By Dorcella Sunday
       The 24th annual convention of Southwestern Texas Synodical Women’s Organization was held in Fredericksburg on Sept. 9-11 under the theme “Where God is Spoken, Seen and Heard.”  The total attendance was 186.
      Forty-four delegates were in attendance at the Friday business meeting.  Their job was to elect a president, treasurer, five board members and a nominating committee.   Those elected include: President, Dawn Young; Vice President (one-year term), Dorcella Sunday; Treasurer, Karen Stein; Board Members/Austin Conference, Gayle Swoyer; Coastal Bend, Gracie Conklin; Hill Country, Cindy Anderson; San Antonio, Margaret Vogt; and at-large Judy Monger.
 Nominating committee members elected were Bernice Powers, Sharon Vanderpool, and Leslie Ahrens.
      One resolution was adopted.  It was submitted by board member Patricia Hohertz and dealt with “Tools to End Poverty.”
      The evening worship service was a “Bluegrass” band led by the Rev. Scott Hoffmann, St. James, Harper.  Everyone was tapping their toes, clapping their hands and singing along to the many songs that were part of this inspirational service.  An lovely evening social of Sangria, cheese, crackers and mixed nuts was hosted by the women from St. Peter’s, Marble Falls.
      On Saturday, the Rev. Dr. Faye Schott, interim pastor, Zion, Fredericksburg, led the Bible Study on our theme Bible verse from 1 Peter 4:10-11.  Bishop Ray Tiemann brought greetings via video as he was attending the synod council meeting in Seguin.  We all enjoyed the humor in the message brought by our keynote speaker and churchwide representative Diane Brauer.  The Rev. Dr. Jay Alanis, director of Lutheran Seminary Program in the Southwest, told of the wonderful things that are happening there.  A check for $1,000 was presented to Alanis for this ministry from the women’s organization.
      Nancy Spencer, delegate to the Triennial Convention in Spokane, Wash., shared stories and pictures of much of what took place at the convention.
      The Rev. Mark Ward, pastor at Christ, Cherry Springs and St. Peter, Doss, lead a very interesting workshop on the “wonder of God’s creation of the heavens”.
      After a delicious salad luncheon, informative presentations were made by Cross Trails Ministry and Water to Thrive.  A variety of workshops were available during the afternoon.   A western theme was carried out at the banquet held at Zion Fellowship Hall.  Entertainment was provided by a group of square dancers from the Kerrville, Bandera and San Antonio area.   Irene Merz narrarated a skit of “The Dozen Hats,” while 12 women modeled each of the 12 hats representing our “faith life.”
      Sunday morning’s closing worship service was led by the Rev. Lucinda Zesch, with special music provided by the convention choir led by Carol Semper.  Several patriotic songs were sung in remembrance of the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001.  Annabel Wilkinson, Bethany, Fredericksburg, served as the convention pianist.
      Many thanks to the wonderful Hill Country women who truly went out of their way to see that everything ran smoothly.  It was “the convention to remember.”  Next year’s convention will be held at the Pearl Hotel on beautiful South Padre Island the weekend of Oct. 5-7, 2012.
      Dorcella Sunday, a member of Zion, Fredericksburg, is vice president of Southwestern Texas Synodical Women’s Organization.

(front row) Dorcella Sunday, vice president; Dawn Young, president; and Carol Semper, secretary; (back row)  Bernice Powers, nominating committee; Flora Gunderson, board, Rio Grande Valley; Cindy Anderson, board, Hill Country; Gyle Swoyer, board, Austin; Gracie Conklin, board, Coastal Bend; Margaret Vogt, board, San Antonio; Judy Monger, board, at-large and Patricia Hohertz, board, at-large.  Not present were  Karen Stein, treasurer and Michelle Schlinke, board, at-large.  Photo courtesy The Fredericksburg Standard