Welcome!

If you are a Lutheran woman, you are "one of us".
You are a woman of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
You are welcome and encouraged to join us at any of our meetings.

Purpose Statement

As a community of women created in the image of God, called to the 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,
      Promote healing and wholeness in the church, society, and world.

General Information

Women of the ELCA is a world-wide Lutheran organization. The central office in the USA is in Chicago, Il. We are celebrating our 25th anniversary beginning June 2012 through May 2013. Our year-long celebration will begin at our Convention in May. We participate in national Triennial Conventions. The 2014 convention will be held in Chicago.

We at Harrold Zion are part of the Southwestern PA Synod unit. You will note in our articles in the newsletters and bulletins that we have made a change to our name from Women of the ELCA or WELCA to Esther Circle. Esther was a BOLD woman of the Old Testament. Women of the ELCA from all over the world are bold women as we actively participate to serve our churches, c ommunities and beyond. Currently our officers are Mary Lou Millward, president; Dorothy Henry, secretary: Helen Barnett, treasurer. Mary Lou is on the board of directors serving on the Action Committee.

Our SWPA Spring Cluster Gathering will be held April 14 at St. Mathias Church located off North Main Street in Greensburg. Our Convention will be held May 18 and 19, 2012 at the Bishop Connare Center located east of Greensburg.

Meetings

We meet on the first Tuesday of the month at 7:00 pm.
We meet in March through June and August through December.
We participate in the Spring and Fall Cluster 4 meetings.
We participate in the Southwest WELCA Spring Convention.

Meeting Agenda

      Devotions
      Business Meeting
      Bible Study
      Outreach project during the Easter and Christmas seasons
      Offering
      Closing
      Refreshments

Outreach Projects

Our outreach projects and meetings include but are not limited to:
      Helping Hands (funeral luncheons)
      Easter and Christmas gifts for our shut-ins.
      Palm Sunday cookie and angel food cake drives for Meals on Wheels
      Rachel's Day ribbons on the first Sunday in May
      August family picnic
      Thank Offering Service in November
      Operation Reindeer-collecting Christmas gifts for Westmoreland Mental Health
      Christmas Party
      Assembling Lutheran World Relief kits including school, health, and sewing kits, quilts and prayer shawls.
      Designated Outreach - year long collection for a local organization that strives for the betterment of girls of all ages.

Recent Meetings

Our November 2011 meeting included a special guest, Savannah Torrance, who vacationed at the Amistad Mission
in Bolivia, South America. She and her great Aunt attended a 15 year old's birthday celebration as well as visiting
a school where the girl attends. After the presentation, we had a short Thank Offering service followed by time for
fellowship, which included refreshments.