Mobilizing women to act boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ

“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.”

What is WELCA?

It’s an easy way to say Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Quite a mouthful, we know. Our organization includes Lutheran women who gather in more than 7,000 locations in the U.S. and the Caribbean, for service, study, advocacy, fellowship and more! WELCA embraces all kinds of ministries that support our mission of mobilizing women to act boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ. There is a place for you in Women of the ELCA.

2023 Triennial Convention (Sept. 19-21) & Gathering (Sept. 21-24), Phoenix, Ariz.

The Convention in Phoenix, Arizona, was represented by our three voting members from the Central/Southern Illinois Synod Women of the ELCA: Mary Jo Erickson from Champaign; Janet Lepp from Champaign; and Bobbi Thomas from Chenoa. They helped elect new officers to serve on the churchwide executive board from 2023-2026. They also voted on constitutional changes, memorials, the proposed budget, etc.

The Gathering theme of “Just Love” had speakers Dr. Kelly Sherman-Conroy talking about “Love and Justice from a Lakota Perspective “and Dr. Jacqueline Bussie, who is the author of “Love Without Limits. Outlaw Christian.” They also had Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, who is the President and CEO of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, speak. “Indian 101” was a class to learn more about the United States and how we have interacted with Indigenous people during our history. It was eye opening. Many more classes were held with other speakers; Bible studies and worship services were enjoyed. We were pleased to have seven women attend the Gathering from our synod with several representing Peoria and two from the Springfield area. More to come in the next newsletter from your voting members and others who attended.

Please consider becoming a conference representative for the Southern and Northwest Conferences (yellow and blue on the map, respectively) for the Central/Southern Illinois Synod Women of the ELCA Board. A Conference Representative is a liaison person between congregations in their conference and the Synodical Women’s Board. They encourage women in their area churches to meet for fellowship, possibly Bible study or book clubs, do quilting and make Lutheran World Relief kits, or other mission projects. Representatives meet with the Central/Southern Illinois Synod Board three to four times a year to give them feedback from their churches. Most meetings are by Zoom. They can also help if their Conference would like to have their own Spring or Fall Gathering. Please contact Helen Flatau, President of the C/SIS Women of the ELCA, if you have questions or are interested in this position.