Do Days are the second and fourth WEDNESDAY of each month, at 1:00 p.m. Please feel free to join us! 
    
 
 OCTOBER 2022   Submitted by June Torrison

We are offering Gather bible studies this Fall.  Some women have mentioned that they feared going to bible study in the past because they were afraid of answering questions.  They told me that  in some cases they went around the room and tried to figure out “which question they would get”.  Well, these are discussion questions, not information questions.  And no one is asked for an answer, people just chime in.    In fact, the first one in the August issue was WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO GET RID OF?  Plenty of discussion on that one!!!!

The September and October themes are JESUS AND NATURE.

Question one:  Have you ever seen, touched, smelled or tended a grapevine?

Gatherings will be on the 3rd Wednesday morning at 9:30 in the church library, unless there is a need to change.  You may bring a bible, or use one there.  You can download the lessons from the Women of the ELCA website. That is free.   I will also bring copies. 

Thanks to Janet Rosedahl, Lucy Schumann and Deb Bucknell for being part of a program at Wildwood Grove in August.  Lucy brought cookies which they also enjoyed. And Rose Erie has been bringing treats for the worship services for a long time.  Our turn comes up every five weeks on Thursday afternoons.  They still have a check in process and wear masks inside.  Other local organizations have been doing things for the residents.  For example, Lions, Garden Club and a group that meets weekly to do crafts. 

The Synod event in Rochester was an absolute JOY.  The morning speaker, author Kim Kane, kept us very entertained.  Pastor Emily Carson led bible study and preached at the closing worship. Many of us enjoy her weekly columns in the Post Bulletin.   Deanna Bergan’s sister was one of the hostesses for the noon lunch.    

The real surprise in the afternoon was a fashion show of biblical characters.  Kathy Bolin wrote the script and narrated/commented.  The theme for the show was Celebrating 35 years of the Women of the ELCA.  ORDINARY WOMEN DOING EXTRAORDINARY THINGS.   And there was musical background. Eve’s outfit was “interesting”.  As Noah’s wife was described, the pianist played “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head”.   My friend Kay portrayed aged Sarah – she was using a walker, obviously pregnant.  One woman with connections to Africa actually balanced an empty water jug on her head.  A reminder that we take water for granted.  Many have to walk great distances to obtain water. As expected, Miriam came dancing down the aisle with a tambourine.   There were 16 women involved in the modeling.  The clothing was all interesting and appropriate.  It was great fun, plus we learned a lot about the characters and their lives. 

The synod representative, Jean Pishaw, has lived in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Alaska and Oregon.  She shared stories of women who had influenced her. 
The exhibits were also interesting and informative. Many grocery carts full of items were brought to be given to Safe Harbor for individuals and families affected by domestic violence.

The closing worship included piano, organ, a brass quintet and tympani.  WOW
  This was supposed to be held last year so things have gotten off schedule a bit.  It was agreed that it was great to be together again for the conference events in the spring as well as this synod one.