Women of the EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
NORTH CAROLINA SYNODICAL WOMEN'S ORGANIZATION  
Home  |  What's New  |  Organization  |  Contacts  |  Calendar  | Committees  |  Search
             Program Ideas |  Special Events | Synodical Gathering |  Projects  |  Resources 
  President's Mail  | Triennial Gathering  |  Carolina Vine  |  View Point  |  Photos  |  Links  |  Feedback 

Offerings Interpretation

Ways of Giving

            Women have been walking humbly with God since the beginning of time. Some of these women are Miriam, Deborah, Leah and Mary. Also, we have Mary Magdalene, Joanna and Susanna. Finally, our foremothers lead us to walk humbly with God. We build churches, support missionaries and make decisions about the future ministry of women. The need for an organization was seen and developed. Women of the ELCA was organized and born. Women learn to lead, to pray, to study God’s Word, to serve and to celebrate.

            Although we lead busy lives, we still must walk with God. We must walk faster to keep pace with the urgent need for effective ministry and increasing cost.

            Women of the ELCA have four ways of giving monetary gifts to meet the costs. Each means of giving monetary gifts to meet the costs. Each means of giving offers opportunities to witness blessings of the faithful women.

 

Regular Offerings         

            Regular offerings provide ongoing income for the work and ministry of the Women of the ELCA. These offerings cover operational costs, which make possible the development of programs and resources to support women and to connect all women to the whole church and around the world. The column symbol reminds us that these offerings hold up the organization.

 

Thankofferings              

            Thankofferings allow Women of the ELCA to think about their ministries and their blessings. Usually this offering is given in the fall to thank God for a bountiful harvest. Thankofferings are part of the organization’s annual gift to the ELCA. Also, they support programs and services with the Women of the ELCA and throughout the world. The heart and cross symbol reminds us that this offering is the result of God’s activity in our lives. Click here to see more information on where your Thankoffering dollars go.

Designated Gifts             

            Designated gifts support specific ministries of the ELCA and the Women of the ELCA. These gifts go beyond regular offerings and Thankofferings. They are selected for a three-year cycle coordinating with the ELCA churchwide units. The branch symbol shows these are growing gifts above and beyond regular offerings.

 

Special Offerings and Gifts          

            Special offerings and gifts are for occasional, time-specific gift-giving opportunities such as anniversaries of the organization, a memorial, or a special project named by the Women of the ELCA Executive Board. Legacy of Love gifts are in this category. These consist of Katie’s Fund, grant programs for women and children in crisis, theological scholarships for women, or selected ministries at the church. Legacy of Love planned gifts include gifting or pledging personal assets such as cash, stock, insurance policies, IRA’s, other retirement plans or real estate to Women of the ELCA. Pamphlets showing ways to give a Legacy of Love can be ordered through the Women of the ELCA Resource Catalog on page 26. The hand symbol reminds us of our pledge to support one another in our callings.

Top   5