Congregational Units
Participation in a congregational unit is open to all women in the congregation and other women, who subscribe to the purpose of the Women of the ELCA; commit themselves to come together for study, support, and action; participate in the ministry of Women of the ELCA beyond the congregation; support financially the total program of the Women of the ELCA; and designate leadership to communicate with synodical and churchwide women's organizations.
Women elected to leadership in a unit and elected as delegates to a convention of the synodical women's organization will be a voting member of a congregation of the ELCA or a voting member of one of the congregations that compose an intercongregational unit. Congregational units participate in the convention of the Synodical Women's Organization by electing a delegate and an alternate to represent the unit; cooperating in the process for nomination of officers and board members of the synodical women's organization; participate in the process for nomination of delegates to the Triennial Convention, and participate in the process of nominations.
The leadership of a congregational unit consists of a President, Vice-President, Secretary and a Treasurer elected at general meeting of the congregational/intercongregational/special unit.
Please note: Congregational units are not required to have officers. If you look at the model constitution of the Women of the ELCA, the wording used is leaders. Most congregational units change leaders on an annual basis.
The minimum functions that are needed at any business meeting are that of a presider and recorder. Co-leaders
share the same duties.
New and Renewed Units
Are you interested in starting or reorganizing an active congregational unit or know a group that is? If the answer is yes, and you believe in the mission and purpose of the organization, you can become an active Women of the ELCA unit. Begin by asking other women to join you in this organization that is redefining women’s ministry.
Your unit must take four steps to be recognized as a fully participating active unit.
1) Meet together for study, support and mission. Get started by using Café and Gather. Café is a web-based magazine for young adult women who want to build community, participate in advocacy, and strengthen their faith. Gather is the official magazine for the organization and offers faith-in-life articles and Bible study.
2) Participate in the ministry of Women of the ELCA beyond your congregation. For example, attend a synodical women’s convention in your region or a triennial convention and gathering.
3) Support financially the total program of Women of the ELCA. We offer you ways to give boldly. Your unit’s offerings support resources and ministries that educate, inspire and mobilize women around the world.
4) Designate leadership to communicate with synodical and churchwide women’s organization. When you become an active unit, you are an important part of the organization, and we want you to stay connected with your synodical and churchwide organization. Designating leadership is the easiest way to do that.
Types of units
If you feel you don’t have enough women at your church to start a unit, consider an intercongregational unit made up of two or more congregations. You can also start a special unit, which is formed outside congregations. Examples include college campuses, retirement homes, and mission congregations.
Types of groups within units
Congregations can have only one active unit; however a unit can have many groups. Examples include a mom’s group, a book club, a quilting, knitting, yoga or girls’ group. Be creative. Be flexible. Make room for all who want to participate.
Making it official
Once you become an active unit, another step for recognized membership is to simply complete a model constitution and bylaws form and send it to your synodical president. Remember to keep a copy for your files. You will also need to submit a form with information about your congregational unit.
Please contact Phyllis Wade at wade.phyllis73@gmail.com for help with a new or renewed unit.
Congregations by Cluster
CLUSTER 1 - Ebenezer
Augusta - Advent
Augusta - Resurrection
Brunswick - St. James
Garden City - Good Shepherd
Guyton - Zion
Richmond Hill - Spirit of Peace
Rincon - Jerusalem
Rincon - St. John’s
Savannah - Holy Spirit
Savannah - Ascension
Savannah - Redeemer
Savannah - Messiah
Savannah - St. Paul’s
St. Simon's - Lord of Life
CLUSTER 2 - Good N.E.W.S.
Albany/Leesburg - Our Savior
Austell - Nativity
Carrollton - Grace
Columbus - St. Matthew
Douglasville - Good Shepherd
Griffin - St. John
Kennesaw - First United
LaGrange - Advent
Macon - Redeemer
Marietta - Christ
Marietta - Holy Trinity
Marietta - Resurrection
McDonough - St. Luke
Newnan - Resurrection
Oglethorpe - Mt. Zion/St. Luke
Peachtree City - Christ our Shepherd
Plains - St. Andrews
Riverdale - Christ our Hope
Warner Robins - Faith
CLUSTER 3 - Trinity
Atlanta - Emmanuel
Atlanta - Faith and Grace
Atlanta - German Ministry
Atlanta - Good Samaritan Ministry
Atlanta - Atonement
Atlanta - Redeemer
Atlanta - Peachtree Road
Atlanta - Rock of Ages
Atlanta - St. John's
Atlanta - St. Luke
Decatur - Faith and Grace
Decatur - St. Paul
East Point - St. Mark
Stone Mountain - Rock of Ages
Stone Mountain - Good Samaritan Ministry
CLUSTER 4 - Magi
Athens - Holy Cross
Bethlehem - Nativity
Conyers - Epiphany
Elberton - Holy Trinity
Grayson - Community of Grace
Lawrenceville - Amazing Grace
Lawrenceville - Christ the Lord
Lilburn - All Saints
Lilburn - Trinity
Oakwood - Christ
Oakwood - Iglesia De Cristo
Tucker - Living Grace
Tucker - Resurrection Mission
CLUSTER 5 - Mission
Alpharetta - Lord of Life
Canton - Celebration of Grace
Cleveland - Faith
Cumming - Christ the King
Dalton - Christ the King
Ellijay - Hope
Johns Creek - Prince of Peach
Morganton - Shepherd of the Hills
Peachtree Corners - Christ the King
Peachtree Corners - Atlanta Telugu Mission
Roswell - Cross of Life
Suwanee - Epiphany
Woodstock - Good Shepherd
CLUSTER 6 - Agape
Blountville - Immanuel
Bristol - Faith
Chattanooga - Ascension
Dandridge/Jefferson City - St. Barnabas
Fairfield Glade - Christ
Gatlinburg - Our Savior
Greeneville - Reformation
Greeneville - Solomon
Greeneville - St. James
Hixson - Trinity
Johnson City - Our Savior Evangelical
Kingsport - Holy Trinity
Knoxville - Faith
Knoxville - Gloria Dei
Knoxville - Messiah
Knoxville - Peace
Knoxville - St. John’s
Maryville - St. Paul
Midway - Sinking Springs
Morristown - The Good Shepherd
Newport - Holy Trinity
Oak Ridge - Grace
Ooltewah - Resurrection
Parrottsville - Luther Memorial
Parrottsville - Salem
Vonore - St. Paul
CLUSTER 7 - Diaspora
Anniston - Grace
Anniston/Oxford - Trinity
Bessemer - Grace
Birmingham - Shades Valley
Birmingham - Shepherd of the Hills
Clay - Faith
Huntsville - All Saints
Huntsville - St. Mark’s
Madison - Messiah
Montgomery - Messiah
Prattville - Christ
CLUSTER 8 - The King
Arlington - Living Word
Clarksville - Christ
Cordova - St. Luke
Franklin - St. Andrew
Germantown - Epiphany
Hendersonville - St. Timothy
Lebanon - Faith
Memphis - Peace
Mt. Juliet - Celebration
Murfreesboro - Advent
Nashville - Christ
Nashville - First Evangelical
Nashville - Holy Trinity
Nashville - Memorial
Nashville - St. John’s
Shelbyville - Christ
Spring Hill - Peace
Tullahoma - Trinity
Unionville - Crowell’s Chapel
Tupelo MS - Christ the King
CLUSTER 9 - Gulf Coast
Daphne AL - Holy Trinity
Dothan AL - Triumphant Cross
Gulf Shores AL - Grace
Mobile AL - Martin Luther
Mobile AL - St. Paul’s
Biloxi MS - Bethel
Brandon MS - Nativity
Jackson MS - Ascension
Long Beach MS - Grace
Louisville MS - Beth Eden
Ocean Springs MS - Christus Victor
Pulaski MS - Luther Chapel
Pulaski MS - Providence
Sallis MS - New Hope