Women of Hope, WELCA

Women of Hope is a unit of:

•         Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (WELCA)

•         Florida-Bahamas Synodical Women's Organization

•         Pinelands Conference

The Women of Hope officers for 2008: President - Carol Gentalen 1st Vice President - Lynn Tuerk 2nd Vice President - Sonja Frano Secretary - Lee Duerr Treasurer - Karen Grenier Historian - Kay Miller

The purpose of the Women of Hope organization is to help spread God's Word and love in the following ways: G  Growing in Faith R  Reaching Out with Love A  Aiding the Congregation C  Caring in the Community and World E  Encouraging Each Other To accomplish this, Women of Hope commit themselves to:     Come together for study, support and action     Participate in the ministry of the Women of the ELCA beyond the congregation     Financially support the programs of the Women of the ELCA     Designate leadership that communicates with the synodical and church-wide organization

Meetings
Women of Hope meet at the church on the third Thursday of the month from September through May at 9:00 a.m. for light breakfast and business.  Our meetings include fellowship, devotions, a program of inspiration/education, and updates on all our ongoing projects and events.  Sign the narthex clipboards if you  would like the $2.00 light breakfast, so the hostesses know how much to prepare

Future Programs:

Annual Retreat 
"Act Boldly in Your Faith" was the theme for the 2nd annual WoH retreat held at Luther Springs in Hawthorne, Florida. Thirty six women attended and participated in Bible study, fellowship, prayer, a campfire sing along, a communion service and also met several bold women from the Bible! There was time for reflection, games, a boat ride and a wagon ride. Comments from participants expressed very positive experiences and the desire to meet again at the 3rd annual retreat Don't miss ot ... planning has already begun for our 2009 retreat!

Participation
We have no membership lists.  Any member or friend of Hope can participate in Women of Hope activities.   We care, we contribute, we collect.   To keep posted, check the weekly church newsletter , the narthex media boards, and the information   hallway for displays about our current projects and activities.  Donations for projects can be left in the information hallway.

Information
You are welcome to take one of the folders about Women of Hope that are in the information hallway.    The folder lists current officers, contact names for projects, and ongoing activities.  Bible Studies are publicized in the newsletter and on the media boards.

Circles
There are three active WELCA Circles at Hope - Ruth, Esther and Naomi. They meet once a month for the purpose of fellowship, Bible/Book study and prayer. Each group has a membership of about 12 women ... the recommended number We hope to organize additional groups as interest dictates.

Mission Projects: The Women of Hope recognize that our abilities are gifts from God and that we have the responsibility of using them to bring honor and glory to God. Through the years WoH have been involved in numerous mission projects - locally, nationally and internationality, as the following list and photos display. Whatever your gifts might be, there is a place for you in the Women of Hope. Come and share it with us.

Aluminum can pull tabs are collected for Shands Hospital Children Dialysis.  Place your tabs in the  collection basket located in the information hallway.

Campbell’s Soup Labels are collected for school equipment.  A collection envelope is located on the bulletin board in the information hallway.  We also collect General Mills Box Tops for Education coupons.  Coupons should be trimmed and deposited at the display in the information hallway.

Stamps (cancelled) to benefit Habitat for Humanity:  leave donations in information hallway display. 

Cards for church members on the prayer list.  The Women of Hope write and send cards to those members who are on the prayer list.

Fair Trade Coffee:  In response to the difficulties faced by millions of small coffee farmers throughout the world, Lutheran World Relief launched the LWR Coffee Project, a way for Lutherans to take action to alleviate poverty in developing countries.  Women of the ELCA has always been a strong partner with Lutheran World Relief, especially in the LWR Coffee Project.  You can support this by buying coffee available in our display rack in the narthex.

  

Lutheran World Relief  
Each year information regarding a  designated project is displayed in the information hallway:  

Pregnancy Center of Leesburg:  volunteers work there and financial donations are made

Shepherd's Lighthouse Inc: Facility for mothers and children in need

Hands of Mercy Everywhere: Facility for pregnant girls, mothers and newborns

The Villages Elementary School: Fund raisers have provided undies and food

Craft Group: 
The Craft Group meets on Tuesdays at 9:00.  They make Sojourn Bears that are given to cancer patients,  They also make small cloth bears for children in emergency rooms,    newborn caps for local hospitals  knit caps for women who have lost hair due to cancer,, tray favors for local nursing homes, and other projects..

Quilting Group:  Quilters meet on the 3rd Wednesday of the month. All quilts are sent to LWR for distribution.

Knit for Kids Sweaters Project:  
Knit and crochet patterns in are in a 3-ring binder and yarn for you to take home are in information hallway.  Sweaters are shipped to Guideposts for distribution where needed in the United States and around the world.  We invite you to enlist in the army of women who knit and crochet to provide needy children around the world with warm, bright sweaters.  Don't worry, if you aren't an expert...the patterns are simple.  (Click here for directions)

8/23/2008