Sharon s Notes. Inside this issue:

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1 NORTH CAROLINA SYNODICAL WOMEN S ORGANIZATION The Bulletin May/June 2014 The Bulletin comes out for each month except July and August and is the major method of communicating with the congregational units or expressions and participants. Receive it either by or by regular mail. You automatically receive the Bulletin if you are a unit president, a conference leader, a board member, or serve on a committee. It is up to you to share the information in the Bulletin with all of the other participants. it, put the information in your church newsletter, post it on your unit s Women of the ELCA bulletin board, or make copies get the word out so others know how they can participate. Do whatever you must to be sure each woman gets this information. Anyone not currently receiving the Bulletin can be added to the ing list by contacting Angela Bell, our secretary. Sharon s Notes Dear Sisters in Christ, With our new theme, Sisters Rejoicing Together guiding our ministry and programming this year I challenge you to take advantage of as many opportunities as possible to come together with your sisters. There is nothing more fulfilling, rewarding and affirming than being gathered together as a community of women. Our Annual SWO Gathering at Lenoir- Rhyne will be June There are many things in this Bulletin to help you prepare. The registration forms are here for delegates, visitors, and TAGG/TGIF/TCBY s (all of our young and younger women categories). Every congregational unit should send a delegate to the gathering to represent them. An article about the responsibilities of a delegate is in this issue. (Each unit should consider paying the registration fee for their delegate) Begin working on any resolutions you may want to submit for consideration at the Gathering. See the Guidelines for Submitting a Resolution in this issue. There are articles on what to bring and a brochure that tells you how to get there and what to expect. Inside this issue: Articles & Program Ideas: - Sharon s Notes (pp 1-2) - We Remember: Gelene Lineberger (p 2) - Ode to Death and Grief (p 2 ) - Hurricane Season (p 3 ) - Foster Children Need You (p 3) - What is the 1000 Days Initiative? (pp 3-4) - Thank You Kristen! (p 4) - Leadership Legacy (pp 4-5) - Responsibilities of a Delegate (p 5) Ministry Opportunities, Events, & Projects: - Gathering Planning News (p 6) Triennial Gathering Update (pp 6-7 ) - HELP --- Response Needed (p 7) - Listening Events (p 7) - Living Waters What Should I Take? (p 8) - Triennial In-Kind Gifts, Collections, and Challenges (p 8) - Fall Retreat Plans (p 9 ) May October 2014 Calendar (p 10) Attachments: - Open Letter About Conference Borders - LSC In-Kind Needs - Guidelines for Submitting a Resolution - Registration Forms for Annual Gathering - NC SWO Annual Gathering Brochure The 2014 Triennial Gathering is in Charlotte in July. Here you can be with your sisters from across the nation and beyond. It is up to you to choose projects and ministries that speak to your interests, pick your passion and become involved. Pray with your sisters around the synod each Monday at noon. Just stop for a few minutes to pray for all of the many projects in which we are involved and remember 1

2 those who might need a special prayer on that particular Monday or throughout that week. If you wish to receive our list of individuals wanting prayer, let me know by sending me your address. Grace and peace, Sharon Johnson NC Women of the ELCA President We Remember: Gelene Lineberger Minnesota; Anaheim, California; and Washington, D.C. For anyone who has attended the Gathering at Lenoir-Rhyne University, you will remember Gelene Lineberger. Each year Gelene announced recipients of the Christine Bohr Anderson Seminary Scholarship (formerly known as the Rainbow Scholarship). That scholarship was Gelene s passion and she knew her responsibilities and completed them to the end. For the last year or so, other members of the committee volunteered to help with her responsibilities and she said NO even until her last Committee Day in January. A service to celebrate the life of Gelene Lineberger was held Saturday, March 15, 2014, at Lutheran Chapel Evangelical Lutheran Church and was attended by some of her friends and fellow committee members of the NC Women of the ELCA. We offer our thanksgiving for the life of Gelene Lineberger and her dedication and faithfulness to the NC Women of the ELCA. Gelene passed away March 11, 2014, after a period of declining health. She was born October 23, 1932, in Gastonia, the oldest daughter of the late Abel Robinson and Katherine Rutledge Lineberger. Gelene was a graduate of Lenoir-Rhyne University as well as Appalachian State University, having earned a Masters Degree in Media Science. She was a retired librarian after 40 years in the Gaston County school system. She was a 4th generation member of Lutheran Chapel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Gastonia. Gelene faithfully served on the Mission: Community committee for many, many years. Benelia Reese who also serves on that committee recalled the first time they met was at a conference meeting (way back in the LCW years) where she (Gelene) led a workshop. We served on the board of Lutheran Church Women together. Benelia continues, Over the years she and I were roommates at Triennials in Atlanta; Chicago; St. Paul, ODE TO DEATH AND GRIEF Written by: Susan Harris, a participant at the 2014 Spring Retreat held at Kure Beach on April 4-6, 2014 The waves are lapping all around me ready to consume me. I am drowning in a sea of sorrow and grief. My body is overcome with heartache. My spirit is bombarded from within. My heart breaks with sadness. My eyes are clouded with tears as they run down my cheeks, like a fountain overflowing. The taste of saltiness pervades my mouth. My mind is consumed with memories. My limbs are frozen and I am unable to move. The pounding in my chest is growing louder, like the sound of thunder. My breathing is becoming more labored. The end is near. And now I float peacefully. Death has come. (This poem won first place in the poetry division of her local Arts Council literacy contest. Congrats Susan!) 2

3 Hurricane Season By: Susan P. Harris According to the National Weather Service, the official hurricane season doesn t start until June 1 each year but for many of us, there is not a season set aside for the hurricanes we encounter in life. These hurricanes come in different forms the death of a loved one, a divorce, or some other loss. A record number of women met April 4-6 at Kure Beach to participate in the annual spring retreat and learned about Healing Through the Hurricanes of Life. The retreat, led by Denise White, began on Friday night with time for each woman to share the story of their own personal hurricanes. Some of these stories were heart-wrenching and hard to hear; but not all the stories were sad. Throughout this time not only were tears shed but the group erupted in laughter during some lighter moments. After all the sharing of personal stories, the women broke into groups for an opportunity to work together to define the words grief and loss, trauma and mourning and forgiveness and healing. We collaboratively answered questions related to these topics to help us understand more about the hurricanes we may be enduring and how to deal with them. Denise led us through an identification of the different stages of grief and provided ideas and resources for coping with grief and supporting others experiencing loss. Each participant was given an opportunity to create a framed commemorative piece or create a blessing chain to honor or memorialize a person or event in their life. On Saturday night, the group viewed the movie, Eat Pray Love, which deals with some of the issues we had been discussing during the retreat. Our time together ended on Sunday morning with a blessing service and Holy Communion. As the Purpose Statement of the Women of the ELCA says, to promote healing and wholeness the goal of this weekend retreat was to provide Healing Through the Hurricanes of Life. From a personal perspective, I left the retreat remembering the Gospel reading from the blessing service, Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. (Matthew 5:4) Foster Children Need You By: Aubrey Moore Pearson, Lutheran Services Carolinas Do you want to make the difference in the life of a child? Do you have love and compassion to share with someone who needs it? Do you want to put your Christian values into action? Consider becoming a foster parent for Lutheran Services Carolinas. Our mission is to find loving homes for children who need foster care because of abuse or neglect. Some children have medical, behavioral or emotional problems that require special care and attention. To be a foster parent, you must be at least 21 years old, attend training classes, have no criminal history and be willing to parent children a little differently than you may have parented your own. Foster parents must also have income to sustain their household other than board payment. If you are interested in learning more about becoming a foster parent, please call Aubrey Pearson at or HELPING. What is the 1000 Days Initiative? By: Leslie Pipan, Mission: Community The 1000 days from pregnancy through a child s second birthday are the most crucial for a child s physical and mental development. It affects a child s ability to learn, grow, and rise out of poverty. It can also, over time, affect a society s long-term health, stability and prosperity. 3

4 Even today, poor nutrition is a leading cause of death of young children in the world. It can weaken a child s immune system, making him or her more susceptible to dying from diseases as common as pneumonia, diarrhea, and malaria. Women of the ELCA decided at the last Triennial to join thousands of other Women of Faith in a pledge to be champions for maternal and child nutrition in 1,000 days. We can change the future! We can help a child live a healthier and more productive life! We can help families break a cycle of poverty locally, nationally, and globally! If you want to become involved on a local level, Mission Community encourages you to investigate local groups that are involved in working with pregnant women, and/or infant and child nutrition. There are also many resources available on-line. If you Google 1,000 Days Initiative, you will be introduced to many sites that can help you get started. On these sites are lists of resources to help you decide how you can best become involved. There is even help on website. Mission Action is spear-heading a letter campaign at our conferences spring gatherings. Letters to our US senators representing North Carolina in Washington have been written and we are asking North Carolina women who attend our gatherings to personalize these letters, and address the envelopes to be sent. The letters discuss deep cuts and policy changes being proposed that would affect nutrition benefits, eligibility, and nutrition education. We hope you will feel inspired to participate in this campaign as well as find a way locally to change the future for these young ones. Act Boldly, you Women of Faith! Promote healing and wholeness in the church, the society, and the world! Thank you Kristen! Many, many thanks to Kristin Cruz for volunteering to create a quilt square for the NC SWO. Jenny Michael has served as president of the Women of the ELCA for the past three years. We will elect a new president in Charlotte in July. As a parting gift for Jenny, it was decided a quilt would be assembled using a quilt square representing each of Synodical Women s Organizations. At Committee Day II Kristen volunteered to make our quilt square and send it off. We really appreciate your talent and your willingness. Yeah Kristin!! Leadership Legacy By: Cathy Sell, Leadership All during my years as President of the North Carolina Women of the ELCA the question I was asked most often was: How can we attract younger women to our circles? That my sisters, is the $64,000 question or is it? I recently attended the Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast and the keynote speaker was Onyeka N. Nchege, Vice President and CIO, Information Systems Y Services, Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated, Charlotte, NC. Mr. Nchege challenged the audience to not lose the dream of Dr. King. He said, If you have a dream, go after it. He also talked about the line of insurmountable. He asked us if we lost our sense of urgency. He challenged us 4

5 to take the focus off the struggle and let God. As sisters in Christ we are committed to support one another in our callings and we gather in fellowship; as the hymn says, what a fellowship, what a joy divine, leaning on the everlasting arms. We gather together to listen to each other, to care for one another with love, encouragement, laughter and tears. We hear God s Word and share delicious treats. One might say this is a glimpse of heaven. The Leadership Committee has a dream a dream to make it possible for all the women in our synod, who want to participate, to be able to do so. This dream gave birth to the LEADERSHIP LEGACY. The purpose of the Leadership Legacy is to provide programming and opportunities geared to ensure the legacy of the North Carolina Women of the ELCA by energizing and enabling young women to take a more active role within the origination. You are probably asking yourself how this can happen. How can we support it? How can we afford it? Take the focus off the struggle and let God. LEADERSHIP LEGACY will be the recipient of the Pennies of Hope campaign for this year. This campaign will be kicked off at the Spring Gathering. We invite you to encourage your circle and your church members to save their pennies. This campaign will go on throughout the year. The goal is to raise $10,000 to help bring young women to this organization. Is the goal a line of insurmountable? NO! We can do it. We have done it before and we can do it again. And when we do, we will have a sustainable fund to support and encourage young women in their callings. So to answer the question, How can we attract younger women to our circles? Campaign for and contribute to the LEADERSHIP LEGACY. Donations to the Leadership Legacy Fund in any amount are welcomed. Donations can be made by mailing a check to the current Treasurer. Checks should be written to NC Women of the ELCA with "Leadership Legacy on the memo line. Donations can be made in honor of an event or in honor or memory of a person whom an individual, a congregation, or a congregational unit would like to recognize. If the donation is made in honor of or in memory of a person or event, get and fill out a form (download the form from our webpage, and enclose it with the check so that an acknowledgment can be mailed. As we lean on each other and hold one another up, we lean on God and we are held in God s everlasting arms. Responsibilities of the Delegate Each Congregational/Intercongregational/ Special Unit may send one delegate to convention. There is no limit to the number of women who may register to attend as visitors. The delegate should read all material sent to her, which will allow her to become familiar with business and elections that will be conducted. Other responsibilities include: Attend the Delegate Orientation that will be held prior to the opening session of the convention Be present at all convention sessions Be seated in the section reserved for DELEGATES ONLY Participate in all other activities offered during the convention for 5

6 example, awareness sessions, worship, etc. Take notes that will allow you to report on the convention when you return to your CU Report on election results, business that was voted upon, budget that was adopted, as well as other facts and ideas that you gained as a result of attending Gathering Planning Update By: Melanie Denny, Gathering Planning Chair June is nearly here, and the Gathering Planning Committee has been hard at work to ensure that you will have a wonderful time, a positive learning experience and come away with much to take home and share. The Gathering will be held June 20-22, 2014, at Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory. You will be pleasantly surprised with all of the renovations that have occurred on their campus. There are many exciting Awareness Sessions planned. One will be, Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies, taught by Janet Shores, RN. She is Associate Director of the Pregnancy Care Center in Hickory. Her session will expand on how this ties in with the Women of the ELCA connection with the 1,000 Days Initiative. Our Churchwide Representative has been assigned; her name is Dawn Smith. Dawn serves on the Executive Board s Programs and Communications Committee. She has been married to her husband Greg for 26 years and is a mother of four. One son, James, is currently serving as Vicar at Bethany Lutheran Church in Boone, NC. Kimberley Rae, our Keynote Speaker, is a bestselling author whose book ranks in the top ten on Amazon. Fortunately for us, she has agreed to a book signing event on Saturday afternoon. Kimberly is one of the foremost experts on Human Trafficking. Triennial News By: Melanie Denny, 2014 Triennial Gathering Promoter As you may already know, the Ninth Triennial Gathering of the Women of the ELCA is July 24-27, 2014, in Charlotte, North Carolina at the Charlotte Convention Center. Please help spread the word! Our new Presiding Bishop, Elizabeth Eaton, will speak at the Triennial and conduct closing worship. Outstanding women from all over the country will be providing learning opportunities through workshops. This includes the Rev. Nancy Neal, of Bread for the World, who will speak about the 1,000 Days Initiative and how it affects women and children. There will be an award winning author who wrote Moving forward, Your Own Financial Guide for Widows. She will address how grief impacts a widow s decision making. Three films will be shown offering different ways to explore the organizational ways to commitment to promoting healing in the church and society. Each will be followed with a facilitated discussion session. There is also much more that is being offered. More workshops, the exhibit hall, the walk, roll and run adventure, crafts, the books and authors present, seeing your old friends and making new ones. What an exciting time! Then there are the volunteer opportunities. You may choose where you would like to assist, for how long and what days. Openings are available in hospitality, events, exhibit hall, general administration, worship, and many other slots. You may obtain a volunteer form by going to the website, Also, you and your congregational unit can participate in the convention offering to be collected during opening worship. The Churchwide Executive Board 6

7 has decided this offering will be distributed in three ways. Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services, which is celebrating its 75 th anniversary this year, will receive 25%. Another 25% will go to On Eagles Wings Ministries, a North Carolina-based organization that restores women and girls who have been sexually abused through the commercial sex industry. The final 50% will go to ongoing churchwide ministries of the women of the ELCA. You will find an envelope for your convention offering in the March/April issue of the Interchange. Mail it to the churchwide office and your unit will be recognized during the convention in Charlotte. It is also a way of participating if your unit cannot attend the Gathering. Registration is open for only $ Forms are available at Remember to use our North Carolina designation code: TGP-9B. HELP Your response is needed! By: Mission: Growth Committee Mission: Growth Committee is looking for practical and creative ideas for different generations in a church to grow and serve together. These ideas will be shared at the Awareness Session: GENERATIONS TOGETHER THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX AND SERVING OUTSIDE THE WALLS at the NC Synodical Women s Organization Annual Gathering at Lenoir-Rhyne University on Saturday, June 21, We are encouraging women to pass on their faith and share it with the generations to come. Each participant will receive ideas they can take back to their church as well as share ideas of what they are doing to bind generations together. We look forward to receiving the materials and seeing you at the session. Thanks for your help. Please send your ideas to: Anne Glovier 4815 Golfview Court Mint Hill, NC aglovier@hotmail.com (704) Women and Justice Listening Events My name is Karin O Donnell and I am writing as a Process Builder for the Women and Justice: One in Christ Social Statement. To support social statement formation, I am interested in holding a listening event at your Church or in your area. You may be aware that the ELCA is currently involved in the process that leads to the development of a social statement on women and justice, as called for by the 2009 Churchwide Assembly. For more information, please see the social statement website: As part of the process, the Women and Justice: One in Christ Task Force has made it a priority to hear from people throughout the whole church body. One of the primary ways the task force can hear from members are gatherings that we call "Listening Events." These gatherings are important because they provide a forum for hearing concerns, input, and suggestions for the task force to consider and discuss or study in depth. They are open-ended and represent a listening to or a "brain-storming" with members of the church who want to surface issues and concerns they think merit the task force's attention. As you can imagine these events are well-suited for involving the whole church body in the social statement process, as well as for gaining a better understanding of the issues important to church members. Listening events come in many formats and may involve groups either large or small. Am I able to join your church, study, class, or event to conduct a listening event? I will facilitate the session with questions and information on the social statement process. The only help I will need 7

8 from you is to spread the word about the event. The process takes about 1 to 1.5 hours and can be held at any time. If you have any questions about listening events, please let me know. I may be contacted at the address or phone numbers listed below. Please indicate that you are interested in the Listening Session. Thank you for your time. I look forward to hearing from you. In Christ, Karin O Donnell karin.odo63@gmail.com Phone: (H) What should I take? By: Alice Nelson, Mission: Action Ok, I have registered for the Annual Gathering in June and now I am making my lists, especially what I should take to Lenoir-Rhyne. Of course I will take a friend, my daughter(s) and granddaughter(s), offerings of money, poptops, Campbell labels, Box Tops for Education, fronts of greeting cards, supplies for Lutheran Services Carolinas, a big smile, and what else? We have the perfect answer to your what else? question. Mission: Action is sponsoring a collection of in-kind gifts for Living Waters Lutheran Church in Cherokee. They especially want you to choose from the following suggestions: For the Food Pantry: rice, canned fruits, canned vegetables, and soups Hygiene products: shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, laundry detergent, toilet paper (To keep it sanitary the toilet paper should be individually wrapped or packages of four or fewer rolls.) Bingo prizes: lotions, decks of cards, things seniors might like or picture frames, photo albums, family board games, etc. (Living Waters provides bingo parties for the Tsali Senior Center; they also occasionally hold a bingo party for the public hoping to encourage new members.) Small toys: cars, games, party favors, play jewelry (Every child who comes to Sunday School and participates is allowed to take something from the Surprise Box.) Bags, Bags, Bags: Ziplock-type bags (quart size and gallon size), plastic bags from grocery or retail stores, canvas or woven tote bags (L-W sometimes receives fresh fruits and vegetables in bulk that they package in the zip-lock type bags; canvas tote bags are very valuable. Riders on the Cherokee buses are allowed only one bag on the bus so they covet a sturdy tote bag even though they are asked to bring and reuse them the next time they come to the pantry or clothing closet.) Triennial In-Kind Gifts, Collections and Challenges Take the opportunity to fully participate in the Triennial. In-Kind Gifts are being collected Quilts Kits, Gift Cards, Prepaid Phone Cards, Hygiene Items, and Clothing. You can concentrate on one inkind gift or collect them all. Encourage your Congregational Unit to participate in the project as well. If knitting or crocheting is your talent, contribute to the Prayer Shawl Collection. Download and attach the labels. Bring with you to the Exhibit Hall at the Triennial or mail to Chicago by June 15. If you are a quilter this one s for you. Join the Quilt Challenge. Decide how you will interpret the gathering theme, get your fat-quarter, and stitch away. Entries must be received in the churchwide office by June 14, For more details on each of these projects visit: welcatg.org or use #welcatg hash tag for social media. 8

9 FALL RETREAT HOSTED BY MISSION: GROWTH TREASURED GENERATIONS TRANSFORMING IN CHRIST Mark your calendar now (October 3-5, 2014), invite your friends and look for registration information at our Annual Gathering in June. What could be more precious than diamonds? YOU!! The Lord has chosen you to be a people for His treasured possession (Deuteronomy 14:2). We are the precious, treasured possession of our heavenly Father, who sought us and claimed us as His own in Christ! From coal to diamonds, we are continually being transformed in Christ, reflecting His glory and light to a dark world. Join us for a bedazzling Women s Retreat Getaway hosted by the Mission Growth Committee of the North Carolina Women of the ELCA on Friday evening through Sunday morning, October 3-5, 2014, at the Blowing Rock Conference Center, Blowing Rock, N.C. We will walk in the light of God s Word with sisters of our own age, our mothers, grandmothers, aunts and maybe great grandmothers together. We will lift our voices in praise and worship, share encouragement, fellowship and fun in Christ, the light of the world! God changes caterpillars into butterflies, sand into pearls, and coal into diamonds using Time and Pressure. HE S WORKING ON YOU TOO. Rick Warren 9

10 April 26 April 26 April 26 April 26 April 26 May 3 May 3 May 3 May 3 May 4 May 7 May 21 May June July July 15 July July August 23 APRIL CALENDAR CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION Alexander/Iredell Spring Conference Gathering Reformation, Taylorsville Blue Ridge Spring Conference Gathering Philadelphia, Granite Falls Catawba Spring Conference Gathering Faith and St. Timothy Co-hosting at Faith, Conover North Coastal Spring Conference Gathering St. Timothy, Havelock Southwestern Spring Conference Gathering St. John s, Cherryville MAY CALENDAR Mecklenburg/Union Spring Conference Gathering Holy Trinity, Charlotte Northern Spring Conference Gathering First, Greensboro Smoky Mountain Spring Conference Gathering - St. Mark s, Asheville Central Spring Conference Gathering Beck s, Lexington Rachel s Day Delegate Registration for Annual Gathering Due Visitor Registration for Annual Gathering Due Synod Assembly JUNE CALENDAR NC Women of the ELCA SWO Annual Gathering Lenoir-Rhyne JULY CALENDAR Board Retreat Clarksville, VA Carolina Vine (Summer Issue) Send Out 9th Triennial Convention (delegates) Charlotte 9th Triennial Gathering Charlotte AUGUST CALENDAR Committee Day I - Kimball, Kannapolis OCTOBER CALENDAR October 3-5 Fall Retreat: Treasured Generations, Transforming in Christ Blowing Rock 10

11 CHILD & FAMILY SERVICES PROGRAM NEEDS 2014 CLOTHING & RECREATIONAL ITEMS SCHOOL SUPPLIES All types of new clothing for infants to 18 years old including new hats and sneakers Soccer balls, footballs, basketballs, Frisbees, jump ropes, etc Books, arts and crafts supplies DVDs and CDs Computer games Board games Book bags Spiral notebooks Markers and colored pencils Pencils and pencil sharpeners Rulers Safety scissors Erasers Pencil bags TOILETRIES CLEANING SUPPLIES NEW HOUSEHOLD ITEMS Toothpaste and toothbrushes Deodorant and bar soap Shampoo Conditioner Hand lotion Shaving supplies Hairbrushes and combs Dental floss Dishwasher detergent Laundry detergent Bath towels and washcloths Kitchen towels, dishcloths, and potholders Blankets or quilts Bed pillows Sheet sets (twin and queen) Pots, pans, cooking utensils Thank you for your support of LSC child and family services. Monetary donations are also greatly appreciated. If you prefer to make a cash donation in lieu of or in addition to an in-kind gift, please make checks payable to LSC and mark child and family services in the memo field. For more information, contact Kristen Kitchen at (704) or kkitchen@lscarolinas.net.

12 To: All Congregational Units and all Women of the ELCA Participants From: NC SWO Conference Coordinator Topic: Conference Boundaries Date: April 2014 In the Footsteps to Leadership Handbook, the North Carolina Synodical Women s Organization (NC SWO) Board is not only tasked with determining the Conference configurations, but it is also directed to periodically review conference boundaries. The NC SWO Board has decided it is time to review the current conference boundaries. This means that we are going to open a conversation and take the pulse of how the current boundaries are working by gathering data from all CUs. Then we ll see if there are any changes that could be suggested in response to what you tell us in the coming months. It s hard to believe that it s been almost ten years since the NC SWO Board last looked at the conference boundaries. It was then that the decision was made to change the Conference configuration by increasing the number of conferences in NC from nine to fifteen. That change was very intentional and had a purpose of making conferences smaller and more intimate. I m glad to say the change was extremely successful not only did the total number of participants sky rocket, but the number of CUs participating in Conference events increased dramatically as well. Since increasing the number of conferences, we ve seen over and over again that Women of the ELCA like to attend gatherings closer to home. Attendance at the 2013 Spring Conference Gatherings continued to support this with over 532 ladies participating and 102 CUs represented. However, as you are all aware, some conferences have experienced a decrease in the number of active Congregational Units (CU). This decrease has, in turn, created additional challenges for our organization and in particular for the Conference Leaders. Fewer CUs mean fewer locations to host Spring and Fall Gatherings, One Day Retreats and other Conference events. Fewer CUs mean lower attendance at our conference gatherings and events. To help us better understand if the current conference boundaries are still working, we will be taking a comprehensive survey that will be available online around May 1 st. (There will, of course, be paper copies available for those without computer access). We will be asking as many women as possible to complete the survey. Multiple women from each CU will not only be allowed to participate in the survey, but they will be encouraged to participate. The more the merrier! The survey will be kept open until July 31 st and we will hopefully have lots of data to digest at Committee Day I in August. I can t stress enough that we are only doing a mandatory review of the conference boundaries. We are not suggesting any changes at this time, but merely opening a conversation and gathering data to better understand our current position. I look forward to working with each of you as we explore our conference boundaries in the coming months. Lorri Monterose NC SWO Conference Coordinator MonteroseWelding@aol.com

13 GUIDELINES FOR SUBMITTING RESOLUTIONS TO THE TWENTY-SEVENTH NORTH CAROLINA WOMEN OF THE ELCA GATHERING 1. WHAT IS A RESOLUTION? It is a formal written proposal that a specific action or position be taken. It includes a statement of facts that support the proposal. It is presented to a legislative body for consideration. A resolution is a main motion, which, either because of its importance and/or because of its length and complexity, is submitted in writing in advance of the convention/gathering. The introduction of a resolution brings business before the convention/gathering that must be discussed and voted upon. Congregational units, individuals and committees are encouraged to submit resolutions on this form to the President of the NC Women of the ELCA by June 1. (Resolutions that cannot meet the deadline because of late-breaking information or concerns must be received by the SWO President a minimum of 48 hours prior to the opening of the convention/gathering. She will determine whether or not the resolution will be reviewed by the Committee on Resolutions and presented for consideration and vote.) The Committee on Resolutions reviews submitted resolutions and makes copies, which are distributed to delegates prior to the opening session. Resolutions are then brought before the convention on Saturday afternoon or evening as being recommended or not recommended by the Committee on Resolutions, or they can be referred to a committee for consideration. The delegates can discuss and vote on the RECOMMENDATION FROM THE COMMITTEE, not on the Resolution. 2. WHO WRITES A RESOLUTION? Any congregational/intercongregational unit, member of a congregational/ Intercongregational unit, or Synodical Committee within the Synodical women s organization can propose a resolution for consideration at the SWO Gathering. 3. ARE RESOLUTIONS LIMITED TO CERTAIN SUBJECTS OR ISSUES? No, but keep in mind the following: North Carolina s Women of the ELCA s Constitution and Bylaws Women of the ELCA s Purpose Statement The impact of your resolution on the North Carolina Women of the ELCA s financial and staff resources and the organization s existing programs and projects Any long-term effects of the resolution on the SWO 4. WHAT INFORMATION SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RESOLUTION? Be sure to include sender s name, address, and date submitted. Submit by or surface mail. If using surface mail, submit the resolution on a diskette along with a hard copy. (Diskette should be in Word, Text file, etc.) To accomplish its purpose, a resolution says, Please. Here is an opportunity, situation, or issue. This is why we think it is important that the North Carolina Women of the ELCA should do something. This is what we think should be done. Be accurate and factual. Be simple and direct in your words. Avoid adjectives, adverbs, inflammatory words, and generalized statements. Write in third person. PRESENT YOUR RESOLUTION IN TWO PARTS: FIRST the why or WHEREAS. This should clearly describe the issue, concern, problem, or situation. Be sure to provide facts and data that support the why. If there are a number of why s, list each separately beginning with the word WHEREAS. SECOND the what or RESOLVED. This is a clear statement of what should be done - (1) the action you want to be taken, (2) who should take it and when, (3) the cost, if any, and how it should be funded, (4) how the results should be reported, etc. If there are a number of what s, list each separately beginning with the word RESOLVED.

14 RESOLUTIONS to the TWENTY-FIFTH NORTH CAROLINA WOMEN OF THE ELCA GATHERING Please complete and by June 1, 2014, to: (Complete the form, save the document, and as an attachment.) If you are unable to , copy the resolution to a diskette and send both the diskette and a hard copy to: Sharon Johnson, 4237 Freedom Drive, Charlotte, NC Submitted by (name of person or group and church organization): Address: Date: WHEREAS, WHEREAS, WHEREAS, (Continue as many WHEREAS s as necessary) NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that..., BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that (Continue as many RESOLVED S as necessary)

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17 Women of the EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA NORTH CAROLINA SYNODICAL WOMEN'S ORGANIZATION Annual Gathering June 21-23, 2013 Lenoir-Rhyne University, Hickory, NC VISITOR REGISTRATION FORM REGISTRATION DUE MAY 21, 2014 Sisters Rejoicing Together Visitor s Name Telephone Address City Zip Address Congregation Conference Church City Roommate Request Dorm Preference * Note: Honored based on availability. Check here if this will be your 1st SWO Gathering Living Learning Center Fritz None OPTIONS FOR CHILDREN, TEENS, AND TWEENS: Complete the following if your child 3 yrs-5 th Grade, your T.A.G.G., or your T.G.I.F. will be staying with you: CHILD CARE is available FOR AGES 10 AND YOUNGER during the Business & Awareness Sessions Friday and Saturday. Child s Name (3 yrs-5 th Grade): Age: (No lodging charge for a child under 6.) T.A.G.G. (Totally Awesome Girls for God) Grades 6-8 & T.G.I.F. (Teens Gathering in Faith) for girls Grades Name of T.A.G.G. Name of T.G.I.F. (Additional registration forms must be completed for your T.A.G.G. & T.G.I.F. Return by May 21, List Food Allergies List Other Allergies List any disabilities needing special accommodation Check for 1st floor room because of a physical condition Check is you will need golf cart transportation services Check here is you could use an assisted listening device Check if you need a sign interpreter for the gathering Would you be interested in singing in the choir on Sunday morning? Soprano or Alto ROOMMATES MUST MAIL REGISTRATIONS TOGETHER! ENTIRE WEEKEND ($ lodging included) $ SATURDAY ONLY (Registration and Lunch) [$51.00] $ SATURDAY ONLY (Registration, Lunch & Dinner) [$62.00] $ COMMUTER (Registration & five (5) meals) [$85.00] $ CHILD S LODGING (Ages 6-10) [$50.00] $ CHILD S LODGING Under Age 6 No Cost CHILD S MEALS (5) ages 2-10 if applicable [$18.50] $ TOTAL $ A check for the correct amount must be included. Make check payable to NC Women of the ELCA. REFUNDS will only be made if extenuating circumstances occur and only after written request to the SWO Treasurer and approval by the SWO Board. Refund requests must be received in writing or via by July 6. NON-REFUNDABLE REGISTRATION FEE is $20.00 Mail Registration to: Jean Beaver, th Street NE, Hickory, NC ( ) jean.beaver@lr.edu DO NOT WRITE IN THIS SPACE Amount Received Date Received

18 Women of the EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA NORTH CAROLINA SYNODICAL WOMEN'S ORGANIZATION Annual Gathering June 21-23, 2013 Lenoir-Rhyne University, Hickory, NC DELEGATE REGISTRATION FORM Registration due by MAY 7, 2014 Sisters Rejoicing Together Delegate s Name Telephone Address City Zip Address Congregation Conference Church City Roommate Request Dorm Preference * Note: Honored based on availability. Check here if this will be your 1st SWO Gathering Living Learning Center Fritz None OPTIONS FOR CHILDREN, TEENS, AND TWEENS: Complete the following if your child 3 yrs.-5 th Grade, your T.A.G.G., or your T.G.I.F. will be staying with you: CHILD CARE is available FOR AGES 3 yrs.-5 th Grade during the Business & Awareness Sessions Friday and Saturday. Child s Name( 3 yrs-5 th Grade): Age: (No lodging charge for children under 6.) T.A.G.G. (Totally Awesome Girls for God) Grades 6-8 & T.G.I.F. (Teens Gathering in Faith) for girls Grades Name of T.A.G.G. Name of T.G.I.F. (Additional registration forms must be completed for your T.A.G.G. & T.G.I.F. Return forms by May 7, List Food Allergies List Other Allergies List any disabilities needing special accommodation Check for 1st floor room because of a physical condition Check is you will need golf cart transportation services Check here is you could use an assisted listening device Check if you need a sign interpreter for the gathering Would you be interested in singing in the choir on Sunday morning? Soprano or Alto ROOMMATES MUST MAIL REGISTRATIONS TOGETHER! ENTIRE WEEKEND ($ lodging included) $ SATURDAY ONLY (Registration and Lunch) [$51.00] $ SATURDAY ONLY (Registration, Lunch & Dinner) [$62.00] $ COMMUTER (Registration & five (5) meals) [$85.00] $ CHILD S LODGING (Ages 6-10) [$50.00] $ CHILD S LODGING Under Age 6 No Cost CHILD S MEALS (5) ages 2-10 if applicable [$18.50] $ TOTAL $ A check for the correct amount must be included. Make check payable to NC Women of the ELCA. REFUNDS will only be made if extenuating circumstances occur and only after written request to the SWO Treasurer and approval by the SWO Board. Refund requests must be received in writing or via by July 6. NON-REFUNDABLE REGISTRATION FEE is $20.00 Voting members of the convention will include one delegate from each unit on the roll of this synodical women s organization, SWO Officers and Board CRITERIA FOR RECOGNITION AS A CONGREGATIONAL UNIT * Agrees to the Statement of Purpose of the Women of the ELCA * Agrees to come together to fulfill the purpose * Agrees to participate in the program activities of Women of the ELCA beyond the congregation * Agrees to support financially the total program of Women of the ELCA * Agrees to designate leadership that shall be in communication with the Synodical women's organization and Churchwide women's organization Mail Registration to: Jean Beaver, th Street NE, Hickory, NC ( ) jean.beaver@lr.edu DO NOT WRITE IN THIS SPACE Amount Received Date Received

19 Women of the EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA NORTH CAROLINA SYNODICAL WOMEN'S ORGANIZATION Annual Gathering June 21-23, 2013 Lenoir-Rhyne University, Hickory, NC TAGG TGIF TCBY REGISTRATION FORM REGISTRATION DUE BY MAY 7, 2014 T.A.G.G. Totally Awesome Girls for God (Middle School Age, Grades 6-8) T.G.I.F. Teens Gathering in Faith (High School Age, Grades 9-12) T.C.B.Y. -- Taking Christ Beyond Youth (Post High School to Age 22) Sisters Rejoicing Together TAGG, TGIF or TCBY Name Telephone Parent/Guardian Name Telephone Address City Zip Address Congregation Church City Conference Shirt Size Roommate Preference Delegate or Visitor with whom you will be attending TAGGs and TGIFs eat/sleep with their mothers/guardians while at the Gathering. Would you like to stay in Living Learning Center with other moms/guardians and their TAGGs and TGIFs? Circle one: TCBYs will room with other group members and their leaders. YES NO To get the Early Bird discount, Registration Forms must be postmarked by April 15, 2013 Absolutely No walk-ins due to supplies that must be pre-purchased. These programs will be offered for girls middle school thru 22 years of age. Prearranged pick-up time for TAGG and TGIF Would you be interested in singing in the Choir on Sunday morning? Circle one: YES NO List food allergies List other allergies List any disabilities needing special accommodation ENTIRE WEEKEND ($ lodging included) $ SATURDAY ONLY (Registration and Lunch) [$51.00] $ SATURDAY ONLY (Registration, Lunch & Dinner) [$62.00] $ COMMUTER (Registration & five (5) meals) [$85.00] $ TOTAL $ There is a $50 discount available for those who need it. The discount is not shown above. We do ask that you check with your home congregations to help with the cost of the weekend. A check for the correct amount must be included. Make check payable to NC Women of the ELCA. TAGG and TGIF Registration Forms and fees must accompany those of the Delegate or Visitor with whom you will be staying. List the name of the TAGG or TGIF on the Delegate or Visitor Registration Form. REFUNDS will only be made if extenuating circumstances occur and only after written request to the SWO Treasurer and approval by the SWO Board. Refund requests must be received in writing or by July 6. NON-REFUNDABLE REGISTRATION FEE is $ Check our website at for additional information and updates for the 2013 Gathering. For more information contact: Patti Lovell, 495 Silver Ridge Dr., Lexington, NC, ( ) plovell53@yahoo.com Mail Registration to: Jean Beaver, th Street NE, Hickory, NC ( ) jean.beaver@lr.edu DO NOT WRITE IN THIS SPACE Amount Received Date Received

20 Angela Bell 1350 Rink Dam Road Taylorsville, North Carolina Change of Name/Address for Expression Officers Name of Conference Effective date of change Church Name Church Town Retiring Officer (Please circle the correct officer) President Treasurerr Name: Address: City: Zip Code: Phone: Send information to: Angela Bell, 1350 Rink Dam Rd., Taylorsville, NC Or to: