Dear Ruth and ELW personnel,
I am thinking of you all: What good memories I have relating to ELWs through my development education work with Canadian Lutheran World Relief during the 1990s, before I became a missionary! It was both a great pleasure and an inspiration to be part of all those national, synodical and congregational events. In your congregations, I loved highlighting the development projects you were supporting - and taking you to the people and projects through slide shows! It was wonderful getting to know all of you and walking together on a great spiritual journey. I remain touched by your warm hospitality on those ELW evenings when I came to give a presentation: Our lively discussions and our enjoyment over coffee of your lovely baked goods are are wonderful memories. Thank You. Dear, strong women of faith, in your congregations, do continue to gather together and continue to nurture the ministries that you do so well!
Warm good wishes to you from Thailand!
Lori
Lori Endress - ELCIC Missionary, Thailand
_________________
Dear sisters (and a few brothers) in Christ,
It is with a heavy heart that I forward this news of the decision to set in motion the immediate dissolution of the national ELW. Yet I would rather you hear it sooner than later. I have attempted to send this out to persons on our email list who have been involved with this organization. If you have received it in error, I apologize. Please relay the news to others.
Some of my initial thoughts.
For generations, women's groups of our denominations and congregations have been places to gather, learn, grow, worship, and to support each other and the wider church. From an early age, I was labelled an "LCW brat", and I'm proud to say that I've considered myself an 'ELW brat' as well. It was through ELW, for example, that I learnt different ways of doing Bible Study. Also, it was in ELW I realized the importance of taking time for fellowship -- being with each other, with no agenda other than to see how others were doing, over coffee, and, yes, wonderful goodies.
While I understand and respect the national ELW board's decision, I also sense that the loss of a national women's auxiliary will be felt across the ELCIC, even among those not currently directly involved in it. Well done, faithful servant of Christ. Godspeed. I ask you to keep the national staff of ELW, and the board, in your prayers, during this wind-up time.
This coming Monday, members and friends of ELW across Thunder Bay and Pass Lake are gathering at Our Saviour's for a previously planned joint ELW potluck luncheon and Bible Study. I pray that even though this may be one of the final such ELW gatherings in our cluster, that it might include a celebration of the life and blessings of ELW, and visioning for how you might continue to get together. Also, I would be glad to help with a more 'formal' service of thanksgiving for a later time.
ELW at O.S. is one of our congregation's strongest groups: I pray that it might find ways to continue its life and ministry.
The peace of Christ be with you always,
Matthew H. Diegel, pastor
Our Saviour's-Immanuel Lutheran Parish
Thunder Bay ON