Synod Women of the ELCA

2022-2024 Western ND Synodical Women of the ELCW Board

Back row: Helen Grant-Secretary, Marilyn Saueressig-Lonetree, Taryce Olson-Turtle Mountain, Jan Jacobson-Upper Missouri, Lois Schmalz-President

Front row:  Lois Ballensky-Heart River, Loanne Olson-Vice President, Linda Hanson-Treasurer, Michelle Lauckner-Western Prairie

Not pictured:  Bonnie Bohlman-Badlands, Connie Isaak-East Missouri, Rev Shirley Teske-Lonetree, Sharon Heilman-Heart River

Keep updated on all the SWO happenings by reading the March 2024 Western Whirlwind.

The Western ND Women of the ELCA Synodical Convention is on June 21-24, 2024 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bismarck. Use the forms below for registration and nominations.
Registration Form
Scholarship Application Form
Nomination Form both pages
Willingness to serve form2

Women of the ELCA Mission Statement:
  “To mobilize women to act boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ.”

The Western North Dakota Women of the ELCA are participants in their congregational units and meet in community with each other for friendship, for opportunity to study together, for support, for chances for involvement, and for possibilities to do justice.

From the beginning of our organization, women have felt a need to be connected to and to share with each other. This is done in the local expression with small groups that often focus on Bible studies, fellowship opportunities, social ministry projects, and efforts to improve congregational and community programs.

Our seven clusters (or conferences) provide opportunities to gather twice a year to meet this same need for connectedness and involvement in a larger community. The Western North Dakota Synodical Women’s Organization is one of 64 synodical expressions across the ELCA. Our board members are elected at the Synodical Convention every two years by delegates from the units.

We strive to promote mission and ministry in Western North Dakota. The Western Whirlwind is the synodical newsletter which is sent to the unit officers and is available by subscription. It is the primary vehicle for sharing information about activities, retreats, growth opportunities, mission, cluster operations, leadership, and learning. The WND synodical women’s organization is in partnership with our Sister Synod, the Central African Republic. There are extensive other mission opportunities in which we can participate.

The churchwide expression of Women of the ELCA meets in triennial convention to elect a churchwide executive board and to conduct the business of the churchwide organization. Delegates elected at the Western North Dakota Synodical Convention represent our women at this convention. Offerings given help provide us with worship and growth resources and support ministries especially to women and children in poverty and crisis.

What drives our ministry? What’s our mission and message? To make Christ known!

For information on Conventions or Cluster Gatherings, visit the event’s page.