Women of the ELCA Our Mission: Mobilizing women to act boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ.Together we are committed to growing in faith, affirming our gifts, supporting one another in our callings, and engaging in ministry and action that promotes justice and wholeness for all people. ALL women of ALL ages are invited!

Women’s Bible Study
The Women's Monday Bible Study will begin a new study on January 8. This is a 6 week study by Max Lucado entitled "Experiencing the Words of Jesus" - hearing His voice and trusting His words. In this study Lucado challenges us to experience the power of what Jesus says to us. In Jesus' day, his words turned heads, turned hearts and ultimately turned the world upside down. His words can do the same for us today. There is a workbook involved in the study. If you are interested in being a part of this study, please contact Betty Gasaway, 289-2035, so that she can order a workbook for you.
As we are mid-way through our current Bible Study year, we pause to start another calendar year of St. Paul’s Women of the ELCA.  Yearbooks have been distributed and circle Bible Study Leader and hostess as well as general meeting assignments have been reviewed for 2012.  We are ready to start another year of study, worship and work as Women of the ELCA here at St. Paul’s, ever mindful of our Mission Statement:  “To mobilize women to act boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ.”

We thank our outgoing officers, Dottie Schaer who has just completed four years as WELCA President and Margie Stark, Vice-President for their service to our organization.  After serving as President a number of years ago, Dottie was willing to serve again for two terms.  We appreciate the dedication and leadership she shared with all of us during her tenure.

I personally look forward to working with our Executive Board:  Peggy Kramer, Secretary; Sandra Borchardt, Treasurer; Cassandra Ehlert, Vice-President for Action; Suzann Jones, Vice-President for Community, and Ann Lehmann, Vice-President for Growth and the Circle Chairs.  Each of these women brings unique talents that they have been happy to share with Women of the ELCA.

Many of us could relate to the message Virginia Gaskamp shared during our Thankoffering Service in November when she enumerated the many ways we as women of St. Paul’s have bonded over the years because of our shared Bible studies, service projects and life experiences.

The first General Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday January 3, 2012 at 5:10 p.m. in Room 216.  Rather than hold workshops, executive officers will contact Circle officers to relay assignments and information for 2012.

Although it’s still months away, mark your calendars for September 21-13 for the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synodical Women’s Organization Convention.  We’ll be celebrating the 25^th Anniversary of Women of the ELCA under the theme “25 Reasons to Give Thanks.”

Blessing and Peace to each of you in 2012,

Janie Mehrens

We extend our thanks to Billie Schomburg and Claudia Giese for auditing the WELCA Treasurer's reports.  The audit is required by our Constitution and we appreciate your diligence!  

Donna Bridges, Virginia Gaskamp and Ann Lehmann have been elected to the Nominating Committee for WELCA  2012.  The election will be held Tuesday, September 27^th at the LWR Banquet.  Terms of office are two years with a limit of two consecutive terms.  Vice President for Action, Cassandra Ehlert and Treasurer, Sandra Borchardt have agreed to serve a second term.  President, Dottie Schaer is completing her second term.  Please prayerfully consider serving your fellow members as President - you can even call and volunteer!

Offering reminder: We realize Circles' establish varying schedules for May - July. (some skip one or two of those months)  Please remember that regular, monthly offerings are needed to continue support of our mission and projects.  Consider increasing your offering during the months you do meet to continue these important efforts.  You may indicate where you want your offerings to be applied - "Sewing Kits" are greatly needed and "Layettes", "School Kits , " Health Kits" and "Quilts" are other options!  You may also indicate "local needs only", if that is your wish.

 If you are not a Circle member, but find the above projects worthy, just drop a contribution by the church office and indicate your preference - we will make sure it is properly applied.  Thank you for your generous support of our local community and all God's children throughout the world!
Bible Study Topics 2011-12 

It is time to think about our Bible studies for September 2011 to May 2012.  The study in Lutheran Woman Today is a traditional Bible study based on the gospel of Mark and invites readers of Scripture to pursue discipleship in the 21st century.  To Lead and to Serve is written by the Rev. Patricia Lull who is an ELCA pastor who has served as a parish pastor, director of campus ministry in the ELCA and dean of students at Luther Seminary, St. Paul.

Theme verse:  "Take heart; get up, (Jesus) is calling you."  (Mark 10:49b)

September  Session 1  Jesus of Nazareth

Theme verse: "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near, repent and believe the good news."  Mark 1:15

October  Session 2  Mothers and Brothers

Theme verse: "Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother."  Mark 3:35

November Session 3  Power and Authority

Theme verse: "He said to them, 'Why are you afraid?  Have you still no faith?'"  Mark 4:40