settings in a grace-filled relationship with Jesus
Christ. We want to encourage our young adults to
continue their faith walk with Jesus by supporting
the Lutheran Campus Ministries. Our Love
Offering Goal is $5000.
Days for Girls chapters and teams have increased
again to 19 in our synod with a possible #20 as a new
team will hopefully be starting in Bethlehem, GA this
month. GA Chapter Director, Melissa Moody, now
works for DFG as the Informational Technology
Director. She was in Beirut in January for two weeks
teaching DFG classes to Palestinian refugees. She
will be in Guatemala again this summer. New shield
patterns that are easier to sew came out in 2015. You
can find them on the website.
DFG was the 4th place winner in Revlon’s “Love is
On” Million Dollar Challenge which began in
September of last year. Amount raised for DFG was
$155,871. Keep working ladies. We are making a
difference in the lives of girls all over the world.
Website: http://www.daysforgirls.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DaysforGirls
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?
Join us at one of our scheduled events this winter to find
“A Place for You” in the Women of the ELCA. Learn
how the churchwide and synodical organizations work, as
well as the clusters and congregational units within our
synod, and how you can be a part of it.
February 6 - 9:30am-2:30 pm, St. Stephen, 4664
Covington Highway, Decatur, GA 30035
February 13 - 9:30am-2:30 pm, Holy Trinity, 8271
Whispering Pines Road, Daphne, AL 36526
March 5 - 9:30am-2:30 pm, Christ, 299 Haywood
Ln, Nashville, TN 37211
Please contact Louise Iconis at 770-934-5072 or
[email protected] to sign up for one of the events or
to schedule an event in your area. 6 THE SOUTHEASTERN WEAVER 2016 SES WOMEN of the ELCA CONVENTION
BY JACQUI EL TORRO
Happy New Year!!!! Can you believe that it is already 2016? Yes, 2016 and time to make plans to attend the
Southeastern Synod Women of the ELCA’s 29th Annual Convention.
This year the convention will be held September 16-18 at the Hilton Atlanta Northeast in Peachtree Corners,
Georgia. For those who live outside metro Atlanta, Peachtree Corners is north east of Atlanta. The hotel is
nicknamed the Castle because it looks so much like a castle on the exterior. The interior underwent a total
renovation last summer so it is beautiful.
NEWS FLASH……THERE IS NO WALKING THIS YEAR! Yes, you read it correctly. No walking! All of
the meeting rooms are within 30 feet of each other.
Our theme is “Weave Us Together.” How appropriate is that? Convention is the one time a year that we as
women of the church come together for prayer, Bible study, sisterhood and to conduct business. It is our time
to be together - woven together by our faith, our dedication to Christ and to each other.
Merriam Webster defines convention as: “a large meeting of people who come to a place for usually several
days to talk about their shared work or other interests or to make decisions as a group.” We cannot have a
convention without each and every one of you. Plan to attend, sleep in the Castle and enjoy every moment
you can with your sisters as we become Woven Together.
JUST THE FACTS:
Dates
September 16-18, 2016
Location
Hilton Atlanta Northeast, Peachtree Corners, GA
Theme
Weave Us Together
Bible Verse
“I want you woven into a tapestry of love, in touch with everything
there is to know of God. Then you will have minds confident and at
rest, focused on Christ, God's great mystery.” Colossians 2: 2
Hymn
Weave
Love Offering
Lutheran Campus Ministries
In-Kind Gifts
Wellspring Living of Gwinnett
Board Liaison
Harolyn Light
Registrar
Barbara Schwanebeck
Host Cluster
Cluster 4 – Magi
Audio/Visual Tech
Linda Few
Convention Chair
Carolyn Davis
Banquet Chair
Dixie Wigbels
Hospitality
Judy Aukes and Judy Johnson
Volunteer Coordinator
Bernice Bland
7 THE SOUTHEASTERN WEAVER TRIENNIAL GATHERING
July13-16, 2017
The 10th triennial gathering is scheduled for July 13-16, 2017 in Minneapolis, MN. I have been asked to
promote the gathering for the Southeastern Synod in conjunction with the two Triennial Gathering Promoters
(TGP’s) selected by the Women of the ELCA. They are Jean Minkin and Camille Trott. They had training in
Minneapolis in November and are ready and eager to share their knowledge with you.
In addition to my helping to share information with you I will be planning 1 or 2 events for the Southeastern
Synod women at the gathering, looking into transportation to/from the event, ensuring we have an item to
trade with women outside our synod and do anything I can to help make your experience awesome.
A bit about the logo which appears above: The joyful, organic shape of a butterfly - or is it a flower? represents transformation and growth. Splashes of color honoring the four elements (earth, wind, fire, air)
spill outside the lines to create an uplifting symbol that is bright, bold and vibrant.
The theme is “All Anew”. At the gathering plan to explore the theme by listening to inspiring speakers;
participating in worship and praise; learn by attending workshops, viewing films and engaging in servant
events. Also visit the exhibit hall where you can gather, shop and connect. And don't forget the special
events like the 5K run.
Registration will open in September 2016. As additional information becomes available I will let you know.
Start planning now to attend. It will be here before you know it.
Kathy Seraphine
Churchwide News
By Margery Kellar
Bold Women’s Day is observed on the fourth Sunday in February (February 28) by Women of the ELCA.
This day celebrates Lutheran women who are boldly living their faith in Jesus Christ. In 2015, the youth at
All Saints Lutheran Church in Port Orange, FL, created a Bold Women’s Wall. The youth, ages 10-14
interviewed the Bold Women in their church, took pictures and posted the pictures and stories on the wall.
Lent is a good time for 40 days of reflection, 40 days of spiritual evaluation – an annual check-up. Lent
begins on Ash Wednesday, February 10, and Women of the ELCA offers two free resources you can use in
your 40 days of reflection:
Lent: Penitence, Pilgrimage, Preparation engages your imagination as you explore Lenten practices and our
Christian history. Intended for use by a group, this resource also includes Lenten practices, some of which can
be taken up immediately and others that call for additional preparation.
Looking into the Mirror: A Lenten Reflection focuses on looking into a metaphorical mirror, the kind we
hold up to our souls. Use this resource as an aid in refocusing your faith life and realign your relationship with
God. The discussion questions work best in small groups, though this resource can also be used
independently. This resource is also available in Spanish.
More Churchwide news of the Women of the ELCA may be found at: http://www.womenoftheelca.org/news---announcements-page-6.php
8 THE SOUTHEASTERN WEAVER Church Women United is a diverse and inclusive Christian women’s movement. Founded in 1941, Church
Women United is:
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a movement representing Protestant, Roman Catholic, Orthodox and other Christian women;
biblically based, shared Christian faith;
organized into more than 1,200 local and state units working for peace and justice in the United States
and Puerto Rico;
supported by constituents in state and local units and denominational women’s organizations;
impassioned by the Holy Spirit to act on behalf of women and children throughout the world; and
recognized as a non-governmental organization by the United Nations.
(preceding from their web site).
One of its activities is the annual World Day of Prayer (WDP). It’s an international event where Protestants,
Catholics, Orthodox, and other Christian women and men unite in prayer. People in over 170 countries
participate. The annual day began in the 19th century and in 1927 came to be as we know it, an official call to
pray – the World Day of Prayer. The web site has this quote:
It is with deep gratitude that we recognize the growing power inherent in our World Day of Prayer. A very
decided expansion of this prayer fellowship has come during the past year. The circle of prayer has expanded
literally around the world. We have learned the great lesson of praying with, rather than for, our sisters of
other races and nations, thus enriching our experience and releasing the power which must be ours if we are
to accomplish tasks entrusted to us.
The World Day of Prayer is celebrated on the first Friday of March. Our prayers follow the sun’s path around
the world. Can you imagine hundreds of languages and dialects, praying to God? Truly prayer in action.
The host for WPD in 2016 is Cuba and the date will be Friday March 4th. I invite you to visit the web sites for
Church Women United and World Day of Prayer. You’ll find more information on WDP and other activities
of Church Women United.
http://www.churchwomen.org/
http://www.wdp-usa.org/
*The logo of Church Women United (At top of page) is a circle with the exploding sun at the center. The
rays suggest the dynamic force, vitality and life of the sun as our source of light and from Jesus, the Son, and
our Source of Enlightenment. The rays also indicate movement, action and power; a coming and going as
God’s people return to the Source for strength and then go out into the world in mission. The texture and
richness of the rays symbolize the qualities the Christian women can contribute to the world. Texture relates
to the way constituent parts are woven together. So it is that in Church Women United, Christian women from
diverse backgrounds unite in a way that provides body and fullness for witness in a pluralistic, changing
society.
9 THE SOUTHEASTERN WEAVER 2015-­‐2016 EXECUTIVE BOARD Southeastern Synod Women of the ELCA Louise Iconis, President, ARG
& BOR, Website & Facebook
Admin.
2830 Sylvan Ramble Road
Atlanta, GA 30345
Jacqui El Torro, Vice Pres.,
SESLYO, Cluster 9 Board Rep.
Margery Kellar, Secretary,
Cluster 7 Board Rep.
Dian Luffman, Treasurer
Cluster 8 Board Rep.
Annelle Colevins, Mission:
Community, Cluster 3 Bd. Rep.
Joni Donegan, Mission:
Growth, Cluster 6 Board Rep.
Janice Hawkins, Mission:
Action, Lutheran World Relief,
Cluster 5 Board Rep.
Kathy Hill, Mission: Action,
Cluster 2 Board Rep.
2672 Stone View Terrace
East Point, GA 30344
1686 Bristol Drive NE
Atlanta, GA 30329
5131 Ashley Drive
Nashville, TN 37211
75 Greenwood Lane
Carrollton, GA 30117
[email protected] Cell (404) 769-8253,
H (770) 934-5072
[email protected]
(404) 452-5354
[email protected]
(404) 803-9404
[email protected]
(615) 831-0941
[email protected]
(678) 839-6384
1404 Glad Court
Franklin, TN 37069
4315 Bending River Trail
Lilburn, GA 30047
[email protected]
210 Ridge Run
Stockbridge, GA 30281
[email protected]
(c) (404) 310-7112
Harolyn Light, Mission:
Community, Cluster 4 Bd Rep.
3212 Clearview Dr., SW
Marietta, GA 30060
[email protected]
(678) 305-9048
Cheryl Pannal, Mission:
Growth, Cluster 1 Board Rep.
165 Palmetto Road
Guyton, GA 31312
[email protected]
(912) 667-5315
Sharen Kilpatrick
Newsletter Editor
Barbara Schwanebeck
Convention Registrar
Kathy Seraphine
Triennial Gathering Promoter
Racial Justice Advocacy
5666 Woodsong Drive
Dunwoody, GA 30338
277 Mossy Way NW
Kennesaw, GA 30152
[email protected]
(770) 394-0884 [email protected]
(770) 427-7808
1200 Seven Springs Circle
Marietta, GA 30068
[email protected]
(770) 971-765
Carlyn Nankervis
Malisha Brown
[email protected]
[email protected]
Women of the ELCA
Churchwide
8765 West Higgins Rd.
Chicago, IL 60631-4189
www.womenoftheelca.org
(800) 638-3522, Ext. 2730
(615) 584-9309 [email protected]
(770) 712-6090
Non-Board
10 THE SOUTHEASTERN WEAVER The Southeastern Weaver Southeastern Synod of Women of the ELCA 5666 Woodsong Drive Dunwoody, GA 30338-­‐2844 Southeastern Weaver Subscription Request Form Name: ______________________________________________________________ Address: ____________________________________________________________ City: _____________________________ State:_________ Zip Code: __________ Email Address: ______________________________________________________ The cost of a one-­‐year mailed subscription is now $10.00, or you may also subscribe for the FREE email version. Send your subscription order with checks made payable to Southeastern Synod Women of the ELCA for the hard copy version to the Newsletter Editor at the address shown in the table on the previous page of the newsletter or send your e-­‐mail address for the FREE email version to the email address on the previous page. Thank you for your continued support.