Draft:Women of the ELCA
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Comment: In accordance with the Wikimedia Foundation's Terms of Use, I disclose that I have been paid by my employer for my contributions to this article. GutierrezKamila (talk) 21:14, 5 April 2025 (UTC)
BACKGROUND
Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America or Women of the ELCA (WELCA) was constituted January 1st, 1988 alongside the [[Evangelical Lutheran Church in America|]. Three groups merged together to form the organization: American Lutheran Church Women, Lutheran Church Women, and Women in Action for Mission which were offshoots of the three ELCA predecessor bodies, the Lutheran Church in America(LCA), American Lutheran Church (ALC), and Association of American Evangelical Lutheran Churches (AELC). The same year, they began publishing the magazine Lutheran Women Today and another journal, Newsletter, came out the following year.
The church-wide executive board of WELCA acts as a board of directors for the organization.
A new board is elected every three years at The Triennial Convention, which began in 1990. The board ensures that the organization is well equipped to fulfill its mission, outlined in their purpose statement which reads: "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 in faith, supporting one another in our callings, engaging in ministry and action, and promote healing and wholeness in the church, society, and the world" [1].
There are three expressions of WELCA, the largest of which are the congregational/inter-congregational special units, comprised of about 4,500 members. Through establishing a partnership with 'units' or groups in their geographic areas, WELCA forms Synodical Women's Organizations (SWO) which are found in 64 of the 65 ELCA synods. Each SWO elects a board by members from each unit at an annual or biannual convention.
Lastly, the Churchwide Women's Organization is the churchwide expression of WELCA, hosting the triennial convention.
HISTORY
Three groups came together to form WELCA: American Lutheran Church Women, Lutheran Church Women, and Women in Action for Mission. The consulting convention was held June 13-14th, 1987 in Milwaukee, WI with the theme of 'Embrace God's World.'
The organization was fully constituted January 1st, 1988 with the ELCA.
The magazine Lutheran Women Today began publishing that year and a newsletter followed thereafter. In 2011, Lutheran Women Today changed its name to Gather. Content includes Bible studies, theological reflections, and devotions and articles relating to stories of comfort, faith and advocacy to more than 45,000 readers, the primary focus being Lutheran women although there are other ecumenical partners, with a pass along rate of 3 additional people per subscriber.
A scholarship program was announced in 1988.
They state "Our purpose as an organization has not wavered since we created our first constitution. 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"[2]
MINISTRY AND ACTION
The organization offers anti-racism training; addresses domestic violence, commercial sexual exploitation, and human trafficking; and supports families in need.
They assist participants in their desire to discern God's call for their lives and to discover their spiritual gifts through workshops, retreats, resources, scholarship, and global education.