Swatch. Purpose Statement:

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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! 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. Swatch ************************************************************************************** Newsletter of Southwestern Washington Synodical Women s Organization Region 1-C Women of Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Published six times a year March 2018 ************************************************************************************************* Date: March 1, 2018 To: All Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in Southwestern Washington Synod From: Jeanne Patterson, Secretary, Southwestern Washington Synodical Women s Organization (SW WA SWO) of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Regarding: Official Notice of the 29 th Convention of the Southwestern Washington Synod Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America In accordance with ARTICLE VI, Section 3, Item 1, of the Southwestern Washington Synodical Women s Organization Constitution, notice is hereby given that the 29 th Convention of the Southwestern Washington Synod of Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will be in session, Friday, October 12 and Saturday, October 13, 2018, at Bethel Lutheran Church, Brush Prairie, Washington. Voting members of this convention shall be elected officers and board members of the Southwestern Washington Synodical Women s Organization and one voting member from each unit on the roll of this synodical women s organization. Those congregations not represented by a unit shall be invited to send one representative who shall have seat and voice. Message from the SW WA SWO President Having just returned from Conference of (Synod) Presidents at Lutheran Center in Chicago, I am full of new images, new friends, new information and jet lag. You will be hearing more in each issue of SWATCH, so keep tuned. What did I hear? Briefly: stories of excitement in individual units across the country, Synods excited about conventions and projects to support, Churchwide filling us in on practical matters and deadlines as well as new and ongoing events and places for us to put our support and action. Current for Curran is an extension of the Solar Panels for Phoebe with solar panels already donated to get electricity to another hospital. We will lend our support to getting the job done. Katie s Fund has a new challenge for us. There is a Triennial coming up in Phoenix in July In our Synod, we have a retreat coming up in April, so sign up and join me as a new recruit to the retreat. See further info in this issue. Also, in this issue, look for info on the Spring Olympic Cluster event. The Synod convention will be held at Bethel, Brush Prairie on Oct.12 & 13. Check out all of these events on your phone or computer screen or in your hand from USPS or a shared copy from someone in your church. Check on-line at for ideas and more information. 1

2 From Beth Lindell, SWO Treasurer Treasurer s Report As we wrap up our fiscal year, a note of thanks to all the units who send in their offerings faithfully. Remember, by sending an offering at least once a year, your unit is allowed to have a voting member at the convention in October. Thanks to the following units who have sent in offerings: Peace, Puyallup; First, Tacoma; St. Paul, Vancouver; Bethel, Brush Prairie; St. Marks, Lacey; Trinity, Tacoma; Stella, Longview; Christ, Belfair. This past year, our synod sent a total of $7, on to churchwide, consisting of ½ of all unit offerings, all of cluster offerings, and special offerings for the Conference of Presidents and the 10th Triennial Gathering. Reminder to all unit treasurers; if you ever have a question for me, please do not hesitate to call. OLYMPIC CLUSTER ELECTION OF OFFICERS From Linda Zeh, President Olympic Cluster Do you look forward to the Olympic Cluster Spring Event each year? Have you ever wondered how this event is created? The women who serve on the board are committed to working as a team to plan for this annual event. We share in the joy of how God directs us throughout the planning process. At the 2018 Annual Meeting we need to elect new officers and members: Vice President (assists president and takes minutes in absence of secretary); Secretary (takes minutes of the meetings and helps with advertising and printed material for this event); Treasurer (provides report of income and expenses for annual meeting and oversees transfer of funds to hosting church); and an opening for a board member to join our team. Your Cluster needs you! Your public relations, event planning, and leadership skills are needed to ensure the continued success of the Olympic Cluster. Our board meets four times from September to April to plan the Spring Event and we have fun! If you have an interest, if you are looking for a meaningful way to serve the Women of the ELCA, please contact Linda Zeh at SW WA SWO Board Meeting Highlights From Jeanne Patterson, Secretary The Southwestern Washington Synodical Women s Organization board held their meeting on January 4, 2018 at The Lutheran Church of The Good Shepherd, Olympia, WA. President Kathy Newton gave devotions thanking God for the many circles that are part of our lives. Each board member was introduced to new board member Virginia Garrison. A policy will be written with the steps for the Minutes Committee to follow when taking the minutes at the convention. Information will be sent to each church on the Spring Retreat. A new Scholarship Form was written. President Kathy Newton attended the Conference of Presidents February 23-25, This year our convention will be a two-day event to be held October 12 & 13, 2018 at Bethel Lutheran Church in Brush Prairie, WA. The Olympic Cluster Spring Celebration is being held at Elim Lutheran Church in Port Orchard, WA on Saturday, April 28, The next board meeting will be held on March 10, 2018 at Bethel Lutheran Church in Brush Prairie, WA. 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 $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 Electronic mail: linnea@gsolympia.org Telephone: 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 Swatch. 2

3 Southwestern Washington Synodical Women s Organization Scholarship Application Form Scholarship Policy: Scholarships will be awarded to women who need financial aid to attend a synod event and apply at least 30 days prior to the event. The awarded amount will be up to ½ of the registration fee for the event. You may apply for one scholarship per year. The Board will determine the number of scholarships available per event (for budgeting purposes). Exceptions will be made based on case-by-case circumstances via Board vote and availability of funds. Please fill out the following application and mail to: Beth Lindell, Treasurer SE 323 rd Street, Auburn, WA Name: Address: City, State, Zip Code: Home Church with City: Event you are applying for: Are you receiving financial help from your own congregational unit? What do you hope to learn from this event? Would you be willing to write an article summarizing your experience for the SWATCH newsletter? November,

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5 LWR 2017 Fall Ingathering Report Agnus Dei, Gig Harbor: 37 Quilts, 24 School Kits, 4 Fabric Kits, 19 Baby Care Kits Amazing Grace, Aberdeen: 103 Quilts, 150 School Kits, 4 Baby Care Kits Beautiful Savior, Vancouver: 21 Quilts, 5 Blankets, 312 School Kits, 248 Personal Care Kits, 22 Fabric Kits, 23 Baby Care Kits Calvary, Federal Way: 34 Quilts, 24 School Kits Christ, Belfair: 45 Quilts, 67 School Kits, 19 Personal Care Kits Christ, Lakewood: 70 Quilts, 118 School Kits, 44 Fabric Kits Christ the King, Goldendale: 32 Quilts Dungeness Valley, Sequim: 26 School Kits, 57 Baby Care Kits Elim, Port Orchard: 24 Quilts, 91 School Kits, 20 Personal Care Kits, 23 Baby Care Kits Emmanuel, Longview: 40 Quilts Faith, Shelton: 31 Quilts, 87 School Kits, 19 Personal Care Kits, 39 Baby Care Kits Family of Grace, Auburn: 21 Quilts, 17 School Kits First, Poulsbo: 82 Quilts, 19 Fabric Kits, 20 Baby Care Kits First Lutheran Community, Port Orchard: 120 Quilts, 112 School Kits, 38 Personal Care Kits, 36 Fabric Kits, 31 Baby Care Kits Gloria Dei, Olympia: 108 Quilts, 508 School Kits Good Shepherd, Tacoma: 18 Quilts Highland, LaCenter: 50 Quilts Messiah, Auburn: 88 Quilts, 18 lbs Soap, 500 School Kits, 22 Personal Care Kits, 34 Baby Care Kits Messiah, Vancouver: 88 Quilts Mt. View, Edgewood: 257 Quilts Our Savior s, Bremerton: 35 Quilts, 203 School Kits Our Savior s, Cathlamet: 15 Quilts, 7 Baby Care Kits Peace, Puyallup: 70 Quilts Peninsula, Gig Harbor: 66 Quilts, 37 Baby Care Kits Redeemer, Fircrest: 10 Quilts Resurrection, Tacoma: 39 Quilts, 24 School Kits, 19 Personal Care Kits, 16 Fabric Kits Shepherd of the Hills, Stevenson: 100 School Kits Silverdale, Silverdale: 144 Quilts, 125 School Kits Spirit of Life, Port Orchard: 69 Quilts, 3 Fleece Blankets, 67 lbs Soap, 100 School Kits, 63 Personal Care Kits, 13 Fabric Kits, 70 Baby Care Kits Stella, Longview: 34 Quilts St. John s, Vancouver: 63 Quilts St. Mark, Lacey: 62 Quilts St. Mark s by The Narrows, Tacoma: 74 Quilts, 225 School Kits, 69 Baby Care Kits St. Mark s, Rochester: 50 Quilts St. Paul, Winlock: 30 Quilts, 27 Personal Care Kits The Lutheran Church of The Good Shepherd, Olympia: 150 Quilts, 355 School Kits, 59 Baby Care Kits Trinity, Enumclaw: 38 Quilts, 95 School Kits, 20 Personal Care Kits, 55 Baby Care Kits Trinity, Longview: 50 Quilts Trinity, Tacoma: 135 Quilts, 82 School Kits, 8 Personal Care Kits, 26 Baby Care Kits Trinity, Vancouver: 65 Quilts, 30 Personal Care Kits, 6 Baby Care Kits Twin Harbors, Grayland: 61 Quilts, 44 School Kits, 35 Personal Care Kits, 4 Baby Care Kits United, Tacoma: 88 Quilts, Vinland, Poulsbo: 74 Quilts, 20 School Kits, 38 Baby Care Kits Congratulations to the ladies of Spirit of Life Lutheran Church in Port Orchard, WA! According to Janet Hane, this year s fall shipment is the largest shipment made in the twenty four years that Spirit of Life s women have been sending quilts and kits to LWR! Keep up your excellent work, ladies! 5

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8 Empowering Life Report by Ann Meacham It s the night of the St. Valentine s Celebration supporting the work of Empowering Life; prison ministry programming for and support of women at the Washington Corrections Centers for Women in Purdy and Belfair. Fifteen tables occupy the room, all of them filled with guests and supporters of Empowering Life sharing small talk and good company. The Saturday evening entertainment is about to begin. About six men and women take their places behind five-to-six foot-long wooden keyboardlooking objects. They look somewhat like wooden xylophones except there are not as many keys and many of these wooden objects have really big keys, not only in length but also in width. By striking mallets on the wooden keys, the band begins to play; reminders of steel drums music comes to mind. The melodies, the rhythms, yes, this sounds most like music for a conga line. Looking around the room, it is difficult to find anyone who is not keeping beat to the music, whether it s with one s foot, head, or swaying body. At one point, clapping breaks out! Not just light, polite clapping but strong, positiveatmosphere-in-the-room clapping! The Jekesa Marimba Band s (Tacoma, WA) style of most of their marimba music comes from Zimbabwe but marimba music is also part of the culture in Mexico and Central America. The attendees at the St. Valentine s Celebration enjoyed forty minutes of nearly non-stop marimba music. Watching the marimbists is nearly as educational and entertaining as hearing the repertoire of marimba music. It is definitely worth hearing/watching again. The rest of the celebratory evening included bidding on fifteen delectable desserts and about fifty various silent auction items which had opening bids of $5.00 up to around the one-hundred dollar mark. There was certainly something for everyone! One of the items favored by many was a Christmas quilt, all made with hexagons. The colors chosen were beautiful. The quilt itself had been a labor of love in earlier years and was most recently finished by an area quilt shop. The person who got the quilt felt that she had found a great treasure! As table guests enjoyed their desserts and conversation, Joan Nelson, the President of Empowering Life, was able to inform the guests of the evening s great success. Thousands of dollars were raised to continue the good work among the incarcerated women and their families. In addition, Melanie Wallschlaeger of the Southwestern Washington Synod office announced that Empowering Life is now a Synodically Authorized Worshipping Community at the Washington Corrections Center for Women. Great news! Regular, monthly worship services will occur on the second Sunday of the month beginning in September. There will be more information coming!! Snippets of Wisdom Peace if possible, truth at all costs. Martin Luther If you want peace, work for justice. Anonymous We must accept finite disappointment, but we must never lose infinite hope. Martin Luther King Jr. This is what I know. In the deepest, blackest night of despair, if you can get just one pinhole of light...all of grace rushes in. 8

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10 Southwestern Washington Synod Churches listed by Clusters Women of the ELCA Updated June 2017 Coastal Cluster Aberdeen, Amazing Grace Chinook, Chinook Grayland, Twin Harbors Hoquiam, Saron Naselle, Naselle Ocean Park, Ocean Park Ocean Shores, Galilean Chapel South Bend, First Evergreen Cluster Auburn, All Saints Auburn, Family of Grace Auburn, Messiah Auburn, New Wave Lutheran Mission Enumclaw, Hope Enumclaw, Trinity Federal Way, Calvary Federal Way, Chinese Fellowship Federal Way, Christ Federal Way, Light of Grace Tacoma, Resurrection Ft Vancouver Cluster Brush Prairie, Bethel Camas, Zion La Center, Highland Stevenson, Shepherd of the Hills Vancouver, Beautiful Saviour Vancouver, Family of Christ Vancouver, Immanuel Vancouver, Messiah Vancouver, St Andrew Vancouver, St Paul Vancouver, Trinity Narrows Cluster Fircrest, Redeemer Gig Harbor, Agnus Dei Gig Harbor, Empowering Life Gig Harbor, Peninsula Lakebay, Key Peninsula Lakewood, Christ Lakewood, St John s Tacoma, Bethlehem Tacoma, Emmanuel Tacoma, First Tacoma, Gloria Dei Tacoma, Mision de Belen Tacoma, Peace Tacoma, Pueblo de Dios Tacoma, Salishan Mission Tacoma, St Marks s by the Narrows Tacoma, United University Place, Mt Cross Olympic Cluster Belfair, Christ Bremerton, Emmanuel Bremerton, Family of God Bremerton, Our Saviour s Forks, Prince of Peace Port Angeles, Holy Trinity Port Ludlow, Peace Lutheran Fellowship Port Townsend, Grace Port Orchard, Elim Port Orchard, First Port Orchard, Spirit of Life Poulsbo, First Poulsbo, Vinland Sequim, Dungeness Valley Silverdale, Silverdale Mt Rainier Cluster Bonney Lake, Creator Edgewood, Mountain View Puyallup, Celebration Puyallup, Peace Puyallup, Pilgrim Spanaway, Bethany Spanaway, Spanaway Sumner, Christ the King Tacoma, Lutheran Church of Christ the King Tacoma, Trinity Tacoma, University Congregation-PLU South Sound Cluster Centralia, Immanuel Chehalis, St John s Elma, Faith Lacey, St Mark Olympia, Gloria Dei Olympia, Gull Harbor Olympia, St Christopher s Episcopal Olympia, The Lutheran Church of The Good Shepherd Shelton, Faith Shelton, Living Stones Prison Congregation Yelm, Emanuel Three Rivers Cluster Castle Rock, St Paul Kelso, Gloria Dei Longview, Bethany Longview, Stella Chapel Longview, Trinity Winlock, St Paul 10

11 Southwestern Washington Synodical Women s Organization (1-C) Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America October 2017 President Kathy Newton Bethany, Longview 2640 Garfield LONGVIEW, WA cell newton7936@comcast.net Vice President Ann Meacham Peninsula, Gig Harbor th Avenue Court NW GIG HARBOR, WA aemeach@comcast.net Secretary Jeanne Patterson Silverdale, Silverdale 1546 Bloomington Avenue BREMERTON, WA Cell jeannep414@msn.com Treasurer Beth Lindell All Saints, Auburn SE 323rd St AUBURN, WA bethlindell@hotmail.com SWO Prison Mission and Ministry TeamSharon Peter 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: Virginia Garrison Trinity, Parkland 4932 South State Street TACOMA, WA vgarrison4932@comcast.net Linnea Glover Good Shepherd, Olympia 3154 Pear St SE OLYMPIA, WA linneaglover@gmail.com Geni Hammer Bethel, Brush Prairie NE 142nd Ave BRUSH PRAIRIE, WA genihammer@comcast.net Mary Ann Nelson Stella, Longview PO Box 368 CATHLAMET, WA manelson@teleport.com 5th Board Position to be appointed due to a resignation 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 Churchwide Board Member From SW WA Synod Women Elected at Triennial 2017 Tina Bigelow Coburg Place NW POULSBO, WA tina.bigelow@earthlink.net Empowering Life Beyond Incarceration! 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 Nancy Jo Armstrong and Barbara King th Avenue East PUYALLUP, WA leanja@comcast.net Narrows Cluster Vihollie Rice 3713 North 15th Street TACOMA, WA 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 kennedygm@comcast.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 Announcement of Convention President s Report Treasurer s Report Olympic Cluster Elections Board Meeting Highlights Swatch Information SW WA SWO Scholarship Form Olympic Cluster Spring Celebration Flyer LWR Fall Ingathering Report Spring Retreat Flyer Spring Retreat Registration Form St. Valentine s Celebration Report Snippets of Wisdom Ft.Vancouver Cluster Event Flyer SW WA Synod Churches listed by Cluster Contact Information/SWO Calendar of Events Calendar of Upcoming Events March 10, 2018 SW WA SWO Board Meeting 10 AM-2 PM Bethel Lutheran Church, Brush Prairie, WA April 7, 2018 Fort Vancouver Cluster Event 9:30 AM Zion Lutheran Church, Camas, WA April 20-22, 2018 SW WA SWO Spring Retreat Change!?! Black Diamond Camp, Auburn, WA April 28, 2018 Olympic Cluster Spring Celebration Elim Lutheran Church, Port Orchard, WA May 5, 2018 SW WA SWO Board Meeting 10 AM-2 PM The Lutheran Church of The Good Shepherd, Olympia, WA July 14, 2018 SW WA SWO Board Meeting 10 AM -2 PM The Lutheran Church of The Good Shepherd, Olympia, WA July 25, 2018 Mt. Rainier Cluster Ice Cream Social 6:30 PM Lutheran Church of Christ the King, Tacoma, WA September 15, 2018 SW WA SWO Board Meeting 10 AM-2 PM Bethel Lutheran Church, Brush Prairie, WA October 12 October 13 SW WA SWO 29th Convention Bethel Lutheran Church, Brush Prairie, WA 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