Eastern Synod Women s Ministry. Just Do It!

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1 Spring Edition 2015 Eastern Synod Women s Ministry Just Do It! The Columbine Inside this issue: Northern Women s Fall Event Women of Faith KW Conference Fall Event Women s Auxiliary WLS Women of Faith Scholarship Fund Spring Events 6 Singspiration Information 7-10 The Last Word 11 Planning Ahead. We need a venue and theme for our 2017 Eastern Synod Women s Gathering Now s the time to talk to your group what would you be interested in? Where would you like to visit? Areas think about hosting Contact Cathy Calvin at calvin1980@bell.net with your comments After the brutal winter we have had these past few months, I have a renewed appreciation for the beginning of Spring. I love the sweet smell in the air, the sounds of the birds, and the hints of warm summer to come. It is indeed a time of rebirth, of new beginnings. I recall reading once a quote about beginnings that went something like this: Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it, Boldness has genius, power and magic in it! I am not exactly sure who said it (there is a dispute of whether it was Goethe or WH Murray), but the fact is that I had written it down and keep coming back to it often. No question, it inspires me (otherwise I would not have kept it). It also reminds me of the ads a few years back that said Don t think, just do! Sometimes, I believe we can get bogged down by thinking too much. I know I certainly do. We can get a really good idea, start to get enthusiastic about it and then...the thinking starts! Whose going to come? What about the money? What happens if.? Etc., etc. So much so, that the doing goes by the wayside and the good idea is no longer viable. Sound familiar? Now don t get me wrong it is important to think things through, but not to the exclusion of the doing. I ll admit, this used to happen to me way too often in the past, and that is why I have adopted the Just Do It attitude. And because of that some good things have begun to happen. Take for example, the group of women who formed the Women of Faith scholarship committee. They took their dream, their idea, and boldly applied for funds and have started an another campaign to raise additional funds, to keep this scholarship growing. You can be a part of this and can read about how on page 4 of this newsletter. Have you ever thought of hosting an event in your congregation or area but didn t know what to do or even how to start? Two young women in Synod have thought about just that and have created a workshop to teach you how to take an idea and develop it into an event. They will be debuting the workshop at Singspiration Making a Joyful Noise, and it is called, If You Plant a Seed Putting an Idea into Action. The information and registration forms for Singspiration are in this newsletter as well. Early bird registration (save $50) has been extended until MARCH 31st (must be postmarked by this date). If you have not picked out which breakout sessions to attend you might consider this one. Otherwise, look for information in the Fall Columbine we re taking this show on the road to a congregation near you! These are just two small examples of how being a bit bold and just doing it can make wonderful things happen. And I know there are more examples out there of things that have already been done I would love to hear about them and share them with others. What an inspiration they could be. So to the rest of you, I challenge you this Spring to do something new a bit bold; to think out of the box. You will be pleasantly surprised at the results. Cathy Calvin

2 Page 2 The Columbine Spring Edition 2015 Northern Area Lutheran Church Women s Fall Event October 18, 2014 Trinity Sudbury Hymn Sing Leaders Marjorie and Pastor Glenda Hymn Sing anyone? Guest Speaker Valerie Hennessy, Salvation Army The Ladies in the Kitchen Welcome and Opening Prayer by Pres. Inga Nelson. As host congregation, Pam Radunsky welcomed the Ladies to our celebration. This was followed by Service of Holy Communion conducted by our Dean of Northern Area, Pastor Glenda Morrissette. We had twelve Ladies attending for the day. As representatives from each church came forward, they presented their gifts of baby or women's personal care items. These were donated to the Cambrian Barrydowne Campus for use by women students. Pres. Inga read Greetings from the Synod Director of Women's Ministry, Cathy Calvin. Cathy is also the new editor of our Columbine newsletter. Women across our Synod are still gathering together as they value the fellowship and inspiration of these meetings. Singspiration, our Eastern Synod Women's Gathering will be held next May 29-31, 2015 at the Cambridge Hotel and Convention Centre. The cost is $ per person and includes all meals and accommodation. Registration forms will be available in November. It promises to be an exciting and fun-filled event. Women of Faith Scholarship Fund has been established at Waterloo Lutheran University. In our Northern Area, we could look at the possibilities of subsidies for women attending Biennial or Synod Gatherings. All Lutheran Church Women are welcome to attend. Our thanks to Arja Makinen who has taken over the Treasurer's position. We also thank Marjorie Steinke for a job well done as our past Treasurer. Pastor Glenda and Pam Radunsky led us in a very interesting study of several faith -filled women of the Bible. Northern Area, Dean Glenda, brought us up to date on the changes made in our church structure. Instead of Conferences we are now called Areas without formal procedures for meetings. We will focus more on ministry than business. The Bishop will appoint the Deans, who will in turn, choose a ministry team in their area, and will gather to brainstorm ideas and communicate activities. We enjoyed a lovely lunch provided by Trinity LCW. Then we joined in a sing-along led by Marjorie Steinke and accompanied by our talented accompanist, Dean Glenda. Following our musical interlude, we heard from our guest speaker, Major Valerie Hennesey, an officer in the Salvation Army. She shared her personal Faith Story, which was often quite humorous as well as inspirational. There were three different workshops provided, but all chose to explore the aspect of Tell from ELCIC Call to Spiritual Renewal. Our Closing Worship was a Compline service with Katariina Leskela offering a meditation on passages from the book of Daniel. The day closed with coffee fellowship and a discussion about moving forward. The desire to continue to meet is there, but perhaps we might consider having a shorter gathering. St. Timothy's women will discuss the next gathering. The above report includes excerpts taken from the Minutes written by our Submitted by Event Secretary, Pam Radunsky. Hard at work at Bible

3 The Columbine Spring Edition 2015 Page 3 Women of Faith K-W Conference Event On Oct.25, 2014, with the help of many willing hands, St. Paul s hosted the Fall Event for the KW Conference Women of Faith. The event, as always, was inspiring, and thought provoking; held under the event heading Sewing God s Seed. Pastor Stephen started us off in the morning, leading us in Morning Matins asking God to inspire us to use our talents, and do God s work. We heard Pastor James Koellner, of St. Luke s in Kitchener, speak of their mission in the Dominican Republic. Amazing facts of a congregation sharing the plenty of our world with these Island people! One fact that stuck with me is the one where many of the children, when the mission first arrived among them, were sporting red hair which here in the land of plenty we connect with a visit to the hairdresser. It was caused by a lack of proper vitamins and nutrition which with the distribution of daily vitamins has vanished. In our Narthex is a list of things St. Luke s is collecting to take on their next mission Journey. Please notice it and contribute. Remember there is a part of this beautiful Island that the Cruise Boats don t stop at, but your help can and will through St. Luke s and their mission team. In the afternoon, Bill McMullen, a friend from Trinity Anglican Church, right here in our neighbourhood, spoke to us about the good work and nutritious meals being served to the less fortunate people of Cambridge under the program Trinity Community Table. The statistics on meals prepared were staggering, the tales of the helpers involved in this project inspiring, and the tales of the people receiving these meals was humbling. Our offerings for the day were generous in total we managed to support Eastern Synod Women s Ministry with $320; St. Luke s Dominican Journey and Trinity Table equally with $160. each. We must also mention our guest musicians that day who managed, with piano and guitar to perform the most enjoyable entertainment. From this day of humble attendance and in collaboration with the Sunday School s Drive, we managed to send 38 complete Learning & Living Kits to CLWR and a huge box of miscellaneous items, earmarked Learning. The best news is, extra dollars earmarked from this event together with money graciously donated to Faith Women Kits and monies raised by the Mat Weavers we can sponsor a complete classroom through CLWR in the amount of $250. Good things happen when we work together and share our single dollars. We need to thank many people who worked that day. Please forgive us for not mentioning names. Just read the good that came of that day and know that you were a part of Sewing God s Seed. God Bless you all! Submitted by Pam Boeckner and Eleanor Wyss CLWR s Learning and Living Kits Equip a Classroom for $ through CLWR Gifts of the Heart Program. Your mission dollars go far through CLWR. Visit them at clwr.org. I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare. C. S. Lewis

4 The Columbine Spring Edition 2015 Page 4 News from the Women s Auxiliary of Waterloo Lutheran Seminary You are invited to the Annual Meeting of the Women s Auxiliary, Waterloo Lutheran Seminary. Saturday, September 26, 2015 Registration: 9:30 a.m. Call to Order: 10:00 a.m. St. John s Lutheran Church, Waterloo, ON The Women s Auxiliary of Waterloo Lutheran Seminary presented quilts to Darlyne Rath and Janaki Bandara following their ordination on March 1, 2015, at Mount Zion Lutheran Church. L. to R. Darlyne Rath, Helen Weber, Brenda Stockman and Janaki Bandar Theme: Beyond the Pulpit Women of Faith Scholarship Fundraising Project for Women of Faith Scholarship at Waterloo Lutheran Seminary for women students enrolled in the Christian Studies and Global Mission program at WLS. The fund now has a balance of over $14,000 since its inception in 2013 with an initial $12,000 from the Women of Faith Fund. Thanks to the many donors who have been donating in memory of loved ones or in honour of special occasions, the total is rising. However, the fund needs to reach a total of $20,000 before the first scholarship can be granted as is set out in the terms of reference of the fund outlined by Jeff Pym in consultation with the committee and the financial lawyers responsible for the funds that are invested at the Seminary. Also, according to the terms of reference, we must achieve the goal of $20,000 by 2018 or the fund will need to be dissolved and spent in one lump sum, which means that there would not be a scholarship to benefit students in perpetuity. That is not the outcome that we are hoping for and we would encourage anyone who wishes to support this worthwhile project to find ways to contribute to the fund so that it becomes a reality. Attached is a form to assist you when making a donation to the Women of Faith Scholarship fund. In confidence, let us look to the future with God's help. Sincerely, The Scholarship Committee, Linda Mittelholtz, Mildred Knackstedt, Ruby Janssen, Cathy Calvin, Kay Wentzell Consider making a memorial donation in as a birthday gift, anniversary gift, or thank you gift to a woman in your congregation. Or a memorial gift in memory of a loved one. The form on the next page can be reproduced and kept in your congregation. If you have any questions regarding the Fund, please contact Cathy Calvin calvin1980@bell.net

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11 Eastern Synod Women s Ministry Send your Columbine submissions to the Editor: Cathy Calvin, Director of Women s Ministry 46 Organ Crescent Hamilton, ON L8T 1Y6 Phone: calvin1980@bell.net Deadline for Fall 2015 Edition is September 15, 2015 Visit our Facebook Page eswomens.ministry The Last Word Create in Me a Clean Heart Create in me a clean heart and put a new and right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, open and receptive, so that I may embrace the many ways you choose to visit my life. Create in me a clean heart, cleared of the refuse of old battles with others and deadly opposition with myself. Create in me a clean heart, purified through the daily disruptions and the life encounters that take me beyond my grasping control and ego-centeredness. Create in me a clean heart, freed from the clutter of cultural enticements, so that I can enjoy the beauty of life s simple things and relish the gifts I easily take for granted. Create in me a clean heart, bathed from harsh thoughts, shame, and perfectionistic tendencies, warmly welcoming others with the embrace of non-judgement. Create in me a clean heart, brushed free from frantic busyness, so that I will have time to dwell with you in the listening space of solitude and silence. Create in me a clean heart, rinsed of the residue of false mes- sages about my identity, enabling my inner goodness and light to shine through all I am and do Create in me a clean heart, cleansed of anxiety and lack of trust, restoring in me an enduring faith in your abiding presence and unconditional love. Create in me a clean heart, scrubbed of racism and prejudice, drawing me toward all as my sisters and brothers. Create in me a clean heart, washed with your mercy and strengthened by your love, helping me move beyond whatever keeps me from union with you. Create in me a clean heart in me, God. Dust off the unmindful activity that constantly collects there. De-clutter my heart from harsh judgments and negativity. Wash away my resistance to working through difficult relationships. Rinse off my un-loving so the beauty of my generous and kind heart can shine forth. Remove whatever keeps me from following in your compassionate footsteps. Amen. From Out of the Ordinary by Joyce Rupp