WELCA: Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
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.
Ministry Opportunities
Bible Study
Women of the ELCA host a monthly Bible Study to which all women of the congregation and their friends are invited to attend. The study is published in GATHER, the bimonthly magazine of WELCA. The Bible Study is a series of 4 or 5 sessions on a specific topic. We meet on the second Monday of each month from 9:30-11:00 am in Fellowship Hall and do Zoom for those up North.
"This Fall 2026, WELCA will start the series: "Bold faith on unexpected journey" by the Rev. Tiffany Chaney."
Monday, September 14, at 9:30 am, we study Session One: “Encountering God in the wilderness."
Monday, October 12, at 9:30 am, we will study Session Two: “Choosing loyalty, finding love."
Monday, November 9, at 9:30 am, we will study Session Three: “Proclaiming resurrection in hope."
Monday, December 14, at 9:30 am, we will have our annual "Devotional."
Copies of Gather's study are provided; please find them on one of the shelves in Fellowship Hall. To subscribe to GATHER magazine (which contains the study), please call 884-409-0576 or email: gather@cambewest.com
Service Projects
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Bazaar. We collect donations from the congregation and sell cleaned, used items from jewelry to linens. We also sell crafts made by our own sewing ladies. Our Bazaar is held in the winter and the monies collected go one half to St. Mark's needs and the other half to our local charities.
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Day of Service. Women gather to sew, cut, and put together various handmade items that are useful. In the past we have made abdominal pillows, walker pouches, large bibs for nursing homes, mastectomy pillows, chemo seatbelt pillows, Advent Health drawstring bags, and tissue holders and caps for cancer patients.
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Fashion Show. Ladies from our congregation model outfits from local boutiques or shops with a luncheon provided. Our next Fashion Show is held in the spring with tickets available several weeks prior.
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Ladies Social. A gathering of the congregation women that is usually held in the fall. Everyone who attends gets a chance to meet someone new. We learn fun facts about each other -- skills, experiences, and unusual stuff we stash in our purses!
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Christmas Craft Sale. Quilted items, plus all other crafts by the women of the congregation, are sold at a Craft Sale usually held in early December.
Annual Gathering
State/Local Gatherings: We attend an annual Fall gathering with FL/Bahamas Synod women, participating in worship, bible study, seminars, fellowship, fun, and good food. Our Fall Gathering will be held on November 10-12, 2023, at Warren Willis United Methodist Conference Center. Fall Gathering/FL-BA Synodical Women's Organization (flwelca.com)
Piece Corp
Women gather at the church every Wednesday from 9:00 am - 12:00 noon to make simple, quilted blankets which are sent to the Lutheran World Relief, an institution which provides and distributes these quilts to countries in an emergency. Also, the women prepare health kits and school bags once a year.
Leadership Team
Michele Hilton, Secretary, Treasurer