Women's Circle
Women of the ELCA Chair Kathy Lester (643-4145)

All women who attend St. John’s are members of WELCA and may join a Circle for Bible study, prayer, service and fellowship. Pick a convenient time and talk to Kathy for more details.

· Martha Circle meets the first Thursday at 9 a.m.
· Sarah Circle meets the first Thursday at 1:30 p.m.
· Mary/Miriam Circle meets the first Tuesday at 1:00 p.m.
· Hannah Circle meets the first Tuesday at 9:15 a.m. Child care is provided.
· Lydia Circle meets the second Thursday at 1 p.m.
· Ruth Circle meets the second Monday at 7 p.m.
· Bible Study Leaders meet with Pastor Mitchell on the final Tuesday of the month to study the coming lesson.

The women collect pennies and loose change in a jar in the gathering area. This offering will be taken to the Biennial Synod Convention in June.

One-half of the offerings collected at monthly circle meetings goes to the national office for service projects that combine to support women and children in poverty.

Operation Christmas is an annual project of the Women of the ELCA. For the past few years, efforts focused on the community Caring Tree.

Another project of the women is Christmas Cheer. Last year the women donated $100 to the Good Neighbor Clinic, $100 to the Haiti Medical Mission, $100 to Hope House, and $100 to the food pantryThe women decide at their annual meeting which Lutheran World Relief projects to support.

They will collect the items for health kits again this year and encourage the congregation to participate. Some Circles assemble sewing kits and school kits while others put layettes together.

The women have established 6 prayer chains of 8-10 members each for directed prayers.

They also participate in the Prayer on Mondays at Noon program from the national WELCA board. Specific prayer requests are published in the Visitor, the congregation’s newsletter.

The Circles also take turns visiting Special Friends (shut-ins) in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and those who are home-bound.