Greetings Sisters in Ministry,   I am the Rev. Dr. Beverly Wallace, the newly appointed Coordinator of Women in Ministry for the Southeastern Synod. Some of you may know me as I was formerly the Assistant to the Bishop for this synod under Bishop H. Julian Gordy. I recently completed my term call as Associate Professor of Congregational Care at Luther Seminary and am excited about this opportunity to walk “with” you again in this synod.
 
Under the theme “So That All May Flourish”, (based on the title of a book with that title) the purpose of this work will be to nurture relationships, build bridges, cultivate trust with women Rostered Ministers and those within the candidacy process of the Southeastern Synod. Activities will be structured to enhance the spiritual, social, emotional, intellectual, physical, environmental and the wellbeing of Rostered Ministers and Candidates of this synod. Soon you will receive a link from me asking you to tell me what you need so that “you” may flourish both professionally but more importantly, personally.

Current thoughts of the work include phone conversations and check-ins, monthly visits (in person or virtually) to one of the nine clusters in the Synod, monthly webinars, monthly opportunities for fun and educational engagement, quarterly virtual Reading Groups, and more.
Know that position is truly part-time - only 15 hours a month - but knowing the significance of this important work it is my hope that support for you, the more than 120 women  - 28 retired – yes you are to be cared for too), 11 Deacons, 1 Sister, 1 woman engaged in Specialized Ministry, 12 under Synod Council Calls, 16 Women Seminarians, and the remainder of the count, women serving in your congregational call - leading as Rostered Leaders and Seminarians,  this work will become a signature ministry of this synod.
 
Details about this upcoming work will be forthcoming as this position is to begin September 1, but I wanted to share with you at least one upcoming opportunity “Already Enough: Unlocking Your Power as a Woman in Ministry” – a sampling of Coaching with Dr. Crystal Hall in concert with the work of the ELCA’s Justice for Women’s Office and their Quality of Call Initiative:
 
About Already Enough: Unlocking Your Power as a Woman in Ministry 
Feel like you've got way too much going on but you're not doing enough? Tired of having your authority questioned in subtle (and not so subtle) ways in ministry? Join this series to rest in the assurance that you are already enough and to unlock your power as a woman in ministry. 
 
This four-part series will feature Dr. Crystal Hall teaching strategies for successful ministry and coaching participants through current struggles.  Participants will walk away with biblical insights and practical coaching tools around authority, boundaries, and burnout and will be equipped to engage the all too familiar objection to gender justice, "But the Bible says..." 
 
Sessions:   Tuesdays in September at 10:00 AM Central Time; September 5, 12,19 and 26th 
These coaching sessions are sponsored by the Quality of Call Initiative for Women in Ministry and are free to all ELCA rostered women in ministry. To register, click here.  
 
Again, I look forward to “walking” with you. I am on my way to Brazil to teach for two days and to attend the Congress of Women and Religion at our Lutheran Seminary in Sao Leopoldo but if you want to reach out to me my email address is: bwallace@elca-ses.org. My designated phone number is 205-209-5079.

Peace,  Rev. Beverly Wallace