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Women's Ministries
Women's Retreat 2013
April 26 - 28, 2013 at Bethel Horizons, with Rachel Kurtz
Women of every generation, how we can love and serve God, the church, and each other.
Bethel's Women's Ministry provides a variety of opportunities for service and fellowship. The Women's Coordinating Council oversees this ministry.
Women's Coordinating Council (WCC) is an assembly of the leaders of all of the groups that are a part of the Women's Ministry at Bethel: our 18 circles, Bethel book women, prayer shawls, women's archives, blanket group, church ladies, and women's choir.
Members of the Women's Coordinating Council plan events and projects so that all groups can participate and have a voice in the scheduled activities of the women's ministry at Bethel. WCC coordinates fundraising activities so that members of all the women's groups at Bethel can work together to contribute support for our church, our mission projects and the Women of the ELCA at the national and synod levels.
Contact us for questions or suggestions regarding the Women's Ministry at Bethel:
WCC President: Judy Olson, 608-230-6211 or olsonjudy2@gmail.com
Staff Contact: Pastor John Swanson 608-257-3577 or jswanson@bethel-madison.org
In 2013 WCC will meet on July 9 from 5:30 - 7:00 pm in Room 216; and on Oct 8 and Nov 12 from noon - 1:30 pm in the Good Shepherd Chapel.
Women's Coordinating Council Meeting Minutes
Click on the links below to open the minutes of our 3 most recent meetings. (PDF).
• May 14, 2013 - coming soon
Submit WCC meeting agenda items and noteworthy items from circles to WCC President Judy Olson at 230-6211 or olsonjudy2@gmail.com.
WOMEN'S MINISTRY GROUPS
All of the women of Bethel are welcome at any and all groups and activities in the Women's Ministry! Come and see what we are about. We'd love for you to join us. Contact WCC President Judy Olson for more information about groups and activities within the women's ministry. olsonjudy2@gmail.com
Bethel Book Women meets once a month in the evening at Bethel. Members of the group select a book to read and discuss each month. This group consists of women who love to read and enjoy the fellowship of other readers.
The Bethel Women's Choir rehearses on Tuesday evenings from 5:15 until 6:45 p.m., and sings once a month during Sunday morning worship services. This group of women sings primarily sacred classical music.
The Blanket Workshop women share in fellowship as they make blankets (quilts) that are donated to Lutheran World Relief for distribution throughout the world. Some women in the group spend their time at a sewing machine. Most of the women share in simple tasks of tying knots with yarn and pinning hems. No sewing skills are necessary at all to join this group. Tasks are easy, and there are plenty of friendly women to show you the techniques. You don’t have to officially sign up, and you don’t have to come every month. Just join us when you can.
A Circle is a group of women who meet monthly at church or in their homes for Christian fellowship, a delicious dessert, and a Bible study. The circles at Bethel vary in the number and age of members, meeting times and locations, special projects, and type of Bible study.
Church Ladies Ministry is a small group of Bethel women who meet with women who are transitioning from the correctional system back into the community. They meet once/month on a Saturday afternoon at a transitional living facility for women. The afternoon consists of fellowship, crafts, singing, and Bible Study. There is also lots of eating, laughing, and conversation.
The Prayer Shawl Ministry combines knitting or crocheting with praying as members of Bethel make beautiful prayer shawls to give to others who have emotional, physical, or spiritual needs. The completed shawl is blessed at a worship service and given to someone in need of comfort.
WOMEN'S MINISTRY PROJECTS
Donations welcomed by women's ministry.
Here is a list of items that would be appreciated to help support the women's ministry. Clean out a closet, help the earth with recycling, and put your items to good use at Bethel. Money raised with these donations funds our projects to support Bethel and to help people in need in our community.
· Unwanted gold or silver jewelry (in good shape or damaged)
· Unwanted jewelry with diamonds, watches (working or not), antique jewelry, or class rings
· Collectible coins, rare stamps
· Sterling silver flatware or hollowware
· Sterling silver serving dishes or utensils
· Military collectibles, historic autographs, old picture postcards
· Cell phones
· Laptops
· GPS devices
· MP3 players, ipods
· Empty toner cartridges from your printer
If you have items you want to donate, bring them to the reception desk at Bethel. If this is inconvenient, contact the WCC president to make other arrangements.
LWR (Lutheran World Relief) Fair Trade Coffee. The LWR Fair Trade Coffee Project ensures that more of the money you spend on coffee reaches the farmers who actually grow it. Fair trade coffee is a simple solution that means the difference—quite literally—between surviving and not surviving for small-scale coffee farmers. Fair Trade Coffee is sold one Sunday morning/month. Sale dates are published in the Bethelite.
For information on Bethel's work with Lutheran World Relief School & Health Kits, please click here.
WOMEN OF THE ELCA (WELCA) 
All women who are members of Bethel Lutheran Church are also members of the larger organization known as Women of the ELCA or WELCA.
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.
Mission: To mobilize women to act boldly on their faith in Jesus.
Bethel Women's Ministry is affiliated with the South Central Wisconsin Synodical Women's Organization of the Women of the ELCA. Their quarterly newsletter is called The Trumpeter.
Created in the image of God: A Community of Women
Created in the Image of God: A Community of Women showcases Women of the ELCA groups across the country living out the mission of our organization and participating in our activities and ministries.
Click to view | Video
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Bethel Lutheran Church 312 Wisconsin Avenue, Madison, WI 53703-2108 (608) 257-3577 Fax: (608) 257-4044
Bethel Lutheran Church is a city-wide church with a world-wide ministry, responding to God and God's world; nourished by Word and Sacrament, offering diversity in worship, mission and learning opportunities. Bethel sees diversity as a gift from God. We welcome all people without regard to race, family or economic status, age, disability or sexual orientation, and invite them to participate fully in the life of our congregation.
