Dear Southwestern Washington Women of the ELCA,

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1 IN the transfer over from one program to another we LOST the SW WA SWO LOGO. WE ll do our best to we re-create it as soon as possible. Sorry! Swatch ************************************************************************************** Newsletter of Southwestern Washington Synodical Women s Organization Region 1-C Women of Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Published six times a year January 2015 ************************************************************************************************* Purpose Statement: 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. Dear Southwestern Washington Women of the ELCA, Thank you for inviting me to be your retreat leader again in I came away from last year feeling very energized and privileged to get to know you. Women s retreats are so restorative, because we talk, walk, play, and learn together. Now here we are, planning our next retreat for April, This time we ll be focused on the theme of Joy. Joy is something that typically connects us to one another we are pulled out of our isolation because we re dying to share a special joy that we ve encountered. Some of the best joy examples I can think of are a grandmother sharing pictures of her grandchildren or a woman getting through her last chemo session. Their whole spirits radiate joy. But joy can be tricky too. It s not always the same as happiness, and it can involve surrender and trust. Ah, surrender and trust--those are definitely spiritual issues for all of us, aren t they! I m looking forward to following the threads of this spiritual theme of joy with you. We will depend on the wealth of Biblical stories and passages about joy, of course. We will also look to women leaders who shared their joy through art, science, and theology as we explore the relationship between joy and vocation. Mission Statement of Women of the ELCA TO MOBILIZE WOMEN TO ACT BOLDLY ON THEIR FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST! Purpose Statement of the Southwestern Washington Synodical Women s Organization The purpose of this synodical women s organization shall be to assist congregational and inter-congregational units within its territory to fulfill the purpose of Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. I hope you will attend this retreat, because you ll get to spend time with great women and dive into this rich theme with them. Our Christian gospel is grounded in both the suffering of Jesus and the joy of resurrection. I look forward to hearing about how joy and resurrection have shaped our lives, and to exploring this heartfelt theme with you. See you in April! Pastor Mary Lindberg 1

2 Cluster News Olympic Cluster Spring Celebration will be March 14, 2015 from 9:00 am to 2:15 pm at Christ Lutheran in Belfair, WA. BEARing with One Another in Love is the theme for the one day event. The main speaker is Deb Kalmbach, author and speaker. Check her website: debkalmbach.com Pastors Beth Orling and Julie Kanarr will lead the worship. Workshops will be Cat Ross, Director of North Mason Resource Center on Bearing the Burdens of the Needy and Pastor Beth Orling on Hospice Care. Save the date on your calendar. Everyone is welcome. Meet your new SWO Board Member, Ann Ann Meacham was born in Lewiston, Idaho, and shortly thererafter moved with her parents to a hay and cattle ranch outside of Yakima, WA. She and her two siblings helped their parents with raising the cattle. From her parents she learned about working hard and taking time to do a good job, no matter what was being done. If something is worth doing, it s worth doing right the first time. After high school graduation, Ann attended Pacific Lutheran University where she majored in K-12 physical education with minors in health, life science and social science. PLU gave her friends for life who created the stable base she needed and also nurtured her while moving around the state, finally settling in Gig Harbor in Currently Ann is a member of Peninsula Lutheran Church in Gig Harbor where she serves on the church council leadership team, plays bells and sings in the choir, and assists in other women s and children s ministry groups. She supports the work of Empowering Life, a ministry that aids incarcerated women and their families. She also enjoys walking, swimming, reading and yard work. Be still and know (from one of Ann s most favorite Bible verses) Ann shared that when facing challenges, she will often repeat this phrase on her daily walk, asking the Holy Spirit to take over and lead her in the direction needed. He has never let her down! Swatch newsletter subscriptions Renewal time is January. If you receive the newsletter by first class postage, your subscription is due for renewal in January. Please send $6.00 payable to SW WA SWO to the editor. You ll find Carol s name and address on this page and the back page of the newsletter. The month and year that the newsletter is due to be renewed will be on your address label. If a mistake has been made, please contact the editor for correction. Have you had an interesting or fun event, program, fund raiser, or activity in your congregation unit? Let the editor know. Trinity Lutheran Women, Tacoma, WA, sponsored a bazaar, bake sale, lunch and nearly new sale recently and after a few expenses were paid, all of the income was given away to local and national agencies that help women and girls. $ was given away! Way to go, ladies!! The Swatch newsletter The Swatch provides news and information about Women of the ELCA. Copies are distributed by electronic mail whenever possible to SW WA congregations and to hundreds of women individually. To subscribe by postal mail, send $6 to the newsletter editor with the check made to SW WA SWO. Subscriptions are due in January of each year. The Swatch newsletter is published six times a year: January, March, May, July, September, and November. Articles may be submitted for consideration for use in Swatch. Send articles to the editor: Carol Fossum th Avenue East Puyallup, WA Electronic mail: carolfossum@comcast.net Telephone: Copyright 2014 Swatch newsletter of Southwestern Washington Synodical Women s Organization, Women of the ELCA. Articles may be reproduced by Women of the ELCA Units provided each copy carries the notice Reprinted with permission from Swatch, the Southwestern Washington Synodical Women s Organization newsletter, copyright 2014 Swatch. 2

3 Responsibilities of Leadership in the Congregational Unit Guide the work of the organization Be the visionary, allow yourself to dream, see the future Inspire others Pray for one another Set goals - look for big projects Preside at meetings Start and end promptly Use a planned agenda and try to stick to it Encourage full discussion Use parliamentary procedure Recognize good performance Ensure that the constitution and bylaws are duly upheld Congregational Unit Synodical Women s Organization Churchwide Women s Organization Appoint committees not provided for by election Submit an annual report to your church council Come together for study, support, and action Circle meetings, Bible studies, programs, Quilting, Serving, Book Club, etc. Serve as contact person and communicator for Women of the ELCA Receive and disburse information SWATCH Interchange Stewardship Planning Guide from CWO Communicate with the SWO secretary your list of local congregation unit leaders Participate in Women of the ELCA activities beyond the congregation Promote activities of the cluster annual cluster event Promote activities of the synod leadership training, retreats, conventions Promote activities of the churchwide Women of the ELCA triennial gathering, other special events Support financially the total program of Women of the ELCA Support the synod and churchwide Women of the ELCA with your CU offerings Thankofferings go directly to Churchwide WELCA Special gifts and designated gifts can go through the SWO or to Churchwide Women of the ELCA 50% of circle and other unit offerings should go to the SWO Convention and cluster offerings should be included in your budget From Shirley Hines, SWO Treasurer Keep sending your WELCA offerings to: Shirley A Hines PO Box 4596 SPANAWAY, WA shines1944@msn.com Thank you for your offerings! SW WA SWO Board Meeting Highlights From Secretary Linnea Glover The Women of the ELCA Southwestern Washington Synodical Women s Organization Board met on November 8, 2014 at The Lutheran Church of The Good Shepherd, Olympia, WA. Mary Ann Nelson was appointed President, Tina Bigelow was appointed Vice President, and Kathy Ifft was appointed as a board member for a one year term. In addition to the one year appointments, Ann Meacham and Geni Hammer will serve one year terms. The Board is in compliance with the constitutional amendment reducing the board members from seven to five which was passed at the 2014 Convention. This coming year will include planning for the October 2015 Convention at Peninsula Lutheran Church in Gig Harbor, WA, keeping in touch with Terri Lackey of Gather magazine to be advised of what kind of format the 2015 Bible Study will take and how it will affect the 2015 Bible Study Event, attending outstanding cluster events and the fabulous WELCA Spring Retreat in April, 2015, updating congregational unit information for the Churchwide Women of the ELCA, and acting upon the resolutions passed at the Ninth Triennial Convention of the Women of the ELCA. What a busy year it will be! Join your board in acting boldly on your faith in Jesus as we work together in ! 3

4 Southwestern Washington Women of the ELCA Annual Spring Retreat April 17-19, 2015 Dumas Bay Centre, Federal Way Pastor Mary Lindstrom- speaker & pastor Full weekend - $185.00, includes 4 meals and two overnight lodging Commuter or Saturday only $120.00, includes meals. Register before January 5th for an early discount: $ Please join us for a Joyful Heart, Dancing Spirit, uplifting weekend in a beautiful Puget Sound setting. The first 42 to register will have a private room with 1/2 bath. If you would like a registration form ed to you, please call Cheryl Wilpone at or c.wilpone@comcast.net 4

5 What is a Resolution? By Tina Bigelow, SWO Vice President You may have noticed Linnea Glover s report from the Ninth Triennial Gathering in the September Swatch newsletter where she identified the five resolutions adopted. What are these subjects called Resolutions? They are calls to action on issues which affect our WELCA members. Each resolution has its start as a memorial. A memorial is a statement of facts presented to a legislative body that is a basis for a petition or request for action. It is brought to the convention by synodical women s organization. Each memorial is submitted to church-wide to solicit support in areas of concern. The hope is to educate members on the issue and have the memorial accepted for vote during the triennial business meeting and adopted as a resolution. The memorial is a document consisting of four sections, which are labeled: Title, Whereas, Resolved, and Background. The document is submitted to churchwide Women of the ELCA who will gather all input and convene a memorials committee to examine and make recommendations to the triennial delegates (voting members) for their action (vote). In addition to identifying the subject area, the Title section also identifies the authors and their synodical affiliation as well as when the memorial was adopted by that synod. The section headed by Whereas provides an explanation of the subject. The Resolved section explains what the synod is asking of WELCA members. The Background section provides history and insight for reviewing members, specifically the Convention Memorials Committee. Before the memorial is given to the Memorials Committee for their review and action, churchwide staff reviews it and provides a subject matter expert s overview and recommendation. The Memorials Committee then will examine each in depth and solicit any further clarification or additional supporting material from the originating synodical organization and may suggest edits to the original submission which will strengthen the original submission. After the reviewing process, the committee then makes recommendations to the triennial delegates (voting members) which will appear in the convention paperwork without the Background section. If approved, the memorial becomes a resolution for the Women of the ELCA organization. The Swatch editor promised a report of the Lutheran World Relief shipment for you in this issue, however, very few churches have sent a report. This will be the only report until after the spring shipment. When you send quilts, kits, and soap as a wonderful way of helping others, please remember to let the editor know of your church s results. Belfair, Christ, 84 quilts, 45 school kits. Enumclaw, Trinity, 65 quilts, 54 school kits, 52 baby care kits, 20 personal care kits. Gig Harbor, Peninsula, 48 quilts, 16 personal care, 33 baby care. Lakewood, Christ, 116 quilts, 2 blankets, 52 school kits, 10 baby care kits, 15 fabric kits. Olympia, Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 232 quilts, 3 blankets, 302 school kits, 65 personal care kits, 71 layettes. Port Orchard, Elim, 25 quilts, 57 school kits, 18 baby care kits, 25 pounds soap. Port Orchard, First, 131 quilts, 114 school kits, 29 personal care kits, 25 fabric kits, 51 baby care kits. Poulsbo, First, 83 quilts, 16 school kits, 35 personal care kits, 13 fabric kits, 24 baby care kits. Poulsbo, Vinland, 101 quilts, 40 baby care kits, 24 school kits. Tacoma, Trinity, 108 quilts, 65 personal care kits, 105 school kits, 10 baby care kits. Tacoma, United, 170 quilts. Those who sleep under a quilt sleep under a blanket of love!! 5

6 Registration costs: Full weekend including meals $ Register before January 5, 2015 discount $ Commuter or Saturday only $ Make check out to SW WA SWO and mail to retreat registrar: Cheryl Wilpone phone B Onyx Drive SW Lakewood, WA Copy as needed. Please use one registration form per person. Please print. Please make check out to SW WA SWO. If you are unable to receive financial assistance from your own church, please call or the registrar. Scholarships could be up to ½ of the registration cost, no more than one per church. Spring Retreat of Women of the ELCA Registration form Southwestern Washington Synod April 17-19, 2015 Dumas Bay Centre, 3200 SW Dash Point Road, Federal Way, Washington, Your Name: Address: City, State, Zip Code: Your church with city: Your telephone number: Who is your emergency contact and phone number? Your address please: How did you find out about this retreat? Dumas Bay does not have an elevator. Do you need a room on the first floor? (20 1 st floor rooms with ½ baths are available, so register early.) Can you eat from the regular menu provided, remembering that this retreat center is not a restaurant? If not, what are your physician ordered dietary needs that would necessitate a special menu? (enclose additional explanation if needed) Schedule: April 17, 2015: Check in at 6:00 pm on Friday. No meal provided on Friday. Retreat activities begin at 7:00 pm on Friday. Saturday and Sunday breakfast at 8:00 am Sunday worship at 9:00 am Check out by 11 am on Sunday Please print a copy of your registration form for yourself prior to mailing to Cheryl Wilpone. Remember, the first 42 to register will have a private room with half bathroom!! Register early!! Please send entire registration form to Cheryl after you have made a copy for yourself. 6

7 Southwestern Washington Synodical Women s Organization (1-C) Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America October 2014 October 2015 or 2016 President: 1 year appointed Mary Ann Nelson PO Box 368 CATHLAMET, WA manelson@teleport.com Vice President: 1 year appointed Tina Bigelow Coburg Place NW POULSBO, WA tina.bigelow@earthlink.net Secretary: 1 year Linnea Glover 3154 Pear St SE OLYMPIA, WA linneaglover@gmail.com Treasurer: 2 years Shirley Hines PO Box 4596 SPANAWAY, WA shines1944@msn.com Empowering Life. Beyond Incarceration! SWO Prison Mission and Ministry Team Sharon Peterson empoweringlife@aol.com Joan Nelson joan2nelson@comcast.net PO Box 1803 GIG HARBOR, WA Churchwide Board Member From SW WA Synod Women (elected at 2014 Triennial Convention) Ely Smith, CWO WELCA treasurer 510 Forrest Park Drive TACOMA, WA caboosegal48@yahoo.com Board Members: Geni Hammer 1 year NE 142nd Ave BRUSH PRAIRIE, WA genihammer@comcast.net Beth Lindell 2 years SE 323rd St AUBURN, WA bethlindell@hotmail.com Ann Meacham 1 year th Avenue Court NW GIG HARBOR, WA aemeach@comcast.net Kathy Newton 2 years 2640 Garfield LONGVIEW, WA Cell phone newton7936@comcast.net Kathy Ifft 1 year appointed th St East Puyallup, WA kathyifft@msn.com Today s Dream, Tomorrow s Reality Racial Justice Advocacy Team Sue Ferber-Goodspeed, Janean Moriarty, Denise Powell and Helene Pearch 4806 Bend Drive NE LACEY, WA bhpearch@comcast.net SWATCH newsletter editor Carol Fossum th Avenue East Puyallup, WA carolfossumcomcast.net 7 Cluster Leaders: Coastal Cluster Position open Evergreen Cluster Position open Ft. Vancouver Cluster Jan Sayler and team NE 165th Street Battle Ground, WA kjsayler@msn.com Mt. Rainier Cluster Nancy Jo Armstrong th Avenue East PUYALLUP, WA leanja@comcast.net Narrows Cluster Vihollie Rice 3713 North 15th Street TACOMA, WA Olympic Cluster Jan Hakanson Robin Lane NE SUQUAMISH, WA Eejhak@aol.com South Sound Cluster Verna Westman Littlerock Road SW ROCHESTER, WA Cell phone verna.westman@gmail.com Three Rivers Cluster Grace Kennedy th ST LONGVIEW, WA kennedygm@comcast.net

8 Southwestern Washington Synod Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Southwestern Washington Synodical Women s Organization Women of the ELCA, Carol Fossum, SWATCH Editor th Avenue East, Puyallup, WA In This Issue LWR report SWO board contact Calendar of Events Retreat Poster Retreat information Retreat Registration Letter from retreat Pastor What is a resolution? Olympic Cluster event Helps for CU leaders Meet your SWO board member Swatch newsletter renewal Calendar of Upcoming Events January 3, 2015 Retreat committee meeting at Lanie s house January 10, 2015 SW WA SWO Board meeting Peninsula Lutheran Church, Gig Harbor, WA February 7, 2015, 6:30-8:30 pm Empowering Life Fundraiser, St Mark Lutheran Church by the Narrows, Tacoma, WA March 6, 2015 World Day of Prayer March 14, 2015 Olympic Cluster Spring Celebration, Christ Lutheran, Belfair, WA April 17-19, 2015 WELCA Retreat, April 17-19, 2015, Dumas Bay Centre, Federal Way, WA A Joyful Heart A Dancing Spirit, Pastor Mary Lindberg, Speaker July 29, Mt Rainier Cluster Annual Ice Cream Social October 2015 SW WA Synod Women of the ELCA Convention Exact date to be determined, Peninsula Lutheran, Gig Harbor, WA Café stirring the spirit within Please don t throw me away or stick me in a file! Instead, take me apart, copy me! Share me with your friends. Your Editor and I thank you. 8