History and Purpose
Ever since Augustana was organized as a congregation in 1903 there has been a women's group. The “Ladies Aid” was the first auxiliary of the parish to be organized and groups of women have been meeting since then until the present time although the group has been known by different names, has had different meeting times, formats and goals. In 1988 it took its present name, “Women of Augustana”. The purpose is to provide a channel for coming together for study and support and for keeping an open line of communication with synodical and churchwide women's organizations. Donations from the WOA go to the Metro Chicago Women's Organization, membership in the Women's Guild of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, and to local groups such as the Hyde Park Neighborhood Club and St. Martin de Porres House of Hope (shelter for homeless women) as well as ELCA Disaster Relief Program and other causes. (Source for information: September 2007 Grace Note article by Neva Hefner)
In January 2009 Augustana's Prayer Shawl Ministry was organized under the aegis of the Women of Augustana.
The Women Of Augustana And Its Philanthropic Work
The philanthropic work of the WOA spirals out from Augustana to around the world.
- International:
- Lutheran World Federation-Tsunami
- Nurses for Africa
- United States:
- Women of the ELCA
- Chicago:
- Metro Chicago Women's Organization
- Community:
- Hyde Park Neighborhood Club
St. Martin de Porres House of Hope - Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago:
- Women's Guild
International Students' Health Kits - Augustana:
- Prayer Shawl Ministry
December Coffee Hour Hosts
The Kitchen Clean-up
Officers — 2010
President: Corrine Niedenthal
Vice President: Sandra Henley
Program Chair: Neva Hefner
Secretary: Pat Chromy
Treasurer: Polly Fehlman
Meetings
WOA meetings are held three times each year — Winter, Spring and Fall. The meetings are held on a Saturday morning beginning at 9:30 with coffee and registration and continuing with a brief business meeting, devotions, a presentation on a variety of subjects usually by an Augustana member and ending with a potluck luncheon at noon. Meetings in 2010 are on February 6, May 1 and mid October with the date to be announced.