MISSION STATEMENT OF THE WOMEN OF THE ELCA
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.
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.
MEMBERSHIP
All confirmed women at St. James are part of the Women of the ELCA (WELCA) group.
To be a member of WELCA is a gift to all confirmed women at St. James.
There are no regisrations or fees, no requirements, only the opportunity to serve, share and make new friends.
WELCA is responsible for the Fall Festival, as well as the Spring Salad Luncheon.
In addition, they have other events throughout the year, and participate in many Mission Projects.
There are several circles and groups that are a part of WELCA as well.
To be a member of WELCA is a gift to all confirmed women at St. James.
There are no regisrations or fees, no requirements, only the opportunity to serve, share and make new friends.
WELCA is responsible for the Fall Festival, as well as the Spring Salad Luncheon.
In addition, they have other events throughout the year, and participate in many Mission Projects.
There are several circles and groups that are a part of WELCA as well.
ST. JAMES WELCA
Our Women of the ELCA Board meetings are held the first Tuesday of the month. Everyone is welcome to come see us and find out what St. James WELCA is all about!
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Our Prayer Shawl Ministry continues to be strong in members.
Our group meets the first Monday night each month at 6:30 PM. Each shawl is prayed over by the group before they go out. You are also welcome to work on them at home and then bring the shawls to the church. Patterns and yarn are available in the narthex. Prayer shawl ministry does not meet in the summer months, but you are encouraged to knit all year long! |
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Anyone can give or receive a shawl.
Give a shawl if the Holy Spirit is leading you to:
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A Prayer Shawl is a hug from God! |
LOVE CIRCLE
Meets the third Monday at 7:00 p.m. Love Circle welcomes anyone to visit and join any time! We have a Bible Study, meeting, and fellowship.
DO DAY GALSMeets weekly on Tuesdays, 9 -11:30 a.m. Crafted by a heritage of loving, caring hands, this organization of women at St. James gather throughout the year (September through May) to use their gifts to make quilts for those need. Annually, the Do-Days women stitch 150-200 quilts for such organizations as Lutheran World Relief, Northern Lights Men’s Homeless Shelter, Trinity House of Hope Women’s Shelter, Francis Lauer Youth Services, Transition Center, lap robes for Good Shepherd and VFW, and a few baby quilts.
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Donated material is cut into 9-inch, 8-inch or 6-inch squares and assembled into quilts 60 x 80 inches. You can become involved by donating good, used material for the quilts or money for supplies, thread, or yarn. Join them on Friday mornings from 9:00–11:30 a.m. to learn the trade and share treats.
You would benefit by meeting new friends, providing comfort and warmth to those in need, and enjoying food, fun, and fellowship with a great group of dedicated Christians.
You would benefit by meeting new friends, providing comfort and warmth to those in need, and enjoying food, fun, and fellowship with a great group of dedicated Christians.
HOPE CIRCLE
Meets the third Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. We’d love to invite new members at any time! Hope Circle has kitchen cleaning in the month of October
Each month, different circles help with Bingo at Good Shepherd. Check out the WELCA booklet and monthly newsletters for more information.
Note:
Need 100 bingo prizes
4-5 workers
8 dozen cookies
4 blackout prizes
In December, St. James provides 30 wrapped gifts for Christmas Party for residents
Want to participate????
**you could provide snacks
**you could assist residents on the scheduled bingo day
**You could be a St James disciple to a resident.
Need 100 bingo prizes
4-5 workers
8 dozen cookies
4 blackout prizes
In December, St. James provides 30 wrapped gifts for Christmas Party for residents
Want to participate????
**you could provide snacks
**you could assist residents on the scheduled bingo day
**You could be a St James disciple to a resident.
There is a shelf to place your items for the kits and other stewardship projects, located in the Narthex.
PERSONAL CARE KITS--
*1 dark bath size towel (52”x27”)
*2 bath size bars (4-5 oz.) of soap
*1 adult size toothbrush in original package
*1 wide tooth comb (remove packaging)
*1 metal nail clipper (remove packaging)
Wrap the items in the towel and tie with ribbon or yarn.
SCHOOL KITS--
*4 -70 sheet spiral notebooks of wide or college rule, aprox. 81/2“ X 11”
*1 pair of blunt scissors,
*1 30-centimeter ruler, or with centimeter & inches
*1 pencil sharpener
*5 unsharpened #2 pencils w/erasers
*1 21/2” eraser
*5 ballpoint pens (no gel ink)
*1 box of 16 or 24 crayons
*1 drawstring backpack style bag 12” X 14”, with shoulder straps.
SOAP—LWR accepts new bars of any brand soap in its orignal wrapping. All bars are appreciated, 4-5 oz are preferred.
PERSONAL CARE KITS--
*1 dark bath size towel (52”x27”)
*2 bath size bars (4-5 oz.) of soap
*1 adult size toothbrush in original package
*1 wide tooth comb (remove packaging)
*1 metal nail clipper (remove packaging)
Wrap the items in the towel and tie with ribbon or yarn.
SCHOOL KITS--
*4 -70 sheet spiral notebooks of wide or college rule, aprox. 81/2“ X 11”
*1 pair of blunt scissors,
*1 30-centimeter ruler, or with centimeter & inches
*1 pencil sharpener
*5 unsharpened #2 pencils w/erasers
*1 21/2” eraser
*5 ballpoint pens (no gel ink)
*1 box of 16 or 24 crayons
*1 drawstring backpack style bag 12” X 14”, with shoulder straps.
SOAP—LWR accepts new bars of any brand soap in its orignal wrapping. All bars are appreciated, 4-5 oz are preferred.
JOINING FAITH & FAIR TRADE
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Lutherans Pursue Good Coffee, Fairly
One of the most heavily traded commodities in the world, coffee is a direct link between our community and farming, communities in Latin America, Africa and Asia. Yet the small farmers who grow our coffee often struggle just to make a simple living in some of the poorest countries in the world. Cut off from markets, they are forced to accept low prices. Without affordable credit, they become trapped in a cycle of debt. Many lack access to adequate housing, healthcare, education or even running water and electricity. In partnership with congregations, Equal Exchange is a bridge between these communities and our own. By paying a fair price to the farmer, working with democratic cooperatives, offering affordable credit and supporting sustainable agriculture, we help these farmers build better lives. By offering Equal Exchange Coffee, Tea and Hot Cocoa at coffee hour, your community can also make a difference, sharing fellowship with our global neighbors as we help them to help themselves. St. James WELCA is partnering with Equal Exchange. These products are available for purchase on selected Sundays or through the church office. We have a variety of coffee (plain, flavored, decaf, and beans), green tea, hot cocoa mix, chocolate bars, and baking cocoa. This is a mission project and WELCA does not aim to profit. |
More information at
www.lwr.org/coffee |
ADDITIONAL STEWARDSHIP PROJECTS
OLD CELL PHONES – Women of the ELCA has teamed with the Women’s Funding Network in an effort to recycle phones.
OPPORTUNITY VILLAGE - Coupons: Do not include “dated” coupons or grocery store “ad” coupons. Please contribute any kind of food coupons which has no “expiration date.”
CAMPBELL SOUP LABELS (Labels for Education) - All labels with the words “Campbell Soup Co, Swanson, Franco American”, etc. can be used. They will be taken to the Mason City Schools. The collection process for Campbell’s labels has changed. Campbell’s will not accept front panel labels any longer. Please clip only the section containing the UPC and Point Value coupon.
BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION - Just clip the Box Tops coupons from your favorite products and we will send them to the Mason City Schools.
LIONS CLUB - Eyeglasses. We will take any used pair of eyeglasses. The Lions Club distribute to those in need.
CANCELLED POSTAGE STAMPS – All stamps are needed. Either donate the whole envelope or trim 1/4” around the stamps you donate. They are sent to the Bethel Orphanage in Germany.
OAKS INDIAN CENTER - Betty Crocker Coupons. They are sent to the Oak Indian Center, Oaks, Oklahoma.
CRISIS INTERVENTION – Personal hygiene products, soaps, lotions, shampoos, etc.
GREETING CARDS – The Charlie Brown Day Care West town will accept them at 600 1st Street NW, Mason City, IA 50401.
ALUMINUM POP CAN TABS - Send to University of Iowa Burn Treatment Center.
OPPORTUNITY VILLAGE - Coupons: Do not include “dated” coupons or grocery store “ad” coupons. Please contribute any kind of food coupons which has no “expiration date.”
CAMPBELL SOUP LABELS (Labels for Education) - All labels with the words “Campbell Soup Co, Swanson, Franco American”, etc. can be used. They will be taken to the Mason City Schools. The collection process for Campbell’s labels has changed. Campbell’s will not accept front panel labels any longer. Please clip only the section containing the UPC and Point Value coupon.
BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION - Just clip the Box Tops coupons from your favorite products and we will send them to the Mason City Schools.
LIONS CLUB - Eyeglasses. We will take any used pair of eyeglasses. The Lions Club distribute to those in need.
CANCELLED POSTAGE STAMPS – All stamps are needed. Either donate the whole envelope or trim 1/4” around the stamps you donate. They are sent to the Bethel Orphanage in Germany.
OAKS INDIAN CENTER - Betty Crocker Coupons. They are sent to the Oak Indian Center, Oaks, Oklahoma.
CRISIS INTERVENTION – Personal hygiene products, soaps, lotions, shampoos, etc.
GREETING CARDS – The Charlie Brown Day Care West town will accept them at 600 1st Street NW, Mason City, IA 50401.
ALUMINUM POP CAN TABS - Send to University of Iowa Burn Treatment Center.
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