Women's Ministries

As we look forward to summer days and a little different pace we have many fun opportunities for fellowship, study, and service. Instead of our individual circles meeting during the summer months, we will meet together for a salad potluck supper the second Thursday of each month at 6:00 p.m. Please mark your calendars and plan on inviting a friend to join you at these events:

On Thursday, June 14th at 6:00 p.m. we will gather to get inspired to invigorate our minds, bodies and spirits with guest speaker Teresa Amaral Beshwate, a licensed physical trainer and owner of Fit Express gym in Easton. Teresa will share her experience connecting health and fitness with spirituality and also share some scientific data on the effect our choices have on successful aging. This event will help us prepare for our Synod Convention that will be held in Fresno, November 9-10, under the theme “Mind-Body-Spirit; it is well with my Soul.” We will also introduce the Peaceful Steps Program, a program that encourages women to find a partner, establish a regular walking program and include scripture meditation. Bring a friend, a salad, and your walking shoes! We’ve learned a lot about being bold in our faith this year. Sometimes making a change or trying something new is a very bold step to take.

Now is the time to clean out your closets and bring those nice clothes and accessories that you’ve outgrown to share with the families at the Rescue Mission. Spa Day is a fun day of service. There is a job for everyone. Talk to Jackie Caglia and she’ll help you find a way to share your gift or talent.

Please join us for a full day of fun on Saturday, June 23rd, as we head to Hanford on Amtrak, take a tour on the old fire engine, enjoy lunch at the Irwin Street Inn, shop, and end the day with ice cream at Superior Dairy. Make your reservation now. You won’t want to miss out on the fun! Please see the sign up form on the next page.

Do you love to travel? If you do, here is a unique cross-cultural opportunity offered by The Women of the ELCA and the Evangelical Lutheran Coalition for Mission in Appalachia August 17-21, 2007. Appalachia runs through 13 states from New York to Alabama. Time will be spent traveling by small bus along the Blue Ridge Mountains with stops in Virginia, Tennessee and West Virginia. Along the way you will meet people of faith as they share their stories. You will learn about mountain-top removal mining, as well as the rich cultural history of the area. You will eat and spend the night in private homes as well as stay at a retreat house. The immersion package is $375 and includes most meals, lodging, and programs and materials. You must make your own arrangements and fund your own transportation to and from the immersion. If you are interested see me for registration information. The deadline is July 9th

ALL ABOARD.....You're invited to join us for a Ladies Day Out on Saturday, June 23. We will be taking a train ride from Fresno to Hanford at 9:50AM. The day will include a fire engine ride, lunch at the Irwin Street Inn, shopping and Superior Dairy before returning to Fresno on the 5:05PM train. We will be car pooling from the church into Fresno at 8:45AM and then back to the church when the train returns at 5:46 PM.

Please make your registration before June 3 and include $25 to hold your spot. This pays for the train tickets, fire engine ride and a buffet lunch. Shopping expenses and ice-cream are NOT included in the price. Checks should be made to Immanuel WELCA.

Please tear off the bottom of this page and give to:

Susan Gardner with your $25.00 reservation money.

This years retreat at St. Anthony’s in Three Rivers will be Friday, September 28th—Sunday, September 30th.

The guest speaker is Pastor Laura Ziehl the Pastor at Cross and Crown Lutheran Church in Rohnert Park, CA. She is also the campus pastor for Sonoma State University students. Pastor Laura was born and raised in Visalia, and she and her husband have two daughters. She was a veterinarian before entering the ministry. In addition to her studies at Luther Seminary, she studied at the Lutheran Seminary in Hon Kong and worked in the Vietnamese refugee camps there, as well as with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hong Kong.

The topic will be “Women At The Well Spring Of Life”. Registration is expected to be full so please register early. The forms are available at your church and the deadline to send in the form is August 15th or ASAP. Reservations are on a first come first serve basis. Please fill out the forms completely; it saves on phone calls later.

Come an enjoy the relaxing spiritual atmosphere up in the lovely foothills at beautiful and relaxing St. Anthony’s retreat.

The committee members from Immanuel are Barbara Petersen, Kathi Mehrten, Deanna Dunbar, Eva Orum and Doris Jorgensen. See them for more information.