The 19th Annual Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea (ELCPNG) National Women’s Conference will be held from 15th to 20th September, in the Western Highlands of Papua New Guinea. Women from all over the ELCPNG - including from the Virginia Synod’s companion synod, the New Guinea Islands District - will gather for worship, learning, and fellowship. Please hold our sisters in your prayers.

Let us pray: 

Eternal God, creator of all humanity: You anointed with the Spirit Miriam and Deborah and Hannah and Huldah; you chose the virgin Mary to be the mother of your only Son; and you set apart women for service in your temple. Bless the women of the ELCPNG as they gather for their annual conference. Consecrate their ministry; protect them as they gather; fill them with your Holy Spirit. We pray this in Christ’s holy name. Amen. (ELW Additional Prayers)

Picture caption: Pastors Wanda and Kelly, with some of the young women of Kimbe Circuit

2024 ELCPNG National Women's Conference

(From ELCPNG Facebook page; by Joan Bailey of the ELCPNG)

Social issues affecting families, especially women and children, will be the main focus of the 19th Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea (ELCPNG) National Women’s Conference.

ELCPNG National Women’s Director, Dawa Kale, revealed this during an interview, stating that the conference will be held at ELC Jiwaka in Banz from 15th to 20th September, during the term three school holidays.

Ms Kale said that many families face social issues daily, with women, mothers, young girls, and children often becoming victims.

She noted that issues such as murder, rape, violence, killings, and marriage-related problems have significantly impacted family unity. As a result, the conference will address these concerns and make a stand for justice for women.

“We will also discuss training for girls at church-run institutions and women attending church seminaries, focusing on their educational pathways and professional careers after completing their studies.

"Women coordinators from our 17 ELC districts will present their reports on the work they have done, the challenges they have faced and overcome, and their achievements,” Ms Kale said.

She added that the conference would emphasise the six-pillar programmes for women’s development and growth, aligned with the church's focus on spiritual, intellectual, physical, economic, and systemic strengthening.

Ms Kale mentioned that they expect more than 6,000 women to attend the conference, and the host, ELC Jiwaka, is prepared and looking forward to welcoming delegates this Saturday for the official opening on Sunday.

“Our theme for the conference is based on two pillars: the spiritual, drawn from the synod theme text of Matthew 5:13-14, which states, ‘You are the Salt of the Earth and Light to the World,’ and the intellectual, from Hosea 4:6, which says, ‘Our people perish due to a lack of knowledge.’



“Combining these Bible texts, our theme is ‘Kisim gutpela tingting na save bilong God long kamap sol na lait’ (Seek the wisdom and knowledge of God to become salt and light). These two pillars are well-connected, and we have two Bible study leaders to guide our women in reflecting on their spiritual lives and how they can be strong women managers in their households.

“Social issues may be widespread, but when you understand your role as a devoted Christian woman, being the light and salt to families in need, you can help bring the peace that is necessary,” Ms Kale added.

Ms Kale said they want to hear from both male and female perspectives. The male study leader will be Pastor Benedict Kale from the English Congregation, Kundiawa Town Parish, in ELC Simbu, and the female study leader will be Selina Mukavo, a secondary school teacher from Reintebe Lutheran Secondary School in ELC Goroka District.

Women from Bethel, Kimbe, sharing a song of praise

ELCA women pastors gather with women from the ELCPNG, in Lae

A sing-sing greeting from the women of Buvussi Parish

Lifelong Learning Offering: Certificate in African American Lutheran History, Theology, & Praxis

The Richard Stewart Lifelong Learning Certificate in African American Lutheran History, Theology, & Praxis

This exciting new program features nine different presenters speaking to the various aspects of Lutheranism’s place in the story of African American Spiritual Formation as part of the narrative that shaped these United States and her territories.

There will be three presentations in the fall and additional presentations will be offered in Winter, Spring, and Summer of 2025. All sessions will be online. The certificate offers a total of 40 continuing education credit hours with a total of 36 presentations.

There are options for congregational participation (non-certificate) or individual participation (certificate). Use the link below to learn more or to register.

Presentation: ELCA Truth-Seeking and Truth-Telling Initiative on Indian Boarding Schools

The ELCA's Truth & Healing Movement invites you to attend an important presentation about the Truth-seeking and Truth-telling Initiative on Indian Boarding Schools. Over 400 Indian boarding schools were in operation between 1819 and 1969; more than half were affiliated with or supported by religious entities, including Lutheran ones.

Native American leaders have called on the respective denominations to do the work of finding all records of their involvement with Indian boarding schools and to share them with impacted individuals, families, communities and Tribal Nations. The ELCA began these efforts in earnest in fall 2022. Over 150 people are participating across the initial 10-state, 27-synod area. 

Come to this session to hear from leaders in this work. What have they found? What are they doing with the ELCA Archives? What are we learning about our ancestors who ran a Lutheran Indian boarding school in Wisconsin? How do we educate and engage others in our congregations and synods for this truth-seeking and truth-telling work toward healing, for Native Americans and for us all?

Tuesday, Sept. 24

Indian Boarding Schools

8-10 pm Eastern Time

Not Too Late Book Study

Care for Creation Tapestry Thread

Wednesdays, October 9, 16, 23 

7pm - Zoom

You’re invited to join the Care for Creation Tapestry Thread in reading Not Too Late: Changing the Climate Story from Despair to Possibility this October. The book strikes a balance between defeatism and overconfidence, written about by folks who genuinely want us to better know what we are talking about when we talk about climate change. This study will deepen participants’ understanding of climate change. 

Climate is an issue that touches everything. Its study involves history, culture, economics, law and justice issues, race and gender politics, and so many branches of science. There are so many facets to look at, from the state of the climate movement, the shift to renewable energy, and the policy issues being decided at every level of government. This book touches on many of the topics in timely fashion with information that we need now, especially heading into the voting booths this November.

Join us in reading the material and come with questions of your own! The discussion sessions will be recorded, but will not be immediately ready for review the next week. The moderators will be Dr. William Franz and Sr. Phyllis Cox, Care for Creation Tapestry Thread Co-Leaders. Participants are responsible for purchasing their own book.

Registration will close on September 26 at 12 noon.