THE WORD. Greetings from Ruth Convention

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1 THE WORD Metro Chicago Synodical Women s Organization January, 2017 Volume VIII Issue 1 Of Special Interest Greetings from the President October 14, 2017 SWO Convention hosted by Bethel Greetings from Ruth Dear Friends, As I begin my letter to you, I want to share with you some of the highlights from the SWO Convention in October. Over 70 people attended. The keynote speaker was Dorothy Johnson from St. Mark s Lutheran, Aurora, who gave a portrayal of Katie Von Bora Luther. It was a very interesting, informative and moving presentation. Katie Luther definitely was a BOLD WOMAN! Her portrayal gave us some insight as to what women of that time were expected to do. Katie was a woman of great faith and was the only one for Martin Luther. Other happenings at the convention included: Election of officers and board members; the election of Sharei Green and Stephnie Buford as delegates to the Triennial convention in addition to myself as president; offerings received were split between Mutual Ground and Women of the ELCA; and breakout sessions were given by Mutual Ground and Today s Dreams, Tomorrow s Realities. (Cont. pg 3) 2017 Convention Contents Luth/Cath Registration 5 Board Meetings 8 We are excited to announce that our 2017 SWO Convention is being hosted by the women of Bethel Lutheran in Chicago. The date will be October 14, We will meet in Amburg Hall, 1140 N. Lamon Ave., Chicago, IL. Our convention theme is, Reforming through Advocacy. The theme was chosen in recognition of the 500 th Anniversary of the Reformation and the 150 th Anniversary of LSSI. Matt. 25:40, And the king will answer them, Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me., will be our focus for the day. LSSI will be the recipient of half of our offering that day with the other half going to Women of the ELCA. Save the date, and plan to join us for a day of fellowship, renewal, and learning. Let us know if you have a special vendor you would like us to invite either to share information or products. (linda.miranda912@gmail.com)

2 2 Lutheran/Catholic Dialogue & Prayer The keynote speaker for this event will be Jan Irwin. Jan initially worked within corporations, and then ventured out on her own as a Marketing and Sales Consultant. She initially focused on young people, and created a series of workshops which became known as, The Best of You. Our homilist will be Rev. Kathy Nolte from Good Shepherd Lutheran church in Oak Park. She also serves as President of the Oak Park Regional Housing Center and Co-Chair of the Companion Synod Relationship with the Central Diocese of Southern Africa for the Metro Chicago Synod. Lift High the Cross The Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry will be the recipient of our offering. They are a member agency of the GCFD and serve low-income individuals and families in the surrounding neighborhoods struggling with food insecurity. Mark your calendar for Saturday, March 25, 2017, and don t forget to send your registration from page 5 to Cheryl Dickinson by March 15 th. We look forward to seeing you at St. Giles Catholic Church in Oak Park. We met at Bethany Lutheran in Batavia, IL focusing on our theme, Take heart, get up, He is calling you. One breakout session was facilitated by Andi Danis & Michelle Meyer from Mutual Ground where all services focus on the victims of domestic violence or sexual assault. The other session, Today s Dream Tomorrow s Reality (TDTR) was facilitated by Desiree Cole and Cheryl Dickinson and brought awareness to racism and how we continue to work to bring racial justice in the church, society, and the world. Our keynote speaker, Dotty Johnson (AKA Katie Von Bora Luther) amazingly and effectively brought us into the world of Katie. Our convention is always energized and inspired by the ministries that share their work in the display area. The participants included Metro Chicago Synod Mission Interpreters, Lutheran Campus Ministry, ELCA Federal Credit Union, Concordia Place Teens, Palestinian Olive Oil, Mideast Working Group, Equal Exchange Fair Trade products and Women of the ELCA. Our goals for the convention included: Growth in personal faith and commitment as we gathered together in fellowship with Sisters in Christ throughout our Metro Chicago Synod. We worshiped and sang with hearts alive in the Holy Spirit and this inspiration came through the leadership in worship of Pr. Trudy Stoffel, Pr. Steve Srock, Pr. Jane Perkolup, and Alan Spear. Dawn Smith, our Churchwide Women of the ELCA Representative, shared the resources and ministry areas happening now and future opportunities. Ruth Beck, our president, conducted the business meeting where we elected new board members as well as delegates to the Triennial Convention. Yes, 2016 was an inspiring and active year thanks to the participation of women throughout our synod! Thank you for your continued support of the Metro Chicago SWO Board members along with the ministry opportunities offered throughout the year with Women of the ELCA. Barb Olson Outgoing Vice President Recap of our 2016 Convention

3 3 Ruth s letter cont. from pg. 1 In February, I will be attending the Conference of Presidents. This is a wonderful time to connect with other SWO Presidents, share ideas, learn from each other, and get to know the staff at Women of the ELCA. I am looking forward to hearing more about what we will be doing at the Triennial Convention and Gathering which will take place in Minneapolis in July. Thank you to all who have financially contributed to Women of the ELCA, either by sending a remittance to Metro-Chicago SWO or directly to Women of the ELCA. We depend on the financial support from congregational units and individuals to carry out our ministry within our synod and churchwide. The theme for the Triennial Convention is All Anew. Isn t it wonderful that we can have this opportunity to begin all anew with a new year and new beginnings? So on that note.. Best Wishes to all for the New Year! May God Bless you and the women in your congregation! Sincerely, Ruth Beck, President Metro-Chicago SWO Ruth Beck, President and Cheryl Dickinson, Treasurer conducting business at the convention 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. Church Happenings Below are a few things happening in other churches in our synod. Feel free to contact the names given if you would like to participate in an event or would like more information about how to organize a similar event at your church. 1. Dottie Johnson is available to give her portrayal of Katie von Bora Luther. Contact her at or dotndar1@comcast.net. This is a perfect program in recognition of the 500 th year of the Reformation. 2. Human Trafficking and the Dreamcatcher Foundation will be the program at Bethany Lutheran, Batavia on March 12 th. Deborah Powell, co-founder and CEO of The Dreamcatcher Foundation will give the program. Reservations may be made by contacting Ruth Beck or rbeck303@gmail.com. The cost is $5.00 for lunch, but donations of gift cards from Target or Walmart for the foundation would be appreciated. Lunch begins at noon and the program will follow. 3. Luther Memorial will hold a retreat at Techny Towers on March 3 & 4. The theme is Reformed through Grace, and Valora Starr is our keynote speaker on Saturday. Registrations are due by Feb. 12 th. Contact Linda Miranda for information linda.miranda912@gmail.com. 4. The ELCA Federal Credit Union is launching a mobile app for your banking convenience. Contact them for more information at

4 4 It s not too late to register for the Tenth Triennial Gathering being held in Minneapolis, MN July th! These events are very well planned and feature incredible speakers, workshops, Bible studies, movies, AMAZING WORSHIP, and time with friends, new and long time, through laughter, tears, and prayer. Minneapolis is within driving distance, so get your friends together and plan to attend. You can register online at SWO Board Members NAME PHONE CHURCH Ruth Beck President rbeck303@gmail.com Bethany Lutheran Batavia Desiree Cole desiree.a.cole78@gmail.com Trinity United Waukegan Cheryl Dickinson Treasurer Gloria Green Secretary cheryl_dickinson@att.net St. Mark s Aurora gdjhlg51@yahoo.com Bethel Lutheran Chicago Bonnie Lopez felixbon@aol.com Holy Trinity Glenview Linda Miranda linda.miranda912@gmail.com Luther Memorial Chicago Stephanie Olson Vice President stephanieolson14@yahoo.com Lord of Life Schaumburg Sandra Schlauch sas1946@comcast.net Trinity Evanston Donna Sell Dsell0324@gmail.com Holy Trinity Lombard Kathleen West KWest@concordiaplace.org Resurrection Chicago

5 LIFT HIGH THE CROSS 28 th Annual Lutheran/Catholic Morning of Dialogue and Prayer March 25, 2017 St. Giles Catholic Church 1045 Columbian Ave Oak Park, IL Two blocks east of Oak Park Ave and two blocks south of North Ave at the corner of Columbian and Greenfield. Keynote Speaker Jan Irwin Homilist - Rev. Kathy Nolte, from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Oak Park, IL The Oak Park Food Pantry will receive the offering proceeds. Registration, Coffee, & Fellowship will begin at 8:30 a.m. in McDonough Hall, on the 2 nd floor of the Gleeson Building just north of the church. The Program and Introductions will begin at 9:30 am in the sanctuary. Lunch will be served at 12:00 Noon in the Gleeson Building Registration Cost is $20 Please mail your checks (made out to Metro Chicago SWO) and registration information to arrive by March 15 th to: Cheryl Dickinson, 2931 Trillium Ct., Aurora, IL NAME PHONE ADDRESS CITY/STATE/ZIP NAME OF CONGREGATION LIST ADDITIONAL NAMES ON THE BACK. AMOUNT ENCLOSED

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7 7 An Introduction to Stephanie Olson Standing outside the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem I want to extend warm greetings to the Metro Chicago SWO and take this opportunity to introduce myself as I begin my term as vice president. I am a member of Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Schaumburg. In my work life I am a trainer for CVS Health. Prior to CVS, I served as a missionary in Slovakia for two years, teaching at a bi-lingual high school in north central Slovakia. Before moving to Slovakia I was a MA student at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN receiving a Master of Arts in Mission and World Christianity. I made the decision to work on my masters while I was serving as a Young Adult in Global Missions (YAGM) in Germany. Over my life I have enjoyed learning new things and try to stay informed on what is happening in current events, local, national and global. Growing up I noticed that most of the other kids in youth group or at various camps also had awareness of events outside themselves. We could talk about a variety of topics and often had conversations that went from our favorite show at the time to whatever atrocity was happening. Being able to have such interactions seemed normal to me, but as I have entered the adult world I discovered this was not always the case. As a result of my interactions and awareness, I have chosen to be part of groups such as Women of the ELCA, Church Women United, World Student Christian Federation, etc. The women and people are accepting of each other and willing to share their knowledge. The first time I went to the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) at the United Nations there were various delegations of young adults and a large gathering of all the religious delegations representing many ages. The young adults connected right away regardless of what country we were from or which denomination. When we gathered with the large group all the women were eager to share their stories and tips on how to navigate all the meetings. At my first CSW I was elected to the national board of directors for Church Women United (the sponsor of the delegation). I was one of two Young Women representatives on the board. This role was a great experience. I helped plan and co-lead two national retreats for young women leaders, served as a mentor at future CSWs and attended two board meetings a year representing the voices of the young women heard in the movement. At the last triennial convention I was one of the delegates from Metro Chicago. I was also named the head of the election committee for the convention. When I was asked to accept a nomination for the Metro Chicago SWO board, I messaged two close friends of mine, and they both encouraged me to accept the role as long as it is something I want to do. If we focus on the meeting part of our conventions and church groups it is unappealing to many. Instead, creating awareness about the great programs that Women of the ELCA promotes throughout the world and the opportunities to meet new people from across town or across the globe would attract other young women who would like to be involved, but do not know what the group does. Thank you for letting me serve as your vice president and I look forward to meeting each of you at the convention in October. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend. It will not be the same without YOU there to leave your mark.

8 8 Metro Chicago SWO Board Meetings January 7, :00 pm Holy Trinity Glenview, IL March 25, :00 pm St. Giles Catholic Oak Park, IL June 20, 2017 Conference Call August 19, :00 am Holy Trinity Lombard, IL Your offerings are important to the continuing work of both the Metro Chicago SWO and the churchwide Women of the ELCA in order for them to continue offering the programs and resources that your local church groups depend on. Donations sent to Metro Chicago SWO are shared with the churchwide office. Contact Cheryl Dickinson for information on how and where to send your donations. LINDA MIRANDA, Editor 2722 W Leland Ave. #2 Chicago, IL 60625