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MISSION STATEMENT: Mobilizing women to act boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ.
OUR 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, the society, and the world.
LOCAL CIRCLE NEWS
THE LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER
On Sunday, February 23rd, The Lutheran Church of The Redeemer WELCA in Newberry, celebrated BOLD Women's Sunday.
At the beginning of the service, Anne Caughman reflected on the activities of WELCA during 2024. Flowers were placed in the church on Mother's Day, cards were sent to our shut-ins each month, gifts were given to the shut-ins at Christmas, $500 was sent to the SCWELCA Convention for the Tanzania project, $100 was sent to SCWELCA for Hurricane Helene, one member was in attendance at the Heartland Conference WELCA meetings and Aubrey Guyton was sent, by the Heartland Conference, to the SCWELCA Convention as a Young Women Guest.
Before the service continued, Derryll Satterwhite was presented with an Honorary Life Membership in WELCA, for her dedicated service to WELCA and to The Lutheran Church of The Redeemer.
During the sermon, Carol Ezell-Gilson presented a message about two BOLD Women, the Grimke sisters - Sarah and Angelina. Carol's message was both interesting and informative. Below, you will find a summary of Carol's message -
On BOLD Women's Sunday, we heard about Sarah and Angelina Grimke -sisters who shared a strong Christian faith, deep moral values, and tremendous courage. They violated the custom of their time that prohibited women from speaking in public, and travelled throughout the Northeast (1836-1839) speaking out against slavery and speaking up for women's rights. Sarah and Angelina rejected a life of privilege and wealth in the elite society of Charleston, South Carolina to blaze a trail for freedom and equality for all, regardless of race or sex.
During the offertory, the women' s choir sang a special anthem. It was indeed a BOLD Women's Day at The Lutheran Church of The Redeemer.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
The Western Conference of the SCWELCA held their Spring meeting on Sunday, March 27, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. We had about thirty-five members in attendance at St. James, Leesville.
Christie Gardner and Brianna Harris brought greetings from the SC WELCA Board and answered question about the upcoming SC WELCA Convention,” Renew, Refresh, and Remember.” The Western Conference will be the host conference for the convention. We are looking forward to seeing you all there!
The Rev. G. Reginald Cruse, a member of the ELCA Churchwide “Prison Ministry, Reentry and Advocacy Ministry” Task Force, a retired Lutheran minister and Department of Corrections chaplain, was the guest speaker for the meeting. He talked about Prison Ministry and the importance of meeting the needs of those individuals who have completed their sentence and are released. We need to be aware of their reentry back into society and ways we can assist those individuals. The Western Conference Fall meeting will be held on the third Saturday, October 19, 2025, at 3:00PM. St. Mark Lutheran Church, Prosperity will be the host.