The Women of the ELCA (WELCA) at Union Creek are part of a vibrant national network of Lutheran women who gather in over 4,500 locations for study, service, mission support, and spiritual growth. WELCA embraces all kinds of ministries that
support our mission of mobilizing women to act boldly on their faith in
Jesus Christ.
There is a place for you in Women of the ELCA!
Women of the ELCA
at Union Creek
- Changing altar paraments and banners with the liturgical seasons
- Preparing communion elements
- Coordinating prayer chains and cradle roll
- Hosting monthly Bible studies
- Organizing our annual fundraising auction
- Giving generously to local and global missions
What We Do
- Grow in faith
- Affirm our gifts
- Support one another in our callings
- Engage in ministry and action
- Promote healing and wholeness in the church, society, and the world
Our Mission
Matthew's Dreamers and Isaiah's Visions
We cannot build a new future that we cannot imagine. The long nights of
Advent gift us with time to dream. This study will offer us ways of
imagining God’s future for us and all creation through the dreams of
Joseph, the Three Wise Men, and Isaiah.
DECEMBER: Practicing Advent Imagination
By the Rev. Sara Olson-Smith
NOVEMBER: Generosity - A Wideness in God's Mercy
God loves a cheerful giver, because our cheer in giving reflects God’s
own cheerful mercies. Can the biblical practice of gleaning be considered
a class in Generosity 101? We will consider the enemies of generosity:
Pharoah, the stingy boss, and the “religion” of Mammonism. Finally, we
turn to the little-noticed women who were generous with Jesus, and the
wild generosity of the first Christian churches.
OCTOBER: Stewardship - How Do We Tend Our Treasure?
God madly, beautifully, entrusts human beings with the care of all
creation, including time, talent, and material wealth. Moses needs help
with his time management. The practice of tithing could be considered a
class in Material Management 101. Jesus confronts his disciples with
disturbing words about God’s high expectations for tending treasure.
SEPTEMBER: Money - What Do We Treasure?
From Genesis through Revelation, gold, silver, and jewels serve as icons of
God’s goodness. And yet, the love of money is a powerful source of argument,
lies, and literal enslavement. King Solomon, famously, chose wisdom over
treasure. Jesus, leaning on his mother’s values, teaches his disciples to dig
deep for real treasure.
Fall 2025: Money, stewardship, Generosity
By the Rev. Christa Von Zychlin
AUGUST: Relationships That Push Us to Grow - For Such a Time as This
Relationships aren’t always comfortable. There are times when we find
ourselves navigating the painful work of growing and changing in our
relationships. This session explores the story of Queen Esther and her uncle
Mordecai. How can we draw on the stories of our faith when we face great
challenges in our lives and relationships with others? We’ll explore how
vulnerability, trust, and the power of faithful friendship help us to grow.
JULY: Relationships That Sustain Us - Where you go, I go
One cannot get far in this life without encountering suffering. Loss, betrayal,
and tragedy show up in our own lives and in the lives of those we love. In this
Bible study, we will explore the story of Naomi and Ruth, two women who
help fast to their relationship in the face of great loss. With this in mind, we’ll
consider what helps us to stay in relationship with others when we face
seasons of grief and suffering in our own lives and the lives of others.
JUNE: Relationships That Form Us - All in the Family
Some of our most beloved Bible stories involve siblings and the trials
and tribulations of relationships within families. We’ll examine the
stories of Jacob and Esau, as well as Mary and Martha, while
considering what we learned in our own families about relationships. These biblical characters will help us to explore how our early family
relationships shape how we things about the everyday relationships in our
lives.
Summer 2025: Healthy Relationships
By the Rev. Brooke Petersen
WELCA Bible studies are held on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 2:00 p.m.
We use Gather magazine as our guide, exploring Scripture
and real-life applications in a warm, welcoming environment.
Monthly Bible Study
Food Bank of Siouxland
Sioux Falls Gospel Mission
Sioux City Gospel Mission
Nora Store
Church on the Street
Lutheran Social Services
ELCA World Hunger
Project 22
We raise funds with an annual auction event the Friday after Thanksgiving. Our giving extends from the heart of our church to the corners of our world. Some of the missions we support include:
Missions We Support
April Sommervold, Paraments & Candles
Deb Heeren, Banners
Sherri McKee, Communion Supplies
Betsy Ann Johnson, Reminder Calls
Carol Forslund, Prayer Chain & Calling Tree
Felicia Miller, Cradle Roll
Sherry Fickbohm, Worship Duties Coordinator
Our Women's ministry serves the Union Creek congregation with care and intention. From preparing communion supplies to coordinating worship duties, we quietly tend to the details that make our worship life run smoothly. Our behind-the-scenes work is a gift to the whole congregation and a beautiful expression of faith in action.
Our Responsibilities
Grow, serve, and walk boldly in faith alongside other women. Whether you’re a lifelong member or just starting to explore your faith, we’d love to welcome you into the WELCA community at Union Creek. You can join by reaching out to a current member or just come to any of our monthly bible studies!