A Message from the President
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It's hard to believe it is March again. The month everything changed, at least in our part of the world. The intervening year has been hard. Filled with loss, grief, struggle--but also love, compassion, hope. My calendar went from every weekend filled with gatherings of women to empty. I watched my social media feed fill daily with news of death--people I knew directly, not just numbers on a chart. My day job as a media sales person was in upheaval, leading to six month furlough and eventual termination. I watched and saw the horrific treatment of my fellow citizens and the blatant acceptance of white supremacy by others.
At the same time, I witnessed women who'd never even had an email become pros on Zoom--gatherings, meetings, bible study. I experienced real compassion and concern, those who could go out "safely" providing assistance to those more at risk. I was financially supported enough to make it through the unknown of summer without worry and get a new job that brings me joy and allows me to flourish in ways I never could at my old job. And while there is SO MUCH work to be done on addressing racial inequities in our communities, it seems we might actually be moving beyond denial and even just book discussions/meetings to real action and advocacy.
Why is this relevant to a Women of the ELCA newsletter article? Because we were in all those scenarios--the scary and sad, the happy and hopeful. It is through WELCA I have been constantly reminded of the presence of God in my life. I have seen what relationships can create and how important the work we do is toward bringing about the kingdom of God here and now. Thank you. Your love, tears, stitches and messages are making a difference in the lives of those around you and beyond.
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What’s Racism got to do with me? A Bible Study
Wondering what role we play as church in these uncertain and ever-evolving times? Join us to grow our understanding of what showing up as church could look like. We gather the second Saturday of each month at 2:00 via zoom. This monthly bible study is designed as a safe space of learning and conversation. We will spend time in community, in prayer and in struggle as we wrestle with the sin of racism in our society and our daily life. Regardless of our cultural, gendered or geographic background we find ourselves immersed in the same system. Let us learn together, trusting in God’s unfailing presence, how to honor both our divinely created differences and our beautifully woven connectedness. Register via email to [email protected] for zoom link. Our next time together is this Saturday, March 13th.
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Follow the link below to read how Christ the King Lutheran Church celebrated BOLD women throughout the week leading up to Bold Women's Day Feb. 28, 2021. |
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Save The Date!
Our Spring Conference Events might look different this year, but there are great things in the works! More information coming soon, but be sure and save the date for your conference’s event. See you there
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Alamo ...... March 27 1pm
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Bluebonnet ...... March 21 2pm |
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Cibolo Creek ...... April 17 |
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Cap South ...... April 24 1pm |
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Gulf Coast ...... April 11 2pm |
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Hill Country..... March 20 9am |
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THE SECOND MARK OF DISCIPLESHIP--STUDYING
By Pastor Barbara Beale
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“Membership is about getting; discipleship is about giving. Membership is about dues; discipleship is about stewardship. Membership is about belonging to a select group with its privileges and prerogatives; discipleship is about changing and shaping lives by the grace of God.” Michael W. Foss
Why are we called to STUDY GOD’S WORD, this second characteristic of Discipleship? For one and most important reason---whenever we affirm our baptisms and respond with the words, “we do, and ask God to help us and guide us,” we are promising God that we will:
live among God’s faithful people;
hear the word of God and share in the Lord’s Supper;
proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed;
serve all people following the example of Jesus; and
strive for justice and peace in all the earth?
While we may consider the Bible as belonging to the church, our women’s organization, WELCA, inspires its members to read and study God’s Holy Word as individuals and as part of the community of faith. When we actively and regularly study the Bible and other theological books (for example: Luther’s catechisms, and other biblical commentaries), we are revitalized by God’s message. We learn to love and know God through regular Bible study. This can occur through personal study of the Bible, through daily devotions, and in a formal Bible Study as members of a small or large group and in worship. We may participate in an ongoing Bible study at church on Sunday mornings and/or during midweek in another’s home. As individual units we may use the monthly Bible study in “Gather Magazine”, or draw from other resources drenched in scripture. Lately, due to the pandemic, many different groups, have begun online studies that can help WELCA members to be more aware to the needs of the world and those people who have been excluded from society. As disciples whenever we read, meditate and study Scripture, we as members of WELCA become more sensitive to God in our lives. Moreover, when we study Scripture, we are encouraged to better understand how we may be more effective in the ministry in the world about us. It allows us to become more aware of how God works in the world, for the world and through people like us.” (From Living Faith Congregational Planning Guide © 2000 ELCA, admin. Augsburg Fortress.) By STUDYING, we continue to be equipped and educated to learn and understand more completely whose we are and how we might serve Christ in the world among those who live on the edges of the world’s society.
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Join us for an informal conversation around the book The Cross and the Lynching Tree by James H. Cone.
Time: Apr 3, 2021 02:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 837 7290 3237
Passcode: 885837
Dial by your location
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
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Studying as a Mark of Discipleship
by Mikki Coles
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The Women of the ELCA have seven marks of discipleship which encourages its members to follow. They include Praying, Studying, Worshiping, Inviting, Encouraging, Serving and Giving. This month’s focus is Study.
As Pastor Barb has been teaching us, discipleship is an action word. I find that study is how I develop the tools to put my faith into action.
God beautifully and intentionally created this wide and expansive, diverse and sometimes messy, world. Left to my own experience or my own understanding, I would have such a tiny fragment of the masterpiece that God created. It is through study; not just bible study, but reading books, listening to podcasts, attending lectures, participating in workshops, etc. that I can expand my thinking, my perspective, and my world. I love wrestling with ideas!
Why do I see this as a path to put my faith into action? When I think of putting my faith into action, I frame it as striving to act as Jesus called us to act. I want to develop the heart that Jesus has so that I can interact with the world as Jesus would. Jesus, for me, was always an example of pushing up against ideas, traditions, and norms. Jesus challenged the powerful. Jesus challenged the “normal”. Jesus challenges us, his followers, to examine our world thru a broader lens every day. We cannot do that without first finding a way to broaden our lens.
A real example of this concept is in racial justice advocacy. Left to me own lens, I would not have the experiences or the understanding to even see racism, let alone identify and challenge the power structures that keep it in place. Too, I could not simply go to diverse communities with my own experiences and understandings to engage in dialogue about how to address the racism that they experience as I would be bringing with me the internalized bias of my understanding – having never experienced racism first hand. To simply engage without study would be to add insult to injury.
For me, as a white woman, study is an essential component to racial justice advocacy. Without an ever expanding lens, developed through study, I could not do as God instructed in Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly[a] with your God.
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LWR QUILT & KIT AFFINITY PIN
2021 marks 75 years since the first LWR Mission Quilts reached families in war-torn Europe. For 3 generations, churches have extended God’s mercy through the warmth of nearly 27 million quilts and countless kits of care. Each quilt sewn, each kit packed is a statement of faith, hope and love.
To celebrate this milestone and as a thank you, LWR has partnered with Trish Williams (fabric artist and dedicated LWR quilter) to announce the Quilt & Kit Affinity pin. You may call 800 597-5972 for more information on how to order or click on the button below to complete the pre-order form on-line.
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Mark your calendar!
2021 Ingathering
Location
St John Lutheran Church, Marion Texas
600 S Center Street Marion, Texas 78124
Date and times
Friday November 5 8 am to 5 pm
Saturday November 6 8 am to 5 pm
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We want to hear from you! Please send articles and pictures about your unit to [email protected] to be featured in future editions of The Grapevine. |
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Update your Unit Officer Contact Information
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If you have not sent in your list of unit officers for 2021, please use the link below to access the form. Send the completed form to our SWO secretary at the following address:
Rebecca Vela Bishop
109 Barrett Ave.
San Antonio, TX 78214
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