WELCA Outreach: Teamwork Makes the Dream Work!
When it comes to outreach at Peace, nobody does it quite as faithfully as our WELCA family.
“Teamwork makes the dream work!” several members said while rolling bandages, tying quilts, sorting hand-knitted hats, and packing hygiene kits. “There is always something for us to do,” Deb Patzlaff said. “Being involved in this church is so special. Our members are so giving and caring. Just look at the women here: everybody is doing something! Busy hands and good hearts.”
Deb shared some of the great ways that WELCA is serving our community at the moment.
In teamwork with the congregation at St. Dysmas (South Dakota State Penitentiary), our WELCA crew has been spreading love from the East to the West side of Sioux Falls. Starting at the end of October and continuing today, WELCA joined with members from the prison to share handmade hats with a wide variety of our schools, our veterans, and our local charities. In just these past few months, WELCA has distributed 427 caps across town to locations such as DAV (Disabled American Veterans), McCrossan’s Boys Ranch, the Ronald McDonald House, and middle schools including Axtell, George McGovern, and Edison.
Arlene Sorensen got the team together as a way to share warmth with our neighbors in need. Members of the St. Dysmas congregation make the hats, and WELCA distributes them to anyone who is in need. Deb even finds daily opportunities inside and outside church!
“My husband and I were at Avera for a medical appointment. Our driver said his ears were cold, so I offered him a hat. He chose one of the hats from our boxes and put it right on his head. The next time we saw him parking cars, he was wearing the hat! What a blessing!”
Along with the hats, WELCA has shared 39 pairs of mittens, 36 quilts, and countless other blessings to help those in need.
“People are so grateful. We have seen tears of gratitude from teachers, principles, and other community workers. We even hear words like ‘God bless you!’ from our neighbors. It’s so good to help out wherever we can.”
But it doesn’t end there. WELCA hosts regular outreach ministries all year long! Every woman from the church, no matter her age or ability level, is invited to participate in the following ministries: Funeral Committee (baking, serving, cleaning), Prayer Chain (email group), Prayer Shawl Ministry (knitting or crocheting shawls), Friends of the Library (organizing materials), Peace quilters (matching pieces, sewing, tying quilts, cutting bandages), Peace Meals (prepping frozen meals and donating canned goods), Peace Angels (volunteering at local elementary schools), and Altar Guild (preparing and setting up communion, caring for vestments, vessels, and linens). Along with these services, WELCA offers fellowship gatherings in small groups and studies.
To participate in outreach with WELCA, please contact the new president, Arlene Sorensen, or the church office for more information.