Who Are the Women of the ELCA?
Women of the ELCA is a community of women committed to growing spiritually, to praying, to studying the Bible, and to maturing in faith. Like the ELCA, this community of women has three expressions.
Units
Our local expressions are called units. Most units are based in congregations, called congregational units or CUs. Some are intercongregational. We also have special units, which are formed in places or situations that do not provide a practical means for congregational affiliation (for example, a college campus). Within the unit, regular meetings take place and plans are made as women decide how to carry out the mission of the organization.
Some units are composed of several small groups, often called circles. There is no limit to the number of small groups a unit can have. Within the unit or within small groups. Bible studies, special programming, social ministry projects, and other learning and fellowship opportunities take place.
The individual participants who bring their energy and vision into the life of their unit are the front lines of the organization.
Conferences or clusters are groupings of congregations within a synodical organization. Conferences or clusters gather for leadership development, training, and ministry. Conference or cluster planning committees and coordinators are imprtant links between units and the synodical women's organization.
Synodical Women's Organizations
Women of the ELCAs synodical expression comprises 64 synodical women's organizations across the United States and the Caribbean that parallel the synods of the ELCA. Each synodical womens organization (or SWO) has a board whose members are elected at the synodical women's organizations convention by delegates from units. Some SWOs have conventions every two years; others have annual conventions. Each unit sends a delegate to its SWO convention. You can participate in a SWO convention whether or not you participate in Women of the ELCA in your congregation.
Churchwide
Within the churchwide expression of Women of the ELCA, the triennial convention constitutes our highest legislative body. Delegates to this convention, held every three years, are elected at synodical women's organziation conventions.
The churchwide executive board, elected at the triennial convention, serves Women of the ELCA between conventions by carrying out the decisions of the triennial convention and by conducting the business of the churchwide organization.
Women of the ELCA's programming flows from the organization's mission, the triennial theme, and the organization's goals, which are: (1) to achieve meaningful and relevant intergenerational connections; (2) to build communities that are cohesive, diverse, dynamic, compassionate and just, based on common interests, concerns and commitments; and (3) to authentically name, voice, and respond to issues affecting women through awareness, education, action, and advocacy.
The chuchwide staff, led by an executive director, develops and implements resources, opportunities and ways in which the mission and triennial theme are carried out and the goals met. The churchwide staff is based in Chicago, in the ELCA churchwide offices.
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