September 2012 Volume IV Issue 2 A Message from Your Board President Our Metro Chicago Synodical Women s Organization is looking forward to the Fall 2012 Annual Convention, Bold Women Gathered by God. This will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 9701 Brandt Ave., Oak Lawn, IL 60453. The theme has been taken from the 2012-2013 Women of the ELCA Bible Study. The Bible verse to be highlighted at the convention is Matthew 18: 20, For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them. Registration and Coffee begin at 8:15 a.m. with dismissal at 3:00 p.m. Lunch will be served at 12 Noon. One of the presentations will be about the current situation in Palestine, including an update on the Lutheran Schools in the Holy Land and the Mount of Olives Housing Project. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) works with these projects. We will also have a special treat with an appearance of the Trinity Lutheran Children s Bell Choir performing for our organization. Our convention committee has been meeting over the summer and will meet again before the SWO Board meets on September 29th. We are also anticipating the Lutheran/Catholic Day of Dialogue and Prayer scheduled after Easter for April 13, 2013 at St. Giles Catholic Church in Oak Park, IL. This will be the 24th Annual Lutheran/Catholic Event with the theme of Hearts and Hands of Christ. Fall is approaching and our schedules will be filling up with many worthy activities. Please consider joining our Metro Chicago Synodical Women s Board. You may contact me, Kathleen.West@elca.org or our SWO Secretary, Dixie.Downes@lssi.org. There are several vacancies and we are looking for nominees for the October 27th election. Don t Forget Metro-Chicago SWO Annual Convention, October 27, 2012 In This Issue Women of the ELCA celebrating 25 years Women's Spiritual Retreat President s Message Call for Nominations for Metro Chicago SWO Board Ninth Triennial Gathering Kathleen M. West President http://www.mcselca.org/
2011 2012 Metro Chicago SWO Board West, Kathleen.... President Strong, Thelma.... Vice President Dickinson, Cheryl.... Treasurer Downes, Dixie. Secretary Arrington, Joyce.. Board Member Barkenquast, Laura.... Board Member Kromah, Bindu.... Board Member Rasoarivonjy, Emma Claire. Board Member Sabbithi, Elsie.. Board Member 2011 2012 Metro Chicago SWO Committees To mobilize women to act boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ. www.womenoftheelca.org Convention Committee: Kathleen West Dixie Downes Lutheran Advocacy: Dixie Downes Newsletter Annie Williams Project Lifeline Laura Barkenquast Lutheran/Catholic Day Ruth Beck Kathleen West Triennial Gathering Promoter Laura Barkenquast 25th Anniversary Advisory Desire Cole Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America September 2012 Volume IV Issue 2
LSSI Calls Open Your Ears, Open Your Hearts! Responding to the Gospel, Lutheran Social Services of Illinois brings healing, justice and wholeness to people and communities. LSSI is the largest provider of foster care for neglected and abused children in our state. LSSI helped almost 100,000 individuals in our state last year, through 190 programs. 32% of our services help seniors, in programs like InTouch and St. Matthew s. 30% of program services went to Prisoner and Family Ministries. Many women and children are horribly affected by. LSSI has several community integrated houses throughout metro Chicago providing care to the developmentally disabled and mentally ill. At Elgin Center alone, LSSI has helped more than 10,000 individuals and their families. If you would like an Advancement speaker from LSSI to share our ministries with your women s group, please contact Terri Gens, 847-635-4667 or terri.gens@lssi.org. Women of the ELCA celebrating 25 years! WELCA is celebrating 25 years of mobilizing women to act boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ, creating a just world, supporting global sisters, bringing about health and wholeness. What plans does your unit have this year to observe the 25th anniversary? Write and let us know. Consider making a gift to the 25th Anniversary Appeal. Every dollar goes to support Women of the ELCA (50%) and the ELCA Malaria Campaign (50%). Visit www.womenoftheelca.org to make an online gift, or send your check to the address below and write 25thAnniversary Appeal in the memo line. Women of the ELCA P.O. Box 71256 Chicago, IL 60694-1256 Women's Spiritual Retreat The WELCA unit at Luther Memorial Church, 2500 W. Wilson, Chicago IL, will have an over-night Spiritual Retreat February 8 & 9, 2013 at the Cenacle Retreat and Conference Center located on Fullerton Ave. near Clark Street. Dinner is served from 6-8 pm so we will begin check-in at 5 pm. If you can't stay over, plan to join us on Saturday morning for our keynote speaker, breakout sessions, and lunch. The cost of a single person room per night is $98 and $78 for a double room. There will probably be a small additional fee to cover the other costs of the retreat (programs, speaker, etc.). Please contact Linda Miranda at 773-334-8620 or lbak525@sbcglobal.net if you have any questions or wish to obtain reservation forms. Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America September 2012 Volume IV Issue 2
Saturday, September 29, 2012 9:00 AM Friday, October 26, 2012 (If needed) 6:30 PM Saturday, October 27 2012 9:00 AM Thursday Sunday, February 21-24, 2013 Sunday, February 24, 2013 Friday Saturday, April 19-20, 2013 Synodical Board Meeting Location TBD Synodical Board Meeting Location TBD Metro-Chicago SWO Annual Convention Trinity Lutheran, Oak Lawn, IL Conference of Synodical Presidents Lutheran Center, Chicago, IL Bold Women s Day Churchwide Executive Board Meeting Submit articles and news of interest to kathleen.west@elca.org About Us We are made up of women from around the Chicago metro area. If you would like to be a part of this board, submit your name and a short biography to the nominating committee for inclusion in the election at our next annual meeting. As a board member you would be required: to attend all meetings annually, participate in our annual conference, and represent our organization at various functions and events around the synod. Mission Statement To mobilize women to act boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ. 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. Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America September 2012 Volume IV Issue 2
Call for Nominations for Metro Chicago SWO Board Positions to Be Filled Board members: 5 Nominating Committee: 3 Vice President Secretary Board members are required to attend 5 to 6 board meetings per year, plus one postconvention meeting. Also required is attendance at the Annual Convention and participation in synod-wide leadership events of the Synodical Women s Organization. All expenses for meetings, including travel, are paid by SWO. Per the constitution of Women of the ELCA, at least 10 percent of nominees must be persons of color and/or persons whose primary language is other than English. No more than 1 person from a congregation or unit can be nominated. All elections must be by ballot. Nominations may be taken from the floor of the convention. Term of service is for 2 years. There shall be two nominees for each vacant board position, excluding the office of Vice President. Please prayerfully consider names to be submitted for nomination from your congregational unit. The nominee must consent to serve if nominated and elected. Send completed nomination forms by October 3rd to: Dixie Downes 7028 N. Keating Ave. Lincolnwood, IL 60712 Dixie.Downes@lssi.org Ninth Triennial Gathering Charlotte, North Carolina It s an inspiring weekend for mothers, daughters, sisters and best friends you call sisters. Experience enriching workshops, stirring worship, engaging Bible studies and much more! Enjoy a variety of optional tours to learn about Charlotte and the surrounding area. Start saving now! You can t afford to miss the powerful messages that will revitalize your spirit and lift your soul. For more information visit www.womenoftheelca.org or call 1-800- 638-3522 ext. 2730 Board endorses the LWR Quilt effort At the request of Lutheran World Relief, the churchwide executive board of Women of the ELCA endorsed the LWR 2013 Quilt Challenge to reach 500,000 mission quilts in one year. This is a 25% increase in the average number of quilts for LWR. Please bring your quilt to the convention if you need them shipped. Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America September 2012 Volume IV Issue 2
Plan Now to Celebrate Bold Women s Day Honor and celebrate the bold women in your congregation and community on Bold Women s Day, observed in 2013 on Sunday, February 24. Be bold, take risks on account of the gospel, but believe more boldly still in Jesus, said Martin Luther. And that s what we celebrate through Bold Women s Day: women who are bold; women who take risks on account of the gospel; women who believe more boldly still in Jesus. Begin your planning now for Bold Women s Day with planning resources found at www.womenoftheelca.org. Pull together a small planning team, including women of different generations, providing each with a copy of our resource, Celebrating Bold Women s Day. Several ideas are found in the resource for observances you can carry out in community. Feel free to mix and match, designing an event that is just right for the women who are gathering. Instead of a group observance, or in addition to one, you can suggest ways in which women in your congregation can celebrate the day individually. You ll find some ideas in the Ways to celebrate on your own section of the resource. You could even expand your observance in to a whole month of activities using several of our program resources that speak to being bold. Advanced planning, effective publicity and attention to hospitality will ensure a great observance of Bold Women s Day 2013 in your congregation. Grants Support Ministries Here and Around the Globe The Women of the ELCA grants program is a powerful tool of solidarity with women doing justice across this country and around the world. There is power in our unity, and we use it for good by enabling life-saving and life-changing services through our grants. Our 2012 grants serve a wide range of needs: from funding an internship dealing with an eco-justice issue disproportionately affecting women to working with victims of human trafficking. In total, $57,525 in grants was awarded this year, including 21 domestic groups and six international ones. Listed below are 2012 domestic grants awarded to organizations in our region. New Mom s Inc Chicago, Il Academy of Professional Development $1,500 Life skills training, pre-employment counseling, transitional employment with permanent job placement for homeless and near-homeless adolescent mothers who are victims of abuse. Su Casa Chicago, Il Hospitality Program $2,500 This hospitality program offers transitional housing to homeless Spanish speaking women who have survived domestic Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America September 2012 Volume IV Issue 2
Nominating Form Metro Chicago SWO Board, Officers and Nominating Committee Check positions in which the nominee is willing to serve. The individual nominated must consent to serve if elected. (Deadline for submission: October 3, 2012) Plain paper may be used instead of this form. Vice President ( ) Secretary ( ) Board Member ( ) Nominating Committee ( ) Name: Home Address/City Congregation/City Conference Home Phone Work Phone Please indicate experiences, offices and/or responsibilities over the past 5 years for the following: Women of the ELCA (include congregational unit, conference, synod, church wide women s organization): Vocational/Occupational experience (Include full or part-time) Community (Indicate offices, volunteer service and/or other responsibilities for local, state, national or international organizations): Please respond: I would like to serve on the Metro Chicago SWO Board because: Age category (circle one) 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60+ Ethnic Heritage: Asian Native American Latino African American Caucasian Primary Language (if other than English) Signature of person submitting nomination Signature of unit secretary Send completed form and/or answers on plain sheet of paper to: Dixie Lee Downes 7028 N. Keating Ave Lincolnwood, IL 60712 Dixie.Downes@lssi.org
METRO CHICAGO SYNODICAL WOMEN S ORGANIZATION 2012 CONVENTION APPLICATION Bold Women Gathered by God. Convention Date: Saturday October 27, 2012 Place: Trinity Lutheran Church 9701 Brandt Ave, Oak Lawn, IL 60453 Time: 8:15am to 3:00pm Price: $30.00 includes lunch. Deadline for submission of Application is October 13, 2012 ChurchName/City Name Home Telephone Email address Address Are you a delegate from your church unit?* Yes No Registration is transferable, but not refundable after October 13, 2012 Please indicate if you need a special diet or other dietary restrictions. Please indicate if you are applying for a scholarship Please complete this registration form. Mail registration form prior to October 13, 2012. Enclose a Check for $30.00 Payable to Metro Chicago SWOMail Registration Form and Check to Cheryl Dickinson 2931 Trillium Ct., Aurora, Il 60506. If you are the only registrant from your church, you will be the designated delegate. Delegates must be present at 8:30 a.m. for a brief orientation meeting.
Order the Gather magazine ; Visit www.womenoftheelca.org for other resources Call 800-328-4648 to subscribe to Gather 1 year/10 issues $15 2 years/20 issues $28 Women of the ELCA Scholarships and Grant Application materials will be posted on www.womenoftheelca.org site in December Scholarships for Scholarships for Scholarships for Scholarships Lutheran administrative ordained ministry for ELCA laywomen leadership college and seminary leadership Opportunity Scholarships for Lutheran Laywomen provide assistance to Lutheran women studying for a career other than ordained ministry The Arne Administrative Scholarship provides assistance to women interested in reaching the top of their field as administrators. The additional education may be pursued through full-time school attendance, night courses, or summer sessions The Herbert W. and Corinne Chilstrom Scholarship provides assistance to Lutheran women during their final year at an ELCA seminary. Candidates must be preparing for ordained ministry in the ELCA and must have been endorsed by their synodical candidacy committee. The Schmieder Leadership Scholarship provides assistance to women administrator s and faculty and ELCA colleges and seminaries who wish to participate in leadership training Application materials for the 2012-2013 seed grant cycle are now available. All applications must be postmarked or emailed by December 15, 2012. All applications must be submitted by active units of Women of the ELCA who are familiar with the Raising Up Healthy Women and Girls initiative and the criteria of this program Café» 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 Triennial Gathering Promoter is Laura Barkenquast, and you can reach her at 312-806-0828 or at laurabarkenquast@yahoo.com. She is available to come speak to your congregational unit or other group. Please contact her with any questions about the gathering, and plan to come to this spiritually uplifting event!
Metro Chicago Synodical Women c/o Dixie Downes 7028 N. Keating Ave Lincolnwood, IL 60712 Sandi Christianson 1538 Elder Drive Aurora, IL 60506