Central
States Women’s news
By Iris Turnbull, President [0810]
Well,
the party is over and it’s time to put on your shoes and get back
into the swing of things, be it clown shoes, combat boots, business
shoes, house shoes, or as Bishop Mansholt pointed out, “oohh-la-la”
shoes!
And what a party it was! The Lodge of the Ozarks, Branson, Mo. was the
place to be the last weekend of July, as more than 175 people, took
part in the Arkansas-Oklahoma/Central States Women of the ELCA convention.
For Central States, offerings included stacks of paper goods for Christian
Action Ministries of Branson, Mo. and monetary gifts of over $1,000
to Oaks Indian Mission, as well as more than $800 contributed toward
our Triennial scholarships through the Barbara Nelson silent auction.
In a combined effort of the synodical organizations, more than 90 Heart
Pillows for Hospice were put together on Saturday morning!
Within the business of the convention, a resolution was passed encouraging
our membership to take part in the Lutheran Malaria Initiative “Nothing
But Nets,” [see complete resolution below] urging each woman to
donate $10 which purchases one mosquito net that will protect a family
of four for 3-5 years. Elections were held, with Kathy Ouellette, Washington,
Kan., elected vice-president; Carolyn Bauer, Sedalia, Mo., re-elected
secretary; and board positions were filled by Gloria Sharp, Jefferson
City, Mo.; and Cheryl Taylor, Lawrence, Kan. Elected as delegates to
our 2011 Triennial convention were: Phyllis Glasker, Columbia, Mo.;
VirJean Scheuerman, Otis, Kan.; Gloria Sharp, Jefferson City, Mo.; Lisa
Youngquist, Lindsborg, Kan.; Elora Bickford, Burlingame, Kan.; Kathy
Regehr, Inman, Kan.; Cheryl Taylor, Lawrence, Kan.; and Nevada Vetter,
Formosa, Kan.
As to the earlier “shoe” comments — guest speaker,
Lori Randall of Meeker, Okla. used her wit and insight to help us figure
out just where we fit into God’s design, via the “shoes”
we wear. Rev. Warron Big Eagle from Shawnee, Okla. served as chaplain
for our event, leading worship Friday evening and conducting a workshop
on Native American music. Rev. Jean Devoll Donaldson, Assistant to the
Bishop of the Arkansas-Oklahoma Synod led an afternoon Bible study and
conducted the Sunday morning worship service. Heidi Fisher, Pierce City
Mo., presented a workshop on “Women of the Bible-a Quilt and Bible
Study”. Mingling with convention attendees were two Women of the
ELCA churchwide board members, JoAnn Fuchs, Houston, Texas and Diane
Brauer, Scottsbluff, Neb.
A big thank you goes out to all involved in making this 23rd annual
convention a success! I pray that each of you stay “Anchored in
Hope!”
[Note:
to see the complete photo album, click here.]
Barbara Nelson Memorial
Scholarship
This fund was established
for scholarships for Central States Synodical Women to attend Triennial
Convention. Applications must be postmarked by September 15, 2010.
Download: Scholarship
Application
JoAnn Fuchs,
Women of the ELCA (Churchwide) Board Member, speaks on the theme of
the Convention, Anchored in Hope.
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.
Central States Women
of the ELCA
