WELCA

Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Started in 1988, WELCA had it’s beginnings in Ladies’ Aid, Women’s Missionary Society, quilting groups, clothing drives, food drives, groups that made cancer dressings, and hundreds of other causes, that were just part of their daily lives. Just as women were part of the first followers of Jesus, their involvement in church life has always been there.


Visit the Women of the ELCA Web Site.
Click here.

WELCA Mission Statement
To mobilize women to act boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ.

The women of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church are a “church unit” of the ELCA. We have a Circle in our “unit” that meets monthly. The main emphasis of circle meetings is fellowship and sharing the Word and Love of God.

Hannah Circle meets the first Thursday of each month at 9:00am (except January,  February, July and August). This circle usually meets in the fellowship hall, but some members like to meet in their home when they are the hostess. This information is posted monthly in the newsletter and in the bulletin.

Our Bible study uses the “Gather Magazine – Gathered by God”, the magazine of Women of the ELCA.

In addition to Circle meetings, we host other events:
     Women’s Mother/Daughter Spring Supper
     Usually held in May
     Meeting/Fall
     Funeral lunches when held at Good Shepherd, are coordinated by our members

All women of the church and their guests are always welcome at all our meeting and functions.

In addition to events at Good Shepherd, we meet with the women from our Northwest Conference for events at their churches, and also for retreats, conventions and leadership gatherings with all the women of our Northern Illinois Synod – Women’s Organization.

WELCA 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.

Contact
Contact the church for more information about programs and opportunities for women, 815-369-5552 or goodshepherdlc@mediacombb.net.

All Women Welcome
All women of the church and their guests are welcome to attend all circle functions. Please Contact the church office for more information about our Circle Groups, Women of the ELCA, and/or our Bible Study material.

Giving Thanks to God: All Day, Every Day
The Women of GSLC will collect Thankofferings during November and December.

The daily practice of giving thanks to God for blessings received is at the heart of our lives as women of faith. Even the ordinary blessings of daily life call us to gratitude.

Lutheran women have a time-honored way to practice giving thanks—Thanksofferings. Some women keep the practice of setting aside daily Thankofferings throughout the year, and then joining all those daily offerings into one with those of other women in the community. Well, it is powerful.

In ordinary times—and some of us may be able to hold Thankoffering services just as we always have in ordinary times—our treasurer gathers up all the offerings given at the Thankoffering service and forwards the total amount to the churchwide expression of Women of the ELCA. (See the WELCA 2020-2021 Thankoffering service at welca.org/thankofferings)

But things are different this year, so many among us will be making our Thankofferings differently. Many of us will pray in private and make our Thankofferings in private, too (Jesus told us that God hears us when we pray privately: Matthew 6:6). Others of us will pray together on the phone or via internet and make our Thankofferings that way (Jesus told us that where two or three are gathered in his name, he is there among us: Matthew 18:20. he did not rule our phones or the internet!)

You can learn more about Thankofferings and their long history at welca.org/thankofferings.

Hannah Circle
Hannah Circle Typically meets the first Thursday of the month.

Circle Information
If you would like information about our Circle, Women of the ELCA, and/or our Bible Study material please contact René Johnson (815) 369-2818. All Women of the church and their guests are welcome to attend all circle functions.

NIS WELCA 2021 Retreat
Welcome and Closing by Connie Seavey, NIS WELCA President Programs led by Deb Quinn, NIS WELCA Discipleship Chairwomen. Book Review of “Among the Maasai” written by Juliet Cutler.

Our Program this year will be a slide show and discussion of our sisters in Tanzania. Deb Quinn, our WELCA NIS discipleship chairwomen, will be leading us. Deb joined other synod members and our Bishop Clements one year ago on a trip to Tanzania! She has taken many photos and recorded music to share with us. This is such a wonderful opportunity to really get to know where our Tanzanian sisters live and what their daily lives look like.

Deb will also introduce us to a book written by Juliet Cutler entitled “Among the Maasai”.

Click here to download and print the registration form to register for the Retreat. Please note the deadline for registration is April 3, 2021. Include a check for $5, made payable to “NISWO” for your registration fee. 

Send this form and your check to Joan Soltwisch 16191 Hare Road, Minooka, Il 60447. The retreat will be held on a Zoom format. It is required that you send your email address and/or phone number to participate in the electronic retreat. The registration deadline is April 3, 2021 Due to the low registration fee this year, we are not offering a scholarship. If you feel you will not be able to attend due to financial reasons, please contact Connie Seavey at cjseavey50@gmail.com or phone/text 630- 947-4422. Registration forms are also available at the church.

Gather Magazine for Women of the ELCA
Gather, the magazine of Women of the ELCA, offers a mix of articles, theological reflections, devotions and stories of comfort and challenge that help readers grow in faith and engage in ministry and action.
Gather is published 10 times a year with combined issues in January/February and July/August. A print subscription is $19.95 a year. Digital access (computer, iPad, Android) is free to print subscribers.

All women of the church and their guests are welcome to attend all circle functions.