President

President's Message

Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Women of the ELCA

GREETINGS! To My Sisters in Christ

Dearest Friends, I start this message and new administration grinning like a silly old girl but with pride and humble gratitude for your care, concern and support. This being my first message since being elected as President at the 22^nd Annual Convention of the Texas Louisiana Gulf Coast Women of the ELCA, I am torn by not knowing what to say or where to start but having so much I want to say. I don’t want to run on too long nor do I want to bore you. However. Let’s start with the convention itself. This joint convention with the Women of Southwestern Texas Synod, this gathering of Lutheran Women of two separate synods that came together for a weekend of love, fellowship and worship was nothing short of spectacular. It was truly a blessing to see so many of you coming together and making new friends while renewing those old dear ones.

This was a very special convention in so many ways in that we were so well represented on the national level. Each Synod was sent a National Representative because it is done every year. And that’s good. The Executive Board Representative was Cam Martin of Minocqua, WI for TLGC while SWT had Anjanette Hodge, Treasurer of Christiansburg, VA. But this year each Synod has an Executive Board Representative from their home areas, just being there, as one of us. Our very own, former President JoAnn Fuchs is now in that position and visits other Synods. Southwestern Texas has Charlene Spillman filling that same role. And then of course we had as a special guest, our National Executive Director, Linda Post Bushkofsky. It sure was fun showing you all off to the National folks. TLGC and SWT rocks!

I want to say many thanks to Peg Swavely for her years of devoted service to this synod and her 4 years as President. She has served us all well and proved her dedication in so many ways. Peg will serve again next year as chair for the convention to be held at Peace Lutheran Church, Pasadena on September 25. More on that later. Peg will also be the Promoter for the Triennial in Spokane, WA in July of 2011. You will be hearing a lot more on that, also. Good job, Peg! I might as well tell you that all of the Board Members and Committee Chairs have all done a fantastic job as well. We are surrounded by the most loyal, dedicated and loving women of anywhere. YOU rock!

The next two years should be very interesting, at least that is my hope. There are so many things that need our attention and focus. There are still hungry and homeless children in Peru, the Central African Republic still needs our help, Water to Thrive is still a great, new program. Closer to home, New Orleans is still trying to rebuild. Beaumont, Port Arthur, Lake Charles, Galveston and surrounding areas are still trying to overcome their losses. If your Unit or Cluster made a commitment to ‘adopt” a church in one of those areas, I am asking you to keep that commitment. If you haven’t adopted one, please do. They still need help. Lutherhill is still in need to funds for much needed repairs and additions.

If that last, Lutherhill, seems selfish, so be it. If that is the path any child needs to hear the message of God’s love, again, so be it. And if we meet the amount of $50,000 in five years, we will still have the naming rights for the health center.

We are WOMEN and we can ACT BOLDLY!

So, I hope I am not sounding too pompous, arrogant, needy or totally out of it. I just want to let you know that I will do my best to carry on our great traditions of service to God and community, love to one another and hope for better things to come.

I feel blessed and honored to have been elected to be your President and I thank you all so very much for this opportunity to serve you and work with you. Please pray for me, I know I’ll be praying for you.

In God’s Love and Peace,

Ann Nicholson - President

Questions or comments: Sheryl Holland

Last Modified: 09/21/2009