Swatch. Message from the President

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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 re-create it as soon as possible. Sorry! Swatch ************************************************************************************** Newsletter of the Southwestern Washington Synodical Women s Organization Region 1-C Women of The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Published six times a year January 2019 ************************************************************************************************* 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. 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. Message from the President Happy New Year to all. What projects have you planned for 2019? The project of the day at our recent Bible Study Event was supporting Days for Girls. Look up the group nearest you and get involved. This past Saturday approx. 90 women met at Trinity, Tacoma for a Bible Study overview with Pastor Julie Kanarr who has written the study for GATHER magazine on the Gospel of John. This is a four session study which begins in January and goes through April. The women who attended the event now have insights to share with you at your circle studies. In our newsletter you will find many opportunities to study, and share fellowship throughout the year. I especially recommend the Spring Retreat March at Black Diamond Camp in Auburn, WA. For discount rates sign up as soon as you get your SWATCH. The site is beautiful and much is planned for your inspiration, fellowship, relaxation and enjoyment of great food. Send me a note to tell me what excites the women in your congregation to serve beyond themselves. Sharing is a good form of communication. The board will be contacting churches regarding their status as active units. Not a WELCA unit? Check it out at or on Facebook at Women of the ELCA and join us. Remember you are special, blessed and honored as a child of God. Your gifts are special and are needed to serve your congregation and community. Bless your days under the wings of our God. Kathy Newton Throughout this season of Epiphany and throughout each new year, may you be led by the light of Christ to serve Him boldly. You re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don t think I m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I m putting you on a light stand. Now that I ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. Matthew 5: (The Message) 1

2 From Beth Lindell, SWO Treasurer Treasurer s Report As I write my last Treasurer s report for the SWATCH, I want to thank all the units and clusters who have faithfully collected and sent regular offerings. After reviewing a churchwide report sent to all treasurers, the Southwestern Washington Synod has been very faithful in it s giving. It is very much appreciated by both churchwide and us, your synodical women s organization. Regular offerings were received from: First, Poulsbo; All Saints, Auburn; St. Paul, Vancouver; Zion, Camas; and Stella, Long View. Also received was a cluster offering from Mt. Rainier Cluster. Thank you all for your faithful giving. After February 1, please send offerings to Kathy Ifft, your new treasurer. Her contact information is on the Board of Directors sheet in this SWATCH. THANKOFFERINGS If your unit does not participate in the Women of the ELCA Thankoffering tradition, please consider doing so in From the Women of the ELCA website: Thankofferings are a long-standing custom among Lutheran women. We give in thanksgiving for blessings received-and we do receive so many blessings, don t we? And we are so grateful. That s why we give Thankofferings. Your generous Thankofferings help support the ongoing ministries of the churchwide women s organization, including our triennial conventions, the work of your elected churchwide board, the annual conference of synodical presidents, our communications ministries, justice and advocacy work, and so much more. Many women set aside small amounts at home throughout the year and then bring together their gifts with those of other women at the end of the year. Others organize a Thankoffering service with the whole congregation, using our envelopes and bulletin covers to celebrate the ministries of women in a bold, exciting way. It s all up to you. An organized annual service is only one way to take part in this age-old practice among women of faith. Just as we re grateful more than once a year, we can make Thankofferings any time the spirit moves us. Go to for more information. 2 SW WA SWO Board Meeting Highlights From Jeanne Patterson, Secretary The Southwestern Washington Synodical Women s Organization held their board meeting on January 5, 2019 after the Bible Study Event at Trinity Lutheran Church, Parkland, Washington. Rev. Julie Kanaar gave an outstanding overview of the study she has written, The Gospel of John: Meetings with Jesus, which is the Bible study in the Women of the ELCA Gather Magazine for January, February, March and April. Planning has begun for our convention to be held on October 12, 2019 at Christ Lutheran, Lakewood, Washington. Active unit count assessment will begin to determine how many voting members our synod will send to the Triennial Convention in The count will be done by Clusters. Once again, scrubbies will be made for give-a-ways at the 2020 Triennial Gathering. Resolutions passed at the 2018 Triennial Convention were given out so that the board can be thinking of ways to support these resolutions. Our next board meeting will be held on March 9, 2019 at Christ Lutheran, Lakewood, Washington The Swatch Newsletter Copies are distributed by electronic mail whenever possible to SW WA congregations and to hundreds of women individually. To subscribe by postal mail, send $8 to the newsletter editor with the check made out 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 the Swatch. The deadline is the 15th of the month prior to the next issue of the Swatch. Send articles to the editor: Linnea Glover 3154 Pear Street SE Olympia, WA linnea@gsolympia.org Copyright 2018 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 2018

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4 Ft. Vancouver Cluster Event Saturday May 4, 2019 Bethel Lutheran Church Brush Prairie, WA Region 1 Gathering June 21-23, 2019 Embassy Suites, Hillsboro, OR Prior to accepting a call to Hope Lutheran in Wisconsin, Rev. Gould was the pastor at Galilean Chapel in Ocean Shores, WA. 4

5 Register by January 15, 2019 for early discount $230 Single occupancy $175/each Shared room Southwestern Washington Synodical Women s Organization Spring Retreat Registration March 29-31, 2019 Black Diamond Camp, SE 328 th Place, Auburn, Washington, Registration Costs (after January 15 th postmark) Final Deadline MARCH 15th Single occupancy $245 Shared room 2-3 persons $180/each Saturday only (meals included} $105 Make checks payable to: SW WA SWO Registration also available online. Search for: SWO Womens Retreat 2019 at : EventBrite.com Please PRINT - Rooms have full restroom, queen bed and a set of bunk beds, bedding and towels included Name Address City and Zip Code: Phone number Your Church w/city ADA room needed address PRINT: Information about the retreat will be sent to this address (if no it will be sent in the postal mail) Emergency contact name and phone number CHECK ONE Choose a single, or a multiple occupancy room. Please note that prices vary for each (see above pricing) Yes, I would like a room to myself for the single occupancy price Yes, I would like a multiple occupancy room with 1-2 other attendees CHECK ONE (multiple occupancy room ONLY): I would love to room with someone new! I would love to room with these friends: #2 or/and #3 FOOD: Served family style in separate dining room. Please mark your preference: No restrictions Gluten Free Vegetarian I will provide my own (microwave/small fridge available) Allergies (please list) Register early!! Please send entire registration form filled out completely to: Kathy Ifft (253) th St. E. Puyallup, WA Kathyifft@msn.com Retreat use only: Check# Online Room# Single Multi Day Postmark/Date 5

6 LWR 2018 Fall Ingathering Report Agnus Dei, Gig Harbor: 26 Quilts, 30 School,16 Baby Care Amazing Grace, Aberdeen: 85 Quilts, 150 School, All Saints, Auburn: 64 Personal Care Beautiful Savior, Vancouver: 22 Quilts, 119 School, 110 Personal Care, 9 Fabric, 11 Baby Care Christ Lutheran, Belfair: 62 Quilts, 65 School, 23 Personal Care Christ the King, Goldendale: 33 Quilts Elim, Port Orchard: 44 Quilts, 113 School, 11 Personal Care, 28 Baby Care Emmanuel, Longview: 43 Quilts Faith, Shelton: 29 Quilts, 86 School, 27 Personal Care, 3 Fabrics, 26 Baby Care Family of Grace, Auburn: 18 Quilts, 18 School First Lutheran Community, Port Orchard: 116 Quilts, 94 School, 21 Personal Care, 28 Fabric, 32 Baby Care First Lutheran, Poulsbo: 72 Quilts, 10 Fabric, 20 Baby Care Gloria Dei, Olympia: 115 Quilts, 214 School Good Shepherd, Olympia: 140 Quilts, 5 Fleece Blankets Messiah, Auburn: 111 Quilts, 313 School, 127 Personal Care, 43 Baby Care Messiah, Vancouver: 84 Quilts Mt. View, Edgewood: 341 Quilts Naselle, Naselle: 15 Quilts, 8 Blankets, 90 School, 43 Personal Care Our Saviour s, Bremerton: 19 Quilts, 161 School Peace, Puyallup: 84 Quilts Peninsula, Gig Harbor: 70 Quilts, 36 Baby Care Redeemer, Fircrest: 6 Quilts Resurrection, Tacoma: 19 Quilts, 24 School, 16 Personal Care Saron, Hoquiam: 32 Quilts Shepherd of the Hills, Stevenson: 130 School Stella, Longview: 28 Quilts Silverdale, Silverdale: 132 Quilts, 100 School Spirit of Life, Port Orchard: 56 Quilts, 8 Fleece, 29 Bars of Soap, 100 School, 45 Personal Care, 7 Fabric, 60 Baby Care St. John s, Vancouver: 55 Quilts St. Mark, Lacey: 64 Quilts St. Mark s by the Narrows, Tacoma: 59 Quilts, 182 School St. Paul, Winlock: 31 Quilts, 15 School, 13 Personal Care, 6 Fabric, 13 Baby Care Trinity, Enumclaw: 44 Quilts, 93 School, 18 Personal Care, 32 Baby Care Trinity, Longview: 60 Quilts Trinity, Tacoma: 118 Quilts, 93 School, 63 Personal Care, 11 Baby Care Trinity, Vancouver: 62 Quilts, 45 Personal Care Twin Harbors, Grayland: 68 Quilts, 15 School, 35 Personal Care, 7 Baby Care United, Tacoma: 110 Quilts Vinland, Poulsbo: 64 Quilts, 38 School, 38 Baby Care Zion, Camas: 114 School Snippet of Wisdom Write your sorrows in sand And your blessings in stone. Seen on a car bumper sticker 6

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8 Gifts for the Child On Sunday, January 6, 2019, the Epiphany of Our Lord, The Lutheran Church of The Good Shepherd, Olympia, WA, held an Epiphany Service called Gifts for the Child. As part of the celebration, members of the congregation were asked to gather: Diapers Baby Food Diaper Wipes Kids Tooth Paste Kids Toothbrushes Pull-ups Formula Kids Shampoo Kids Conditioner Following dinner in Crary Hall, congregants gathered in the Narthex and began the service with prayer. They processed into the Sanctuary singing Marching In The Light of God while carrying the baby items in to place in front of the Altar. Following readings for the Sunday of Epiphany and the reading of the Epiphany poem by Macrina Wiederkehr which is found on the following page, quiet, contemplative time was observed as members moved to different stations to light candles, make a star-shaped candle holder, help decorate a large Epiphany star or sat and meditated to the Epiphany music. At the end of the service, light sticks were passed out and This Little Light of Mine was sung with great enthusiasm. The baby items collected will be distributed to the YWCA Other Bank and the Thurston County Food Bank 8

9 A Poem For Epiphany Creator of the stars God of epiphanies You are the Great Star You have marked my path with light You have filled my sky with stars naming each star guiding it until it shines upon my heart awakening me to deeper seeing new revelations and brighter epiphanies. O infinite Star Giver I now ask for wisdom and courage to follow these stars for their names are many and my heart is fearful. They shine on me wherever I go: The star of hope The star of mercy and compassion The star of tenderness and love The star of suffering The star of joy And every time I feel the shine I am called to follow it to sing it to live it all the way to the cross and beyond. O Creator of the stars You have become within me an unending Epiphany. Macrina Wiederkehr in Creator of the Stars of Night, in Holden Prayer Around the Cross: Handbook to the Liturgy, ed. Susan Briehl, Tom Witt (Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, 2009), 73. Soup Sisters Ministry In September of 2018, a group of women at the Lutheran Church of The Good Shepherd, Olympia, WA, gathered with recipes and ingredients in hand to begin a new ministry focused on providing nutritious soup for congregational members and others in the community who were in need of the comfort, warmth, and love wrapped up in a steaming, hot bowl of delicious soup. These women dubbed themselves, Soup Sisters. They meet on the first Monday of every month to make and freeze different kinds of soup. Their offerings have included; clam chowder, hamburger soup, zucchini bisque, tomato, and Italian sausage. The soup is kept in the freezer and is available to those who are recovering from an illness, who are homebound or who are just in need of some nourishing food. Along with the chopping and whisking, there is much laughter and fellowship among these sisters. They are truly living the shine of the stars of Epiphany. 9

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11 Southwestern Washington Synodical Women s Organization (1-C) Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America October 2018 President Kathy Newton Bethany, Longview 2640 Garfield LONGVIEW, WA cell newton7936@comcast.net Vice President Jan Sayler Bethel, Brush Prairie NE 165th Street BATLEGROUND, WA khsayler@gmail.com Secretary Jeanne Patterson Silverdale, Silverdale 1546 Bloomington Avenue BREMERTON, WA Cell jeannep414@msn.com Treasurer Kathy Ifft All Saints, Auburn th St. E PUYALLUP, WA kathyifft@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 Pamela Deacon-Joyner, Chair of SW WA Synod Prison Ministry Board Church Membership: Living Stones Congregation pamdj27@gmail.com Board Members: Shirley Falkenhagen First Lutheran, Tacoma 908 South Junett St. TACOMA, WA shirleyfalkenhagen@gmail.com Linnea Glover Good Shepherd, Olympia 3154 Pear St. SE OLYMPIA, WA linneaglover@gmail.com Mary Ann Nelson Stella, Longview PO Box 368 CATHLAMET, WA manelson@teleport.com Virginia Garrison Trinity, Parkland 4932 South State Street TACOMA, WA vgarrison4932@comcast.net Sue Anna Tucker Elim, Port Orchard P.O. Box 1569 PORT ORCHARD, WA Cell sueannagrace@gmail.co Today s Dream, Tomorrow s Reality Racial Justice Advocacy Team Sue Ferber-Goodspeed, Janean Moriarty, Denise Powell, Barbara Robertson, and Helene Pearch 4806 Bend Drive NE LACEY, WA bhpearch@comcast.net Empowering Life Cluster Leaders: Coastal Cluster [Position open] Evergreen Cluster Kathy Ifft th St. E PUYALLUP, WA Ft. Vancouver Cluster Jan Sayler and team NE 165th Street BATTLEGROUND, WA khjsayler@gmail.com Mt. Rainier Cluster Maren K. Johnson th Ave. E TACOMA, WA (H) mkjtacoma@hotmail.com Narrows Cluster [Position open] Olympic Cluster Linda Zeh P O Box 650 ALLYN, WA lakelanders@wavecable.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 glmlkennedy5@gmail.com Churchwide Board Member From SW WA Synod Women Elected at Triennial 2017 Tina Bigelow Coburg Place NW POULSBO, WA tina.bigelow@earthlink.net 11

12 Southwestern Washington Synod Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Southwestern Washington Synodical Women s Organization Women of the ELCA Linnea Glover, Swatch Editor 3154 Pear St. SE, Olympia, WA In This Issue President s Report Treasurer s Report Board Meeting Highlights Swatch Information Spring Retreat Flyer Save The Dates Events Retreat Registration Form LWR Fall In Gathering Report Snippet of Wisdom Olympic Cluster Spring Celebration Flyer Gifts for the Child Epiphany Poem Soup Sisters Ministry Synod Churches listed by Clusters Contact Information/SWO Calendar of Upcoming Events Calendar of Upcoming Events February 9, 2019, St. Valentine s Celebration, 6-8 PM St. Mark s by the Narrows, Tacoma, WA February 24, 2019, Bold Women s Day March 23, 2019 Olympic Cluster Spring Celebration, 8:45 AM Vinland Lutheran Church, Poulsbo, WA March 29-March 31, 2019 Annual Spring Retreat Black Diamond Camp, Auburn, WA May 4, 2019 Ft. Vancouver Cluster Event Bethel Lutheran, Brush Prairie, WA June 21-23, 2019 Region 1 Gathering Embassy Suites, Hillsboro, OR Café stirring the spirit within Check us out on Facebook: SW WA Women of the ELCA Tell us what you are doing in your WELCA 12