Have you been to a Cluster meeting and wondered "What the heck are they saying?"

If you've heard words at Cluster Gatherings that you do not understand, 
email us and we'll define them here to share with everyone.  

ADVOCACY
Standing up for people who need our voice. To plead on behalf of another, to intercede. 

ASSEMBLY
The gathering of delegates for decision-making or legislative functions. This assembly happens in both W/ELCA form and the ELCA form. Examples include:
  • Gulf Coast Synod W/ELCA Assembly
  • Churchwide W/ELCA Assembly
  • Gulf Coast Synod Assembly
  • National Assembly.


CHURCHWIDE (CWO)
This is the designation for the whole church. Because the ELCA includes congregations in the U.S. and the Caribbean, we employ the word "churchwide"instead of "national" out of respect to all participating congregations.

CONGREGATIONAL/INTERCONGREGATIONAL UNIT
This is the title for the women's group of a congregation. Sometimes there aren't enough people in one church to constitute a women's group so they have the option to get together with another set of women from another congregation to form a unit. 

CONVENTION
Delegates gather to make decisions about the business of W/ELCA or perform legislative functions to maintain a solid chain of communication from CWO to the CIU. Nice, right? 

FALL GATHERING
Well, that's pretty self explanatory but if you would like the details, it's a highly recommended time for Units to get together and check-in. A special guest is also asked to speak to inspire the women to be bold and act upon their faith to those who aren't blessed with the sisters in Christ. A Spring Gathering is encouraged in the same fashion and for the same purpose.

GATHER
This is the magazine published by the W/ELCA for the W/ELCA. It used to be named "Lutheran Woman Today" but was renamed "gather" recently.  You'll need to check out the gather website to research on the "why" the name was changed.

MEMBERSHIP
A Lutheran woman and her Lutheran friends are not obligated to join W/ELCA. However, when a group from a congregation does decide to begin a relationship with W/ELCA. this is the formal designation given when a Unit decides to affiliate with W/ELCA.

OFFERINGS
There are different types of offerings that can be given to W/ELCA. 
Designated offerings are cash gifts that the Cluster wants to go to a specific ministry in the ELCA.
Regular offerings are monthly offerings gathered at each circle meeting within the Unit. These meetings can be a bible study group or a general meeting.