Why Gathering Matters: A reflection on and invitation to the Women of the ELCA’s Triennial Gathering
Attendees at the 2023 Women of the ELCA’s Triennial Gathering. Provided by WELCA.
I know that I’m far from the first to share my fatigue with living in “unprecedented times.” We’re indeed living in times of upheaval and division, within society and the church alike. For me, Christianity has always been synonymous with compassion, but now our faith is too often used to create division and draw lines between us and others with different faiths and political views.
In the face of this tension and fracture, there are moments where I wonder if we’ll ever find our way back to the unity we were called to share. But in these moments, I also find solace in reflecting on the deep and lasting good the church is capable of when we lay down our differences and remember the reason we are a community in the first place: to love God and to love one another. In those moments of coming together, despite all that seeks to tear us apart, I am reminded of the church’s true purpose.
I’m especially eager for this year’s Gathering, as it’ll be a time for us to reflect on where we’ve been, where we are, and where God is calling us to go as women in the church and in the world.
As I look toward the upcoming Women of the ELCA’s Triennial Gathering in July, I find myself reflecting on past Gatherings, which have always brought transformation, healing, and deep community-building. I’m especially eager for this year’s Gathering, as it’ll be a time for us to reflect on where we’ve been, where we are, and where God is calling us to go as women in the church and in the world.
One speaker from the 2011 and 2017 Gatherings whose work and message feels particularly relevant in the present moment is Leymah Gbowee. Gbowee’s work displays the transformative power of faith and community in times of division. She, too, was surrounded by profound division in the midst of a civil war in Liberia. Instead of succumbing to despair and division, Gbowee chose to act. She chose to push for peace and justice, starting with the women of her community.
Leymah Gbowee speaks at WELCA's 10th Triennial Gathering in Minneapolis in 2017.
Gbowee’s journey began within the walls of her church, where she led the women’s group. However, she soon realized that her calling was to unite women from across faith traditions, Muslim and Christian alike, to pray for an end to the war. Together, they sat in peaceful protests, demonstrating an unshakable dedication to end to the violence that was claiming the lives of their children and destroying their communities. Over more than a year of daily demonstrations, the women’s unity became an undeniable power. Their persistence was instrumental in the push for the signing of the Accra Comprehensive Peace Agreement, ending the civil war. For her courageous leadership in this movement, Gbowee was awarded the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize.
Every part of Gbowee’s work is inspiring, but the part that I have found myself drawn to is her ability to look beyond divisions of faith towards a common goal of justice. She didn’t let religious differences keep her from focusing on the immense power these women had together. It’s a reminder that while our beliefs may differ in ways that seem insurmountable at first, our collective longing for peace and justice binds us in ways that are stronger than any division. She modeled what it means to be a bridge between communities, transforming points of tension into spaces of healing and collaboration. The courage to transcend these divides is something I feel we must all strive toward, especially now, as we face increasingly polarized and fractured moments in our own lives and communities.
Together, we will renew our spirits, deepen our commitment to justice, and refocus our hearts on the core message of the gospel — that we are called to love and welcome all people, without exception.
In the end, the root of all progress is community. We cannot walk through the challenges of our personal lives alone, let alone affect broader positive change. It is through shared faith, shared vision, and shared purpose that we move forward. This is what I believe the Women of the ELCA’s Triennial Gathering will offer: a place to reconnect with the community of believers, to draw strength from one another, and to be reminded of the beautiful, unshakable truth that, despite the struggles we face, we are all beloved by God and worthy of love, justice, and grace.
In times when the challenges we face can feel overwhelming, I look forward to the opportunity to come together with women who share a belief in the transformative power of God’s love. Together, we will renew our spirits, deepen our commitment to justice, and refocus our hearts on the core message of the gospel — that we are called to love and welcome all people, without exception.
I am also looking forward to hearing from other speakers who will be attending, such as Martha Anbarangu, an incredible scholar from Tanzania. She will be sharing her thoughts on what it means to be a bold woman in Christ, and I know her words will challenge and encourage us all to live out our faith with courage and conviction, serving our communities in ways that reflect Christ’s love and justice.
In these uncertain times, I find hope in the knowledge that we are never truly alone. God has called us into community, and in that community, we find strength, wisdom, and the ability to bring about real change. I have faith that together, we can rise above the divisions that so often threaten to tear us apart. And I know that, as we come together, we will be reminded of the strength and the power of a united church committed to love, to justice, and to the transformational work of Christ.
The Women of the ELCA Triennial Gathering will be held July 16-19, 2026, in Des Moines, Iowa.
