Women of Peace
Meet the WELCA Members – Serving Our Congregation and Community
A new slate of officers was installed this past December for Peace’s chapter of WELCA (Women of the ELCA). The new officers include Arelene Sorensen (President), Betty Fokken (Vice-President), Maggie Schmidt (Secretary), Millie Horter (Treasurer), and Deb Patzlaff (Director of Stewardship).
As a member of Peace Lutheran Church, women automatically are part of the WELCA organization. But what is WELCA and what do they do? At Peace, the mission is mobilizing women to act boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ. But more specifically, at Peace it includes:
Study – the Ruth/Hanna Circle meets every third Thursday at 9:30 a.m. for Bible study using the Gather Magazine (which is produced by WELCA).
Outreach/Service/Spiritual Care
Quilters meet the first and second Thursdays of each month at 9 a.m. to knot quilts for Lutheran World Relief and other outreach groups.
Prayer Shawl ministry meets the third Tuesday of each month at 4:30 p.m. to knit or crochet prayer shawls for members and the community going through challenging times.
Groups gather periodically to make bandages, school kits, baby care kits, personal care kits, and fabric kits for Lutheran World Relief and other organizations.
Peace Angels help at Pettigrew Elementary each Thursday, 8:30-10:30 a.m., assisting teachers in preparing classroom materials.
WELCA volunteers host funeral lunches and receptions. Members help direct funds received during the two special offerings received to local and area organizations meeting the needs of our members and community.
Community Life – WELCA hosts spring, fall, Advent, and Christmas events that each feature a program and entertainment, as well as a meal or desserts.
When asked why she was involved, Arelene Sorensen replied, “I’m a member of Peace; it’s my home. I want to do what I can to further the mission of our church. And just as Jesus love us, he invites us to love and care for others as well. This is one of the ways I do that.”
How can you get involved? Simply attend one of the regularly scheduled activities here at Peace, contact one of the WELCA officers listed at the beginning of this story, check out the Discover Peace Magazine, or contact the church office.