Bits & Pieces Eastern Washington-Idaho Synodical Women s Organization Women of the ELCA Reasons to Smile President s Message A recent devotion I read was based on Proverbs 15:30 which says, A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones. (NIV) You will find plenty of reasons to smile with both your face and your heart when you attend our EWAID SWO Convention & Gathering at Trinity Lutheran, 8 S Midland Blvd in Nampa, ID Sept. 29-Oct. 1, 2017. Registration will open at 1pm on Friday, Sept. 29 th, with our Silent Auction area and Hospitality room opening as well. During the afternoon, you will have an opportunity to visit the Making a Difference area, where you will have an opportunity to participate in creating and using PLARN, which is plastic yarn. If you like to crochet or knit, bring your largest needles or hook to help make plastic mats to be given to agencies serving the homeless. A coloring/card making area will also be open where you can design your own card to be given to an area agency serving the homeless. Also on Friday afternoon, and again on Saturday morning, you ll be invited to participate in a couple of different Learning Opportunities. Listed below are the titles for presentations, with a small explanation for each. Songs of Faith: Jone Stout, your SWO President, will present hymns and songs where the melody and/or the lyrics were composed by women. If you have written a poem expressing your faith, bring it with you, and perhaps we ll be able to pair it with a melody for you! The Best Kept Secret: Do you or someone you know struggle with Mental Health? Feel ashamed? Don t want to talk about it? In denial? Connie Reid, one of our board members, will be sharing her story of Mental Health and how she deals with it daily. She says her faith has been a huge support for her, and hopes that by sharing her story she will be able to help other women who have similar struggles, or know someone that does. Café Discussion Group: Becky Shurson, our newly elected VP of the WELCA executive board, will lead a discussion group based on an article from Café, the online magazine of Women of the ELCA. Prayer or Musings: Carole Dinning, our SWO Treasurer, will give a presentation on prayerful journaling, and how she s begun to share her writings on social media. Plan to ask her what the reaction to her writing and sharing has been!! Continued on page 7 Volume 37 Issue 1, September 2017 President s message 1 & 7 Women of the ELCA 6 Becky Shurson, Ex Board VP 2 Silent Auction Time 8 Ideas for you 2 Registration Form 9 Offering Opportunities 3 Way to Go Poster 10 Hotel Recommendation 3 Board Nomination Form 11 Deadlines 4 EWA/ID Synodical Board 12 Photo from Minneapolis 5
2 Becky Shurson Executive Board Vice President, 2017-2020 Woman of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Becky Shurson was elected as secretary of the churchwide executive board of Women of the ELCA in July 2014, and at the recent Triennial Convention in July, she was elected as executive board vice president. She serves on the executive committee and on the constitution review committee. Previously, Becky served on the board of Pacifica Women of the ELCA in southern California, completing four years as secretary and three years as a board member. As a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Yucaipa, CA, Becky has been active in the congregation s Women of the ELCA unit. She also served on the church council, as well as on a transition team and call committee. Becky, a Texas Panhandle native, and her husband, John, from Albert Lea, MN, are parents of one son, Lucas, who is now serving with Lutheran Volunteer Corps in Omaha following graduation from St. Olaf College in Minnesota. With the college tuition bills paid, on July 1 Becky and John moved to Eugene, OR to enjoy John s new retirement from BNSF Railway. Getting settled and learning about life in the Pacific Northwest are now favorite interests, in addition to enjoying choral music and dogs (especially Golden Retrievers). Currently regular visitors at Eugene s Central Lutheran Church, Becky anticipates their membership at Central in October. She looks forward to the opportunity to again actively participate in a Women of the ELCA unit. Ideas for You If you re planning on attending our EWAID SWO Convention & Gathering at Trinity Lutheran Nampa, Sept. 29-Oct.1, and also planning to attend the Discipleship Conference the following weekend, Pr. Manlove of Trinity Lutheran in Nampa, Pr. Justin Tigerman of Faith Lutheran in Caldwell, and Deaconess Kat Tigerman, who runs the House Next Door have come up with some ideas on how you could fill the intervening days. Monday quilting with Faith Lutheran, Caldwell Tuesday wine tasting in the Snake River Valley Wednesday Stoll making for the House Next Door, Nampa (see Stoles and Quilts by ThreadsofGraceNampa; https://www.etsy.com/shop/housenextdoor) Thursday Basque Museum and Anne Frank Memorial in Boise Other activities Walking on the Nampa greenbelt and visiting the Warhawk Museum, Nampa
3 Offering Opportunities When you attend the Gathering in the fall, you ll have the opportunity to be a blessing to others by participating in both our monetary and physical offerings. The monetary offering will go to Trinity New Hope, LLC, an outreach ministry of Trinity Lutheran Church in Nampa which provides quality affordable housing to 16 Nampa families. We ll be learning more about this ministry at the Gathering. The physical offering will go to The House Next Door project, which is a ministry of Grace Episcopal Church in Nampa. The ministry provides a place to live rent-free (they pay a portion of utility expenses each month) for single moms trying to obtain a higher education. Families who live at The House Next Door are offered opportunities to participate in family living education, community service, financial planning, and in the life of the church. The wish list for The House Next Door are as follows: baby wipes, newborn diapers (the only size not available at the Diaper Bank), blankets, car seats, towels/wash cloths, pillows, baby shampoo/soap, travel sized shampoos, conditioners, lotion, etc., and light bulbs (LEDs are helpful!) For pictures and more information about the House Next Door you can visit www.gracechurchnampa.com and click on the House Next Door link. Hotel Recommendation We have chosen Fairfield Inn and Suites Marriot in Nampa, ID for our Fall Gathering, September 29th-October 1 st. The church is in a residential area so there aren't any hotels really close. But this was recommended by the women of the area. They have given us a good rate of $91.00 plus tax which equals $98.28. That is for one King or two Queens. There is free breakfast, indoor pool, ironing board and iron, mini fridge, microwave, coffee maker/tea service, hair dryer, pillows, both down/ feather and foam and totally smoke free. They are reserving rooms until September 8 th but if there are still rooms available later, they will give the same rate after that date. When you call for reservations tell them you are with the Women of the ELCA. Fairfield Inn and Suites Marriot 16150 N. Merchant Way Nampa, Idaho 83687 208-467-5888
4 DEADLINES Deadlines are a necessary part of life. As the procrastinator that I am, deadlines make me sit down and do the job or make a decision. Here is a reminder of our 2017 Gathering deadlines. Registration September 25 th This deadline gives us a number to plan meals. If you are going to be late sending in your registration, please call or email me so I can include you in the count. Of course, there will be enough for a few last minute registrations Voting members(delegates) September 12th We need a woman to represent each church at our business meeting. It is important that every unit has its say. Hotel reservations September 8 th The hotel will hold a block of rooms at a reduced rate for us and will give us the rate after that date but will not hold the rooms for us after the 8 th. So if there are still rooms available and you tell them you are with WELCA, they will give you the reduced rate. Resolutions 9:00 am on Saturday, September 30 th. Resolutions are your way of telling the board if they need to work on specific things and your suggestions are how to do it. The board is always looking for direction, so please let us know Nominations September 12 th I know that most of you who read this either laugh or say a loud NO, but I have some questions for you to ponder. Do you love the Women of the ELCA? Have the women in your church, past and present, helped you grow in faith? Do you understand that you have touched them as well and your legacy and gifts will be with them forever?! WELCA gives you the opportunity and resources to touch the lives of women who sit next to you every Sunday, or the neighbor down the street that needs support mentally and physically. How about the woman across the world who struggles every day to feed her family. Please prayerfully consider how you can help this synod to continue to reach these women. We can t do it without you. Call me and let s talk about what it would mean to you and all the women you would touch. Carole Dinning, Treasurer
5! Most of the Eastern Washington & Idaho SWO members attending the 10 th Triennial Gathering met for a group picture on Saturday, July 15 th, 2017 in the Minneapolis Convention Center. We had a good representation of women from around the synod attend. Do you recognize a woman in the photo? If so, ask her to share her experiences at the Gathering with you. You might want to plan on traveling together to our next Triennial in Phoenix, AZ, in July of 2020. The early registration price will be good through December. You can go on the Women of the ELCA website to check it out.
6 Women of the ELCA--Tenth Triennial Gathering When my sister and I entered the huge Minneapolis Convention Center in July, we were overwhelmed with the sights and sounds we saw and heard. With 3,000 sisters in Christ from across the country, we sang praises, listened to inspirational speakers, and soaked in thought-provoking workshops. Bishop Elizabeth Eaton preached at the opening worship on the gathering theme, "All Anew," using the Samaritan woman at the well as an example of someone thirsting for God's love. Kelly Fryer, author of the summer Gather Bible study, challenged us to become "trouble makers" for God and work for those on the margins. Leymah Gbowee, a peace activist in Liberia, told us that God gives us the grace to stand in the corner of those who need help. Are we available to answer God's call? The workshops I went to were spiritual food for my soul. Julie Neraas, a native of Spokane, now an associate professor at Hamline University in Saint Paul, MN, helped us to understand Sabbath in its Jewish origins, as a time to "step out of the fray." With my interest in writing peaked, I also went to several workshops on the spiritual practices of writing and sacred living. One author, Karen Hering, said, "We are made of stories of who we are and the world we live in." How do we get ourselves out of the stories that we may be stuck in? We can be made anew--open to new life. Sally Howell Johnson, a pastor for worship and spiritual formation, told us that we each reflect an image of God to the world. "We are called to be creators--and co-creators--every day. What if we approached each day with fresh eyes?" Practicing in these sessions gave me a whole new perspective on "writing to wake the soul." While sitting in Central Lutheran Church in downtown Minneapolis, I was filled to overflowing, as I listened to the majestic organ music concerts and awe-inspiring Nordic vespers. We were witnessing the wonderful music of our Lutheran heritage. Worshiping with the National Lutheran Choir on Saturday evening, and then singing uplifting hymns at the Sunday morning closing communion service, we knew we had had an extraordinary experience of praising God in all His glory. The Triennial theme, "All Anew," certainly dwelled within. Helen Skindlov Spokane
7 President s Message continued from page 1 Our Opening Worship will begin at 4pm in the sanctuary, and will include communion and your first opportunity to give a monetary offering. The Rev. Meggan Manlove, pastor of Trinity Lutheran in Nampa, will preside at this service. Following the service, the voting members will stay for orientation and committee meetings, then go to dinner, while all the other participants are free to go find dinner on their own, then rest up for the busy day we have planned for you on Saturday. Saturday will start bright and early with registration opening at 7:30am. Our churchwide representative, Becky Shurson, will share news from Women of the ELCA at 8:30am, followed by an interactive presentation on our theme: Way to Go, World Changers: Women of Holy Hope. Following her presentation, you ll once again be able to participate in a Learning Opportunity or spend time in the Making a Difference area. Before lunch, we ll hear from Sheila Anderson, a representative of the Trinity Community Garden. During our salad luncheon, provided for us by the women of the Treasure Valley cluster, we ll hear a presentation on Trinity New Hope. It will also be our 2 nd opportunity to give a monetary offering. From 1-3pm, we ll have a Play/Prayer time, where you can spend time in prayer in the sanctuary, or take yourself and some friends on a prayer walk around the neighborhood. Maybe you d like to sit and put a jigsaw puzzle together while having conversation with new or old friends. It will also be another time to work in the Making a Difference area. And of course, you ll need time to visit the Silent Auction or have coffee and conversation in the Hospitality Room. Voting members will be asked to report to the business meeting room at 1:55pm, with the meeting running from approximately 2-4pm. For those not attending the business meeting, a presentation on Human Trafficking in the southern Idaho area will be given in the sanctuary at 3pm, followed by a time of Singing Your Praises at 4pm. At shortly after 5pm, we ll get to hear from Kat Tigerman, director of The House Next Door. Our Soup Banquet, provided by the women of Trinity Lutheran, will begin at 6pm. Katie Von Bora Luther, aka Janet Worthington, will be our special guest at dinner, followed by board presentations. Last minute trips to the Silent Auction will be allowed before it closes, and our time together will close with Vespers, led by Pr. Manlove at 8pm. All participants are invited to attend church at Trinity Lutheran on Sunday at 10am. You can see, we have a busy weekend planned, and I m sure smiles will abound, as well as thoughtful participation in the many activities listed above. You can plan on being inspired, invigorated, renewed, and refreshed to go home and serve our Lord, perhaps in new ways! Jone K. Stout, SWO President
8 IT'S SILENT AUCTION TIME! Bring your New and Like New Items Gift Baskets Art Work Hand Work Baked Goods Puzzles Collectibles, etc. Money All money raised goes to Women in Ministry Scholarship Program
9 Women of the ELCA Eastern Washington/Idaho Trinity Lutheran Church 8 South Midland Blvd, Nampa, ID September 29-October 1, 2017 Name: Mailing Address: Zip Code Email: Phone # Home Church: City and State: Voting Member: Participant: Registration Fee All Weekend $50 Saturday Only $35 (both include lunch and dinner) Friday only $20 DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 25 Send registration form and fee to: Carole Dinning (208) 267-3033 (home) 6703 Cody Street (208) 610-4885 (cell) Bonners Ferry, Id 83805 cdinning@frontier.com
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11 Eastern Washington-Idaho Synodical Women s Organization Women of the ELCA Board Nomination Form NAME ADDRESS PHONE NUMBER EMAIL HOME CONGREGATION CHURCH ADDRESS AGE RANGE 34 or under 35-49 50-64 65 or older POSITION TO FILL President Vice-President Treasurer Secretary General Board EXPERIENCE: Please list significant experiences for the past (5) five years only. Use back of sheet if necessary. Occupational history: Home church congregational involvement: Community & Organization involvement: Home church women s organization involvement: Synodical/Churchwide women s organization involvement: Cluster/Conference/Synod/National Church involvement: FORM SUBMITTED BY: Name & Address Complete this form and mail on or before September 12, 2017 to: Leslie Mason, 6703 Cody St., Bonners Ferry, ID 83805 Questions: Call Leslie at 208-610-5105 or email lesliem1976@gmail.com
12 Eastern Washington/Idaho Synodical Board 2015-2016 President ~ Jone K. Stout 9312 W. Richardson Rd. Pasco, WA 99301 (509) 547-4612 (home) (509) 551-6322 (cell) jksmusic54@gmail.com Church: Lutheran Church of The Master, Pasco. Vice President Leslie Mason 6703 Cody St. Bonners Ferry ID 83805 (208) 610-5105 (cell) (208) 267-7001 (home) Lesliem1976@gmail.com Church: Trinity-Bonners Ferry- North Idaho Cluster Assignment: North Idaho & North Central Vickie Jo Witt P.O. Box 462, Juliaetta, ID 83535 (208) 276-4071 (home) (208) 790-9158 ( cell) vjwitt@tds.net Church: Cameron Emmanuel Lutheran Cluster: Tsceminicum Cluster Assignment: Palouse & Tsceminicum Human Trafficking Merlene Brockway Barb Blasch Secretary ~ Merlene Brockway 411 E. 500 N., Firth ID 83236-1118 (208) 785-8556 (home) (208) 317-3757 (cell) Mkb_66@hotmail.com Church: Bethel Firth ~ Upper Snake River Valley Cluster Assignment: Upper Snake River Treasurer ~ Convention Committee Chair Carole Dinning Racial Justice Advocate Team Barb Blasch, Boise, Id Kathy Long, Redmond, WA 6703 Cody St. ~ Bonners Ferry ID 83805 (208) 267-3033 (home) ~ (208) 267-5611 (work) (208) 610-4885 (cell) cdinning@frontier.com Church: Trinity, Bonners Ferry ~ North Idaho Cluster Cluster Assignment: All Treasurers Connie Reid - P.O. Box 521 Juliaeta, ID 83535 (208) 276-3191 (home) (208) 791-7993 (cell) Yamaha_1964_mama@hotmail.com Church: Cameron Emmanuel Kendrick Tsceminicum Cluster Assignments: Tsceminicum & Palouse Non-Board Member Bits & Pieces Editor Patti Berg 4814 S. Pender Lane, Spokane, 99224 509-443-9170 catsmeow4814@yahoo.com Church: St. Mark s, Spokane
13 Eastern Washington-Idaho Synodical Women s Organization Women of the ELCA, Jone Stout, President 9312 W. Richardson Rd. Pasco, Wa 99301 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. Check us out on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ EWA.ID.SWO Mission Statement To mobilize women to act boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ