8.6. WV-WMD Women of the ELCA

WEST VIRGINIA-WESTERN MARYLAND

WOMEN OF THE ELCA

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.

We met September 11-13, 2025 at St. John XXIII Pastoral Center, Charleston, WV for their biennial convention. The theme was, “I am Enough”. The Churchwide representative was Ginger Cutrell. Bishop
Matthew Riegel brought news from the synod and presided over the communion service. All of our women pastors in our synod were invited for a time of rest and relaxation. Those who attended were
Pastor Sherry Miller from St. John’s, Martinsburg and Pastor Karen Erskine-Valentine from the Shepherdstown Parish.

Since we no longer have yearly conventions, we have a Spring Fling and on the off-convention year an Autumn Glory. These are held at churches with a day of Bible study, a community outreach activity, and
lots of fellowship, food, and fun.

Each unit continues to work on their own outreach ministries. The Potomac Cluster is the only cluster that continues to meet once a year.

Goals for 2025-2026

1. To conduct the business of the WV-WMD Women of the ELCA with love, wisdom, and foresight.
2. To support Community Lutheran Partners, WVU Lutheran Campus Ministry, Lutheran World Relief, our sisters in Madagascar, and Lutheran Disaster Response with our prayers and offerings.
3. To encourage our sisters to embrace our God-given gifts.
4. To support the various ministries of WELCA church-wide which take action though advocacy especially for justice through our prayers and offerings.

Our women continue to keep in contact through the 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 sorrows. We are Christian women working together as God’s hands.

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

Native American Land Acclamation Acknowledgement:

We, the members of the West Virginia-Western Maryland SWO Board acknowledge and honor the Cherokee, Iroquois, Manahoac, Meherrin, Monacan, Nottaway, Occaneechi, Saponi, and Shawnee peoples, upon whose ancestral homelands we gather for worship and meetings today, as well as all our Indigenous siblings who have and continue to care for this place – this land – and call it their home. ELCA.org/TruthandHealing resources