Allegheny Synodical Women s Organization 2018 Fall Issue

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1 The Courier Allegheny Synodical Women s Organization 2018 Fall Issue Greetings from the President In Board meetings prior to the 2018 Convention, we struggled and prayed as we waited for nominees for officers and board members for the coming year. The few weeks before the convention we still had not received nominees for Secretary, Treasurer or Board Members. Our Nominations Chair, Casey Colledge, was very diligent as she continued calling numerous women asking them to consider serving. When the Bulletin of Reports was mailed to Voting members we still needed three board members. As we met in our pre-convention meeting on the April 6 we still needed one more person. The day of convention on April 7, that one person consented to serve!!! So, our prayers were answered and we elected four Officers and five Board Members! Thank you to all who are serving currently and have served in the past. In my Report at the convention I shared the following: It is the Board s hope that you will continue to participate and support the gatherings and conventions so they will be more meaningful to everyone. We are grateful for all the gifts that each person and each unit brings to the ASWO. We are grateful for your financial support of the ASWO and Women of the ELCA (who provides many resources and opportunities for growth in faith). I shared that I have grown in faith and in confidence though hearing God s story and through the many mentors in the organization. My spiritual growth has been, in part, through participating in Bible studies, workshops, and worship opportunities at our conventions and days of renewal, plus in my own congregational unit. I feel confident that you have also found the women s organization to be a place where you are accepted and supported by fellow sisters in Christ. May we all continue to be receptive to God s story which intersects with each of our stories and hopefully has given a deeper meaning to your story. I am also truly grateful for the support of the Officers and Board for their commitment and faithfulness. Carol McClure ******************** 2019 CONVENTION ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH HOLLIDAYSBURG, PA (Date to be Announced Later)

2 ALLEGHENY SYNODICAL WOMEN S ORGANIZATION OFFICERS AND BOARD PRESIDENT BOARD MEMBERS Carol McClure (2020) Casey Colledge (2019) 201 Washington Avenue 750 Shipley Rd Hollidaysburg PA Artemas PA P. (814) P. (814) E. cm.mcclure@hotmail.com C. (203) E. colledgec@gmail.com VICE PRESIDENT Margaret Thatcher (2020) Terri Lingenfelter (2019) 510 East Walton Avenue 1026 Bedford St Altoona PA P. (814) P. (814) C. (814) C. (814) E. eng-tv@yahoo.com E. mlthatcher46@gmail.com Donna College (2020) SECRETARY 188 Graybill Road Fay Dellinger (2019) Osterburg PA Hog Farm Rd P. (814) Osterburg PA E. dc@atlanticbb.net P. (814) C. (814) Celestia Sue Nelson (2020) E. fldellinger@embarqmail.com 131 Nelson Lane East Freedom PA TREASURER P. (814) Donna Wilt (2019) E. csnelson@seasonaire.org 4701 Lynndale Rd Altoona PA Megan Widener (2020) P. (814) Amberleigh Lane C. (814) Bellefonte PA E. bwdw4701@yahoo.com P. (814) E. mepfeil.pac@gmail.com

3 ALLEGHENY SYNODICAL WOMEN S ORGANIZATION ANNUAL CONVENTION GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH APRIL 7, 2018 Carol McClure called the meeting to order at 10:00 AM following the opening worship service led by Pastor Becky Horn of St. Luke, Centre Hall. Carol McClure explained that we would be following Roberts Rules of Order. Carol McClure then introduced the following people: Sue Ferro Local Arrangements and Displays Bishop Michael Rhyne Bishop of the Allegheny Synod Rev. Paula Schmitt Assistant to the Bishop of the Allegheny Synod Elizabeth Burgess Churchwide Women s Organization Representative Pastor Becky Horn St. Luke Lutheran Church Vicar Ariel Williams Grace Lutheran Church June Miller - Organist Margaret Thatcher was called on to introduce the Convention Committee. Bishop Rhyne conveyed greetings from the Bishop s Office. He spoke about the theme for Synod Assembly How is the Holy Spirit calling us?. What is He calling us to do and where is He calling us to go and that He is using every one of us to do His work. He thanked the women for all they do in the congregations and the ministry that they do. He spoke and encouraged the women if they see people in their congregations that they think might make good pastors to ask them if they have ever considered a call to ministry. He is excited with regards to the Candidacy Program in the synod. In 2014 there were 2 people going to seminary, at the start of 2018 there are 15 people attending with another 3 more expected to start in the fall. Sue Ferro explained the workshops and their locations. The Credentials Committee report was given by Bonnie Burris. As of 9 AM there were: Synodical representatives 8 Voting Members 6 Visitors 30 Total voting members 14 The report of the Credentials Committee was adopted. Business was declared open. Chair appointed Terri Lingenfelter as Parliamentarian. The Convention Business Committees appointed were: Bonnie Burris, Chair of the Committee on Credentials and assistant, Carolyn Fishburn Tracy Dehoff, Chair of the Committee on the Conduct of Elections and assistant, Nancy DeLozier; Leslie Wagner, Chair of the Committee on Minutes and assistant, Donna College; Casey Colledge, Chair of the Committee of Nominations and assistant, Carol Sauter; and Celestia (Sue) Nelson, Chair of the Committee on Reference and Counsel and assistant, Freda Schluter. Rules of Procedure was adopted. The agenda was adopted. Tracy Dehoff, chair of the Committee on Conduct of Elections was in charge of the vote and counting of the votes. Margaret Thatcher, Vice President, took over the chair as President Carol McClure gave her report.

4 Barb McAllister gave the treasurer s report and moved for the adoption of the proposed budget. Budget for February 1, 2019 to January 31, 2020 was approved. Before the first ballot was called, a question was posed about why the terms were staggered, Carol McClure explained that we needed to have staggered terms so we would not be elected a full board every year. The first ballot for President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and five board members was conducted and counted. 14 voted and 14 votes for Carol McClure for President for a 2-year term were recorded. 14 voted and 14 votes for Margaret (Peggy) Thatcher for Vice President for a 2-year term were recorded. 14 voted and 14 votes for Fay Dellinger for Secretary for a 1-year term were recorded. 14 voted and 14 votes for Donna Wilt for Treasurer for a 1-year term were recorded. 14 voted and 14 votes for Megan Widener for Board Member for a 2-year term were recorded. 14 voted and 14 votes for Celestia (Sue) Nelson for Board Member for a 2-year term were recorded. 14 voted and 14 votes for Donna College for Board Member for a 2-year term were recorded. 14 voted and 14 votes for Casey Colledge for Board Member for a 1-year term were recorded. 14 voted and 14 votes for Terri Lingenfelter for Board Member for a 1-year term were recorded. All were officially elected via the first ballot. There were questions about offering interpretations. It was explained to the group that synodical offering should be passed through the Synodical Treasurer so that she could then be able to report active units more easily. There is some confusion about this compared to what Churchwide reports as active WELCA units due to offerings are set directly to churchwide instead of through the Treasurer. Carol McClure advised the convention body that the 2019 Convention location and date were still under consideration and that the information would be sent out in the next newsletter Chair declared us adjourned at 11:45 AM. Respectfully submitted as corrected, Casey Colledge Acting Secretary.

5 FORM FOR SUBMITTING ARTICLES TO The Courier You can help us have an interesting, informative newsletter. You can either write your article and submit to me, or provide the basic information using the form below and I'll write it. You may also include recipes, poems, cute stories, or anything else you would like to share or think someone would enjoy reading. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP! Name of person submitting article Phone Number Address Topic or Title of Event Name of place where event was held Date event was held Information to include in The Courier article: Send to: FAY DELLINGER, 858 HOG FARM ROAD, OSTERBURG PA

6 Conference Liaisons The following is the list of Liaisons for the Alleghany Synodical Women s Organization. These are board members who are your contacts if you have any questions or concerns. These women will be reaching out to you in the near future. Bedford Conference Terri Lingenfelter, 1026 Bedford Street, Claysburg PA (814) or (814) eng tv@yahoo.com Blair/Huntingdon Conference Margaret Thatcher, 510 East Walton Ave, Altoona, PA (814) or (814) mlthatcher46@gmail.com Nitany Conference Megan Widener, 208 Amberleigh Lane, Bellefonte, PA (814) mepfeil.pac@gmail.com Johnstown Conference Casey Colledge, 750 Shipley Road, Artemas, PA (814) or (203) colledgec@gmail.com Laurel Highlands Donna College, 188 Graybill Road, Osterburg PA (814) dcollege@atlanticbb.net

7 Allegheny Synod Lutheran World Relief Report Mission Quilts 398 Personal Care Kits 538 School Kits 30 Fabric Kits 291 Bars of Soap There was $ received for the Quilt and Kit shipping fund. Reported by Casey Colledge MT. CALVERY GOES GREEN At the 10th Triennial Gathering in Minneapolis, church women were encouraged to help their congregations to GO GREEN. Mt. Calvary Women decided to jump in with both feet. I googled the question, " How long does it take for a styrofoam cup to disintegrate?" The answer was 500 years. FIVE HUNDRED YEARS!!!! And that's approximately? Wow. Our congregation uses styrofoam cups for coffee hour at least once a month. 500 hundred years?! That's the number that had been in the eye of every Lutheran all year. After all, it WAS 500 years ago that Martin Luther nailed the 95 theses on the door at Wittenberg We decided that WE could make a difference. We asked for donations of ceramic cups, glass cups, pottery cups well, you get the picture- We decided we can't ask everyone who sponsors coffee hour to wash cups, but we could change our behavior in that regard. With just several coffee hour stints we have saved about 400 styrofoam cups from hitting the landfill. Not a huge amount, but it's a start! Carol Sauter, President, Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church

8 FRIENDS Exodus 33 talks about a man speaketh to a "friend face to face." Friends are one of the ways God takes care of us. We need all the things friendship entails from other human contact such as encouragement... companionship... love... honesty... loyalty. Understanding all that friendship offers. Friendships like we share as sisters in Christ are like recipes of goodness for us. They bake up something special. Perhaps, you have heard the saying "In the cookies of life, friends are like the chocolate chips" Friends are that sweet extra in life and even sweeter is friendship among believers of Christ. You may ask, why is the recipe of fellowship and friendship with sisters in Christ so important... Let s check out the ingredients: Read each one... RECIPE FOR FRIENDSHIP Nuts... (optional) Just a little craziness in a sister friend is great. Sometimes a little zaniness in our friends can be just the ingredient we need SUGAR- Adds sweetness. Our fellowship with our sisters adds such a sweet taste in our lives. If we did not have sugar in our cookies, we'd sure miss it. The same is with our fellowship with our sisters. We can't leave it out of our lives. Chocolate chips - The kind we usually add is semi sweet, Our sister friends tell us what they feel and think and that is okay. We can be honest and truthful. Salt- Enhances flavor. We know that friendship add flavor and just when we need it, they help improve the tastefulness and quality of 0ur lives. Friends are the type of people that know just what we are going through and are there when we need them. SHORTENING - Provides texture. Our fellowship and friendship with sisters in the Lord can add much depth and texture to our lives. We blend together in unity as part of the body of Christ.

9 Friendships take a lot of time and effort to bake up but are worth it when we sense the sweet aroma and special bond they bring. Friends like us that have Jesus in common will have lasting relationships, not just here on earth but we will dwell with Christ in eternity. Ask yourself. Are you the type of friend that you should be? Are you doing all the things you should be doing, like lifting burdens, adding flavor, helping hold things together with your prayers. PRAYER Our friendship is like a long steady rain. It's not so harsh that it will destroy. Yet it is not so soft that it goes unnoticed. Our friendship is growing in your grace. Please Lord bless each of our friendships, and keep them holy at all times. Friendship is a gift from you. Oh Lord we thank you. May the soft rain of our friendships nourish our hearts forever. Amen This was a devotion used at an Allegheny Synodical Board. ************************************ Stay Connected Churchwide Resources ( ext-2730 or womenoftheelca.org or women.elca@elca.org ) GATHER - the magazine of Women of the ELCA, offers a mix of articles, theological reflections, devotions, and stories of comfort and challenge that help readers grow in faith and engage in ministry and action. Gather is published 10 times a year with combined issues in January/February and July/August. Many women (and enlightened men) in Lutheran and in full-communion partner congregations read the magazine. CAFÉ - is an award winning web-based magazine for young adult women who want to build community, participate in advocacy, and strengthen their faith. It incorporates a Lutheran perspective but is a great read for any woman who is interested in how faith can relate to every-day life. BOLD CONNECTIONS - is a free monthly e-newsletter of Women of the ELCA. Whether you participate a lot or a little in Women of the ELCA, you'll find helpful news and information on our programs and activities, and stories of how together we live out our purpose and mission. INTERCHANGE - is our leading leadership newsletter sent by regular mail to Women of the ELCA leaders in congregational units, synodical organizations, and clusters and conferences. It contains organizational news, new resources information, programmatic updates, and more. Leaders are encouraged to share the contents with all the women in their group. It can also be downloaded in PDF format from our website.

BLANKET SUNDAY AND LWR COLLECTION 2018 GENERAL INFORMATION Blanket Sunday is a ministry that is traditionally held on the first Sunday in October. This year s designated Sunday is October 7.

10 BLANKET SUNDAY AND LWR COLLECTION 2018 GENERAL INFORMATION Blanket Sunday is a ministry that is traditionally held on the first Sunday in October. This year s designated Sunday is October 7. Persons in every congregation of the Allegheny Synod are invited to give a special offering for the purchase of blankets for Lutheran World Relief. Your contributions buy sturdy blankets which provide shelter, warmth, and security for those in the world facing disaster. Blanket Sunday envelopes are available from the Synod Office. ALL BLANKET SUNDAY MONEY COLLECTED IN THE SPECIAL ENVELOPES SHOULD GO THROUGH YOUR CHURCH TREASURER TO THE SYNOD. PARISH PROJECTS, QUILTS, ETC. Blanket Sunday is also the time when many congregations collect quilts, blankets, kits, and soap to be shipped to Lutheran World Relief in New Windsor, Maryland. Once again this year, the Allegheny Synodical Women s Organization has organized this collection. Details for the pick-ups in the various parts of the Synod are included in this mailing. Anything you can do to help promote this project will be greatly appreciated. PLEASE label the outside of your box to indicate the contents. Detailed directions for making and assembling the parish projects are available on the LWR website. PACKING Items should be sorted and packed with like items together in a box. Label contents in LARGE BLOCK LETTERS on the outside of the box. Use strong cartons secured with packing tape. Please do not allow boxes to exceed 40 pounds. Please do not use plastic or paper bags to pack donations. Write the name and address of your congregation on each box and label contents. (You may use the labels provided and make as many copies as needed.) TRACKING OPTION You may register your congregation on the LWR website and print out bar codes to put on your boxes. That way you can track where your items go. MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS LWR asks that you consider making a monetary donation to their Quilt and Kit shipping Fund to help cover the costs for getting the parish projects, quilts, etc. to those in need. If you would like to make a monetary donation you may send your checks (made payable to ASWO with LWR Shipping on the memo) to the ASWO treasurer Donna Wilt 4701 Lynndale Rd Altoona PA BLANKET SUNDAY LWR COLLECTION 2018 TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION Donna will then send one check to New Windsor. This way our SWO gets credit for the donation. However, you may also send your checks directly to New Windsor at Lutheran World Relief Warehouse, 601 Main Street, PO Box 188C, New Windsor, MD Make checks payable to Lutheran World Relief and designate Quilt and Kit Shipping. PLEASE NOTE: YOU DO NOT NEED TO SEND ANY MONEY. You may send just quilts/kits, etc. You may send just money. You may send quilts/kits and money. Do what works for your organization.

11 Please make as many copies of the following label as you need. Fill in all the requested information and securely tape one label to each box you are shipping. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!

12 BLANKET SUNDAY LWR COLLECTION 2018 TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION We will have four different collections points in the Synod for the items bound for Lutheran World Relief in New Windsor, Maryland again this year. (You may take your items to any of the locations regardless of your conference). Only blankets, quilts, kits, and soap will be accepted. NO CLOTHING! This service is open to ALL CONGREGATIONS IN THE ALLEGHENY SYNOD*. Please adhere to the labeling and packaging instructions enclosed. Finally, PLEASE complete the Help Us Report form that is included. YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE A SECOND MAILING SO MARK THESE DATES ON YOUR CALENDAR AND MAKE SURE THE INFORMATION GETS TO THE APPROPRIATE PERSON IN YOUR CONGREGATION!!! SOMERSET AREA OCTOBER 1 THROUGH TUESDAY OCTOBER 23, 2018 Items will be collected at Trinity Lutheran Church, 918 Tayman Avenue, Somerset, between the hours of 9AM and 4PM. The phone number for the church is Mark Hemminger has once again generously agreed to transport our items directly to New Windsor. (If you would like to make a donation to help cover the costs of transportation, please make your check payable to Mark Hemminger and bring it to Trinity with your items). JOHNSTOWN AREA THURSDAY & FRIDAY NOVEMBER 1 & 2, 2018 Items will be collected at McQuaide Trucking Terminal, 153 Macridge Avenue, Johnstown from 9AM to 4 PM. Directions to the terminal: Enter through gate off Vo-Tech Drive. Terminal building is the first building on the right after passing through the gate. Mr. McQuaide has once again generously agreed to collect the items and then transport them to the truck in East Freedom the following Monday for transportation to New Windsor. STATE COLLEGE/CLEARFIELD AREAS SUNDAY NOVEMBER 4, 2018 Items will be collected from 1PM 3PM in the parking lot of Grace Lutheran Church, State College. The truck will be loaded at that time and the items will be delivered to East Freedom the next day. This year we do not have the benefit of a donated truck. Each church sending items is asked to contribute $25 toward the cost of the Penske rental truck and the fuel for the trip. Checks should be made payable to Grace Lutheran Church (with Blanket Truck in the memo line) and can be brought to the church with your items. If you have any questions please notify Carolyn Fishburn (814) or cxf1@psu.edu.

13 EAST FREEDOM (ALTOONA/BEDFORD/UPPER JUNIATA AREAS) MONDAY NOVEMBER 5, 2018 Items will be collected at the Miller Funeral Home Parking Lot (15257 Dunnings Highway, East Freedom) just off Exit 23 of I-99 from 9 AM to 4 PM. Look for the Schneider s trailer (probably orange). John and Elaine Smith will be there to receive the items. (Elaine s cell phone number is Please feel free to call her with any questions or problems). Schneider Trucking will provide the truck and driver to get our items to New Windsor. Wal-Mart has generously agreed to pay transportation costs again this year. Directions to the funeral home Take I-99 Exit 23 (Roaring Spring, Portage, East Freedom). At the end of the exit ramp, turn right onto Dunnings Highway (South). Drive about ½ mile to the funeral home parking lot on your right. *PLEASE NOTE: We have a lot of extra room on the truck in East Freedom, so if neighboring churches have items to send to New Windsor, bring them along. We can make this an ecumenical collection. ******************************************* Stay Connected ASWO The Courier The Courier, the newsletter of the ASWO, is published at least two times a year. This publication is distributed to ALL congregations, affiliated as well as non-affiliated. It is a great way to share information with other congregational units, Communication is very important in any organization, and we ask your help in making this publication worthwhile. Information about LWR collection and the ASWO Convention is distributed through this publication. Please send any articles about your projects, stories, devotionals, recipes, or other items of interest to the Editor: Fay Dellinger, 858 Hog Farm Rd., Osterburg, PA or via fldellinger@embarqmail.com or by via phone (814)

14 ALLEGHENY SYNODICAL WOMEN S ORGANIZATION HELP US REPORT!!! Please complete the information below and send to Casey Colledge 750 Shipley Rd Artemas PA ccolledge750@gmail.com Save postage and send it by if you can CONGREGATION CONG. # CONGREGATION S ADDRESS CONFERENCE (Circle) Bedford Blair/Huntingdon Clearfield Johnstown Laurel Highlands Nittany CONTACT PERSON CONTACT PERSON S ADDRESS PHONE # On the line, please write the number of items in each category you sent to LWR this year. REMEMBER, the contributions you make through your Blanket Sunday envelopes are NOT included in this report. They are tallied at the Synod Office. Thanks! BLANKETS SOAP (# of bars) QUILTS SCHOOL KITS PERSONAL CARE KITS BABY CARE KITS OTHER FABRIC KITS On the back of this sheet, please list a few of the projects your women s group/church does throughout the year. THANKS FOR SHARING!!!

15 OFFICER CHANGES Please notify the board whenever changes are made in the leadership of your congregational unit or the contact person changes. Send to: Fay Dellinger, 858 Hog Farm Road, Osterburg PA 16667; Please include the following: CHURCH NAME CHURCH NUMBER CONFERENCE Include name, address, phone number and address (if known) for the following: PRESIDENT Address Phone TREASURER Address Phone If you don t have officers, please send the name and address of a CONTACT PERSON for your church.

The Courier. the Allegheny Synodical Women s Organization. VOL. XXV No CONVENTION ISSUE

The Courier. the Allegheny Synodical Women s Organization. VOL. XXV No CONVENTION ISSUE The Courier Allegheny Synodical Women s Organization Time Sensitive Material Included! VOL. XXV No. 2 2013 CONVENTION ISSUE This is the 2013 Allegheny SWO Convention issue of The Courier. Please read all