July 2018, Volume IX Issue 2 The Word Metro Chicago Synodical Women s Organization Of Special Interest 1 Greetings from the President 3 Lutheran/Catholic Dialogue and Prayer Review 4 2018 SWO Convention Info 6 SWO Nomination form 7 From the Treasurer Linda Miranda, SWO President Greetings from Linda Dear Friends of SWO, I am always amazed at how fast the days, weeks, and months fly by! The month of July began on Sunday, which means it s time to get the July Newsletter together. We are planning a great convention for you around the theme of Radical Hospitality. Little did we know in January how timely this topic would be. We have a great keynote speaker coming to us from Texas (a bio is included in this issue), and a couple of great breakout sessions which will be presented by Refugee One and AMPARRO. If the news has made you want to step up and get involved in helping the refugee population, and especially the children, then this is a convention that you don t want to miss. Please, please, please invite your friends to come with you. Remember that we are stronger together! In addition to the speakers and workshops we will also have a business meeting. Please make sure that one person from each church unit is designated as the delegate. We have reports to present and board members to elect. Lately, as I have tuned into God during my quiet time I have heard the phrase, God doesn t call the qualified, He qualifies the called. I can say that I believe this to be true in my personal experience. I m still not feeling qualified to be your president, but I did feel called, and I am being guided by the voices of experience that are on the board and that I have met along my journey to this position. If you have felt a stirring that maybe it is your time to step forward and take a position on the SWO board, then please answer yes to that feeling and complete a nomination form which you will find in this newsletter along with instructions on how to complete it and where to mail it. We all know that sometimes it s easier to be asked to participate, so if you know someone in your church that you think would be a good person to have on the board, then please be the voice that calls them and encourage them to allow you to nominate them. (Cont d on page 7)
PAGE 2 THE WORD Church Happenings August - Luther Memorial in Chicago will be again hosting a workshop called Not political but... This positive event is biblically based and action -oriented. It will be an opportunity to discuss and support each other as we resist and are involved in actions that are politically focused. Contact Tana Durnbaugh (tanadurnbaugh@yahoo.com) for more information. August - Women s Network is developing a book club study guide which will be ready mid-august for individuals and groups wishing to dialogue on the concerns of mental health challenges in our families and in our churches. Contact Madelynn Skvarla (skvarlamj@gmail.com) for more information. October 5 - "Bunco for Breast Cancer" Bethany Lutheran in Batavia s annual event focuses on health and wellness. We often hear Stories by Breast Cancer Survivors, as we will this year In addition to playing Bunco, we enjoy hearty appetizers, winning prizes and getting to know each other. October 27 SWO Convention. See pages 4-5 for more information. Please bring any of the following to the convention: diapers, baby wipes, toothbrushes, toothpaste (travel size), baby bottles, kleenex, Ibuprofen, or tampons. We will be collecting in-kinds gifts for Hesed House (https://www.hesedhouse.org/about/). Click to find out how Hesed House was started in Aurora and became the second largest shelter in Illinois.) Ginger Zee to Headline LSSI s Amicus Certus Celebration on Oct. 6 Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) is pleased to announce that ABC News Chief Meteorologist Ginger Zee will headline its 37 th Annual Amicus Certus Celebration: A Harvest of Blessings on Saturday, Oct. 6, at the Union League Club of Chicago. Zee wrote the memoir Natural Disaster: I Cover Them. I am One, in which she opens up about her struggles with depression. As a provider of mental health services, LSSI appreciates her honesty in sharing her own experience to demystify mental illness and empower others to seek treatment that is appropriate for them. For more information, including tickets and sponsorship opportunities, contact Mariah Heinz at (847) 635-4656 or Mariah.Heinz@LSSI.org. Ginger Zee, ABC News Chief Meteorologist
THE WORD PAGE 3 29 th Annual Lutheran/Catholic Morning of Dialogue and Prayer If you have never attended the annual Lutheran/Catholic Gathering, you are missing an exceptional, meaningful experience for women! A friend and I attended the Saturday, March 10, morning of dialogue and prayer at Edison Park Lutheran Church followed by a delicious gourmet lunch. Both Lutheran and Catholic Christians gathered in the beautiful sanctuary and were moved by the music provided by the talented pianist. As the morning progressed, we met other attendees through dialogue facilitated by the keynote speaker Rev. Dr. Kelly Faulstich, pastor of Resurrection Lutheran Church. The theme, Reach out in Christ was personally explored in our small groups and emphasized by both Pastor Kelly s keynote comments and Homilist Rev. John Clemens from Our Lady of Hope Parish. Father Clemen s homily insightfully covered the history of women as apostles. We truly felt part of one common community of faith during the closing worship. Next year will be the 30 th annual Lutheran/Catholic Gathering sponsored by SWO and the Catholic Women s organization. It will be hosted at a Catholic parish. My friend and I encourage our Christian friends to join us for this wonderful Saturday ecumenical experience! Bev Moody Buffalo Grove Linda Miranda, SWO President and Karen Horace, ACCW (Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women)
PAGE 4 THE WORD Metro-Chicago Synodical Women s Organization 2018 Convention Becky Shurson Vice-President of the Churchwide Executive Board of Women of the ELCA will represent the President, Lisa Plorin, at our 2018 Convention! She had previously served as the secretary for 2014-17 Triennium board. Jose Garza Keynote Speaker Jose is the Executive Director of the Workers Defense Project in Texas. He is a native Texan who has devoted his career to the fight for working and immigrant families. Most recently he served Secretary Tom Perez as a senior policy official at the U.S. Dept. of Labor. Garza brings extensive experience working with local, state and national labor organizations to build opportunity for working and immigrant families. Breakout sessions will be presented by: AMMPARO AMMPARO is a holistic, whole church commitment by the ELCA, as a church in the world, to accompany children today and in the future. The word amparo in Spanish means the protection of a living creature from suffering or damage. The ELCA s strategy to Accompanying Migrant Minors with Protection, Advocacy, Representation and Opportunities (AMMPARO) was envisioned after witnessing the plight of children who are forced to flee their communities because of complex and interrelated reasons, including chronic violence, poverty, environmental displacement and lack of opportunities in El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala. Due to our connection to companion churches in the region, including companion synod relationships, and existing ministries in the U.S., the ELCA is well-positioned to help ensure that these vulnerable children are protected. RefugeeOne RefugeeOne is the Illinois affiliate of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS). As the largest refugee resettlement agency in Chicago, RefugeeOne has welcomed more than 18,000 refugees fleeing every major world conflict since 1982 from the Lost Boys of Sudan and Cambodian survivors of the Killing Fields to Jews fleeing the former Soviet Union and Syrians displaced by the ongoing civil war. With the help of 1,000+ volunteers, RefugeeOne walks alongside refugees from the moment their plane lands, finding and furnishing their first apartment, helping them learn English and find employment, and providing them with the support needed to overcome physical and emotional trauma, succeed academically, and ultimately, become self-reliant. With a staff that speaks 35 languages most of whom are refugees or immigrants themselves RefugeeOne s services are culturally and linguistically sensitive to the unique needs of refugees. InFaith InFaith Community Foundation is a national, faith-based charity with a mission to serve donors, spread joy and change lives. We provide trusted stewardship to make the most of each gift and deliver donors' charitable support to our shared community. Through InFaith, you have a giving partner with values that emerge from Christian faith. This faith extends into the world through our flexible products and services.
THE WORD PAGE 5 Registration for 2018 SWO Convention Radical Hospitality October 27, 2018, St. Mark s Lutheran Church 27 S. Edgelawn Drive, Aurora, IL 60506 This form is to be used by both delegates and visitors. Please duplicate as needed. All are welcome to attend even if you do not have a women's organization in your congregation. Check-in will begin at 8:30 am with coffee and treats available. DELEGATE INFORMATION: Each congregation is to choose one woman who is willing to prayerfully participate in the business meeting and be willing to share information and inspiration from the day with her congregation. She will sit in the Delegate Section during the business meeting. CONVENTION REGISTRATION (Please Print) CONGREGATION NAME & CITY: MY NAME: HOME ADDRESS: Street City Zip PHONE: EMAIL: ARE YOU A DELEGATE: Did you know Y that N Metro PAYMENT Chicago ENCLOSED SWO has a private Facebook group? PRIOR TO Search AUGUST Metro 10: Chicago $25.00 SWO and request to be added to the group. AFTER AUGUST Also, 10: if you $30.00 haven t already, Like us on Facebook. DAY OF REGISTRATION: $35.00 INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Complete the Convention Registration Form above. 2. Enclose check payable to Metro Chicago SWO. 3. Mail Registration Form & Check to: Sandie Schlauch, 7803 Palma Lane, Morton Grove, IL 60053. SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION A limited number of scholarships for the Saturday, October 27, 2018 Convention at St. Mark s, Aurora, are available. A congregational unit or individual may submit a candidate for consideration if the candidate is willing to attend and participate fully in the events at the convention. PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL LINDA MIRANDA IF YOU NEED A SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION. (773-332-1457 or linda.miranda912@gmail.com) In-kind Gifts Please bring donations of diapers, baby wipes, toothbrushes, toothpaste (travel size), baby bottles, kleenex, Ibuprofen, or tampons. These items will be given to Hesed House, a shelter for the homeless located in Aurora. Hesed House is the second largest shelter in the State of Illinois, and the largest shelter outside of the city of Chicago. With the help of professional staff, alliances with outside agencies and 6,000 volunteers from 70 area churches, almost one thousand individuals (including 188 children) are served each year through Hesed House s shelter and three housing programs. Hesed House sees 16 newly homeless individuals each week that s one new homeless individual every 8 1/2 hours. Hesed House strives to get 16 or 17 individuals out of homelessness each week. https://www.hesedhouse.org
PAGE 6 THE WORD CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR 2018-19 METRO CHICAGO SWO BOARD The following is a Nomination Form for officers and Board Members to the Metro-Chicago Synodical Women s Organization Board. Please prayerfully consider names to be submitted for nomination from your congregational unit. Positions for which nominations are being sought for the 2018-19 SWO Board are as follows: Vice President: 2 year term Secretary: 2 year term 4 Board Members: 2 year term NOMINATING FORM FOR METRO CHICAGO SWO OFFICERS AND BOARD Circle positions for which the nominee is willing to serve. The nominee must consent to serve if elected and understands her responsibilities. Nominations must be submitted by September 30, 2018 Vice President Secretary Board Member Name of Nominee: Home Address: Congregation and City: Preferred Phone: Email: Age range (circle): 20-24 25-37 38-50 51-64 65+ Ethnic Heritage (circle): Africa-American Asian Latino Native American White Other Please list all experience in the following areas beginning with the most recent: WOMEN OF THE ELCA (congregational unit, conference, synod, churchwide): COMMUNITY: (offices, volunteer services and/or responsibilities for local, state, national or international organizations) Submitted by, Nominator Date: I agree to have my name submitted as a nominee for the position of to the 2018-19 Board of the Metro-Chicago SWO. Please call or email Nicky Draves if you have questions. 630-906-6138 or ndraves55@gmail.com Form to be mailed to: Nicky Draves 109 Acorn Drive North Aurora, IL 60542
THE WORD PAGE 7 President s Letter cont d At our church we have been doing a summer series entitled Faces of our Faith. This past Sunday we heard again the story of Jonah. We were reminded that he was running away from God s call to prophesy to the Ninevites. So if you are running away from your call, I invite you to come out of the darkness. This is not the time to hide from God! We aren t like the brutal Ninevites. We will welcome you, your ideas, and your faith story. In the spirit of radical hospitality, consider inviting the girls from your congregation that attended the youth gathering in Houston, TX to come with you to our convention. We can learn from them and plant a seed for the next generation of Women of the ELCA. Enjoy your summer time with family and friends. I wish you safe travels and invite you to join us in Aurora for our convention on October 27 th. Peace and Justice, Linda Miranda President, Metro-Chicago SWO From the Treasurer Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Sandie Schlauch and as of February 1, 2018, I have assumed the duties of treasurer of the Metropolitan Chicago Synodical Women s Organization, an office to which I was elected at the October, 2017 convention. This means that all offerings which are to go to the SWO, or through the SWO, are to be mailed to me. My address, phone number and e-mail address are at the end of this article. I would like to take this opportunity to remind you about sending money to the Metropolitan Chicago SWO. Offerings should be sent with an Offering Transmittal Form. There are two different forms Form A, which is to be sent with Regular Offerings, and Form B for Thankofferings, Where Needed Most, Katie s Fund, Special Offerings, and Designated gifts to WELCA and ELCA ministries. These can be downloaded from the Women of the ELCA website at https://www.womenoftheelca.org/ministry-action/stewardship. If you do not have internet access, please call me and I can send you forms you can use for your offerings. Although both forms indicate to make the check payable to the Women of the ELCA, due to our bank s restrictions, any checks sent to us should be payable to Metropolitan Chicago SWO. Any designated offerings will be sent to the Churchwide office by the SWO. We thank each woman and congregational unit that has been able to financially support the SWO. You are helping us to better serve you. Again, if you have any questions, please feel free to call or e-mail me at any time. Sandie Schlauch 7803 Palma Lane Ph: 847-966-4871 Morton Grove IL 60053 Email: Sas1946@comcast.net
PAGE 8 THE WORD SWO Board Members NAME PHONE EMAIL CHURCH Desiree Cole 847-662-7637 desiree.a.cole78@gmail.com Trinity United Waukegan Cheryl Dickinson Vice President Gloria Green Secretary 630-788-0797 cheryl_dickinson@att.net St. Mark s Aurora 773-879-6694 gdjhlg51@yahoo.com Bethel Lutheran Chicago Bonnie Lopez 847-299-8534 felixbon@aol.com Holy Trinity Glenview Linda Miranda President Sandra Schlauch Treasurer 773-332-1457 linda.miranda912@gmail.com Luther Memorial Chicago 847-966-4871 sas1946@comcast.net Trinity Lutheran Evanston Kathleen West 773-505-2679 KWest@concordiaplace.org Resurrection Chicago Did you know that Metro Chicago SWO has a private Facebook group? Search Metro Chicago SWO and request to be added to the group. Also, if you haven t already, Like us on Facebook. Upcoming SWO Board Meetings The SWO board will meet on these dates. All are welcome to attend. If you would like to know how we operate and make decisions or maybe you would like to become a member at some point, please consider joining us at one or more of these scheduled board meetings. August 18, 2018 9:00 am Holy Trinity in Lombard November 3, 2018 9:00 am TBD 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.