Women of the ELCA
President, Linda Pendleton EMAIL
The Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church offer several Circles that meet once a month for Bible study, fellowship, and friendship. We have one Circle that meets every Friday (Spanish language). If you are interested in coming to a meeting, please contact the leaders. Monthly Circles meet on the first Tuesday or Wednesday of the month, except for December and May when all the women join together the first week of that month at church. Some Circles also take a hiatus in July and August for the summer. (If a meeting date falls on a holiday, some changes may be made to that meeting's time.)
All women of St. Mark's are invited to join or visit any of the circles that meet the first week of each month (except for July and August when we don't meet). We'd love you have you visit any of our circles at any of these times!
As a means of honoring Margret Feigel’s life and helping the Lynbrook children that she loved so, we are collecting kids’ sweatshirts, sweatpants, and such. There will be a collection box for the items in the narthex for this on Sundays. Thank you very much for considering this.
WELCA Board Meeting
The next St. Mark's WELCA Executive Board Meeting will be on Monday, March 17, at 7:00 PM via Zoom.
Sign up for Daily Grace
Daily Grace is an on-the-go companion for your journey, offering a faith reflection every day. Encounter God’s extravagant, boundless and often surprising grace by signing up for a daily email message. You can also download the newly updated app for your IOS and Android devices.
Circle Meetings for April, 2025
As 2025 begins, Women of the ELCA circles continue to meet monthly, continuing fellowship and Bible study for members. Our project this month will be a monetary gift to Lutheran Social Services (LSS).
Martha Circle will meet on Tuesday, April 1 at 10:00 AM in the lounge. The program, led by Linda Pendleton, will be the final lesson from the Proverbs Bible Study entitled “Ordinary Heroes—Proverbs about Character.” Julie Brimmer will be hostess. Let Linda know if you will be attending via Zoom.
Esther Circle will meet on Wednesday, April 2 at 9:30 AM in the Friendship House. We will have a business meeting, then attend the Ash Wednesday service.
Deborah Circle will meet on Saturday, April 5 in the Church lounge, beginning at 10:00 AM. This will be a hybrid in-person and ZOOM meeting. The ZOOM link is https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85945099360?pwd=eonDDz276jDax6vtyU6JYHwvzTg087.1. Linda Vretos will be our hostess and Cindy Hausch-Booth will be the program leader as they continue their study from the January/February Gather magazine in Session Two on Faithfulness entitled “Faith in the Depths: Psalm 22.”
Tabitha Circle is now meeting in the Friendship House on Thursday evenings, beginning at 7:00 PM. They continue studying the book of Matthew.
WELCA invites all St. Mark’s women to attend one of our Circle meetings. Just show up—you will be warmly welcomed!
Thankoffering/Bold Woman’s Sunday, February 23, 2025
A grateful Thank you to St. Mark’s members who contributed to the Thankoffering on February 9, 16, and 23. A total of $1,995 was collected to support the work of the Churchwide Women of the ELCA. Because the Thankoffering is their primary source of funding, your generosity will help continue Women of the ELCA activities, communication tools, staffing, and publications. Thanks again for supporting this important ministry!
Meet our TWO Bold Women for 2025—Fran Eck and Harriet Latta—and Read their Bios …
Thanks to you all for your donations to our Thankoffering collection and for your support of our Bold Women of 2025, Fran Eck and Harriet Latta! If you missed their abbreviated bios that were published in the bulletins that Sunday, you can find them HERE. We are humbled by ALL of our St. Mark’s women who live their lives boldly and in service to others in so many ways!
Women of the ELCA December Combined Circle Meeting
The Winter Combined Circle Soup Luncheon was held on Saturday, December 7, 2024 in the Fellowship Hall. Although it was cold in the hall, we had a wonderful hot lunch of six different soups, hot rolls, crackers, lovely desserts and coffee. MANY THANKS to Cherry for organizing the food and to all the women who brought their delicious soups. And a big thanks to the planning committee and to the hostesses from each of our circles.
The Project for December was Pastor’s Discretionary Fund. If you were unable to attend in person, please send your checks to Shanon.
Our program was “The Colors of Christmas”, where the planning committee decorated a small Christmas tree as the colors were described:
a. Green evergreen tree for God’s never-ending love for us
b. red garland for Jesus’ wrapping us in redemption
c. blue ornaments representing heaven, hope and peace
d. purple ornaments for Jesus’ royalty as King of Kings
e. a yellow lighted angel for the announcement of Jesus’ birth to the shepherds
f. silver and gold ornaments and silver tinsel to remind us of God’s riches of redemption, forgiveness, and grace
g. red and white candy canes to remind us of God’s great love
h. cookies to remind us that God provides for our daily needs; and finally
i. various creches to show that Jesus came into the world for all of us.
The readings were interspersed with Christmas Carols. The program ended with more Christmas carols and a closing prayer, followed by the Cookie Exchange.
We had a wonderful time of food and fellowship. We missed everyone who couldn’t attend.
Metro DC Synodical Women’s Organization (SWO) “Welcome Back” Mini-convention
celebrating “Resilience and Hope”
… was held at St. Mark’s on Saturday, September 21st. Thanks to all the hard working volunteers and donations from our St. Mark’s women who helped to make it a success!
May Combined Circle Meeting and Salad Supper …
… was held on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall. At this semi-annual salad/dessert supper, we were treated to a myriad of delicious salads from various circle members and wonderful desserts from our hostesses! Our guest speaker was Pastor Saul Cardona, who spoke about his past and upcoming mission trips to Honduras. We helped to support his ministry with a small stipend and free-will offering. Our May project was providing summer items for the children in Wise, VA with summertime sports equipment and kids clothes, toiletries, suitcases/duffle bags, socks, shoes in good condition, and gift cards.
Thanks to everyone who attended and supported our May project and Pastor Saul’s Honduras trip.
Filled Christmas Stockings for the Angel Tree in Wise, VA
On Sunday, November 12th, Janelle Swensson and her husband came to the Friendship House to collect the Christmas stockings, toys, games, children’s warm clothing, and bags of quilts for the foster children of Wise, VA. Thanks so much to all those at St. Mark’s and Springfield Firestone who filled these stockings! Your generosity in helping the less fortunate knows no bounds. And thanks to Alice Real and St. Mark’s Youth who carried all the boxes and loaded up the two SUVs.
Here is an extract from Janelle’s email:
I cannot begin to thank-you enough for all you have done. Having your youth to help with loading was truly a gift. Please, please thank them for us. The stockings and quilts and all the accessories are all wonderful. The generosity of the gift cards and check are just overwhelming. Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you. Do you know how many lives/children you will touch and spread great light to?? It is just amazing. ~ Janelle
Again, a great big thank you to St. Mark’s—to our congregation, our WELCA Circles, Quilts and More, and the Sunday School and Youth for opening your hearts and for being a blessing to these children!
CONGRATULATIONS TO our St. Mark’s “Bold Woman” for 2024 Sandy Lind!
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SandY …
Purpose
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, society, and the world.
Link to Metropolitan Washington D.C. Synodical Women's Group