by Terri Lackey

The purpose statement of Women of the ELCA encourages us to "support one another in our callings." And that’s just what you’ve done for Ruth Ann Sipe, recipient of a 2007–2008 Chilstrom Fund Scholarship for ordained ministry.

Sipe, a Women of the ELCA participant since the organization’s founding, is completing her master of divinity degree at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, South Carolina. And she largely has the North Carolina Women of the ELCA (and God) to thank for it. She is a member of Well of Hope Lutheran Church in Pineville, North Carolina, and a participant in that congregational unit.

In 1994, Sipe returned to college full time–at about the same time as her two children–to finish the bachelor’s degree that she had worked on over the years. "As I neared completion of my college degree, I found myself asking God what I should do with the rest of my life, and I began to hear the call to ordained ministry," she said. "One of the times I clearly heard this call was while attending a Women of the ELCA retreat."

The North Carolina Women of the ELCA provided Sipe with support along her journey, she said, with scholarships, encouragement, recommendation letters, and most important, prayer.

Sipe’s husband, Ray, is also a master of divinity candidate at Lutheran Southern, she said, "So you can well imagine that financial assistance is both a necessity and a real blessing!"

Sipe assured the scholarship application committee that the investment in her would not be a new one. "Women of the ELCA has already invested significantly in my development as a leader and mentor for other women, my understanding and ability to take action on social justice issues, my faith journey, and even my willingness to answer God’s call to ministry."

Before leaving for seminary in South Carolina, Sipe had been active in her congregational unit since "the formation of Women of the ELCA." She served in leadership roles beyond her congregation–as conference leader, synodical board member, newsletter editor, and delegate to the churchwide triennial convention. She has attended many gatherings, retreats, and Women of the ELCA studies in a variety of settings, she said.

"These experiences have been a significant part of my discernment of God’s call and will have a tremendous impact on my future ministry," she said.

Thanks to your contributions, 24 women ages 23 to 59 received a total of $24,375 through six scholarship categories. The scholarship program is just one way Women of the ELCA carries out its purpose statement to affirm and support women’s gifts and growth.

The scholarships support a diverse group of women, including second–career students, seminarians, female college faculty, and professional women on the road to career advancement.

Various fields of study are represented, such as lay ministry, ordination, child development, social work, health sciences, and teaching. Some scholarship recipients are in their undergraduate work, others will attend their final year of seminary, and some graduated from high school 10 or more years ago and are just now beginning their higher education.

Women selected for scholarships are age 21 or over and represent every region in the ELCA, according to Emily Hansen, associate for programs, Women of the ELCA. Many live and work in extraordinary circumstances as they pursue their educational and career goals.

Recipients in the Chilstrom Ordination Scholarship reached a historic goal, Hansen said. "This is the first year that our Chilstrom recipients each came from a different ELCA seminary."

Terri Lackey is managing editor of Lutheran Woman Today.

Ordained Ministry Scholarship supported by the Chilstrom Fund. Assists women who are second–career students at ELCA seminaries preparing for ordained ministry in ELCA congregations.

Nadia Bolz-Weber (2E)
Longmont, Colo. / Luther Seminary

Miriam Schmidt (1D)
Philadelphia, Pa. / Lutheran Seminary at Philadelphia

Christie E. Manisto (3E)
Cloquet, Minn. / Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago

Ruth Ann Sipe (9B) Mobile, Ala. / Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary

Administrative Leadership Scholarship supported by the Arne Fund. Provides assistance to women interested in reaching the top of their field as an administrator.

Michelle Marquardt (3I) Rochester, Minn. / Medicine Administration, Mayo Clinic Medical School

Lynn Gorski (5A) Palatine, Ill. / Health Information Technology, DeVry University

Lisa Gwin (6E) Dalton, Ohio / Literacy, Ashland University

Linda A. Keller (7F) Quakertown, Pa. / Special Education, Kutztown University

Rebecca M. Kerr (9D) Winterville, Ga. / Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Athens Technical College

Academic Leadership Scholarship supported by the Schmieder Fund. Assists in the development of senior women faculty or staff leadership at ELCA colleges and seminaries in the United States by attending a summer leadership institute.

Dr. Mary Hinkle Shore (3H) Associate Professor of New Testament at Luther Seminary St. Paul, Minn. /Harvard Management Development Institute

Karen L. Younger (3C) Professor of Nursing /Augustana College, Sioux Falls, S.D./ HERS Management Institute at the University of Denver

Laywomen Opportunity Scholarship supported by the Drinkhall Franke/Seeley Knudstrup Scholarship Fund. Assists mature ELCA laywomen preparing for an occupation in Christian service though a graduate course of study.

Elizabeth A. Vega (7E) Allentown, Pa. / Pastoral Counseling, Moravian Theological Seminary

Mary Mamet (8D) Hanover, Pa. / Elementary Education, Wilson College

Sandra Ohlen (3C) Rapid City, S.D. / Spiritual Formation, Center for Spirituality at Work

Iva B. Schultz (3B) Wanpeton, N.D. / Religion, Augsburg College

Louise C. Stenberg (9B) Chapel Hill, N.C. / Health Behavior and Education, University of North Carolina

Laywomen Opportunity Scholarship supported by the Amelia Kemp Fund. Assists mature ELCA women of color in undergraduate, graduate, professional, or vocational courses of study.

Erin Werner (1E) Bend, Ore. / Education, George Fox University

Laywomen Opportunity Scholarships supported by Cronk, First Triennium Board, General, Mehring, Paepke, Piero/Wade and Edwin/Edna Robeck Funds. Assists ELCA laywomen in undergraduate, graduate, professional, or vocational studies.

Michelle C. Brekhus (1B) Stanwood, Wash. / Missiology (mission and evangelism), Regent University

Kathleen Brighton (5C) Lauderdale, Minn. / Congregational and Community Care, Luther Seminary

Tamara L. Duke (2B) Mecca, Calif. / Liberal Studies, California State San Bernadino

Sara Garness (3H) Stillwater, Minn. / Radiography, College of St. Catherine

Bonita Stevens (3E) Breezy Point, Minn. / Medical Coding, North Dakota State College of Science

Jana Stewart (4D) Arlington, Texas / Nursing, University of Texas, Arlington

Roberta J. Vincent (6D) Crestline, Ohio / Nursing, MedCentral College of Nursing