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The Power of Connecting Women in Christ – April 10, 2025
In this age of social media where some of our platforms show hundreds of friends, it might seem that our connections with others are more robust than ever. Yet loneliness and isolation persist, and it seems harder and harder to form quality relationships that have depth and meaning.
You’d think the exception would be the church. After all, here’s a place where we already share a common faith and an appreciation for biblical values. Here’s the community that we should be closest to for those very reasons. After all, we’ll be spending eternity with them! It seems like in one generation our connections with our church families have been relegated to an hour on Sunday mornings and consist of superficial greetings where everyone is “fine” and too busy to elaborate on the truth.
Gone are the days of our grandmothers and mothers who generally stayed home to raise families and often found the church as a worthwhile place and purpose for stepping outside life in the home to interact socially. Rare are the church leagues, clubs, and social groups that used to play such a dominant role in the social lives of Christians before us. In its place is . . . well, that’s the problem. What is in its place?
Do we know the stories of the women with whom we worship on Sunday mornings? Do they know ours? Are we encouraging each other in our walk of faith, praying for one another, making an emergency soup drop-off when we know their family has come down with the flu? Do we simply enjoy being with one another? Are we going beyond the superficial to nurturing lasting relationships that will take us through eternity? Our sisters in Christ are a gift from God, given to us to speak truth, give hugs, and bake us brownies when it’s been that kind of day.
Our relationships with each other can be a beacon to those outside the church, a light that draws women without the hope of Jesus. The depth and qualities of the relationships we have with fellow sisters in Christ can demonstrate the unconditional love of Jesus to others. It just might be what brings them through the church door for the first time.
Connections. Forged in the early Christian church. Important in today’s Christian church. Learn from our webinar panelists how connections contribute to our encouragement and position us to share Jesus with others. Hear about a unique approach to women’s ministry in a congregational setting. Learn ways to understand your unique women-membership; hear ideas on how to partner that information with your congregation’s overall ministry needs; and get strategies to foster deeper, genuine connections by meeting women where they are at in their seasons of life.
Webinar resources
The sample survey resource kit below includes two survey templates, guides you through the step-by-step process, and provides tips on how to interpret the results you get back.
Survey Resource Kit Documents:
- Survey Guide – Sample
- One-Page Survey Summary Template – Sample
- Survey 1 – Pulse Check – Sample
- Survey 1 – Pulse Check Dashboard – Sample
- Survey 2 – Deeper Discovery – Sample
- Survey 2 – Deeper Discovery Dashboard – Sample
- Ministry Goals and Focus Points – Sample
- Zip file of all documents
General Interest Survey Document:
Panelists
Rachel Halldorson
HOST | WELS Women’s Ministry Executive Team
Rachel is wife to Wayne (her favorite pastor) and mom to two amazing kids, William and Hosanna. She lives in East Texas where she serves as church secretary and works at the local public school. She also serves on the WELS Women’s Ministry Executive Board as the Congregational Ministries team leader (aka the CONGO team). This team connects women of our synod to resources, offers ministry encouragement to groups and individuals, and provides a platform for women to hear biblical conversation on relevant topics. They do this primarily through Connection Calls and women’s ministry webinars. Meeting fellow sisters in Christ and connecting them with each other by sharing their ideas and gifts is one of Rachel’s favorite things to do!
Katie Martin
PANELIST | St. John’s, Jefferson, Wis.
Katie is a former teacher who currently works as a clinical mental health counselor with children and adolescents. She has three adult children, a ten-year-old, and a rescue dog named Kobe. Following her pastor husband to Texas and Germany, working with military families, and learning more about mental health has motivated her to create connections that not only promote physical, emotional, and spiritual health but also build bridges to share the gospel.
Margaret “Marcy” Lake
PANELIST | Abiding Faith, Pinehurst, Texas
Marcy has been married 27 years as of 2-14-25, and she and her husband have three kids and a dog. She’s a professional photographer who has volunteered over the years to capture various WELS-sponsored events. She is currently leading her congregation’s youth group and participates in weekly ladies’ Bible study.
Alane Kaesmeyer
PANELIST | Cross of Christ, Coon Rapids, Minn.
Alane is a full-time paraprofessional at a local public high school and coaches basketball. She is passionate about volunteering her time and talents more now that she and her husband are empty nesters. Currently, Alane participates with her church’s evangelism team and also started a new ministry with a friend at their church called Light Brigade.
Sarah Proeber
PANELIST | Christ the Lord, Brookfield, Wis.
Sarah is always eager to connect women with each other and has been active in various congregations, creating ministry opportunities and building connections. In addition, she has spearheaded an approach to ministry participation at the planning level, which allows women to get involved as they are able. Sarah is a member at Christ the Lord, Brookfield, Wis., and is director of alumni relations at Wisconsin Lutheran High School, Milwaukee, Wis. She is also a busy wife and mom of three rambunctious kids. She cannot wait to connect with you!
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