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Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Lower Susquehanna Synodical Women’s Organization
Volume 63 Number 5
Purpose Statement
September/October 2014
Inside this issue:
As a community of women
created in the image of God,
called to discipleship in
Jesus Christ and
empowered by the Holy Spirit,
President’s Letter
2
Project Report
3
LWR
4&5
Triennial News
6-8
Covered with God’s Love
9
Fair Trade Fair
10
Camp Hebron
10
Board Listing
11
We commit ourselves to
grow in faith,
affirm our gifts,
support one another in our callings,
Camp Hebron attendees—There
will be a craft time Saturday afternoon at Camp Hebron.
Craft Items - Needed to Bring
Please bring a pair of
scissors for the craft
project.
engage in ministry and action, and
promote healing and wholeness
Address Corrections
in the church,
the society,
Tenth
Triennial
Gathering
9th Triennial Theme
Your ancient ruins
shall be rebuilt; you
shall raise up the
foundations of many
generations; you
shall be called the repairer of the breach,
the restorer of
streets to live in.
Isaiah 58:12
Pre-register now for
the Tenth Triennial
Gathering, July 1316, 2017, to be held
in Minneapolis, Minnesota—effective
now through December 31, 2014, for the
reduced
price
of
$280 (great savings!)
To preregister go to:
http://
www.welcatg.org/
preregistration-for2017.
Remember to send your snail
mail and email corrections for
News & Views to Donna Greifzu,
422 Cleveland Avenue, Waynesboro, PA 17268,or email changes:
[email protected].
Please let your women know that if
they have the internet, they can access
their own copy of
the newsletter on the
synod website.
Go to www.lss-elca org. Once at the
home page, see across the top of
the page to CONGREGATIONS (fourth
option) and WOMEN OF THE ELCA is
the fourth option down the list.
Very easy find!
President’s Message
Women of the LS SWO Prayer Ministry
The Women of the LS SWO has an ongoing
prayer ministry - "Prayer Warriors" and
they would like to have you on
their prayer chain.
If you want to participate as a
“Prayer Warrior,” contact Mary
Hafer at 234-5442 and talk with
her. This prayer ministry is set
up much like many prayer
chains that are in our congregations. Currently there are 10
participants and new women are welcome
to join in this prayer ministry at any time.
Dear Fellow Lutheran Women,
I would like to introduce myself. I’m
your newly elected President of the Lower
Susquehanna Synodical, Women of the
ELCA. While I am a bit overwhelmed with
this responsibility, I am also joy filled to
serve our organization.
We are powerful, faith-filled , active,
women called to service in Christ. There
are many gifted women, quilting, advocating for justice, making up LWR Kits and
myriad of other ministries.
We also grow in faith through Bible
Study, prayer, and our relationships with
each other. Please pray for me, our
Board, and organization so that we can
carry out the tasks, and service Jesus asks
of us.
You can access the minutes for the 27th
Annual Convention, of the Women of
the ELCA, Lower Susquehanna Synodical
Women’s Organization at the synod
website.
God is truly in control and will lead us
to great heights if we but follow. So
please join me and keep on doing all your
marvelous things. God will
surely bless us.
Go to: www.lss-elca.org - then select
“Congregations” (fourth option across
top) and then see down the list to the
fourth option, “Women of the ELCA”.
Select the minutes from the list of options.
In Christ’s Love,
Joyce Ray,
President of the LS SWO
Newsle er Deadlines
Year
Deadline
Mailed
Issue
2014
October 29
November 7
Nov./Dec.
2015
December 31
January 2
Jan./Feb.
February 25
March 6
March/April
April 29
May 8
May/June
June 24
July 3
July/August
Email your newsletter articles to [email protected],
or mail them to her at 422 Cleveland Avenue, Waynesboro, PA
-2-
Happiness is getting your
“News & Views” Newsletter.
LS SWO YEARLY PROJECTS
June 2013-July 2014
By: Shirley Johns
Congregational Units in the LSS were asked to report to the Women of the ELCA Mission Committee the many different projects their units had participated in so that we can rejoice together
in the many ways the Women of the ELCA in the LSS reach out to serve our neighbors. Thank
you for your service to humankind and to the God we serve. There were 13 Congregational
Units that responded. The results are:
Lutheran World Relief
Gettysburg Seminary Food Bank
Bars of Soap - 467
Personal Care Kits - 837
Baby Care Kits - 91
Mission Quilts - 684
School Kits - 836
Fabric kits—3
Gift Cards $1,120.00
Food Items - 152
Paper Products - 85
Personal Care Items - 51
Cleaning Products - 1
OTHER PROJECTS
Local Community Outreach
Local Community Agencies
♦
Christ Lutheran Health Ministries ♦ Prayer Shawls
♦
Bethesda Women’s Shelter
♦
Christmas Stockings
♦
Pinnacle Health System
♦
Blankets
♦
Sell Fair Trade Items
♦
Quilts
♦
Cards for Shut-ins
♦
Food Banks
♦
VA Hospital
♦
Cleaning Supplies
♦
Caitlyn Smiles
♦
Hats
♦
Lebanon County Ministries
♦
Mittens
♦
Harrisburg Schools
♦
Fire Victims
♦
Church World Service
♦
Personal Care Items
♦
Agape Shelter
♦
♦
Domestic Violence Intervention
Labels & Box Tops for Education
♦
Lap Robes
♦
Salvation Army
♦
Clothing
♦
Rummage & Yard Sales
♦
School Kits
♦
Lancaster Women’s and Babies Hospital
♦
Lititz Women’s Club
♦
Lititz House of His Creation
There were 9 children’s
quilts made for the
“Covered
With
God’s
Love” quilt project.
-3-
OCTOBER 4 & 5 LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF (LWR) INGATHERING
The LWR Ingathering mailing that in the past was sent out to each congregation is now on
the synod's web site and can be read and printed out by going to www.lss-elca.org. (then
click on "Mission", followed by clicking on "Global" - then see "Celebrate
Global Church Sunday" and go to the bottom of the page and see 2014 Fall
- LWR - Packet. PDF).
Tips for helping congregations in preparing, packing and reporting Mission
Quilts, kits and soap as well as where and when to deliver your items so
they can be transported to the New Windsor, MD processing center and warehouse are included. Reports on the 2013 Ingathering to be shared; a report on Heifer International;
and LWR Fair Trade projects are also in this report online.
FLEECE TIED BLANKETS INFORMATION
LWR recently announced that groups within congregations such
as Sunday school classes, youth groups, Vacation Bible School
classes and Intergenerational groups can now make fleece tied
blankets. These new style blankets are not to replace Mission
Quilts - but are an option for groups not wanting to sew, as no
sewing is required.
BAR CODE LABELS AND TRACKING
We encourage you to print and use the bar code labels for
your boxes of quilts, soap and kits so that you can learn when
your goods left the warehouse and to what countries they
were sent. A flyer explaining the bar coding system and a
"How to Guide - Quilt and Kit Tracker" are also on the same
web site, in case you mislaid the ones in the spring packet.
LWR COFFEE PROJECT PRICES TO FARMERS
In a recent conversation with Jaime at Equal Exchange, I learned that Equal Exchange pays
either $1.70, $2.40 or $3.40 per pound for coffee beans. ALL the payments are Fair Trade prices and the differences depend on WHEN the
beans are PURCHASED and from WHAT COUNTRY they came. Some
of the beans are very high premium kinds. Also, Equal Exchange pays
$1.00 extra per pound as a social premium that goes to the community the
beans come from - and is used as a benefit for the community, to do
things like building a school or a health clinic or fixing a bridge,
etc. Another "extra" is that the company pays $.20 per pound to LWR for their work. So be
assured that when your congregation uses Equal Exchange coffee for church functions and
offers it for sale to your members, you are greatly helping the coffee farmers!
-4-
YOU ARE INVITED TO A 70TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
FOR HEIFER INTERNATIONAL
In 1944, Heifer International sent the first
shipment of cattle to Puerto Rico to help
feed the malnourished children there. To
celebrate the history of this wonderful organization, there will be a series of 20
events throughout the U.S. and our area
has been chosen to host an event since
there were
so
many
farmers
who donated animals
and so very many of the original "cowboys" (that we will be honoring)
were from our area. The event will be held
on October 25, at the Manheim Farm Show
buildings in Manheim. There will be displays, live animals, games and crafts for
children, ethnic foods, music and special
speakers - and we are honored to have as
the keynote speaker, Pierre Ferrari, the
CEO and President of Heifer International
from Little Rock, AR. Reservations are not
necessary, but would be helpful for this
FREE event so that we can prepare
enough food, etc. You can register locally
with
Mark
Nestleroth
at
[email protected] or 664-2159 or
with
Norma
Good
at
[email protected] or 399-7697. We
hope that you can join us on Saturday, October 25, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for
this celebration of family farming as this
year marks both the 70th. anniversary
of Heifer International and the United Nations proclamation of 2014 as the International Year of Family Farming.
LWR and Heifer article submitted by,
Norma Good
Visit the Women of the ELCA
churchwide website at:
www.womenoftheelca.org
W/ELCA
LS SWO
Visit the Lower Susquehanna Synodical
Woman’s Organization at the synod’s
website: www.lss-elca.org - then select
“Congregations” (fourth option across
top) and then see down the list to the
fourth option, Women of the ELCA.
The September/October issue is now on
the synod website. The postmarked
deadline for the Camp Hebron Retreat is
Saturday, September 13. The registration
form is online as well as in the July/
August News & Views.
-5-
Ninth Triennial Convention and Gathering
The convention opened July 22, in Charlotte, North Carolina, with a service Holy
Communion Service. Following the opening worship, delegates received instructions on Robert’s Rules and balloting. For
two and a half days, executive board members and officers were elected, and resolutions passed. It was incredible to see many
faith-filled and dedicated women accept
responsibilities to lead the Women of the
ELCA churchwide from 2014-2017.
Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, Churchwide
Bishop of the ELCA, shared with us the
visions of the church that propels us, Lutheranism which promotes meaningful relationships with
others, and the
Church for the
sake
of
the
world. She emphasized that we
are the Body of
Christ - more
powerful together than apart.
We are bigger than the Salvation Army and
other charitable organizations because we
are a national and international body. The
church works together with Lutheran Disaster Relief, Refugee Services, Immigration, The Lutheran World Federation, and
advocacy programs. It is what we get to do
as the synod for example, 19 million dollars has been raised for World Hunger.
During the convention and gathering over
$60,000 was raised in offerings. 50% of
the offerings will go to churchwide programs, 25% to Immigration and Refugee
Services, and 25% to On Eagle’s Wings, a
North Carolina agency that works against
human trafficking.
Two resolutions were passed. The first
concerned our need to respond to the crisis of human trafficking support. The second resolution called upon us to educate
ourselves about the humanitarian crisis of
unaccompanied children crossing the bor-
ders. It encouraged working with our Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services
as well as having our congregations be
places of hospitality for these children who
seek refuge from violence.
After these first days of work and inspiration, the Gathering started on July 24,
with an opening worship.
The music
throughout was lively, fun, and joyous.
Can you imagine 2,638 people singing in
English, Spanish and Swahili. All the
words were on huge screens as well as the
cameras capturing the speakers and worship leaders. I especially enjoyed Susan
Sparks, a former trial lawyer, now a pastor
in a New York Baptist church, a stand-up
comedian, a motorcyclist, and breast cancer survivor. She also worked at Mother
Teresa’s mission in Calcutta. I look forward to reading her book, Laugh Your Way
to Grace, Reclaiming Humor in the Spiritual
Path.
Becca Stevens, an Episcopal Priest,
founded Magdalene, and Thistle Farms, a
community and social enterprise that
stands with women recovering from violence, prostitution, or addiction and life on
the streets. She was a powerful advocate.
There were wonderful workshops on the
upcoming Gather Bible study, Transforming Life and Faith. Thought provoking films
on current themes brought lively discussions.
It is hard to describe meeting women
from all over the U.S. and parts of the
world united in faith and purpose. Shopping enabled us to bring home some beautiful items while helping those affected by
violence, poverty, addiction or injustice.
The next triennial will be in Minneapolis,
Minnesota, the second week in July 2017.
Meanwhile we have a lot of work to do a
WOMEN OF THE ELCA!
Respectfully submitted by,
Joyce Ray,
Voting Member, 9th Triennial Convention
-6-
2 of 4 Memorials Voted on at Triennial Convention
Memorial 1 – Awareness and Preven on of Human Trafficking
On the ma er of awareness and preven on of human trafficking, the Memorials Commi ee recommended adopon of this resolu on as amended (amendments are in bold). RESOLVED, that each synodical board convene a
commi ee, in which at least one but no more than half of commi ee members shall be board members. This commi ee shall be charged with reviewing resources and helping the synodical organiza on to promote resources that
can help units to inform, educate, and mobilize their congrega ons and communi es, through prayer, ministry and
poli cal ac on.
RESOLVED, that units use this commi ee and the resources they recommend to inform, educate, and mobilize
their congrega ons and communi es, through prayer, ministry and poli cal ac on.
RESOLVED, that each synodical president report to the 2016 Conference of Presidents about how the recommended commi ee has func oned in her synodical women’s organiza on.
The conven on voted: 314 aye, 41 no
Memorial 2 – Bullying, Harassment and Related Violence
On the ma er of bullying, harassment and related violence, the Memorials Commi ee recommended adop on of
this resolu on as amended (amendments are in bold).
RESOLVED, that the delegates of the Ninth Triennial conven on encourage synodical organiza ons to iden fy other organiza ons that are working to combat bullying, harassment, and related violence, and partner with these
organiza ons to facilitate presenta ons at synodical events to introduce curriculum that:
a. U lizes posi ve, inclusive, empowering and developmentally appropriate materials,
b. Raises par cipants’ awareness about the issue,
c. Focuses on preven on,
d. Seeks to change bystander behavior into ally behavior,
e. Creates partnerships between youth and adults; and be it further
RESOLVED, that all expressions of Women of the ELCA champion this concern for safety of our children and to advocate for congrega onal educa on to prevent bullying, harassment, and related violence in church, school and society.
As part of an en bloc ac on, the conven on voted: aye 331, no 20
To read about the other two memorials, and the resolu on voted on at the Ninth
Triennial Conven on, Google “Women of the ELCA” and then click on the op on
“Ninth Triennial Gathering”. See the middle paragraph on this page “Read and
study the ac ons taken” to learn more. An interes ng discussion at your circle
mee ng.
-7-
Three films were shown at the Gathering, offering different ways to explore the gathering
theme and our organization’s commitment to promoting healing and
wholeness in the church, the society and the world. All three films
are available through our LSS Resource Center and could be used
as a program for you unit. “Miss Representation” is broken down into 3 segments and there is a study guide online available to use for
discussion. To reserve a copy, call or email Marty Shifflett at the Resource Center
(717) 652-1852, ext. 115 or [email protected].
“I BELIEVE YOU: Faiths’ Response To Intimate Partner Violence” is an hour-long interfaith documentary that explores the stories of survivors of abuse and the response of
faith groups to address their needs. It was written and produced by Debra Gonsher Vinik
and directed and edited by David Vinik. The documentary was nominated for two 2012
Emmy Awards for Best Religious Programming and Best Editing.
“harvest of empire”
Spanning 500 years—from the first New World colonies to our nation’s nineteenthcentury westward expansion, from the days of gunboat diplomacy to the turn of the millennium—“Harvest of Empire: A History of Latinos in the United States” features family
portraits of real-life immigrants from Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala and Nicaragua along with sketches of the political events and
social conditions that compelled them to leave their homeland.
“miss representation”
“Miss Representation,” by Jennifer Siebel Newsom, explores how the media’s misrepresentations of women have led to the underrepresentation of women in positions of power
and influence. In a society where media is the most persuasive force shaping cultural
norms, the collective message that our young women and men overwhelmingly receive is
that a woman’s value and power lie in her youth, beauty and sexuality, and not in her capacity as a leader.
Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But
I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And he’s
allowed me to go up to the mountain. I looked over, and I’ve seen the
promised land.
-Martin Luther
Bible Truth Behind Quote: “My times are in your hand” Psalm 31:15
-8-
A Project of the Congregational Units of Women of the ELCA - LSS
Women of the ELCA, in the Lower Susquehanna Synod, have been collecting and distributing children’s quilts since 1988 specifically for babies with AIDS
and/or drug addiction through the Children’s Quilt Project. Information and treatment have improved and the Children’s Quilt Pro“Covered with
ject was no longer deemed necessary. However, there is still an onGod’s Love”
going need for small-size quilts. Women of the ELCA engaged in
quilt-making are encouraged to continue making these small quilts.
The quilts are now distributed to places in your communities―WIC,
homes for abused women and children, special camps, and fire victims are just a few of the potential areas.
Guide to Making Quilts
Size
Materials
Style
Colors
Finishing
Please
Babies - 36” x 36”
Crib - 40” x 48”
Lap Robes - 40” x 48”
(Sorry we cannot accept 60 x 80 size
Single Bed Quilts - 72” x 54”
quilts - they are to be shipped to
LWR)
Cotton or poly/cotton fabrics (best to prewash)
Polyester bats (best if bonded) or cotton flannel
Any style or combination of styles:
Pieced patchwork (any pattern)
Juvenile prints or panels
Washable stenciling
Appliqué or embroidery
Some children love the bright and happy colors and patterns,
Some children prefer the calm and cool,
Some adults love the bright and happy colors and patterns,
Some adults prefer the calm and cool.
But to all - adult or child - the gift of a quilt is love.
Hand or machine quilted or tie minimum of 4”
DOUBLE-CHECK for pins and needles in finished quilts
Do not add attachments such as buttons
Do not wash fabrics or quilts with harsh detergents
Method for distribution and/or collection of quilts
✥ Give them to an agency or person in need in your community
✥ Questions - Call: Shirley Johns (717-545-4307) or Chris Todd (717-439-6071)
(Co-Coordinators)
You may bring your units baby and crib size quilts to the annual Convention of the
Women of the ELCA Lower Susquehanna Synod. Someone will be there to accept the
quilts. Your help with this project is very much appreciated.
-9-
EIGHTH LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF FAIR TRADE FAIR
Saturday, November 1, 2014
9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
St. Luke Lutheran Church, Schaefferstown, PA
Sponsored by the Women of the ELCA
Enrich your life and change the world at the same time! The Women of the
ELCA of St. Luke will sponsor a Fair Trade Fair and feature fairly traded handcrafts from around the world. Purchase a gift from our sale and
you will provide income, dignity and hope to people in developing
regions of the world.
All profits will be returned to Lutheran World Relief
Bring your family, friends and neighbors to visit our LWR Fair
Trade Fair. Mark you calendars for Saturday, November 2. Hope to see you
there. For more information or directions contact: St. Luke Lutheran at
949-3375.
25th Annual
Camp Hebron Fall Retreat
It is less then 1 week until the postmarked registration deadline of Saturday, September 13,
to attend this year’s Camp Hebron retreat. Go online to the synod website, www.lss-elca.org, and under “Congregations” see down the list to the
fourth option: “Women of the ELCA”. If you misplaced your registration
form, it is located at the site.
If you are planning on attending on Friday night, we are going to have a
“dress as your favorite Bible character”. This will be an optional activity
for those who wish to participate. It promises to be a lot of fun.
Also, we will once again have the book exchange. Bring your well-read books, and then
take a few new ones home.
The wagon ride will take place on Saturday afternoon, (Peggi Norman will be the reservationist for this activity) and there will be an optional craft in the afternoon, led by Sue Miller.
Also, if you have clothing or jewelry with butterflies, please bring it to wear on Saturday.
As usual, for those who wish to participate, the gift exchange will take place on Sunday
morning.
For more information, please refer to your confirmation letter – driving directions will be
included along with the letter.
The Camp Hebron Fall Retreat Committee
-10-
WOMEN OF THE ELCA - LOWER SUSQUEHANNA SWO
2014-2015 EXECUTIVE BOARD
SWO BOARD OFFICERS
President
Joyce Ray
3567 Turnberry Drive
Chambersburg, PA 17202
717-709-0907 ( 717-658-6077 (C)
[email protected]
Vice President
Shirley Johns
1141 Fairmont Drive
Harrisburg, PA 17112
717-545-4307
Cell – 717-418-2489
Secretary
Gloria Hostetter
526 Oak Lane
Lititz, PA 17543
717-625-2158
Cell- 717-940-7847
[email protected]
Treasurer
Gertrude Kampmeyer
2632 Sarah Place
Chambersburg, PA 17202
717-264-0760
717-404-4838
[email protected]
BOARD MEMBERS
Alice Jane Boeshore
1075 Old Harrisburg Rd #106
Gettysburg, PA 17325-3100
717-337-2998
[email protected]
Deborah Johnson
34 Springers Lane
New Cumberland, PA 17070
717-774-2083
Thejohnsons34@ hotmail.com
UPCOMING EVENTS
Linda Lubold
1846 Wexford Rd
Palmyra, PA 17078
717-805-1295 – cell
717-533-5853 – home
717-652-1852x 108 – work
[email protected]
Susan Wenger
8870 Nyesville Rd
Chambersburg, PA 17202
717-532-9634
[email protected]
Linda Zilinski
556 North Second St
Lykens, PA 17048
717-453-7768
[email protected]
NON-BOARD LISTING
Deborah Calvert
Associate Executive Director
Director of Operations, Region 8
8765 W. Higgins Road
Chicago, IL 60631
1-800-638-3522 Ext. 2739
[email protected]
Barbara S. Bullock
636 Center St,
Millersburg, PA 17061
717-692-3896
[email protected]
Donna L. Greifzu
422 Cleveland Ave
Waynesboro, PA 17268
717-377-1780
[email protected]
"To mobilize women to
act boldly on their faith
in Jesus Christ."
-11-
FALL RETREAT
Camp Hebron
Halifax, PA
Oct. 31-Nov. 2, 2014
(Registration deadline
Saturday, September 13)
DAY OF RENEWAL
to be announced
28TH ANNUAL LS SWO
CONVENTION
Memorial Lutheran
Shippensburg, PA
August 14-15, 2015