What's in the numbers?

Recalling the women's Eighth Triennial Gathering

By Kay Ronde, vice president, Southwestern Washington Synodical Women's Organization

More than 2,100 women, spouses and children attended the 2011 Triennial Gathering, held in July in Spokane. Eighty of those women were from our synod. Eighty scarves made by Jan Nelson were worn by our women as identifiers. Nine hundred scrubbies were made by Adriana Chandler (given out as gifts) with tags on them made by Mary Kozlowski of Galilean Lutheran.

Some 365 participated in the Run, Walk and Roll, raising $18,515. About $41,759 was given at the thank-offering service to support the entire ministry of the Women of the ELCA. Some $10,420 in gift cards, 11,160 minutes on phone cards for local ministries, 2,200 prayer shawls, 58 comfort kits, 80 quilts, about 5,000 pairs of white socks, 600 school and health kits supplies to the Spokane area and $6,189 was given at the closing service to be shared with the ELCA Malaria Campaign, Women of the ELCA and Women Peace and Security Network, Leymah Gbowee's organization.

The Women of the ELCA is truly an organization that cares about others. It was reported that the economic impact on the Spokane area amounted to $5.6 million dollars. Thank you for the opportunity to be a delegate.

Pictured: Women from All Saint's Lutheran Church of Auburn in Spokane.