WELCA - 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.
- Purpose Statement of the Women of the ELCA
Visit the churchwide WELCA site here.
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.
Women of the ELCA encompasses women across the U.S. and the Caribbean. They are active in discipleship, justice and stewardship as well as the special initiative of Raising Up Healthy Women & Girls. Quilts, health kits, school kits and fundraisers have long been a staple of the hands-on work these women do. Circle Groups, sometimes referred to as Bible Study, Book Study or a church specific name are a way for ELCA women and their guests to come together in fellowship and conversation.
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 Meetings
Good Shepherd's Hannah Circle meets the first Thursday of each month at 9:00 am (except January, February, July, and August). The 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.
In addition to Circle meetings, we host other events, such as our Women’s Mother/Daughter Spring Supper, usually held in May.
Funeral lunches, when held at Good Shepherd, are coordinated by our members.
In addition to events at Good Shepherd, we also meet with the women from our Northwest Conference for events at their churches, plus for retreats, conventions, and leadership gatherings with all the women of our Northern Illinois Synod Women’s Organization.
Gather Magazine
For Bible study at our meetings, we use the Gather Magazine – Gathered by God, the magazine of Women of the ELCA. Gather Magazine 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.
Subscriptions to the magazine are available for $19.95 per year for six issues. In the past, Good Shepherd WELCA has been blessed with gift money that has allowed us to pay for member subscriptions, which will be expiring with the March/April 2024 issue. There are renewal cards included in the magazines so that you can purchase your own subscription. A Gather subscription not only keeps you connected but also supports the work of the Women of the ELCA.
Thankofferings
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, which the Women of Good Shepherd will collect during November and December. 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, which is powerful.
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. Take a look at the WELCA 2024 Thankoffering Service and learn more at the WELCA Thankofferings site.
All Women Welcome
All women of the church and their guests are welcome to attend all Circle functions. Please contact the church office at 815-369-5552 or e-mail us at goodshepherdlena@outlook.com for more information about our Circle, Women of the ELCA, and/or our Bible study material.