West Virginia-Western Maryland Women of the ELCA

WEST VIRGINIA-WESTERN MARYLAND WOMEN OF THE ELCA (2021)

Mission Statement: 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.

No convention was held in 2020 due to the COVID 19 pandemic. The year before, our women met August 8 -10, 2019 at Bishop Hodges Catholic Pastoral Center in Huttonsville, WV for our annual convention. Lois Broyles coordinated our 32nd convention using the theme, “Take Joy.” The Churchwide representative was Becky Shurson from Eugene, Oregon. Pastor Linda Muhly led the Bible Study and presided over the Eucharist Service. Pastor Sherri Shafer presented a program on Community Lutheran Partners. Officers and Board Members installed during this convention were asked to serve an extra year (2020) because no convention was held to hold elections. The Churchwide WELCA constitution has since been amended to permit online conventions and elections.

Our in-person Convention for 2021 is planned for September 27-28 at Canaan Valley Resort in Davis, WV.

Each unit continues to work on their outreach ministries. Clusters and Units have not been able to hold meetings in many locations due to COVID but meetings are planned for Fall 2021. Our goals for 2020-2021 year are:

• Goal 1: Share love with our units through outreach by cards, letters and email
• Goal 2: Continue the mission of WELCA
• Goal 3: Continue to support Community Lutheran Partners, Lutheran Campus Ministry at WVU, and Lutheran World Relief.
  

We will also continue to pray our prayer for all of our Christian sisters this year.

Oh, Lord, hear our prayer. Come close to us so we can feel your presence. You are a gracious and a loving God. Help us and our sisters and brothers deal with the diversity in our communities. Oh, Lord, our differences are many. Help us see you in our neighbors. And help them see you in us. Help us turn away from violence and learn to honor you together as peacemakers. May we learn to share your love with each other and truly forgive when occurrences are out of control around us. We need your comfort and peace. We need you Lord. Please help us make our communities safe. You are awesome and we praise you. You are a blessing to us. We pray this in your Son’s name, Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen

Our women continue to keep in contact with our synodical newsletter, Lutheran Lines, which is published twice a year and is available (free) by mail or email. We encourage and support one another in ministry, share ideas for activities and resources, share happenings in our units, and share our joys and sorrow. We are Christian women working together as God’s hands.

Officers
Gail Kohlhorst, *President
Priscilla Horner, *Vice President
Denise Porter, Treasurer
Barbie Chewning, Secretary

Board of Directors
Ellen Bragg
Jane Hazer
Patricia Schillings
Linda Buckle
Stephanie Setley
Lois Broyles
Jonalee Young

Cluster Coordinators
Monongahela Valley Mountain: Vacant
Ohio-Kanawha Valley: Lois Broyles
Potomac: Priscilla Horner
Upper Ohio Valley: Karen Yoders

Lutheran Lines
Gail Kohlhorst

Respectfully submitted,

Gail Kohlhorst, President
West Virginia-Western Maryland Women of the ELCA

*Serve as Co-Presidents for the term 2020-2022