June 2024 - IN THIS ISSUE:

• SWT WELCA Convention 2024
• Convention Speaker Rachel Norris
• Message from the President
• June is Pride Month
• WELCA Executive Director Linda Post Bushkofsky
• Board Member Spotlight
• June Faith Practices
• PRH & Technicolor Ministries
• Cross Trails Ministry Quilt Auction
• Courts & Ports #2
• Bold Women of Faith 2024
• Be a Featured Unit!

Convention Speaker: Rachel Norris

You are invited to come and learn more about the Heavenly Father by exploring a word picture He provides in His Word. Discover the richness of the layers of meaning in the portrayal of the potter and the clay by observing the work of a potter firsthand. You will be awed and amazed by the insights into the hand of God in your own life through this experience.

Cultivating relationships is not always easy. Open, honest and regular communication is the cornerstone of any strong relationship. It requires empathy, active listening, patience and reliability.

The deeper I dive into church and community work via volunteer work, committees, council and more, I find we are living in an environment that leaves little room for mistakes or understanding. Consequently, I observe hurt feelings, misunderstandings, poor communication and overall frustration. The climate of today’s world is hostile and watching the news in depressing. In our attempt to control our own small space on the planet, we are not leaving room for mistakes. “Where is grace?” I am continually asking. 

As an organization for women, we must strive at being supportive of one another in times of need and celebrating each other’s successes. Encouragement boosts confidence and shows that we care about other’s growth experiences. Lifelong friendships are an act of dedication and work. Humans are messy and make mistakes. We love one another in the face of our differences. I encourage your unit to continue to strive towards new ideas, new ways of being the Women of the ELCA – we are evolving in time. Each unit has its own way of “being” the Women of the ELCA – at that is beautiful! I encourage each of us to strive for understanding when conflicts arrive, honor your unit’s history without letting it dictate your future, and work towards invitation for all women in your church.

Peace to each of you!

Lisa Lopez

Throughout my education and sports training, I was always immediately frustrated when I experienced any trouble grasping a new concept or skill. Unfortunately, I am still that way. I love immediate success, but that is not a reality for most of us. We struggle, we practice, and we seek coaching or tutoring in our yearning for success. I am learning how to be comfortable with not knowing or not fully understanding – but I am a work in progress. Being comfortable with confusion is an essential skill for personal and intellectual growth. This comfort with not having all the right answers encourages critical thinking as it pushes one to explore multiple perspectives and solutions. Moreover, accepting being uncomfortable as a part of the learning process can reduce anxiety and increase resilience. 

Every June, communities worldwide come together to celebrate Pride Month, a time dedicated to honoring the LGBTQIA+ community’s history, struggles, achievements and ongoing fight for equality. The vibrant parades, rallies, and events during this month are not just celebrations; they are powerful statements of resilience and a call to action for greater acceptance and rights for LGBTQIA+ individuals. The journey towards full equality is far from over. In many places, LGBTQIA+ individuals still face systemic discrimination, violence and exclusion. Transgender people often encounter significant challenges including barriers to healthcare, legal recognition and basic safety.

Allies play a crucial role in the fight for LGBTQIA+ equality. Support from non-LGBTQIA+ individuals can amplify the voices of those within the community and help drive societal change. Allies can contribute by educating themselves and others about LGBTQIA+ issues, standing against discrimination, and advocating for inclusive policies and practices.

Several years ago, my granddaughter, came out to her parents and let the family know she was gay. We were surprised and unaware of her internal struggles with her identity and comfort level of telling us. Her struggle was very real. My granddaughter has loving parents who are accepting and supportive. During this time, a family member told her she was loved but going to hell. I was shocked, as I was pulled into this conversation and had to express my disagreement. My faith does not allow me to sit in judgement. Today my granddaughter and her wife are married and expecting their second daughter this summer. With Pride month in June, I find myself reflecting on my personal learning journey as an ally for the LGBTQIA+ community. I continue to misuse preferred pronouns and frequently make mistakes. I am immediately frustrated as I have not mastered this skill with ease. I try hard in my behavior to be accepting of others. I realize I do not have to understand it all and can live for the moment in being uncomfortable with my mistakes. We are called by God to love one another!

To honor Linda’s 22 years of service to Women of the ELCA, you are invited to make a gift to 2122: Growing Katie’s Fund for the next 100 years, the campaign to raise $1 million for this endowment.



Katie’s Fund supports ministries focused on global sharing, leadership development, and faith in daily life. Linda has focused her leadership in these areas, too. So, a gift to Katie’s Fund in honor of Linda’s leadership is a natural way to say “thanks.”



Will you consider a gift today to show your gratitude and support for the future of Women of the ELCA?

My natural parents Alberto and Ester M. Guzman instilled in all of us to work hard, be honest, respectful and be accountable for our actions. I graduated from TX A & I University with a Bachelors of Arts degree majoring in Psychology and minor in Spanish. I retired in 2007 from Texas Health and Human Services after working for the agency for twenty eight years.

I have been married to Kenny for 41 years, we have two sons Justin and Travis and two daughters from Kenny's 1^st marriage Jenny and Michelle.

I am a bold opinionated woman who loves God and loves to serve. My involvement with WELCA goes back about 35 years in which time I have served as a board member, synodical president, unit president and unit secretary. I thank God for providing me with some of the greatest mentors that to this day enrich my life. This years WELCA service include attendance at board retreat and zoom meetings, attendance at RGV, Victoria and Gulf Coast conference gatherings. Participated via zoom with bible study offered on Katharina von Bora Luther, zoom participation with PRH 2^nd Saturday learning events. Attended 2024 synod assembly and encouraged all to stop and discuss available WELCA resources. Many Many phone calls made to encourage attendance to Gulf Coast Gathering in April. Presently doing field visits and assisting 2024 Synodical Convention planning team. All are encouraged to come and REFRESH yourself with God’s amazing living water. Look to your Grapevine monthly for more information.

My hobbies are prayer warrior, volunteering, baking, professional shopper(retail therapy),and watching Hallmark movies. 

My goals are to work on my health, read one to two books monthly, continue serving God until my last breath. 

One of my favorite quotes is from Maya Angelo:

All kids could use a reminder that they are beloved of God and of us. Technicolor Ministries will be at the Youth Gathering in New Orleans to hand out a physical reminder of that to the attendees. 

WE get to help! 

Join Project Radical Hospitality in creating 1000 pride bracelets to send to the gathering. Check out the dates & locations this June where you can join in! All supplies provided, stay as long as you can. Click this link to get instructions/pride flag patterns to make some on your own to add to the number. 

Email swtwelca@gmail.com with questions.

Currently, we are looking for folks to donate quilts to be bid on and auctioned off. Once our quilts are in, they will be showcased online and at our Fall Festival in Fredericksburg. We would love for anyone that is interested in donating a quilt to fill out the form below. We are taking quilt donations until September 11th.

The Fall Festival will be held in

Fredericksburg on September 21, 2024!

Please fill out the following form and send us photos of your quilt at the time of your form submission so that it can be featured on our auction site. If you haven't begun your quilt, please still fill out this form for your intent to donate and then send us a photo of your quilt by September 11th. You are more than welcome to donate more than one quilt.

Quilts must be donated no later than September 11th and should be mailed and received by our office by no later than September 16th. 

Please contact Jessica Pina, our Outreach Director, with any questions you may have at jessica@crosstrails.org or 830-257-6340.



It’s now been one month since Courts and Ports # 2 was held in the RGV with Fabiola Olivera-Benitez once again serving as our very able guide and facilitator. Thank you, Fabi.

Nine individuals joined us at different points in the itinerary and once again, participants were touched by the plight of asylum seekers in this country. Yet, despite all the negatives that face asylum seekers and those who work to help them, there remains a powerful hope, a hope in what can be, a hope in the goodness of people.

At the close of our time together, Fabi asked us to share, Why should faith voices be involved in immigration advocacy? My answer is, “Why should they not?” People of faith profess their love for God…the God who created everything and said it was all good. If we as people of faith say we love God, how can we not also love all that God has created? Conversely, can we truly love God if we do not also love all that God has created?



For me, loving God means loving, appreciating, understanding and advocating for all that God has created. For those who are suffering, I believe it is my responsibility to accompany them in prayer, help as I am able, and advocate for them. God has designed us not to be totally self-sufficient, but to be totally connected with the whole of creation.