Northeast Conference Spring Gathering
Written by Jean Harrison
The Spring Gathering of the C/SIS Northeast Conference Women of the ELCA was held on April 5, at St. John's Lutheran Church, Sibley, and co-hosting by American Lutheran Church, Gibson City. Everything was held in Sibley's fellowship hall, which was beautifully decorated with an inviting spring theme, featuring individual Easter treat dishes, and brightly colored tables with spring flowers. Registration began at 9:00 a.m., after which we enjoyed coffee, juice, and pastries, before opening the gathering with a warm welcome from Sharon Nunamaker, WELCA president from American Lutheran, Gibson City. Our devotion was given by Bobbi Thomas, based on our theme, which was an inspiring quote of St. Basil's: “A tree is known by its fruit; a man by his deeds. A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love.” Bobbi gave us many suggestions for planting seeds of joy, peace, forgiveness, and kindness.
President Carol Hanlon welcomed the group and opened the business meeting. Roll call was read by Jean Harrison, recorder. Twenty-five ladies from our conference were present, representing eight of our 21 Northeast Conference churches. We were also honored to have two C/SIS WELCA board members as guests: Kathy Olesuk of First English Lutheran, Peoria, who is the vice-president; and Mary Jo Erickson of Grace Lutheran, Champaign, who is the East/Central Conference representative. Kathy edits the quarterly C/SIS WELCA newsletter for the Synod, and she asked everyone to provide their email address if they weren't already receiving it.
Our physical offering was items for LWR personal care kits. The monetary offering was designated half for Lutheran World Relief and half for C/SIS WELCA — the total offering was $561.00, so each received $280.50. It was decided that we send our excess funds of $50.00 to ELCA Lutheran Disaster Response. Upcoming events as reported by Bobbi Thomas, our synod representative, are the annual Synod Fall Gathering on September 20 at Good Shepherd Lutheran in Champaign and the 13th Triennial Gathering next year, July 16-19, in Des Moines, Iowa.
Our program on “Kindness” was presented by guest Claire Vail from Grace Lutheran, Champaign. She told us that she is a Synod-Authorized Minister who often serves in Servants United Parish and is also a special ed teacher in Champaign but soon to retire. Her presentation was both inspiring and educational, as she led us to participate with the example of ourselves as symbolic apple trees. We all received a handout of the apple tree, and started with remembering our roots, continuing with how and what we need in order to grow in kindness and service, and ending with what St. Basil spoke of in reaping friendship and gathering love, and also by remembering that love is definitely an action word.
After the program, we enjoyed a delicious lunch of sandwiches of pulled pork and pulled chicken along with a great assortment of salads and desserts. We closed our gathering with prayer and by singing “We Are Called,” accompanied by Rona Eyer. We thank the ladies of both St. John’s, Sibley, and America, Gibson City, who made our gathering such a special event! Our Fall Gathering will be held on October 4 at Trinity, Chenoa and hosted by Community, Cornell.
