PURPOSE STATEMENT OF THE WOMEN OF THE ELCA
As a community of women,
created in the image of God
called to discipleship in Jesus Christ,
and empowerd 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.
MISSION STATEMENT:
To mobilize women to act boldly on their faith in Jesus
Christ.
Explanation of the logo – The symbol — with cross,
water, and a white lily — identifies the Women of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America as children of God; baptized, forgiven,
adopted into God's family, full of grace and  hope in eternal life. It is a reminder of the
growth, beauty, and vitality that rise out of that life-giving baptism
water. It is also a reminder of the mission of the church to "go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name
of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19
NRSV) |
THREE MISSION AREAS
Mission: Community – To enable each woman to value
herself and others as created in God's image and redeemed through Christ;
and to build up and celebrate relationships that are global, diverse and
interdependent.
Mission: Growth - To provide a variety of learning experiences that
strengthen each woman as a whole person, develop her potential and equip
her for ministry.
Mission: Action - To enable women to articulate and act upon their
faith as disciples of Christ in all areas of life.
WOMEN OF THE ELCA
Women of the ELCA (WELCA) is the women's organization of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America. As one of the units of the church, WELCA is no
longer an auxiliary but an integral part of and partner in the ministries
of the ELCA. As a partner in the total ministry of the church, the
organization affirms, supports and challenges women in their daily
ministries at home and around the world.
Each year the women's organization gives a gift to the ELCA of more than $1
million as an expression of this partnership in mission.
WELCA, while a unit of the church, is also an independently-funded
organization. The organization has three legislative expressions: the
congregational or intercongregational unit (CU's), the synodical women's
organization and the churchwide women's organization. Clusters, or
conferences, are program arms of the synodical women's organization. WELCA
has 64 synodical women's organizations and 600 clusters/conferences. Both
the synodical organization and the cluster/conference are geographically
defined in accord with the ELCA structure.
The Congregational Unit of Holy Trinity is a member of the Florida-Bahamas
Synodical Women's Organization, and we are in the Panhandle Conference
which extends from Pensacola to Tallahassee.
MEMBERSHIP & PARTICIPATION
The congregational unit is the member of the organization. Currently there
are 8,596 member units in the U.S. and the Caribbean. Individual women are
called "participants." The organization is very flexible in how it defines
participation. "Participation in this organization shall be open to all
women in the ELCA and other women who subscribe to the purpose statement of
this organization."
CIRCLE MEETINGS
Ruth Circle meets on the
first Tuesday of each month at 9:30 a.m. in the Upper Room. This Circle
meets for Bible Study using Lutheran Women Today magazine as their
resource. Join them for study and fellowship. This Circle is also working on sewing kits for Lutheran World Relief.
Mary/Martha Circle meets at 10:00 a.m. on the second Monday of each month. This Circle is involved in making
quilts for Lutheran World Relief. Join them to help in this project and for fellowship.
Deborah Circle meets at 6:00 p.m. on
the first Monday of each month. This Circle meets
at a local restaurant to discuss contemporary issues. This Circle is collecting items for school kits for Lutheran World Relief.
Eve Circle meets on the last Thursday of the month in members' homes for Bible Study using Lutheran Woman Today magazine. This Circle is collected items for layettes for Lutheran World Relief.
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