MISSION:
Justice
Mission Statement
We are called as a diverse body of women to promote justice by embracing, educating, and empowering women to be bold in their faith and to walk humbly with God.
2022-2023 Justice Committee
Sissy Gifford (chair) - ggiff819@aol.com
Diana Palma - palmadbmax@gmail.com
Phyllis Wade - wade.phyllis@gmail.com
Bold Women's Sunday
From all walks of life Women of the ELCA within each congregational unit lead BOLD projects for Lutheran World Relief, serve on church councils, and in a multitude of ministry and community outreach areas.
Traditionally, a Sunday in February has been set aside to celebrate Bold Women’s Day.
You may use this Sunday to educate the congregation about the mission and purpose of all women in your church.
Many resources are available for use in planning this Sunday at www.womenoftheelca.org. You will find DVDs, a litany for Bold Women’s Day, information on Katherine Von Bora Luther, Bible studies, and much more. Be BOLD and creative in your planning!
Begin now to plan for your special celebration!
Church Women United
Church Women United is an ecumenical movement that brings together Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox, and other Christians.
Some of their annual programs include:
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-World Day of Prayer held the first Friday in March
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-May Friendship Day held the first Friday in May
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-World Community Day held the first Friday in November
For more information about visit their website at www.churchwomen.org or contact them at or 212-870-2347.
Companion Synod Program
The Southeastern Synod is a partner with the LaCrosse Area Synod. We also have companion synods in Guatemala, Malaysia/Singapore; Bavaria, Germany; and Ethiopia.
Women of the ELCA may support this effort through the following:
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Make the companion synods a part of your opening prayer at each meeting and ask your church to include them each week in the prayers of the church
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Create a bulletin board display
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Call Global Missions for literature to display
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Support special projects of these synods
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Call the synod office for current or ongoing needs
Rachel's Day
Justice for Children and Youth
Rachel’s Day is a service project designed to help incarcerated mothers
and fathers read totheir children by supplying books, tapes, and recorders.
All one has to do is read their local newspaper or listen to TV to know violence, crime, drugs, neglect and abuse, poor health and hunger, guns and gangs are major problems in all communities around the country. Begin your planning now to build awareness and action on behalf of all of our children. The Women of the ELCA encourage their congregations to recognize the 1st Sunday in May as Rachel’s Day.
Help for celebrating Rachel’s Day:
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Go to www.womenoftheelca.org
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Make a donation or volunteer at an appropriate center or agency that supports children and youth at risk for violence
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Begin at home. Make children aware of how violence affects our lives (TV, internet, texting, etc.)
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Enlist youth to participate in an activity
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Use prayers, Rachel’s Day Litany, and other resources during worship or study
Social Justice and Advocacy
We engage in ministry; we take action through advocacy: we promote healing and wholeness: and we support one another in our callings.
Women of the ELCA justice initiatives include combating commercial sexual exploitation, human trafficking and supporting families with special needs through our online resources. We advocate for racial and cultural equity through our anti-racism training and our cross-cultural programming.
Women active in Women of the ELCA also work for justice by supporting partner organizations who lift up women and children such as Lutheran World Relief and the Women's Funding Network.
Women of the ELCA Sunday
Women of the ELCA Sunday is traditionally held on the fourth Sunday in September, but you may choose any Sunday. This is an opportunity for the women of your congregation to assume the many responsibilities of the worship service and celebrate the role of women in the church. There are special services found in the Evangelical Lutheran Worship, Lutheran Book of Worship, With One Voice, and This Far By Faith. As you plan your Women of the ELCA service, let the Spirit be your guide.
