The Scroll Texas Louisiana Gulf Coast Synodical Women s Organization Greetings Sisters in Christ! July 2016 President s Message The majority of this newsletter will be dedicated to our upcoming annual convention that will be taking place at Memorial Lutheran Church in Texas City the weekend of September 16 18th. Have you marked this weekend on your calendar yet? Are you and the women at your church making plans to attend? I certainly hope so!! We have a ton of great things planned and lots of great information to share with you at the convention. The ladies of Memorial Lutheran have been working hard to plan a great convention that will allow for education, fellowship and of course... fun!! The convention starts on Friday night at 7 pm with learning and fellowship. Reverend Brother Christopher Markert will talk to us about Zion Retreat Center in Galveston and the Order of Lutheran Franciscans. After that, it s WELCA, Wine and Wisdom! During this time we will hear from our Women of the ELCA Churchwide Representative, Ely Smith, learn about WELCA (how we re organized, what we are about, our purpose and mission, etc.), listen to each others stories about their experiences with WELCA and enjoy some wine! Saturday is a full day starting at 9:00 am. We will have speakers, workshops, time to visit vendors, a group bible study, a silent auction, book review and our business meeting where we will elect some new officers and delegates for our Triennial Convention taking place in Minneapolis next summer. Look for more information inside this newsletter about the workshops planned and vendors that will be present throughout the weekend. Saturday night we will have dinner together followed by entertainment from the Steel Magnolias. You ll have a chance to visit with these amazing women at a reception after their performance and they will be joining us again on Sunday morning for worship. We hope you also will stay and worship with the Memorial Lutheran congregation on Sunday morning at 10:45 a.m. We will not have a worship service on Saturday. This is just a very quick overview of the wonderful weekend we have planned for all of you. I always love our conventions and the time I get to spend with all of my sisters! I always learn something and leave feeling energized and renewed in my commitment to our amazing organization. I would encourage every church to bring as many women as you can to the convention. My church raises money throughout the year to help defray the registration cost for our women. The SWO also has convention grants available to help pay the registration costs of women who might need some help (look for the grant application later in this newsletter). I m excited to see you all in September! It ll be a Coastal Affair and we are going to have a great time!! 2015/2016 Synodical Board President Deana Fuchs 525 N Hwy 336 West Columbia, TX 77486 979-417-4942 (cell) deana317@hotmail.com Vice President Carolyn Muske 2106 Beazley St. Brenham, TX 77833 979-836-9954 (home) cmuske@sbcglobal.net Treasurer Kim Holle PO Box 269 Baytown, TX 77522 832-457-0863 (cell) kholle@pfenniglaw.com Secretary Cindy Weidemann PO Box 291 Carmine, TX 78932 979-224-7891 (cell) cindysue5150@yahoo.com Barbara Brown Pearland, TX 77584 281-798-2138 (cell) pearlandladybug@yahoo.com MiLisa Gaertner La Grange, TX 78945 979-966-7214 (cell) milisa@lutherhill.org Anita Kramer Bellville, TX 77418 979-885-8639 (cell) red.64falcon@yahoo.com Angela Bell Bellville, TX 77418 979-270-1238 angela.dlwgosh.bell@gmail.com Andi Wiltse League City, TX 77573 281-787-4743 (cell) Andi.wiltse@hotmail.com Blessings!
ACTIVE UNIT LIST Help us update the Active Unit List for our SWO! We no longer need every active unit to send in a list of all officers; instead we just need a contact person for each church. This would most likely be your unit s President. Please send your contact s information as soon as possible via email to Deana Fuchs at deana317@hotmail.com or Cindy Weidemann at cindysue5150@yahoo.com. Please include a mailing address, phone number and email address (if available) along with the name. Thanks for helping us update our records! 2016 Cluster Coordinators & Liaisons Cluster Name Board Liaison Coordinator Coordinator Email Coordinator Phone Bayou Angela Bell Vacant Coastal Andi Wiltse JoAnn Fuchs djfuchs@embarqmail.com (979) 345-7092 Southeast Barbara Brown Cheryl Robinson (713) 471-4128 Central Houston Kim Holle/ Cindy Weidemann Vacant Southwest MiLisa Gaertner Vacant Brazos Anita Kramer Maxine Schwarze maxineschwarze@gmail.com (979) 836-6825 Western Carolyn Muske Betty Huebner huebner5498@wildblue.net (979) 836-5888 What is a Cluster? The Churchwide constitution defines clusters as a grouping of units that work cooperatively to fulfill the purpose of Women of the ELCA through activities that a) provide experiences for learning and leadership development; b) build community; c) provide opportunities for joint ministry and action; d) provide opportunities for stewardship education and offerings; and e) establish networks for communication. A cluster planning committee of at least 3 members including a coordinator shall be elected at the cluster gathering and this planning committee shall plan and facilitate programmatic activities with guidance from the Synodical Women s Organization Board. Scheduled Cluster Gatherings: Western Saturday, October 15 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Columbus, Texas. Coastal Saturday, August 20 at Trinity Lutheran in LaMarque, Texas The Scroll Is Now Available Via E-Mail To help the Texas Louisiana Gulf Coast Synodical Women of the ELCA save money and eliminate waste, we are trying to get women to receive the Scroll via e-mail. It is free to receive The Scroll electronically so encourage other women in your unit, church or cluster to send their email address to the Scroll editor, Deana Fuchs at deana317@hotmail.com. Or collect addresses and forward them yourself!
With the theme of our convention being...a Coastal Affair and the theme verse of Revelations 22:17 which starts off Let anyone who is thirsty come - we have a goal of collecting enough money at the convention to build a well through Water to Thrive. How will we do this? For the physical offering, we are asking units to collect money for Water to Thrive and proceeds from our silent auction will also go to this organization. Someone from their organization will be the keynote speaker at our convention and they will have a display table full of great information! Ask not only the women, but your whole congregation to help you raise money to bring to the convention so we can reach our goal of $5000 and build a well! So what is Water to Thrive? They are a faith-based non-profit that is dedicated to the mission of bringing clean, safe water to those who need it in rural Africa. So far they have funded more than 500 water projects in Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Uganda, benefiting more than 250,000 people. Almost a billion people in the world today do not have access to clean, safe water. More than 3 million people die each year from waterborne disease, all for a lack of clean water something that we may take for granted here in the United States. With $5,000, Water to Thrive can build a well that will provide safe, clean water to more than 250 people for 20 years. Here are some fundraising ideas for collecting monies for Water to Thrive: Collect your change in water bottles or put a large water jug in your Church for congregational members to put in their contributions. Make water your only beverage for a month and save the money you would usually spend on other drinks and donate the money saved to Water to Thrive. Create a Water Droplet Wall make paper water drops, sell them for $1.00 each, and then display them on a wall. Hold a bake sale, car wash, or garage sale. Start saving your coins now!! You have less than 2 months to collect money for our convention and we want everyone to raise as much money as possible to help us reach our goal of building a well!! THE SCROLL If you would like to receive The Scroll by mail you will need to buy a subscription. Please fill out the following and mail to: Deana Fuchs 525 N Hwy 36 West Columbia, TX 77486 Cost: $8.00 per year or $15 for two years MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO TX-LA Gulf Coast SWO Name: Phone: Mailing Address: E-mail Address: Congregation: Cluster:
Convention Workshops 500 years since the Reformation. A journey of discovery. This year Protestants, and especially we Lutherans are celebrating the 500 th anniversary of the posting of the 95 Thesis. Originally written in Latin and meant to be debating points among scholars, they were quickly translated into German. This thesis became the platform of the Protestant Reformation. United Against Human Trafficking Mission and Vision We aspire for all people to experience freedom and to live beyond bondage to others. We envision a world made up of communities, businesses, faith-based organizations, and governments who are intolerant of consumers and purveyors of human trafficking and who actively support the victims until they are restored to freedom. Visit www.uaht.org for more information on this organization. This is the group that did a workshop in La Grange at the last convention we had a lot of great comments about them!! Reconciling with Christ Coast Guard Auxillary Word of warning: If you miss this years WELCA convention taking place September 16 18, 2016 you will miss an amazing Bible Study let by The Reverend Debra R. Grant. Did you call a plumber? Bible Text: John 4: 1-30 Register Today! And bring a Friend Convention Vendors Below are the vendors we ve confirmed for the convention. If you have an organization that you d like to see represented, please have them contact Pam Naranjo at pnaranjo@sbcglobal.net for more information and to see if room is still available. Acts of Wisdom Rev. Brad Otto Acts of Wisdom is a non-profit charity organization dedicated to assist those in rural Africa in their quest to obtain quality, relevant education. www.actsofwisdom.com $500K by the 500th/ ELCA World Hunger Andrea Martinez In response to our call to care for our neighbor and in celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, our synod is working to raise a total of $500,000 for ELCA World Hunger. Visit with Andrea to learn more about how your congregation can contribute to this goal. Reconciling in Christ Rene Garcia Working at the intersection of oppressions, ReconcilingWorks embodies, inspires, advocates and organizes for the acceptance and full participation of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities within the Lutheran communion and its ecumenical and global partners. www.reconcilingworks..org Lutherhill Ministries Milisa Gaertner Lutherhill is a Summer Camp and Year Round Retreat Center. It is a great place for youth and adults to explore God s world and word. People of all faiths are welcome to come and enjoy our 85 acres of wooded and wide open spaces. www.lutherhill.org Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest Lizbeth Johnson LFSW s Mission: To Recognize, Inspire, Facilitate, and Teach End-of-Life Stewardship. They offer legacy planning, information on philanthropic intent and asset management and distribution. www.lfsw.org
Changing the world one purchase at a time Hands of Faith Fair Trade Ministry Comes to the TX/LA Gulf Coast Women of the ELCA Convention We are pleased to announce that Lord of Life Lutheran Church will be setting up their Hands of Faith Trade Ministry market at our upcoming convention this September. Many of you may remember the Hands of Faith Market at our Synod Conventions. What is Fair Trade? Behind items that we consume and purchase (coffee, tea and chocolate, and jewelry to name a few) are farmers and Artisans struggling to survive and support their families. Living in poor, rural regions of the world where paved roads and internet access are rare, small-scale farmers and artist who produce these items do not have their pick of buyers. In conventional trade, middlemen take advantage of this and pay unfairly low price prices that do not even cover their costs and leave them no money for nutritious fair trade first food, medicine, clothes or education. Children are forced to work instead of attending school. In line with Martin Luther s teaching that we should fear and love God that we may help [our neighbor] to improve and protect his/her property and business, it is a way of doing business that acknowledges the worth and basic human rights of all people. When you buy Fair Trade items, more of the money you spend reaches the hands of the people who crafted them. Hands of Faith Fair Trade Ministry is a not-for-profit market that carries beautiful handmade items from women and men all over the world at a very low price. Please make sure that you stop by the Market during the convention and shop for yourself, friends and family. We know you will love shopping for coffee, tea, chocolate, jewelry, house whole goods and much, much more. To learn more about Hands of Faith Fair Trade Ministry at Lord of Life Luther Church in the Woodlands check out their website at www.lolonline.org/hands-of-faith-trade-ministry/ The Steel Magnolias A Christian Southern Gospel singing group of ladies, from San Marcos, called The Steel Magnolias is directed by Debbie Daniel. In light of the fact they are all Southern Belles... thus the magnolia in their name, they want with all their hearts to be the embodiment of this scripture: I Thessalonians 1: 2-5. Having Convictions of Steel: 2-5 Every time we think of you, we thank God for you. Day and night you re in our prayers as we call to mind your work of faith, your labor of love, and your patience of hope in following our Master, Jesus Christ, before God our Father. It is clear to us, friends that God not only loves you very much but also has put his hand on you for something special. When the Message we preached came to you, it wasn t just words. Something happened in you. The Holy Spirit put Steel in your Convictions. The Steel Magnolias have been involved in this gospel singing ministry since October of 2006. They just won t stop! The Lord keeps opening doors and they GO! They have performed many benefit concerts across the US Brooklyn, NY (church damaged by lighting), Galveston (First Baptist damaged from Hurricane Ike), Bastrop (fire victims), West (families without homes due to the explosion), and Moore, OK (tornado destruction) to name a few. As well as raising $25,000 for wounded troops of Operation Comfort, San Antonio, $10,000 plus 2500 lbs. of food for their local food bank. These ladies, traveling many miles, have performed across the US and we are blessed to have them share their musical message with us. You won t want to miss their performance Saturday evening! AND they will also be participating in the Sunday Morning Worship service.
WINGS AND A RING: Letters of War and Love from a WWII Pilot by Rene' Palmer Armstrong WHAT AN AMAZING JOURNEY! I had no idea the crazy trip a box of old letters found in a junk store would afford me. With the realization that I possessed a unique piece of WWII history in the form of letters written by J. R. Jones, a WWII B-25 pilot, to Elnora Bartlett, his Houston socialite sweetheart, my curiosity drove me to find who these two young people were and what was their role during a world war that encompassed two fronts. I traveled to many states to do research and talked with the amazing veterans of the 345th Bomb Group who served their time in the Pacific Theater. I attended air shows, asked questions at reunions, read book after book, learned about the music of the 1940s (music that haunts your mind - the actual words of J.R. Jones), and after 4 1/2 years, my first book, Wings and a Ring: Letters of War and Love from a WWII Pilot, was published. In the process of preserving history and encouraging families to preserve their family heritage, I now find myself labeled a historian. I enjoy telling the story of the 345th Bomb Group through the words of one of their members. - Rene Armstrong What a delight to have Rene at the convention as she presents, Wings and a Ring. Wings and a Ring was selected for Baytown's Sterling Library's "One Book One Baytown" summer read event. WEBSITES OF INTEREST Women of the ELCA Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Women of the ELCA www.womenoftheelca.org www.gulfcoastwelca.org Our webmaster is Elida Lopez feel free to contact her at quinamari@gmail with any information you d like to see or add to our website! Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Lutheran World Relief Café - stirring the spirit within www.gulfcoastsynod.org www.elca.org www.lwr.org www.boldcafe.org
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR 2016 CONVENTION The Nominating Committee for the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synodical Women s Organization is in the process of preparing the slate of nominees for the convention to be held September 17, 2016 at Memorial Lutheran Church in Texas City. This year the convention will be electing: Vice President, Secretary, three (3) Board Members and three (3) 2017 Nominating Committee members. If you are interested in one of the above positions, please complete and return to JoAnn Fuchs no later than August 8, 2016. If you d like to nominate a gifted woman who you feel would be an asset to our organization in one of these positions, please forward their name to one of the ladies on the nominating committee. We thank you, JoAnn Fuchs, St. John Lutheran, Angleton, TX - Chair of Nominating Committee Pastor Sue Beall, Our Saviour s Lutheran Church, College Station, TX Beverly Curtice, House of Prayer, Houston, TX FULL NAME ADDRESS STREET or P.O. CITY, STATE, ZIP PHONE CHURCH CLUSTER PRIMARY LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH ETHINIC/RACIAL HERITAGE E-MAIL ADDRESS Please circle Interest: Vice President Secretary Board Member Nomination Committee Age: Under 35 36-49 50-64 Over 65 My special gifts include: Signature JoAnn s contact information: 2245 Riverside Dr., West Columbia, TX 77486; 979-345-7092; djfuchs@embarqmail.com Sue Beall s contact information: 3204 Woodcrest Dr., Bryan, TX. 77802; 979-220-0547; preacherlady1@verizon.net Beverly Curtice s contact information: 15703 Falmouth Drive, Houston, TX 77059; 281-486-0142; curtice@swbell.net
ON-SITE NOMINATIONS According to Constitutional changes at the 2009 Triennial, we are no longer accepting Nominations from the floor of a convention. Therefore, an ON-SITE NOMINATION DESK will be available at the convention. Below is a brief outline of duties: Duties/ Responsibilities of Vice President: Act in the absence, disability of resignation of the President. She shall assume the duties of the President until the vacancy is filled by the Board of the Synodical Women s Organization at its next regularly scheduled meeting. The Vice President will also perform such other duties as requested by the President of the board. Duties/ Responsibilities of the Secretary: Be the secretary of the board and the executive committee of the Synodical Women s Organization. Be responsible for recording and distributing minutes of the synodical convention, the board, and the executive committee. Give the units notification of the regular convention at least three months in advance and of a special convention at least one month in advance. Keep a correct register of the roll of units, along with the names of the officers of these units. Secure from the units such reports as from time to time may be required. Perform such other duties as the board may from time to time direct. Provide for the gathering and preserving of historical records and documents. Duties/ Responsibilities of Board Members: Transact necessary business and make programmatic decisions between conventions. Set policies required. Supervise and coordinate the work of all committees which the Board may appoint. Network between Board and Churchwide. Determine time and place of convention. Prepare the proposed agenda, rules of procedures and program adoption by each convention. Report action to each regular convention. Recommend a budget to each regular convention. Fill vacancies in the offices and board membership until next convention. Determine the fact of the incapacity/ unreliability of an officer or board member to perform her duties. Act as Constitution and By Laws committee. Act in other matters as may be delegated. Be aware of duties to attend board meetings. Duties/ Responsibilities of Nominating Committee: Committee will be assigned one Board Liaison other than the President. Determine a chair, set meetings by phone, email or in person; communicate with Units and Clusters asking for names of suggested nominees; prepare nominations forms and send letters to nominees by mail/email as well as information to Web Site and Face Book sites if applicable; determine nominees to be presented to board and listed on slate of candidates positions in alphabetical order; collect biographical information to be presented for Convention Booklet and printed for delegates at Convention; prepare ballots leaving space for write in from On-Site and allow for second ballot if needed; assist with balloting process and present report at Convention. Prepare forms: ON SITE NOMINATIONS since we no longer accept nominations from the floor. On Site to be open several hours prior to convention at a well posted site with forms available this will require 5 Registered Delegates Signature and Nominee is responsible for having copies printed of her Vita information to be passed out at Convention; time for close of ON SITE NOMINATIONS must also be well published. The Board tries to meet in person 3 to 4 times a year (including the annual convention). Lots of business can be accomplished through email and phone calls. Mileage and other expenses incurred while conducting the business of Women of the ELCA Synodical Women s Organization is reimbursed so that expense is not a deterrent to being a member of the Board. If you have any questions or concerns about serving on the SWO Board, please don t hesitate to email or call Deana Fuchs, current Board President, at deana317@hotmail.com or 979-417-4942.
TENTH TRIENNIAL CONVENTION AND GATHERING JULY 10 16, 2017 Join the conversation as we explore the triennial gathering theme "All Anew." Listen to inspiring speakers; participate in worship and praise; learn by attending workshops, viewing films and engaging in servant events. Visit the exhibit hall where you can gather, shop and connect. And don't forget our special events where women in their 20s and 30s can eat chocolate and join others to run it off later. And where's it all happening? Minneapolis. Land of Lutherans. What is Triennial? It is where Lutheran women gather every three years, united in a common mission and purpose. Triennial is a time when real women talk about our faith. About our doubts and challenges. About joy and what inspires us. We ll experience simple conversations between friends old and new that will develop into a movement sweeping the church, inspired and infused with the Holy Spirit. Visit www.welcatg.org for more details early registration begins September 6! We are looking for 3 delegates to join our President, Deana Fuchs, for the Convention portion of the 10th Triennial. Please prayerfully consider the call to serve as a voting member for Triennial and help as we conduct the business of the Women of the ELCA (see next page of the newsletter for more information and answers to questions you might have about this important position)
TRIENNIAL DELEGATE NOMINATIONS The Nominating Committee for the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synodical Women s Organization is in the process of preparing the slate of Triennial Delegate Nominees consisting of three (3) Delegates and three (3) Delegate Alternates. Region 4F (our Synod) is entitled to 4 delegates (1 delegate for every 25 Active Units in the Synod), one of whom is the President. The 10 th Triennial Convention (Business) is July 11-13, 2017; The Gathering is July 13-16, 2017 in Minneapolis, Minn. The request to be nominated as a Triennial Delegate must come from your Unit or Cluster according to Article V, Section 6 of the SWO Constitution. A Unit may submit the name of a nominee even though the synodical president or board member is part of the unit. Signature of Unit President or Leader is required. We ask for your thoughtful consideration as a gifted woman to help and support this ministry. Q: What is a Triennial Convention? A: Every three years the Women of the ELCA gather from all over the United States and Puerto Rico to conduct the business of Women of the ELCA, elect new officers and board, approve a 3 year budget and review presented Resolutions and Memorials. Q: What is a Resolution and a Memorial? A: Resolutions are concerns brought to a Convention regarding information on an issue women wish to have discussed and presented to their Synod board or Church wide board requesting some type of action. A committee reviews Resolutions at the Triennial Convention. Memorials are like Resolutions, except your Synod has voted on this issue at a convention and have asked that it formerly be sent to Church wide to be presented for action at the Triennial Convention. A committee reviews Memorials prior to Triennial Convention. Q: What are my responsibilities as a Triennial Delegate? A: Be willing to serve to vote on issues with your Region 4 F - TX-LA Gulf Coast Synod Women of the ELCA delegation from July 11-13, 2017 in Minneapolis, Minn. This will require taking time off work, willingness to travel, willingness to accept some financial responsibilities, willingness to serve on a Triennial Committee if asked (this is an honor), willingness to serve as an alternate delegate if not elected as the main delegate and willingness to have fun, develop new friendships and grow in faith. At least 10% of delegates must be persons of color or whose primary language is other than English and 25% First time delegates with consideration to variety of age, geographical location, diversity of experience, including living with a disability. Q: Will I get to participate in the Gathering? I don t want to miss anything! This time as in the past 3 triennials, Churchwide is keeping the Business Portion separate from the Gathering portion of music, worship, workshops, fun and fellowship. The Business is conducted first Tuesday am through usually Thursday noon. Gathering starts Thursday evening through Sunday am. Q: What other financial responsibilities do I need to think about? A: Your Airfare to and from Minneapolis will be paid for by Churchwide Women of the ELCA with reservations to be made by you through a Travel agent set up by Churchwide. You will be assigned a Delegate room-mate during the Business session and the room will be paid for early arrival Monday Wednesday by Churchwude. You will be responsible for paying for and selecting your hotel Thursday through Saturday departing Sunday as well as paying for the Gathering registration fee. If you are chosen to serve on a committee, they usually meet sometime on Monday. If you wish, you can come in early
Wednesday by Churchwide. You will be responsible for paying for and selecting your hotel Thursday through Saturday departing Sunday as well as paying for the Gathering registration fee. If you are chosen to serve on a committee, they usually meet sometime on Monday. If you wish, you can come in early on Sunday but you will need to pay for your own meals and hotel room. Also you are responsible for your meals on Monday. Meals will be served to delegates during Convention, but you will be responsible for all other meals during the Gathering as well as your hotel room. Note that this may require moving to another hotel usually within one to three blocks of the convention center. Bring good walking shoes. NOTE: Once elected, if you are unable to serve for any reason, please advise the TX-LA Gulf Coast Women of the ELCA President at once so that an Alternate can be alerted and Church wide informed of the change to delegation. You can always check on line: www.womenoftheelca.org for more information or Triennial 2017 TRIENNIAL DELEGATE NOMINATIONS FULL NAME ADDRESS STREET OR P.O., CITY, STATE, ZIP PHONE CHURCH CLUSTER PRIMARY LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH ETHNIC/RACIAL HERITAGE E-MAIL ADDRESS Would this be your first Triennial as a delegate: YES NO Please circle age group: Under 35 36-49 50-64 Over 65 My special gifts include: SIGNATURE OF UNIT PRESIDENT OR LEADER SIGNATURE OF NOMINEE Please return to: JoAnn Fuchs, Chairperson of the Nominating Committee, no later than August 1, 2016..
CHURCHWIDE REPRESENTATIVE FOR 2016 CONVENTION This year we are excited to welcome Ely Smith as our Churchwide Representative to our annual convention. Here is some information about Ely. Ely Smith,Executive Board Treasurer, 2014-2017, Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Ely Smith was elected treasurer of the churchwide executive board in July 2014. This is her second term on the churchwide board. She serves on the finance committee and as chair of the development committee. Ely was previously on the board of the Southwestern Washington Synodical Women s Organization. She served as treasurer for two terms. She was president of her local unit at Trinity Lutheran Church in Tacoma, Wash. During her term, she led the board in developing new programs and encouraged out-of-the-box thinking to encourage new participation. Ely has also served as treasurer of her congregation s church council. Ely enjoys travel with purpose. In 2001, she went to Romania on the NW Medical Teams Gifts of Hope mission, distributing small gifts, bread, and warm clothing to hundreds of children displaced during the Ceausescu regime. Upon return, she became a founding board member of World Change for Children, an organization dedicated to addressing the needs of children in poverty, particularly in Romania. In 2005, Ely participated in the summer English-language program with China Service Ventures. She also volunteered in Reynosa, Mexico, at Children s Haven International. Ely resides in Fircrest, Wash., a small city on the edge of Tacoma. She has two sons, six grandchildren, a dog, and a cat. Educated at Pacific Lutheran University, Ely worked as an accountant for non-profit organizations for many years. Her love of the unique has led to an unusual acquisition: a caboose. Ely feels extremely privileged to serve on the executive board. She embraces the opportunity to share the women s organization with women all over the world, helping to promote peace and justice, and helping women live out our mission statement, with God s help.
IF YOU ARE A FACEBOOK USER - PLEASE JOIN OUR GROUP! The Texas Louisiana Women of the ELCA SWO has a Facebook page!! If you are a Facebook user - please consider joining our group! We would like to use the group as a forum for sharing ideas and publicizing events taking place throughout the SWO. Click on this link to join! https://www.facebook.com/groups/233279656754496/ Our Mission Statement To mobilize women to act boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ. Our 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. The Scroll Texas Louisiana Gulf Coast Synodical Women s Organizationa 525 N. Hwy. 36 West Columbia, TX 77486