IN MEMORIAM
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It is with great sadness that we share with you the passing of Hilton Austin, Jr. on Saturday, February 20, 2021. Hilton always supported his wife Patti and her work with Women of the ELCA. He was even nicknamed the
"First Dude" when she served as our Churchwide President.
Hilton was recently recognized by Bishop Kevin Strickland and Pastor Matt Steinhauer for his advocacy work in the Southeastern Synod and the ELCA. He was one of the founding members of the Georgia Interfaith Public Policy Center and until recently served as the chair of its board.
There will be a memorial service for Hilton at A. S. Turner and Sons in Decatur, GA on Saturday March 6 at 2:00pm with visitation from 1:00-2:00pm. In lieu of flowers Patti has requested that donations be made in memory of Hilton to Georgia Interfaith Public Policy Center at gippc.org/give/ or SES WELCA in care of our treasurer Karen Andrews,
950 Eagles Landing Pkwy, Suite 617, Stockbridge, GA 30281.
For more information go to asturner.com/obituaries/Hilton-M-Austin-Jr?obId=20046830#/obituaryInfo
Please pray for Patti and her family. Rest in peace dear Hilton!
"First Dude" when she served as our Churchwide President.
Hilton was recently recognized by Bishop Kevin Strickland and Pastor Matt Steinhauer for his advocacy work in the Southeastern Synod and the ELCA. He was one of the founding members of the Georgia Interfaith Public Policy Center and until recently served as the chair of its board.
There will be a memorial service for Hilton at A. S. Turner and Sons in Decatur, GA on Saturday March 6 at 2:00pm with visitation from 1:00-2:00pm. In lieu of flowers Patti has requested that donations be made in memory of Hilton to Georgia Interfaith Public Policy Center at gippc.org/give/ or SES WELCA in care of our treasurer Karen Andrews,
950 Eagles Landing Pkwy, Suite 617, Stockbridge, GA 30281.
For more information go to asturner.com/obituaries/Hilton-M-Austin-Jr?obId=20046830#/obituaryInfo
Please pray for Patti and her family. Rest in peace dear Hilton!
THIRTY-THIRD CONVENTION
The Thirty-third Convention of the Southeastern Synod Women of the ELCA has been rescheduled due to the pandemic. It is to be held September 17-19, 2021 the Hilton Marietta Hotel and Conference Center in Marietta, Georgia. Our theme will be "Jars of Clay".
The latest issue of The Southeastern Weaver is attached below. It includes a letter from our president, Patti Austin, and lots of other information about what is happening in our synod. We will try to conduct any necessary business of our organization electronically until we meet again in September 2021.
Watch for more details as they become available.
The latest issue of The Southeastern Weaver is attached below. It includes a letter from our president, Patti Austin, and lots of other information about what is happening in our synod. We will try to conduct any necessary business of our organization electronically until we meet again in September 2021.
Watch for more details as they become available.
Pictures from our 2019 convention can be found on the Photos page under News & Events above
11th TRIENNIAL CONVENTION
In a specially called meeting December 23, Women of the ELCA’s executive board decided how and when to hold the organization’s next convention and gathering. The meeting and Just Love Gathering were initially scheduled for July 14-16, 2020. When the coronavirus pandemic hit, the board, in its April 2020 meeting, rescheduled the convention and gathering for early August 2021.
“Since the April board meeting, the coronavirus has spread in ways that few would have imagined,” said Linda Post Bushkofsky, churchwide executive director. As of December 23, more than 323,000 people have died in the United States due to the coronavirus, she said. More than 18.2 million people have been infected to date in the U.S. Leading epidemiologists describe the current trajectory of the virus as a “surge upon surge upon surge.”
Therefore, believing that in-person meetings will be unsafe into 2021, the executive board approved three recommendations:
With no Covid-19 vaccine on the horizon, Women of the ELCA’s executive board met by video on April 25 and voted to postpone the organization’s convention and gathering until August 2021. “We are postponing not canceling,” said Linda Post Bushkofsky, executive director of Women of the ELCA.
Postponing the convention means that the current executive board will serve another year until “replacements are elected and installed,” Bushkofsky said. Then, the board elected in 2021 will serve a two-year term. For the 2023 convention, “we would be back to our three-year cycle. That works best with the churchwide assembly, the youth gathering, and the rostered leaders’ event.”
Please remember the churchwide organization with your prayers and donations. A majority of our members give through Faithful Friends, a way to give automatically through a credit card or checking account. Learn more about Faithful Friends.
“Since the April board meeting, the coronavirus has spread in ways that few would have imagined,” said Linda Post Bushkofsky, churchwide executive director. As of December 23, more than 323,000 people have died in the United States due to the coronavirus, she said. More than 18.2 million people have been infected to date in the U.S. Leading epidemiologists describe the current trajectory of the virus as a “surge upon surge upon surge.”
Therefore, believing that in-person meetings will be unsafe into 2021, the executive board approved three recommendations:
- That the Eleventh Triennial Convention, currently scheduled for August 3-5, 2021, be held virtually (or digitally) on those same dates although it cannot meet virtually until the 2017 voting members amend the constitution to allow for virtual meetings. The churchwide staff will take steps necessary to be in touch with the voting members regarding proposed changes to the constitution. Those proposed changes were made by the executive board at its October 2020 meeting.
- That the Just Love Gathering, currently scheduled for August 5-8, 2021, be postponed and registration refunds be offered. Staff will then find other ways to build community and bring women together virtually in 2021 and 2022.
- That the Twelfth Triennial Convention and a Gathering be held in Phoenix, Arizona, during the week of September 18, 2023.
With no Covid-19 vaccine on the horizon, Women of the ELCA’s executive board met by video on April 25 and voted to postpone the organization’s convention and gathering until August 2021. “We are postponing not canceling,” said Linda Post Bushkofsky, executive director of Women of the ELCA.
Postponing the convention means that the current executive board will serve another year until “replacements are elected and installed,” Bushkofsky said. Then, the board elected in 2021 will serve a two-year term. For the 2023 convention, “we would be back to our three-year cycle. That works best with the churchwide assembly, the youth gathering, and the rostered leaders’ event.”
Please remember the churchwide organization with your prayers and donations. A majority of our members give through Faithful Friends, a way to give automatically through a credit card or checking account. Learn more about Faithful Friends.
Watch for more information in our newsletter and on the website from our synodical board
and our Triennial Gathering Promoter, Margery Kellar, as it becomes available.
and our Triennial Gathering Promoter, Margery Kellar, as it becomes available.