Barneveld Lutheran Church: Women of the ELCA (WELCA)
Called to be Christ's Light
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Last Updated: April 16, 2011
webmaster@barneveldlutheran.org
The Women
of the ELCA (WELCA) is an organization that is divided into circles, which
are small groups who meet monthly for Bible Study, friendship, sharing and
service.
Purpose of the organization
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:
Purpose of the organization
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,
- Promote healing and wholeness in the church, the society and the world
Currently the Rachel Circle meets on the 2nd Tuesday
of each month at 9:30 am in the Church Fellowship Hall. All women are invited
to attend as their schedule allows. The Hannah, Lydia and Esther Circle continue
to fulfill rotating duties of setting up communion, serving refreshments for
Pioneer Communion throughout the year. The Esther Circle meets in the summer to
assemble Layettes for Lutheran World Relief (LWR) Our goal as an organization is to live God's justice and be disciples of Christ through our works.
Who are the members
All women of the congregation are considered members of the organization; you don’t have to join the group to become a member. When you join the church you become a member. As our daughters grow to adulthood they become members.
Current officers of the organization are:
President – Marcia Thompson
Treasurer – Pat Graham
We are a part of the Barneveld Conference of the South Central Synod of WI. In the Spring and Fall there are Conference meetings, as well as Biennial Synodical Conventions and also Triennial Church-wide Conventions.
Fundraising for the organization
- Offerings are collected at each circle meeting and a % of that is given to the Barneveld Lutheran Women of the ELCA treasurer and a % of those are sent to the Synodical & Church-wide organizations of WELCA
- The Lutefisk Dinner - this is our one BIG fundraiser each year. The vast majority of our projects, support and activities are a result of the funds raised by the LUTEFISK Dinner. The dinner is held the 1st Saturday of November. We ask the entire membership, men, women and older youth to help at this fundraiser. Everyone’s help is needed to make this fundraiser a success. We are able to do a multitude of good deeds with the funds, as you will see in the following information.
The women take care of several duties around the church which including the
following:
Setting up and taking down Communion
for Worship services.
- Changing the Paraments (altar clothes) with church seasons and changing banners.
- Filling the oil candles
- Keep the church kitchen in order
- Serve refreshments 3-4 times per year after Pioneer Communion
- Serve a meal after funerals
- Occasionally serve anniversary or other celebration meals for member families.
- Provide Bibles to all 3rd grade students in Sunday School each year.
- Support to children who attend Bible Camp at $ 50 .00 per child
- Support to the BLC Food Pantry
- Support to Sugar Creek Bible Camp
- Support to Luther Social Services (LSS)
- Support to Salvation Army
- Support to WE Care in Dodgeville which provides services to families with children under age 5
Mission Projects of the Organization
- Staffing the Clothes Closet in Mt. Horeb 1 month of the year & also collecting gently used clothing for the Closet
- Making Quilts for Lutheran World Relief (LWR)
- Making and giving lap quilts to patients in area nursing care facilities and the Veteran Hospital and Clinic in Madison
- Gather and assemble items for Layettes and sewing kits for Lutheran World Relief (LWR)
- Labels for Education – for the Navaho Mission
- Postcards for ELCA Hunger Appeal
- Pull Tabs for Ronald Mc Donald House in Madison
- Collecting Pennies for Poverty which benefit impoverished women and children
- Providing Quilts and clothing items for the Indian Reservations in far Northern Wisconsin