Friends, Inc. (in Christ) NEWSLETTER OF SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA SYNODICAL WOMEN S ORGANIZATION WOMEN OF THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA www.swpasynod.org VOLUME XXVIII NO 4 FALL 2016 PRESIDENT S REPORT We had a refreshing weekend retreat at Camp Lutherlyn again. Through the Bible studies led by the Rev. Dr. Angela Zimmann and the Rev. Jayne Thompson, we explored how we can live out Micah 6:8 and how we are already living it out. Just as the people of God in the book of Micah were reminded of what the Lord desires of them, so were we at retreat. The Lord does not require burnt offerings or offerings of oil but the Lord requires us to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God. Loving kindness is meeting the crisis need. Doing justice is then fixing things so the crisis does not happen again. Walking humbly is then intentionally moving forward with faith. We are really good at loving kindness and providing for people when they are in need but what justice are we doing to make sure that the need does not happen again. Do we even really know how to take the next step to fix things? If you do not know what to do next, I encourage you to start with LAMPa (Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in PA). This is a local ministry that brings crisis situations to our state s leaders so that they are more informed on legislation that they are voting on and how it gives a fix to those crisis situations. zones, that is when we walk intentionally with faith. God often calls us to walk where we do not want to walk. As we take those first steps or actions, we take them with faith. As we continue the walk, we encourage others to find their own walk. They draw faith and inspiration from us and start their own walk. So what crisis will find you loving kindness, doing justice and walking humbly thru faith? WEEKEND RETREAT We gathered once again with the ladies from Northwest PA for our annual Weekend Retreat. We had about 116 ladies. The ladies colored and painted. We learned about Katie Luther, Immigration, Therapy Dogs, Reiki, and Gettysburg Seminary. We walked around Lutherlyn, exercised, played games, and sang. If you were unable to join us this year, please consider joining us next year. TRIENNIAL GATHERING ALL ANEW Registration for the Triennial Gathering is now open. The registration cost is $310.00 until Jan. 6, 2017 and then the registration cost will be $350.00. You can register at www.welcatg.org. The 2017 Triennial Gathering will be held in Minneapolis: Land of the Lutherans, July 13-16. If you would like more information on the gathering and who you could room with, please contact our local Triennial promoter, Jo Johnson at: jajohnson427@yahoo.com or 724-728-7598.
FALL 2016 SWO NEWSLETTER PAGE 2 VICE PRESIDENT S REPORT This year s CPC Training Event was held at Forks Zion Lutheran Church in Leechburg in August. Many thanks to Patty Newton and the ladies of Forks Zion, Lucille Allen and Nancy Vogel who hosted this event. Their hospitality was greatly appreciated and contributed to a smoothly run session. A total of sixteen women were in attendance. They talked about the purpose of cluster meetings and the nuts and bolts of planning two cluster events each year. They learned about the financial costs who pays for what and the paper work required. We put our heads together, talked about and shared information about program planning, ideas, topics, speakers and activities. We also planned for the CPCs to take a more active part in the nomination of candidates for Secretary, Treasurer, Board Members and Triennial Voting Members to the Churchwide Assembly (every three years). Early next spring a member from each Cluster and the Vice President will form a Nominating Committee and find candidates for each open position. Please plan to attend one of the Fall 2016 Cluster Events Cluster 1 & 6: Oct. 22, Grace Luth. Ch. Rochester. Theme: Do Not Become Weary of Well- Doing, Inspirational Singer & Storyteller Diane Brouif. Meal Breakfast Cluster 2: Sept. 24, Zion Luth. Ch. Harmony. Theme: Prayer Susie Essex. Meal Breakfast Cluster 3: Oct. 22, First Luth. Ch. Apollo. Theme: Ruth: Dedication & Obedience LouAnne s Bible Portrayals. Meal Lunch Cluster 4: Oct. 8, Harrold Zion Luth. Ch. Greensburg. Theme: Go Forth, Preserve & Save Barbara Frey. Meal Lunch Cluster 5 & 6: Oct. 15, Christ Luth. Ch. Duquesne. Theme: The Future w/hope (Missionary from Africa). Meal Lunch. WE CONTINUE TO PRAY We continue to pray each week for the ministries of the Women of the ELCA and those who lead them. Oct. 30-Nov. 5: Lois Bylund, Churchwide Board Member Nov. 6-12: United States of America as we vote on new leaders Nov. 13-19: Elizabeth Hunter, Churchwide Gather Magazine Editor Nov. 20-26: Women s Congregational Unit at St. Paul s Lutheran Church in Canonsburg Nov. 27-Dec. 3: Sue Hage, Cluster Planner for Cluster 1 & 6 Dec. 4-10: Synodical Women s Organization of Eastern North Dakota Dec. 11-17: Eldora Crist, Synod Board Member Dec. 18-24: Karen Voris, Churchwide Board Mem ber Dec. 25-31: Sarah Carson, Churchwide Gather Magazine Associate Editor Jan. 1-7: Women s Congregational Unit at Our Savior s Lutheran Church in Ambridge Jan. 8-14: Donna Earnst, Cluster Planner for Cluster 4 Jan. 15-21: Synodical Women s Organization of North Carolina Jan. 22-28: Rosemarie Henrickson, Synod Board Member Women of the ELCA Rap We re the Women of the ELCA Gettin together to work and to play. In the spring to convention we go. Time for business our days are full. Reports by the dozens, elections galore Workshops, bible study and so much more Someone from Churchwide s at our meetings Bringing us news, stories and greetings. Here come the Bishop talking his talk Telling us how to walk the walk. What do you need, Bishop, ask out loud We ll do our best to make you proud. Feed the hungry, care for the poor, Bake some cookies and so much more Designated outreach for others we care God s given us much, we need to share
FALL 2016 SWO NEWSLETTER PAGE 3 Women of the ELCA Rap con t Time for us to rest when we come to fall Off to retreat to have a ball. Greet old friends and make some new By the end of the week you ll know a slew Exercise your mind at workshop one We know that knowledge can be fun Reiki, and immigrants we try for a start Then Katie and Gettysburg take our heart Bible study, workshop, go all day When night comes we re ready to play Wine and cheese, what a spread It ll be late when we go to bed Laffin, talkin, movin all around So much noise, so much sound. Off to bed, the party goes on Lights everywhere, till the night s gone Early in the morning to breakfast we go Getting ready for the big show Fun shop next with exercise or pet care Color in a book and walk somewhere. Look at the gifts for Jeremiah s Place Table is full there is no space For homeless vets who ve given much Gifts for them with God s touch. Women Veterans Program gifts piled high To Erie VA, with love they fly God gives us balance in our life Free from, worry, tension, aches & strife. Thanks to God, we re just like new Ready to Act, Love and Walk for you Alleluia, Alleluia to the man up above Alleluia, Alleluia, we send our love. This rap was written and preformed by Dorothy Fazenbaker who is one of our board members. If you see Dorothy, ask her to preform this for you. COMMUNITY COMMITTEE Summer is over and fall is upon us. Therefore, we need to get focused and participate in up coming activities. *Human Trafficking Human Trafficking includes a victim forced, induced or coerced into providing labor services or commercial sex. The ELCA and Women of the ELCA are encouraging all of us to get involved to help these poor vic- *Katie s Fund Katie s Fund supports ministries in leadership development, global connections and living theology. *November 8th is election day. As part of our baptismal call and Christians, we should prayerfully consider which candidate to vote for and go to vote. *500th Reformation 2017 is the year that we celebrate our Lutheran heritage. We recognize the anniversary of Martin Luther s 95 Thesis that he nailed on the door. Our goal is 500 items or gift cards in each quarter of 2017. Please see the insert for what we will be collecting each quarter. God Bless, Community Committee Barb Frey Eldora Crist ACTION COMMITTEE The response to the Action Committee s request for items needed for Jeremiah s Place has exceeded our expectations. Once more, at our Fall Retreat, tables were loaded with diapers, pjs, food and other requested items. The representative from Jeremiah's Place who came to pick up gifts thank the women for their great work. Items were placed in the car with every nook and cranny filled. She shared stories of why they need these things and of the families that are helped. We were also able to give Jeremiah s Place a check for $1800.00. The committee is now planning on the coming year when Grace Youth and Family Foundation will be our next Outreach Designee. We have contacted their representative for information to be used in the brochure that will tell who they are and what they need. We hope to have a draft by the next board meeting. We continue to get requests for aid for the many victims of disasters and conflicts. As we receive these requests, we will pass them on. Peace and love,
FALL 2016 SWO NEWSLETTER PAGE 4 STEWARDSHIP AND FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT Many congregations hold their Thankoffering service during the fall season so please remind your unit Treasurer that Thankoffering monies go directly to Churchwide along with form B. Churchwide now uses a Gift Processing Center that will handle remittances quickly and efficiently. Anything that was previously sent to the Chicago address using Form B will now be sent to the new address. Do not send any remittances to the Chicago address. The address to use is: Women of the ELCA Gift Processing Center PO Box 1809 Merrifield, VA 22116-8009 Remittance forms are available and can be found on the website: www.womenoftheelca.org and may be copied as often as needed. Continue to send all other offerings along with Form A to the Treasurer, Janet Fishovitz; 227 Brewer Rd, Freedom, PA 15042 along with checks made payable to SWPA Women of ELCA. Please remember to make sure your Cluster number is included on your remittance form, this is extremely helpful as there are numerous churches with the same name. As you are aware, the Triennial Convention and Gathering takes place in Minneapolis, Minnesota in July 2017. At the Gathering there is a Run, Walk ad Roll held on Saturday morning. The proceeds from this event supports Raising up Healthy Women and Girls. We encourage attendees to participate in this event, however if this is not something you think you can do physically, or if you are unable to attend the Triennial, why not make a monetary contribution to this worthwhile cause. If you wish to make a donation personally or from your congregational unit you may send a check to the Treasurer, Janet Fishovitz, made payable to SWPA Women of ELCA and it will be donated from our group. GROWTH COMMITTEE Reformation Skits Plans are progressing for the skits commemorating the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation at the May 2017 Convention of the Synodical Women of the ELCA. These skits will be presented at breaks during the business sessions of the Convention. We are still looking for volunteers to act in these skits. We need 1 person from Cluster 1 & 6; 2 persons from Cluster 2; 1 person from Cluster 3. Visits This summer the Growth Committee accepted an invitation from the ladies of First English in Zelieonople to talk about forming a congregational unit of the Women of the ELCA. On July 14th we were cordially welcomed to First English Church and, in the manner of Lutherans everywhere, fed a delicious meal. The Committee then presented a short program on the aims, purpose, structure and function of the W/ELCA from the congregational unit to the churchwide organization. Special thanks to the First English ladies for their invitation and hospitality. If you think your congregation would benefit from a Growth Committee visit, please get in touch with one of the Committee members (address & telephone info is printed on the editorial page of this newsletter). Respectfully submitted, The Growth Committee Betty Albright Norma Baker Joan Orr Your sisters in Christ, Janet Fishovitz Gloria Yount
JUSTIFIED BY FAITH SWPA W/ELCA Convention May 19-20, 2017 Bishop Connare Center
PLEASE COPY ON COLORED PAPER (other than white) IF POSSIBLE NOTIFICATION OF CHANGE IN CONTACT PERSON Please complete this form when there is a change in your contact person. Cluster # Effective Date of Change Name of Church Address of Church Present Contact Person Address New Contact Person Address Phone #: Best Alternate Please return this form to: Lori Ashton, Secretary 237 Woodstock Avenue Hopwood, PA 15445 A copy of this form should also be sent to: 1.) Your Cluster Planning Committee Coordinator (CPC) and
PA SYNODICAL WOMEN S ORGANIZATION 2016 2017 OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS OFFICERS: President: Jennifer Armstrong Schaefer, 1210 Beech Dr. Latrobe, PA 15650 724 664 2077 V. President: Joan Orr, 201 South 5th St. Youngwood, PA 15697 724 420 7864 Secretary: Lori Ashton, 237 Woodstock Ave. Hopwood, PA 15445 724 984 4711 Treasurer: Janet Fishovitz, 227 Brewer Dr. Freedom, PA 15042 724 728 0356 BOARD MEMBERS: Be y Albright, 216 Roxbury Dr., Greensburg, PA 15601 724 834 2677 Norma Baker, 310 Highview Cir., Freedom, PA 15074 724 728 5630 Eldora Crist, 903 Redmont Place, Greensburg, PA 15601 724 837 1032 Dorothy Fazenbaker, 340 Fosterville Rd., Greensburg, PA 15601 724 837 5007 Barb Frey, 105 Sewickley Heights Dr., Sewickley, PA 15143 412 741 4522 Rosemarie Henrickson, 5133 Lougean Ave., Pi sburgh, PA 15207 412 461 8619 Linda Reed, 193 Pi sburgh St., Derry, PA 15627 724 694 5235 Debra Wright, 543 Church Rd., Harmony, PA 16037 724 368 9449 Gloria Yount, 909 Route 68, New Brighton, PA 15066 724 843 1915 2016 Oct. 8: Oct. 15: Oct.. 22: Nov. 4 5: 2017 Feb. 17 19: Mar. 4: May 19 20: June 3: July 11 13: July 13 16: CALENDAR OF EVENTS Cluster 4 mee ng at Harold Zion Luth Church in Greensburg, PA Cluster 5 & 6 mee ng at Christ Luth Church in Duquesne, PA Cluster 1 & 6 mee ng at Grace Luth Church in Rochester, PA Cluster 3 mee ng at First Lutheran Church in Apollo, PA Board Retreat & Mee ng at Camp Agape Conference of Synodical Presidents Board Mee ng at Rehoboth Lutheran Church in Baden Conven on at Bishop Connare Center Reorganiza on Board Mee ng at Zion s Lutheran Church in Greensburg Triennial Conven on in Minneapolis Triennial Gathering in Minneapolis NEWSLETTER INFORMATION The SWPA Synodical Women s organiza on NEWSLETTER is published four mes a year following Board Mee ngs. Each Board Member, Officer, Cluster Planning Commi ee Member, Congrega onal Unit receives a complimentary issue. We welcome submissions to the NEWSLETTER of ac vi es or news items which you would like to share. We reserve the right to reject any material deemed unsuitable as submi ed and we will edit as necessary. Due to space limita ons some items may not be included. DEADLINE for sending ar cles for the next issue is December 15, 2016. SUBSCRIPTION RATE: $5.00 per year All subscrip ons begin September 1 each year. Checks for subscrip ons and/or dona ons for the newsle er are to be made payable to: SWPA Synod Women of the ELCA and are mailed to: Jennifer Armstrong Schaefer; 1210 Beech Dr.; Latrobe, PA 15650. Please use this form to enter or renew your subscrip on. Form may be duplicated. Name: Address: New Renewal Amount Enclosed Phone No.
SWPA Synodical Women s Organiza on c/o Prince of Peace Lutheran Church 1325 Mission Rd. Latrobe, PA 15650 Non Profit Organiza on US Postage PAID Latrobe, PA 15650 Permit #173 Return Service Requested