ELW_® incorporated in 1986 when the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada (ELCC) and the Lutheran Church in America (LCA) merged to form the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.

Historically, women’s auxiliaries provided much of the congregational mission outside of the church building as well as a great deal of the work ‘behind the scenes’ inside the church building—in the sacristy, kitchen, office and Sunday school—while also meeting together for regular prayer and Bible study.

For many ELCIC congregations, it was the women’s group that raised the funds to build the church building or provided the funds to purchase special items in the church, such as vestments, vessels, or altar linens. However, fundraising is not the whole picture. Even prior to when the church formally accepted the ordination of women, we have been voluntarily ‘filling in’ when there was a pastoral vacancy, leading in worship and providing administrative support to the congregation.

Today, the roles available to women in the church have grown, and ELW is attempting to make meaningful connections with women of all ages and vocations to further their ministry in the world.