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.
There are currently 4 active circles:
- Esther (pictured above) meets at 6:30 p.m.on the 2nd Monday of the month at BLC
- Lydia meets 7:30 p.m. 1st Thursday of the month
- Rachel (pictured below) meets on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 9:30 a.m. at BLC
- Hannah meets on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 9:30 a.m. at Summit Apartments
Anyone is welcomed to attend the meetings of any of the circles. If you have a women's handbook and your name is in a certain circle list and you would like to be on a different list, please talk to the church office. Our bible study is based on lessons that are in the publication Lutheran Women Today, which is written for the WELCA. This is a monthly magazine to which we subscribe.
The large group meets 4 times per year for a General Meeting in March, June, September and December on the 1st Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m. in the church dining room, except Sept., which is 2nd Monday due to Labor Day. The General meetings consist of the business of the organization and most times a program.
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
A major 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.
The current officers are:
- Coordinator - Marcia Thompson
- Treasurer - Pat Graham
Election of officers is held in September. Anyone willing to serve is welcomed.
In the Spring and Fall there are conference meetings, as well as Synod Conventions and also Church-wide Conventions.
Fundraising for the organization
- Offerings are collected at each circle meeting and a % of that is given to the General treasury
- Offerings are collected at the General Meetings. A % of all offerings from the General and Circle meeting are sent to the Synodical & Church-wide organizations of WELCA
- The Lutefisk Dinner - this is our one BIG fundraiser per year. The vast majority of our projects, support and activities are a result of the funds raised by the Lutefisk Dinner. The dinner is usually 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.
Local Projects and Activities of the Organization
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
- Keeping the church kitchen in order
- Serve a luncheon 5 times per year after Pioneer Communion
- Serve the meal after funerals
- Occasionally serving anniversary or other celebration meals for member families
- Providing Bibles to all 3rd grade students in Sunday School each year.
- Supporting children who attend Bible Camp at $35.00 per child
- Supporting the BLC Food Pantry
- Supporting Sugar Creek Bible Camp
- Supporting Luther Social Services (LSS)
- Supporting Salvation Army
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)
- Gather and assemble items for Layettes and sewing kits for Lutheran World Relief (LWR)
- Campbells Soup Labels – for the Navaho Mission
- Cancelled Stamps for Bethpage Mission in Nebraska
- Postcards for ELCA Hunger Appeal
- Pull Tabs for Ronald Mc Donald House in Madison
- Collect soaps and shampoos for Haiti project
- Greeting card front for St. Judes Children’s Ranch in Nevada
- Collecting Pennies for Poverty
- Mississippi Project Self-Help - collecting clothing and household items for Mississippi
- Collect clothing and household items for the Indian Reservations in far Northern Wisconsin
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