WELCA CIRCLE REPORTS for 2010

WELCA (Women of the ELCA) Executive Board

                  Co-Presidents                               Debra Gruttadauro  & Jane Kretzmann

                  Vice-president                              Corinne Barrett

                  Secretary                                    Rene Myers

                  Treasurer                                    Pat Alexander

                  Member at Large                          Glenna Meneely

Circle Chairwomen:

Circle of Joy     Marilyn Martin                                   Mary Martha          Kay Micalizio Miriam Circle           Rene Myers  Tabitha Circle                                       Ida Nuttall

WELCA's accomplishments in 2010 were many.  (Also see below for individual circle activities.)  Of our goals for 2010 we accomplished the following:

• Job descriptions for all board members have been located.
• The Constitution and By-Laws have been located and put into digital format.
• Our financial records were audited and found in order.
• By combining our six circles into four, participation was increased and a sense of purpose revitalized.
• Due to the generosity of our members, we were able to increase our benevolence giving this year.  We aided the following good causes:  Good Shepherd youth ($300), Rwanda School project ($50), sewing machines for the women at Ascension Church Guyana ($75), the Monterey County Food Bank ($100), Salvation Army ($40), Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, women's scholarship fund ($40), and Lutheran World Relief ($30).
• We sponsored several major fellowship events for the women as well as the whole congregation and visitors:
• February 7^th:  We had a delightful Luncheon and Officer Installation.
• May 8^th:  Our annual Mother's Day Tea enjoyed by the women and guests.
• July 24^th:  A one-day retreat was held at a member's home with 17 women attending.  The day included three Bible studies on the topic: Pray Always.  Time was also allowed for walking a Labyrinth, making 23rd Psalm bracelets, lunch and fellowship.
• October 17^th:  We sponsored a second "A Celebration of Gifts" with music, guest speakers, and both men and women displaying their crafts for all to enjoy.
• November 7^th :  The Thank Offering Ingathering in November resulted in $790.16 collected and sent to WELCA National, primarily for use to help women throughout the world.
• November 14^th :  We had an "alternative general meeting" for voting on the new officer slate and the use of benevolence funds.
• November 28^th :  We added a fun and well-attended congregational family event - decorating Advent Yule logs to hold Advent candles.
• December 5^th :  We hosted the annual WELCA Christmas Party in conjunction with the Chancel Choir Concert

Our major concerns in 2010 were the dwindling number of women who actively participate in Circles and our inability to pinpoint the reasons.  We also ended the year with no president for the Board (but have thankfully now filled the position with two new co-presidents.)

Our Goals for 2011 include the following:

• Convert the job descriptions for all Board officers into digital format.
• Review our Constitution and rewrite our By-laws.
• Sponsor four major fellowship/business events.
• Ensure the financial records are audited.
• Continue to foster a sense of being part of WELCA Synod and WELCA National.
• Work to make Circle participation more meaningful in meeting the spiritual needs of the women through fellowship, Bible study, and charitable service.

Circle Reports:

Joy Circle   performed the following projects in 2010:

• I-Help -- provided two ham and potatoe dinners for approximately 25 men
• "Cell Phones for Soldiers" --  collected and donated 12 cell phones.  The funds from donated phones go to buy phone cards for our soldiers abroad.
• Assembled 20 health kits for Lutheran World Relief.
• Adopt a family --  provided approximately Christmas cheer and gifts for a single mother and her children.

          Submitted by Marilyn Martin, Circle of Joy Chairman

Mary Martha Circle   continued to be an active group of women serving our Lord, our Church, and our community.  We let the Lutheran Woman Today serve as our guide for our monthly Bible study which led to lively discussions.  We supported Bible a Month, purchased hymnals and/or Bibles in memory of Felise Thomas and Bobbi Peterson, contributed to Lutheran World Relief Fund, assembled health kits for Haiti, served the I-Help program by preparing meals and donating clothes, and gave monetary and gift bag donations to the Women Alive program.  We also nurtured the Church by hosting Coffee-Hours, encouraging our young adults with cards, prayers, and gifts, and participating in WELCA programs.  We look forward to continuing our Lord's work in 2011

          Submitted by Kay Micalizio,  Mary Martha Circle Chairman

Miriam Circle   continues to support all Church  coffee hours, funerals, etc. (whenever asked.)  We support Sun Street Center with coffee on an ongoing basis.  We gave them 30 large cans in a 10-month period.  We've contributed toothpaste, tooth brushes, T-shirts, men's socks for the I-Help program.  We donated 15 School Kits for Africa (LWR).  We also donated 12 Health Kits for El Salvador.  We sent a $50 year-end donation to ALR (Alliance for Lupus Research) which was doubled by matching funds!!  (100% of our donation goes for research.)  Lupus hasn't had a new dedication in 55 years!  This charity is "special" to Miriam Circle as two of our members have this disease!  Also a member of our circle's dog has this disease!  Considering we have only six active members in our circle I feel we do our fair share.

          Submitted by Rene Myers, Miriam Circle Chairman

Tabitha Circle   During 2010, as a group, prepared 34 Midwife Kits for Global Health Ministries. We also hosted 3 I-HELP dinners, and provided refreshments for after service fellowship, and the congregational Christmas party. Our circle also made cash donations to the American Bible Society and to WELCA. Our remaining funds at the end of 2010 were donated to Women’s Mission Outreach Salinas.

Individual members:

• Made 7 Afghans for shut-ins
• Made I-Help donations of 24 new bath towels at Thanksgiving, new T-shirts, briefs, knit caps, socks and 2 pair of gloves each for Christmas, and donations of 25 men’s toiletry bags each month.
• Made 4 Baptismal quilts.
• Supported Women Alive by fixing meals and donating gifts each month for birthday ladies.
• Made 13 baby quilts.
• Delivered clothing donations to Shelter Outreach Plus once a month.
• Participated in a Monterey Composer’s Forum which raised funds for Women Alive.
• Made special monetary donations to Meals on Wheels mid-year in Tabitha Circle’s name and a special donation to the Salvation Army.
• Volunteered at Dorothy’s place and provided sandwiches, cake, etc.

Tabitha met every month for Bible study and supported its members with general prayer and fellowship, with prayer partners, and with caring support for individual needs.

          Submitted by Ida Nuttall,  Tabitha Circle Chairman