Through our Women of the ELCA circles the women of Grace Lutheran Church:

Grow in our faith.

Serve others,
especially women and children in need.

Fellowship with other women
in our community, city, and state

Our group is known as the
Lydia Circle
and we meet on the
second Tuesday
of every month
at 7:00 p.m.

Mission

To mobilize women to act boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ.

Purpose 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.

More Information on WELCA

Dear Sisters in Christ,

It was a cold, rainy night on Tuesday February 8th; late winter storms were promised, and the atmosphere was threatening. The Sacristy was cold, due to A/C repairs, and we gathered in a circle near the Choir stall where heating was placed. We thirteen felt like early Christians must have felt, meeting where they could. The subject matter was appropriate, preparing for a season of Lent in the most honest, soul-searching way each of us could adopt. We "looked into a mirror", and as we did so, our thoughts, actions, and inactions came to our minds, and in some measure, to our lips. Reading aloud the words of the Confession of Sin from our own ELW with the others, my impression was that the most important words to me in the whole prayer were "apathy" and "indifferent". "Not emotionally involved" also came to mind; which led me to "compromise", and "modern standards of behavior". Ladies of ELCA, read aloud again the pages we were handed, of the Confession, and of Martin Luther's 95 Theses, which are especially valuable as a measure of how far we have come in our relationship with God.

Our early AM coffee sale organizer is giving up her duties due to retirement and life changes, and needs to hand off her baton to fresher hands. You who would take over would be working with Dorothy Conners, who runs the whole show. Look into your hearts, coffee lovers. This is one of our most widely successful and locally beneficial ministries, and it would be a pity to see it disappear.

Coming attractions: March 7th, WELCA Coffee Sale. There will be no April sale, due to holiday scheduling, but gift baskets for Easter and Mother's Day will be available in March. March 9th is the WELCA meeting, at 7:00PM. We will explore the topic "God Colors Outside the Lines", a program on God's Diversity. God doesn't always accomplish things the way we think He should, and we will learn to do things His way. I'm looking forward to this one. We will also hold annual elections this month. Hooray for our leaders, for keeping us moving in the right direction! Pennies will be collected, to benefit "Mountain Women Rising" and "Agape".

For those who love retreats, April 9-11 the Spring Retreat at Kure Beach, called "Mary, Woman of Strength, Leads Us to the Fountain" will take place. Contact Evelyn Wood for details. Also in April, a Quilt and Folk Art Auction, benefiting Agape and Kure Beach Ministries. Any quilters who want to be a part of a quilting project to be donated for auctioning off, or who have a handmade quilt they would like to donate (other folk art items are also welcome) please contact Evelyn Wood.

April 11th is also the date of our annual Taters N' Talents show, which has become a beloved tradition (thanks to Helen Hauser for again stepping up to organize this popular ministry). You folks who have sat in the bleachers for the last few years enjoying the show, watching our talented youngsters grow up and our talented oldsters expanding their horizons, look down deep in your hearts to see if there isn't a dream of performing in front of a loving and forgiving audience in there somewhere. Everyone has a talent, from Pete's hand bugle and Helen's up-side-down reading to the heights of musical and dancing proficiency. Does your child do somersaults at the least opportune times? Put him on the stage! Add a little music, and you have a show! We will meet in the Fellowship Hall after the late service, eat lunch, bid in Silent Auction, and sit down for a charming afternoon.

We have room for many more in our circle; come see us!

Jean Gerald

Fair Trade Products

Visit the "coffee ladies" each month in the narthex to purchase fair trade coffee, tea, and chocolate. Artfully created gift baskets are available at most major holidays. Enjoy these top quality products and enjoy knowing that you are providing income and encouragement to third world farmers.

Watch the Weekly and Monthly Letter of Grace for the upcoming schedule of Fair Trade Coffee sales.