Discussion at spring retreat turns to helping young women

FEDERAL WAY — Some 60 women attending the spring retreat of the Southwestern Washington Women of the ELCA on April 21 examined how the story of Eve plays out today. Conversation led by the Rev. Jan Otto of All Saints' Lutheran Church of Auburn moved toward ways to help young women stay engaged in the church at a time they need support the most.

Many in the audience suggested involving them in more intergenerational opportunities, instead of confining them to youth groups. Most agreed that mixing the ages is lots of fun and builds meaningful relationships, especially between grandmothers and young women, whose own mothers may not be there right at the moment because they're working.

"We need to be speakers of the message," Otto said to the group of women meeting at Dumas Bay Centre.

Pictured: Women lay hands on Carol Fossum of Puyallup, turned in green, who’d just received word during a group retreat on April 21 in Federal Way that her mother, Dorothy Presteng of Grafton, N.D., had died following a long illness.
 

Sally Russom of Mt. Cross 
Lutheran Church of Tacoma provided music.

Photos by Rachel Pritchett