1 2nd Quarter 2017 VOLUME 26. NO 2 Thank you to everyone who attended this year’s Thankoffering Services We’d also like to thank St. John’s Lutheran Church, Jersey City, and St. Michael’s Lutheran Church, Cherry Hill, for graciously opening their doors to us. Your generous in-kind offerings went to two great charities: the St. John Food Pantry and the New Visions Homeless Day Shelter. Plus, we raised $631 for churchwide. These services are a prime example of the power of women coming together. Not only do we get to enjoy an afternoon of worship and fellowship with old friends. We make new ones as we strive to do God’s work in our world. If you’re church is interesting in hosting next year’s Thankoffering Service, please email us at [email protected]. Prayer Request We ask you to pray for the safe travels of those attending the WELCA Triennial Convention and Gathering in Minneapolis. After spending the first three days in prayer and the legislative work of WELCA at the Triennial Convention, the voting members will be joined by thousands of women for the Triennial Gathering. Plenary sessions at the Gathering are being shaped around Gather magazine’s summer Bible study, All Anew: Ready Or Not. So if you’re unable to make it to Minneapolis, join in by using the Gather Bible study. Be transformed by the renewing of your minds. …You’ll be changed from the inside out. Romans 12:2 In this issue: Convention Sneak Peak ……….…………2 Convention Schedule ………………………3 Convention Designated Gifts ………4 Convention Service Project …………….4 Convention In-kind Gifts ……………….5 Convention Book Club ……………………7 Walking a Labyrinth ……….……….…….8 Crossroads Women’s Retreat ……….9 Convention Forms ………………………….10 Board Member Directory ……….…….18 Our Mission and Purpose 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.
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2nd Quarter 2017 VOLUME 26. NO 2
Thank you to everyone who attended this year’s Thankoffering Services
We’d also like to thank St. John’s Lutheran Church, Jersey City, and St. Michael’s Lutheran Church, Cherry Hill, for graciously opening their doors to us. Your generous in-kind offerings went to two great charities: the St. John Food Pantry and the New Visions Homeless Day Shelter. Plus, we raised $631 for churchwide. These services are a prime example of the power of women coming together. Not only do we get to enjoy an afternoon of worship and fellowship with old friends. We make new ones as we strive to do God’s work in our world. If you’re church is interesting in hosting next year’s Thankoffering Service, please email us at [email protected].
Prayer Request
We ask you to pray for the safe travels of those attending the WELCA Triennial Convention and Gathering in Minneapolis. After spending the first three days in prayer and the legislative work of WELCA at the Triennial Convention, the voting members will be joined by thousands of women for the Triennial Gathering. Plenary sessions at the Gathering are being shaped around Gather magazine’s summer Bible study, All Anew: Ready Or Not. So if you’re unable to make it to Minneapolis, join in by using the Gather Bible study.
Be transformed by the renewing of your minds. …You’ll be changed from the inside out. Romans 12:2
In this issue:
Convention Sneak Peak ……….…………2
Convention Schedule ………………………3
Convention Designated Gifts ………4
Convention Service Project …………….4
Convention In-kind Gifts ……………….5
Convention Book Club ……………………7
Walking a Labyrinth ……….……….…….8
Crossroads Women’s Retreat ……….9
Convention Forms ………………………….10
Board Member Directory ……….…….18
Our Mission and Purpose
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.
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30th Annual NJ WELCA Convention
Saturday, September 23, 2017 Good Shephard Lutheran Church, Somerville
Cast your burden on the Lord and he will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved.
Psalm 55:22Psalm 55:22Psalm 55:22Psalm 55:22
This world is filled with stress, fear and anxiety. It can be hectic and lonely. Sometimes even heartbreaking. But God’s word teaches us how to make it through. Join us for this year’s NJ WELCA Convention and learn how God can fill us with his peace and joy along the way. Let’s cast our burdens on the Lord together!
Whether you come as a delegate or an attendee, you’ll have the opportunity to meet women from around the state and learn what their units are doing. Share stories, experiences and advice as we participate in unique workshops designed to help navigate life’s challenges.
One delegate is also needed from each congregation to discuss and vote on NJ WELCA business. Make your voice heard! To register or for more information, contact Linda Holscher at (856)858-1512 or [email protected]
• Mental Health – dealing with anxiety and stress
• Stress Busters for Teens
• Bible Study on Anxiety
• NJ Synod LGBT Task Force
• NJ Synod Diversity Team
• WELCA Churchwide Representative
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2017 Convention Schedule
8:00 am – 9:00 am Registration 8:45 am – 9:00 am Delegate Orientation 9:00 am - 9:15 am Gathering Hymn, Opening Devotions
All Offerings & In-Kind Gifts will be received at this time 9:15 am – 9:30 am Announcements and Greetings from partner ministries 9:30 am – 9:55 am Keynote Speaker
10:00 am – 12:15 am Business meetings for board and delegates (visitors welcomed)
10:05 am – 11:05 am Workshops Session 1 11:15 am – 12:15 pm Workshops Session 2 12:15 pm – 12:45 pm Lunch 12:55 pm – 1:00 pm Reports of the Credentials Committee and Offerings Committee 1:00 pm – 1:25 pm Churchwide Representative Report 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm Workshops Session 3 2:45 pm – 3:15 pm Worship, Word & Sacrament 3:15 pm – 3:30 pm Installation of Board Members
3:30 pm Closing of Convention 3:45 pm Brief board meeting – current and newly elected board members
Introduction to our 2017 Convention Chaplan:Introduction to our 2017 Convention Chaplan:Introduction to our 2017 Convention Chaplan:Introduction to our 2017 Convention Chaplan:
Pastor Chelsea Miller Associate Pastor, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Somerville, NJ
Chelsea graduated from Susquehanna University in 2010 with a major in Religion and minors in Women’s Studies and Biblical Greek.
She received a Masters of Divinity degree at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg in 2014. She spent her internship at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Birmingham, Alabama. Chelsea has been involved in leadership in youth ministry through-out college and seminary in many capacities.
In her own words: “I am an advocate for intergenerational ministry within the congregation and church as a whole. I look forward to continuing to learn of all the ways we all, young in age and young at heart, can be relevant to each other in our ever-changing culture and society.”
Don’t miss Pastor Chelsea’s workshop: Stress Busters for Teens
Join Pastor Chelsea Miller as we discuss some of the stressors that currently exist for teens today and suggestions for “busting the stress” that our teens carry. We will even practice some of the stress busters in our time together! Hopefully, this session will give you an opportunity to return to your own community with tangible practices to pass on to youth in your congregation who may be struggling with the burden of overcoming stress in their lives!
For women giving birth at the Phebe Hospital and School of Nursing near Monrovia, Liberia, the worry that the electricity may shut down just as the baby’s head is crowning has long been a reality. Thanks to the Solar Power Project, that worry will soon be a thing of the past.
The initiative has raised nearly 65 percent of its $624,000 goal to provide solar energy to the hospital. And in March 2017, the Rural Renewable Energy Alliance (RREAL)—a Minnesota-based not-for-
profit that helps provide solar energy to people of all income levels—began installing solar panels at Phebe Hospital.
More than 400 ELCA congregations, conferences and synods, ELCA Global Mission, Global Health Ministries, Wheat Ridge Ministries and the National Geographic Society have donated to the cause.
“Countless additional supporters helped bring about the dream” of providing solar power to Phebe, Allen said. “This project is a living manifestation of the unstoppable, caring, powerful, bold women of the ELCA.”
Founded in 1921 by the Lutheran church, in partnership with Methodist and Episcopalian churches, Phebe Hospital and School of Nursing serves approximately 450,000 patients a year.
Ronald McDonald House Ronald McDonald House serves the 4 hospitals in New Brunswick: Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital, PSE&G Children’s Specialized Hospital and Saint Peter’s University Hospital. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, through their active Daughters of Eve ministry, regularly supports the Ronald McDonald House. At each monthly meeting, the most needed items from the Ronald McDonald Wish List are collected and donated. We invite you to join us for your In-Kind Offering for the NJ WELCA convention. For September, we are collecting Comfort Care Kits, which consist of the 9 items placed in a one quart ziplock bag. We also collect aluminum can pull tabs for Ronald McDonald House. THANK YOU! If you’d like more information on Ronald McDonald House or the Daughters of Eve, please contact their coordinator, Stephanie Meister, [email protected]. They host informal gatherings with a focus on women's issues and outreach through diverse experiences. ALL WOMEN ARE INVITED!
Children and youth at Good Shepherd are the key workers on this project. As food donations arrive at the church, our Sunday School, Confirmation and Senior High youth pack items into gallon-size Ziploc bags, which then get delivered to the Food Bank. For the WELCA Convention, please bring items from the list on the flyer that follows. In the words of one of our children, “I like knowing that I am helping to feed other kids my own age!” This program is a great way to help our children and youth see and participate in God’s ministry at Good Shepherd!
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Somerset County Food Bank Backpack Bags
Hundreds of children in Somerset County rely on school lunches for their daily meal.
When the weekend comes, they would go hungry, if not for the Somerset County Food Bank
Backpack Bags program.
Bags of food that children can easily make themselves are sent home with them in their
backpacks at the end of the week.
Good Shepherd will join the effort to ensure our community’s children are fed.
The list below contains suggested items. This is an ongoing project, so drop off your gifts
inside the church doors at any time!
LEASE BRING TO THE CONVENTION: P
Ramen Easy Mac (individual cups) Fruit Snacks Applesauce (individual cups) Juice Boxes Pretzels (snack size bags) Granola Bars Peanut Butter (individual
serving size) Gallon-size Ziploc Bags
Thank you for supporting this important ministry!
God’s Work. Our Hands.
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Convention Book Club SelectionConvention Book Club SelectionConvention Book Club SelectionConvention Book Club Selectionssss::::
Woman of God
By James Patterson & Maxine Paetro
St. Peter's Square, Rome. White smoke signals that a new Pope has been chosen. Is it possible that the new Pope...is a woman?
The world is watching as historic crowds gather in Rome, waiting for news of a new Pope, one who promises to be unlike any other in the Church's history. Some followers are ecstatic, but the leading candidate has made a legion of powerful enemies.
From a difficult childhood with drug addled parents, to a career as a doctor on the front lines in Sudan, to a series of trials that test her faith at every turn, Brigid Fitzgerald's convictions and callings have made her the target of all those who fear that the Church has lost its way—dangerous adversaries who abhor challenges to tradition. Locked in a deadly, high-stakes battle with forces determined to undermine everything she believes in, Brigid must convert her enemies to her cause before she loses her faith...and her life.
She: Five Keys to Unlock the Power of Women in Ministry
By Karoline M. Lewis
Women in ministry experience unique challenges in their church settings which continue to hinder their vocational, professional, and personal success. Women in ministry need a trusted and comprehensive resource not only to be able to survive but to thrive in their places of call. She provides theoretical, theological, and practical frameworks and strategies for flourishing as a woman in ministry and engages critical reflection on the practice of ministry in light of current feminist theory, biblical interpretation, and experience.
We’re looking for women to share their varied talents and interests by joining the board. We meet 5 times a year, where we plan the Thankoffering Services and the Convention.
Get involved beyond your unit & make great friendships.
We have 5 Board Member positions opening in 2017, each for a 2 year term. If you or someone you know may be interested, please submit the nominating form on page 11. For questions, contact Linda Benitz at (609)698-6113 or [email protected].
Youth members can join the board too - Confirmation to age 21.
You’ll have your chance to try this centering practice during the convention. We’ll have a labyrinth set up outside on Good Shephard’s great lawn. Or take some quiet time out during the day to meditate in their beautiful memorial garden. Either choice is a wonderful way to silence the distractions of our lives and listen to God.
“Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46
Why Walk a Labyrinth?
A labyrinth walk is a spiritual journey, connecting us with God who walks with us every step of the way, and invites us to draw close and walk with God every step of our lives. Unlike a maze, a labyrinth is not a puzzle; it is a path to be walked.
Walking into a labyrinth is a symbol of entering into something, opening ourselves up to the presence of God. Walking a labyrinth serves as a reminder that God wants a relationship with you in Christ. It serves as a way of remembering that God is with us always. It is a time out from the world and a way to connect with God. As in prayer, sometimes you may come looking for an answer or you may simply to be open to what comes.
Suggested instructions: - Before entering, turn your mind and heart toward God. - As you walk toward the center, release any distractions and solely focus on God. - In the center, prayerfully seek to experience union with God. Spend as much time here as
you feel called. This is a place for reflection and gratitude, a place to listen to the still small voice of God.
- Return to the world recentered and empowered by God's presence.
Using a Labyrinth
You are invited to walk from the outside in to the center, and then back to the outer edge. Unlike a maze, a labyrinth has no blind alleys or dead ends. It will not frustrate, because it is not a puzzle to be solved. You cannot get "lost" or make a mistake, because there are no choices to be made once you have made the decision to start walking. By following the path, you always end up either in the center of the labyrinth or back at the entrance. Try tracing this Finger Labyrinth at home!
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Crossroads Camp & Retreat Center
Cross Roads Camp and Retreat Center is a place where youth and adults
alike can come to be themselves and have fun in God’s creation. If
gathering with an amazing group of women to laugh, cry and experience
God’s unfailing presence and love sounds like fun, then you don’t want
to miss their yearly Women’s Retreat!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ And don’t miss their “Wednesdays Away”
Wednesdays Away at Crossroads Camp and Retreat Center is a
wonderful monthly one-day retreat. A time of rest and renewal on the
first Wednesday of each month. Our time together begins in
community with prayer and conversation, which will be used to ground
your day and guide your personal retreat time, focusing upon a
different spiritual practice each month. A spiritual director will also
be available throughout the day for one-on-one conversation, prayer,
and spiritual companionship.
Check out the Crossroads website for more details
www.crossroadsretreat.com
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30th
Annual New Jersey Women of the ELCA Convention
Saturday, September 2Saturday, September 2Saturday, September 2Saturday, September 23333, 201, 201, 201, 2017777
Good Shepherd Lutheran ChurchGood Shepherd Lutheran ChurchGood Shepherd Lutheran ChurchGood Shepherd Lutheran Church
300 Union Ave, Somerville, NJ 08876
Cast your burden on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.
Circle One: BOARD MBR DELEGATE VISITOR WORKSHOP LEADER
(one delegate is needed for each congregation)
Walk-ins are welcome, but registering by Sept 18th will help us as we prepare and set up for the event.
Gathering begins with registration at 8:00 AM with Opening Devotions beginning at 9:00 AM. Delegates are requited to attend the Business meeting beginning at 9:30 AM.
Registration: $35.00 (lunch included) $__________ Students (any age) and Veterans – registration FREE $__________ 1st time attendee or under 40 uears old - $15.00 $__________ Bulletin of Reports mailed to non-delegates - $5.00 $__________ TOTAL ENCLOSED $__________
PLEASE MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO “NJ Women of the ELCA”
Please mail checks and registration form to: NJ Women of the ELCA c/o Linda Holscher, Registrar, 1840 Frontage Road #303, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034
Registration will be confirmed by email unless a stamped self-addressed envelope is included.
I grant the NJ WELCA unrestricted rights to use, alter and reproduce any images (still or video) from the event in any mediu, without compensation.
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30th
Annual New Jersey Women of the ELCA Convention
Saturday, September 2Saturday, September 2Saturday, September 2Saturday, September 23333, 201, 201, 201, 2017777
Good Shepherd Lutheran ChurchGood Shepherd Lutheran ChurchGood Shepherd Lutheran ChurchGood Shepherd Lutheran Church
300 Union Ave, Somerville, NJ 08876
Cast your burden on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.
Psalm 55:22
NOMINATION FORM FOR THE 2017 CONVENTION
SUGGESTED NOMINEE FOR: (please check one) _____ Board Member 2-Year Term _____ Youth Board Member 1-Year Term
(This form may be duplicated as needed)
INFORMATION ABOUT NOMINEE: Last Name______________________________ First Name_________________ MI____ Address___________________________________________________________________ Daytime telephone ( )______________ Evening telephone ( )________________ Congregation/City____________________________Cluster_________________________ Address of Congregation_____________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________ Please list the qualifications, such as formal training and other acquired abilities that would help this person perform the duties for the position checked above.
Women of the ELCA [include congregational or inter-congregational unit, cluster/conference, synodical women’s organization, and churchwide experience].
ELCA [include congregation, cluster/conference, synod, regional, and churchwide experience]
(continued on next page)
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NOMINATION FORM FOR THE 2017 CONVENTION (continued)
Ecumenical [include local, state, national/international organizations] Community participation [indicate offices, volunteer services, other responsibilities for local, state, and national/international organizations]
Vocational/occupational experience [full or part-time]
Age Category ______13-19 ______20-35 _______36-55 _______over 55
Ethnic/Racial heritage ___Asian/Pacific Islander ____African American ____Black ____Hispanic
Suggested nominee has agreed to accept nomination. Please complete both sides of this form and submit by August 21, 2017 in order for your suggested nominee to be considered by the nominating committee. Mail completed form to: Charlene Rollins, 244 Brook Avenue, North Plainfield, NJ 07060.
PLEASE NOTE THAT FLOOR NOMINATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
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30th
Annual New Jersey Women of the ELCA Convention
Saturday, September 2Saturday, September 2Saturday, September 2Saturday, September 23333, 201, 201, 201, 2017777
Good Shepherd Lutheran ChurchGood Shepherd Lutheran ChurchGood Shepherd Lutheran ChurchGood Shepherd Lutheran Church
300 Union Ave, Somerville, NJ 08876
Cast your burden on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.
Psalm 55:22
RESOLUTIONS FORM FOR THE 2017 CONVENTION
TO: Committee on Reference and Counsel Please consider the following resolution at the 2017 NJ Women of the ELCA Convention. WHEREAS: THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: Submitted by: Name of Delegate:___________________________________________________________ Address:___________________________________________________________________ Telephone:(____)________________Congregation:________________________________ Church Address:_____________________________________________________________
All resolutions must be typed and submitted by August 21, 2017
Please contact us with any questions at [email protected]. Please mail completed forms to: Charlene Rollins, 244 Brook Avenue, North Plainfield, NJ 07060. Resolutions can also be presented at the Convention business meeting. They are due the morning of Saturday, September 24, 2017.
(see other side for Resolution guidelines/helpful hints)
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Resolution Instruction Guide Here are some helpful hints to use as a guide when writing your resolution…. 1. Formatting your Resolution
• Begin each statement or paragraph describing or explaining the purpose of the resolution with the word “WHEREAS…”
• Begin the recommended action statement(s) or paragraph(s) with the words “THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THAT…” (and if needed, “AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT…”)
Format Example: WHEREAS, ________________________; AND
WHEREAS, ________________________; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT________________________.
2. Implications of Resolution if Adopted Answer briefly, the following questions:
o What is the financial impact of this resolution on the New Jersey Women of the ELCA budget? If expenditures are required, what are the sources of income anticipated to accomplish the purpose of the resolution?
o How does this resolution enhance or forward the mission of the New Jersey
Women of the ELCA?
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30th
Annual New Jersey Women of the ELCA Convention
Saturday, September 2Saturday, September 2Saturday, September 2Saturday, September 23333, 201, 201, 201, 2017777
Good Shepherd Lutheran ChurchGood Shepherd Lutheran ChurchGood Shepherd Lutheran ChurchGood Shepherd Lutheran Church
300 Union Ave, Somerville, NJ 08876
Cast your burden on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.
Psalm 55:22
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
GUIDELINES FOR THE 2017 CONVENTION
Scholarships will be available for the 2017 Annual Convention of the NJ Women of the ELCA for women who express an interest in attending and demonstrate the financial need. The Scholarship Committee will review the applications and make final decisions. Applicant and recipient’s names will remain confidential. At least three scholarships will be awarded.
Please pass this information on to the women within your church so that anyone interested may apply. Feel free to make additional copies of this application.
Scholarships are awarded to women who are:
(A) age 35 or younger or
(B) age 60 or over or
(C) person of color or
(D) from a church with an inactive women’s group or
(E) from a church less than 6 years old or
(F) attending a NJ Women of the ELCA Convention for the first time Send applications to: Charlene Rollins, 244 Brook Avenue, North Plainfield, NJ 07060 Submit applications by August 21, 2017. Recipients will be notified by September 1,
2017 and must then complete a Registration Form and send it to the Registrar by September 18, 2017.
IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED FOR A SCHOLARSHIP,
PLEASE SEND YOUR APPLICATION BY AUGUST 21, 2017
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30th
Annual New Jersey Women of the ELCA Convention
Saturday, September 2Saturday, September 2Saturday, September 2Saturday, September 23333, 201, 201, 201, 2017777
Good Shepherd Lutheran ChurchGood Shepherd Lutheran ChurchGood Shepherd Lutheran ChurchGood Shepherd Lutheran Church
300 Union Ave, Somerville, NJ 08876
Cast your burden on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.
Psalm 55:22
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FOR THE 201SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FOR THE 201SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FOR THE 201SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FOR THE 2017777 CONVENTIONCONVENTIONCONVENTIONCONVENTION Scholarships will be available for the 2017 Annual Convention of the NJ Women of the ELCA for women who express an interest in attending and demonstrate financial need.
IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED FOR A SCHOLARSHIP,
PLEASE SEND YOUR APPLICATION BY AUGUST 21, 2017
Name of Applicant______________________________________________________________ Address_______________________________________________________________________ number, street city, state, zipcode
Telephone(_______)_________________________(______)____________________________ home work