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Women of the ELCA
PURPOSE STATEMENT OF WOMEN OF THE ELCA
As a community of women created in the image of God,called to discipleship in Jesus Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we commit ourselves to grow in faith, affirm our gifts,support one another in our callings, engage in ministry and action, and promote healing and wholeness in the church, the society and the world.
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Maude Powlas
Died-1980 |  | 
Annie Powlas,
Died-1978 |
Maud and Annie Powlas (missionaries to Japan) They grew up on the edge of poverty in North Carolina. After their father's death in 1899 (Maud was ten and Annie eight), their mother brought up and saw that all of her nine children would receive a college education by making and selling candies. She also kept a box into which they saved money for missionary work in the Orient.
It is little wonder that both sisters would leave school teaching to work in the mission fields. Maud wanted to go to India, Annie to Africa. However, when the board of missions needed two teachers for Japan, Maud went in 1918 and Annie a year later.
Except for the war years (1942-47) they served their until their respective retirements in 1960 and 1961. The two women pioneered day and nursery care for women and children living in poverty. They founded JI-AI-EN (Colony of Love and Mercy) a model de-institutionalized living for these families, providing a campus of small cottages and gardens. JI-AL-EN's social ministry undermined 1300 years of Japanese Buddhism which honored suffering as punishment for past sins or preparation for great bliss.
In 1979, Maud returned for JI-AI-EN's 60th anniversary to find an agency comprised of 21 institutions with a $3.5 million budget. A staff of 193 was caring for over 1100 in widows cottages, children's homes, nurseries, kindergartens, a home for 95 deaf and blind children, and the Powlas Home Hospital for the Aged. Both women were honored with awards from the emperor over the years. Annie died in 1978 at age 87.
Before her death in 1980 (at 91) after 18 years of trying, Maud published Gathering the Fragments, a moving account of their ministry. It includes the account of how she and her two Japanese god children were refused membership in two U.S. congregations (backed by the synod president) after the sisters fled Japan at the outbreak of World War II.
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Go to the ELCA Archives-Check it out for Maud!
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| Powlas Group
50th Anniversary
1959 - 2009
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The organizational meeting of the Powlas Group was held January 29, 1959 There were eight women present. Three of the eight remain members today. They are Annabell Cash, Thelma Lowe, and Lora Womack. For several years the group was known as Circle 4. Sometime between 1959 and 1962 several members attended he WELCA Convention at Lenoir Rhyne College in Hickory, North Carolina. Miss Maud Powlas and Miss Annie Powlas were guests. They were missionaries to Japan. On their return the members presented the name Powlas to the circle members and Circle 4 became the Powlas Group.
The group has grown in membership to 23 members, 19 active and 4 inactive.
The group meets the second Thursday of each month at 2:00 pm, usually in the Hite Classroom.
A July outing for family and guests is enjoyed and the group host a yearly birthday party at Twin Lakes Health Care Center for the residents there. Other worthwhile projects are undertaken during the year as needs arise.
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Come Join the Group!
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L-R:
Anabel Cash-Pres.
Thelma Lowe-Sec.
Lora Womack-Treas.
Lucille Miles-V.Pres
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| | May 7, 2009
All Friedens Women's Groups
Had an Evening Salad Dinner
to Celebrate 50 years of the
POWLAS GROUP
Below are photos of that event
Taken by Margy Newman
(Click your mouse on photo to enlarge)
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