Women of the ELCA
If you are a woman and a member of Brandon Lutheran church you are a member of WELCA too! Contact the office to get a WELCA Handbook for more specific information on our many ministry activities.
2021 Officers:
Co-Presidents - Cheryl Lundeen & Diane Rollag
Vice President – Lorraine Osheim
Secretary – MarDee Dahlin
Treasurer – Laurie Johnson
Director of Justice – Marlene Kirkeby
Director of Discipleship – Deb Klein
Director of Stewardship – Marlys Byre
Work Groups
All the women of the church are divided up into 3 Work Units. These units are called upon occasionally to help provide food and workers for funerals or other special occasions. You may only get called once or twice a year – depending on the need. This way all women have a chance to serve and the more active circle members don’t get overloaded with the work load.
May Highlights for WELCA
Circles Meeting in May
May 11 – Priscilla Circle - 1:00 pm in Martin Luther Room
May 18 - Mary Circle - 9:30 am in Martin Luther Room
Naomi Circle – 9:30 am in Friendship Room
Anna Circle - 1:00 pm in Friendship Room
May 19 - Martha Circle – 7:00 pm in Friendship Room
Circles
Circles are simple closed shapes – hard to see where the shape begins or ends. A “circle” can be small or grow larger without changing it’s original shape or purpose. How would you define a circle?
Our Women of the ELCA here at Brandon are also known for our “Circles”. They are named after famous women in the Bible. We use Circles to show hospitality, to share, enhance friendships and relationships. A circle can show equality and strength – upholding each other in love and prayer.
As opposed to a rectangular shape, a circle gives each person the same view-point and access. There’s always room to add another person into the circle without changing the dynamics. Although a “circle” is considered a “closed” shape, we don’t consider our Welca Circles closed. They are open to all to join and share. A circle is a group of women who gather for a purpose. Consider becoming a part of our Circles of Bible Study – a place of growing in your faith and relationship with other faithful women of our church.
Circles generally meet on the 3rd Wednesday of the month in the morning or afternoon. The evening Circle meets on the 3rd Thursday of the month unless otherwise noted.
Synodical Welca Convention
June 23 and 24, 2022
First Lutheran in Brookings
4 women from our congregation have already signed up! Cost is $35 until June 1, then the cost is $45. Be an early bird!! Information is on the Welca bulletin board.
Fundraisers help support our Benevolent Budget. Some of the Groups/ Ministres WELCA support are:
Local- within our congregation
- Bible campers
- BLC Sunday School
- Vacation Bible School
- Noah’s Ark Preschool
- BLC Debt Retirement Fund
Community Giving - (Outside our congregation)
- Lutheran Social Services
- Church on the Street, SIoux Falls
- Bethany Meadows
- Noah's Ark Preschool Scholarships
- Lutheran World Relief
- Lutherans Outdoors in SD and Shetek Lutheran Ministry
- Student Ministry Programs at SDSU, USD, Augustana
- Family Connection
- St Dysmas Prison Ministry
- Brandon Valley Food Pantry