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Central States Women’s news
By Iris Turnbull, President [0210]

For Haiti: Pray - Study - Share - Give

I know that across our synod, you will find groups of women working on Lutheran World Relief projects, and they do so because of times like these. These groups carry on, working for those in need, stitching and packing and collecting items. I express my gratitude for these faithful servants!

The following information came to the Synodical Presidents the day after the earthquake hit Haiti, from Linda Post Bushkofsky, Executive Director, Women of the ELCA. Please consider the following venues if you are contemplating sharing your resources.

“Lutheran women always want to help, don't we? The news accounts of the devastation in Haiti caused by the earthquake have moved many to action. Here are some action ideas. PLEASE SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITHIN YOUR MANY NETWORKS.

You can Pray * Study * Share * Give. At http://www.elca.org/Our-Faith-In-Action/Responding-to-the-World/Disaster-Response/Ongoing-Responses/Haiti-Earthquake.aspx you'll find information to support your efforts, provided by ELCA Disaster Response.

So that the churchwide women's organization can track the amount of giving that comes from the women's organization, we encourage congregational units to send gifts to:

Women of the ELCA
P.O. Box 71256
Chicago IL 60691-1256

100% of the gift will go the ELCA Disaster Response. For gifts from congregational units, use form B, available at http://www.elca.org/Growing-In-Faith/Ministry/Women-of-the-ELCA/For-congregational-leaders.aspx.

Individuals can use the same address and should simply note "Haiti earthquake" on the memo line of the check.

Interested in doing something with your hands? Consider making any of the Lutheran World Relief kits or a relief quilt. Information about each of the various kits can be accessed by the links on the right column at http://lwr.org/beinvolved/assembly.asp.

Central States Synodical Board members, left to right: Lois Viebrock, Versailles, Mo.; Mary Keidle, Springfield, Mo.; Deborah Rupprecht, Sullivan, Mo.; Susie Borgstrom, Windom, Kan.; and Kathy Ouellette, Washington, Kan.

Small but mighty! The October 17 gathering of Heartland Cluster had a registration of 17 ladies. From that nucleus, they spoke of an amazing amount of Lutheran World Relief contributions, one group having put together 50 quilts! And their offering for the morning was $114.00, some of which went to a local food pantry. These ladies are all leaders, but left to right in the front row are Iris Turnbull, Central States Synodical President, Marian Thompson, past cluster coordinator, Sarah Dunning, current cluster coordinator, Dorothy Selland, past Central States synodical board member and past cluster coordinator and Juanita Pederson, past cluster coordinator.

Gift of Grace
Listen to others with love and compassion, reflecting the grace of God. [0809]

I arrived home from the 22nd annual convention of the Central States Women of the ELCA late this afternoon, realizing that before I could go to bed this evening there were a few items on my ‘to do’ list or as some of us learned this weekend, maybe I should call it my ‘ta-da’ list! Providing an article for this newsletter was foremost on that list. But, I could not resist looking over the evaluation forms from our attendees before I did anything else. One hundred and sixty-seven attendees had the opportunity to let their board know just how they felt and many of them did! As I read the comments, it reminds me of a family discussion around the kitchen table (at our house there would have to be coffee involved)- we all have the same goal in mind, but could have different thoughts in how it should all play out! Please be assured that this board takes all of the suggestions into consideration as plans are getting underway for the 2010 convention to be held July 23-25 in Branson, Mo.

Convention highlights include:

• More than $1,700 raised via bowling for Camp Tomah Shinga
• 1200 pounds of school materials and more than $500 in monetary donations for Help Us Learn ...Give Us Hope
• Grace filled messages from Lutheran Campus Minister, Rev. Kevin Clark; Linda Davis convention chaplain; Rev. John Kreidler, representing the CSS; and Diane Frederick, of the W of the ELCA Churchwide Board
• Abounding hospitality by God’s Sunflowers Cluster, led by B.J. Smart, with special note of the Friday Fellowship crew and the registration committee
• Camp themed worship and the more traditional closing communion service by Peace Lutheran, Manhattan
• Toe tapping rhythm of the Barefoot Dixie Land Band
• Venues of meditation, storytelling, orphan train history, and ta-da moments through workshops put in place by First Lutheran, Manhattan

For Minutes of the 22nd annual convention, click Minutes '09.

Central States Women Update
BY IRIS TURNBULL, PRESIDENT [0309]

Central States Women of the ELCA cluster coordinators or their representatives met with the board in Parkville, Mo., Feb. 6-7. Representing the clusters were: (back row) Mary Francis Bugh, Mid-Missouri; Wanda Darnel, Sunflower; Donna Westbrook, Osborne-Smith-Phillips; Paula Simonich, SE KS City Metro; Kay Hase, Ozark Mountain. (front row) B.J. Smart, God’s Sonflowers; Alice Burnett, Arc River Valley; April Web, Amazing Women; Laura Anderson, Prairie Angels; Dorothy Brockmeier, Smokey Valley; and Sarah Dunning, Heartland. The board funnels information via the cluster coordinators to the local units. These ladies had a lot to absorb at this meeting! They have all the latest info on convention, “Radical Welcome” and more!

Cluster Coordinators, with help from their Central States W of the ELCA board liaisons, are contacting each congregation in their cluster, to establish a contact person who would receive W of the ELCA information, and then in turn, would share it with their congregation. Their goal is to have the contacts in place by March 31, 2009. This is due in part because our churchwide organization will grant the Central States W of the ELCA so many voting delegates at the July 2011 Triennial Convention in Spokane, Wash. according to our number of active units as of the last day of March.

An active unit within our organization, is a group, be it small, three or four ladies having a monthly bible study using W of the ELCA materials, or a group from your church that takes part in yearly Cluster gatherings which support W of the ELCA venues; or it may be a large group that holds “general meetings.” There is no set guideline on how your group must perform in order to be part of the Central States W of the ELCA, but rather that you embrace the following purpose statement:

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 and promote healing and wholeness in the church, the society, and the world.

(Correction from last month’s article, please note the web site for Camp Tomah Shinga is www.tomahshinga.com)

Questions? Please contact me at 785-736-2887 or classic@bluevalley.net

Since the 2006 convention, Central States Women of the ELCA has sought ways to encourage and include women through Lutheran Campus Ministry.

We are inviting young women to use resources such as CAFÉ, our e-zine; and their local campus pastor. But….WE NEED YOUR HELP!! Please fill out a Lutheran Campus Ministry Partnership (click to download) form and send it to me.

Kathy Ouellette, Liaison to Lutheran Campus Ministry

Delegates to the recent Women of the ELCA Triennial convention in Salt Lake City Utah included Jan Malpert, Jean Hagbom, Kathy Drake, Carla Standley, Lois Viebrock, Susie Borgstrom and Iris Turnbull. There were 35 in attendance from the Central States! The perspectives below are from Debbie Selland, Triennial coordinator and Jan Malpert, delegate.

Central States Synod Women of the ELCA delegation (left to right) Lois Viebrock, Iris Turnbull, Carla Standley, Jan Malpert, Susie Borgstrom, Jean Hagbom and Kathy Drake

As the sun began to set behind the mountains west of Salt Lake City on Thursday, July 10, more than 2,000 Lutheran women from all over the United States and several other countries came together for the Seventh Triennial Gathering of the Women of the ELCA. Come to the Waters was the theme for the Triennial and the overall focus for the weekend was baptism and it's importance in our lives as Christians. The evening began with lively uplifting music, provided throughout the weekend by a group of very talented young men and women, and a procession of women bearing tall poles topped with long streamers of blues and aqua's -- representing water -- waved over and between the women in attendance. Water was poured into a large font and Gathering chaplains and international guests splashed the assembly with water from the font during a service of Affirmation of Baptism. [READ COMPLETE REPORT]

Triennial Convention Report 2008
Jan Malpert, Delegate

Central States six delegates and our president, Iris, arrived in Salt Lake City on July 8, 2008 for the seventh Triennial Convention of the Women of the ELCA. The delegates elected a new slate of officers and board members and five were selected to serve a second term.

Our new president is Beth Warren of our companion synod, North Carolina. She was a member of the churchwide executive board and executive committee during the last Triennium. Our Region 4 is now represented by vice president, Charlene Spillmann of Texas, (4E) and board members JoAnn Fuchs of Texas (4F) and Diane Brauer of Nebraska (4A). [READ COMPLETE REPORT]

Resources especially for women
Listening To God: A Guide To Discernment
The newest and most exciting resource from Women of the ELCA, is written by Debra K. Farrington. It introduces you to several key spiritual practices that will help you become better able to discern God’s will for your lives as well as what gifts you have to offer the congregation and community. This flexible six-session guide can be used as a congregational unit program, at a cluster event, as a series of evening programs conducted over six weeks, or used as a weekend retreat.

Listening to God would make a great gift for a special woman in your life. Order through Augsburg Fortress: www.augsburgfortress.org or 800-328-4648. $6.95; ISBN 6-0001-9376-9.

Purpose Statement for Women of the ELCA:

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, and
promote healing and wholeness
in the church, the society, and the world.