Mobilizing women to act boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ

By Becky Koch

President of the South Carolina Women of the ELCA

As a lighthouse shines in the darkness to guide ship captains away from dangers and toward safety, this year SC WELCA will respond to Jesus’ calling to reflect his light through local and global projects. Our theme and hymn (#715 ELW) is “Christ, Be Our Light.” We are called to be God’s living voice for those seeking basic needs such as shelter, food, clean water, and safety. We ask God to shine through the darkness and in our hearts so we may be instruments of his mercy.

In the past, the SC Women of the ELCA answered God’s call to reflect Jesus’ light by serving and providing resources for so many living in darkness: women and children escaping domestic violence and abuse; preschool children of poverty struggling to read; the homeless; and victims of human trafficking.

To this end, we will be supporting Lutheran Services Carolinas as our local project. Our global project will support our sister synod in Tanzania, where two girls’ dormitories at Itamba Secondary School were damaged by fire.

SC Women of the ELCA work together using their God-given gifts to serve those in need within and outside their congregation. At conference meetings we learn about and respond to local needs. We support the churchwide organization with regular offerings and Joy offerings are forwarded to churchwide to support the ELCA Good Gifts program. We recognize the challenge of meeting the spiritual needs of young adult women in our churches. This provides an opportunity to grow as we find common ground.

SC Women of the ELCA are woven together in our faith, service and sisterhood. By God’s grace, we will continue to support women and children locally and around the world. We invite you to join us on this journey.

Find out more about the South Carolina Women of the ELCA visit their website at http://scwelca.com.