The WELCA Day of Learning and Renewal will be on Saturday, April 27th, at Messiah, New Berlin.  The morning panel presentation will include either or both Sharon and Talena Truitt who visited Liberia this past January, in addition to Pastor Ann Zimmerman (Moderator), Dr. Robert and Carol Bradford, Carol Harrison, Esther Bratton and Jean Bahner, all of whom have been in Liberia at various times.  They will share their knowledge and impressions.  Sandy Nelson has just returned from a three-month stay in Liberia and will have a table of artifacts that she is offering in exchange for money donations.  She’ll be at the table ready when people arrive and during the lunch hour.

The afternoon will feature a Liberian Fashion Show (with dresses “modeled” by members of the audience) and will have TWO commentators–Ruth Koble and Leilee Boko.  Leilee is the daughter of Esther Thomas who visited many WELCA groups and congregations in the synod some 20 years ago while she was President of the Church Women’s Association in Liberia and also Director of the Lutheran Training Institute (LTI) at Totota.  Esther brought her school-age son and daughter to relatives in Connecticut so they could escape the dangerous conditions in Liberia that led to the civil war (1990’s) but Esther remained in Liberia.  Leilee will be able to share much of her mother’s story, since they are in constant contact.  Ruth Koble–affectionately known in Liberia as “Ma Ruth”–helped to establish a Literacy Program at LTI, distributed “seed money” so Liberian women could  start mini-industries, and taught American canning methods to another group of women.

Please register in advance with Deb Hackenberger (cost is $10.00) or notify her that you are coming to New Berlin.  Phone Deb at 717-363-0277 or email (dktabb@gmail.com).  Payment will be accepted at the Day of Learning and Renewal.