Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America
Cameron, Texas
Abiding Savior Lutheran Church was organized November 16, 1968 and was a member of the American
Lutheran Church. The women members of the church were active from inception and were known as American
Lutheran Church Women at Cameron, Texas. They were affiliated with the Waco Conference, which by 1975
consisted of sixteen churches located in eight counties. They included the ALC churches in Buckholts, Temple,
Rosebud and Waco. Two circles, Dorcas Circle and Mary Circle, moved from Hope Lutheran Church,
Buckholts, to Cameron and all confirmed girls and women of the congregation were eligible to participate. In
1976 the Dorcas and Mary Circles were dissolved and two new circles, Morning Circle and Evening Circle,
were formed. In 1987, when Abiding Savior Lutheran Church became a member of the newly formed
Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, the women’s group became known as Women of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church of America, Cameron, Texas. They became affiliated with the Southwestern Texas Synod and
the Capital North Conference.
The circles meet each month for Bible Study, conduct business and enjoy fellowship. Each year projects are
planned to benefit the church and the community. In 2016 the two circles will be combined into one and will be
called Women’s Group.
In the early years of the church, the women held two bake sales a year to help pay off the church debt. In 1976
they had their first booth at the Arts & Crafts Fair in Cameron to sell canned and baked goods to raise additional
funds to pay off the church debt. By 1981, when the church debt was paid off, the women had contributed over
$6,000 to debt retirement.
From the beginning, the two Circles hosted birthday parties at Colonial Nursing Home on a monthly basis and
at the Day Care Center. Through the years they encouraged other churches to host some of the months. In
1993 the Morning Circle was also hosting two birthday parties at Winnie L. Nursing Home. Around 1997 the
Cameron Nursing Center was included in the birthday parties. When the Colonial Nursing Home closed, the
Circles continued to host birthday parties at Winnie L. and Cameron Nursing Center until 2005. Since 2011 one
birthday party is hosted at Winnie L. Nursing Home annually.
In 1975 the first Mother-Daughter Banquet was held in May honoring mothers, daughters and grandmothers of
our church women. That tradition has continued to the present and has been one of the most popular events the
women have each year. In 2001 the banquet was expanded to include women friends and was called the
Mother-Daughter-Friend Banquet. The speakers and programs have all been very entertaining and the potluck
suppers always delicious.
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After the church debt was paid off, the women continued to have a booth at the Arts & Crafts Fair until 2013 to
raise funds for their various projects. Since 2014 a “No Bake” Bake Sale has provided funds. The women
published cookbooks in 1981, 1993 and 2002 that also were successful fundraisers. After Pastor Curt Pedder
became pastor in 1994 Lent and Advent Soup Suppers were held before the midweek Lenten and Advent
Services since 1997. Free-will offerings from the soup suppers provide additional funds.
Through the years the women have used these funds for church needs. In 1984 and 1985 costumes were
purchased for the Sunday School Christmas program. When the new fellowship hall/educational building was
built in 1986, the circles bought a stove and other kitchen items. In later years, ceiling fans, chairs, vacuum
cleaners and other items needed around the church were acquired. In 2001, 2002 and 2005 three very talented
ladies sewed new altar paraments for all the seasons of the church year.
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When the church celebrated its 40th Anniversary, commemorative Christmas ornaments were purchased for all
members of the congregation. In 2007 some of the Chrismon ornaments used on the sanctuary Christmas tree
were repaired or replaced and some new ones were added.
From inception until 2007 the circles provided funds so youth could attend church camps. In 2007 a member of
the congregation set up an endowment fund to provide funds so children could attend Lutheran church camps.
In the community, funds were donated annually to the Child Welfare Board from 1982 through 1996 and to the
Cameron Area Christian Services from 1988 through 1996. New Life Family Clinic, Milam County Rainbow
Room and Cameron Thrift Shop also received donations.
In 1984 the Yoe High Christian Club met at Abiding Savior Lutheran Church for lunch in the educational
building every Tuesday of the school year. Various churches provided sandwiches, chips and cookies each
week. This practice continued until the fall of 2004 when the new high school was built and Yoe High students
had a closed campus.
Since 1995 funds have been donated to Kairos of Texas prison ministry to sponsor one inmate.
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Since 1985 various donations have been made to Lutheran World Relief annually in the form of school kits,
sewing kits or personal care kits (health kits.)
A telephone prayer chain was started in 1985 to pray for individuals struggling with concerns as well as to
praise God for blessings received. In 2008 the prayer chain was expanded to include an email prayer chain
where members are notified by email rather than by telephone.
Some of the projects held in the earlier years are no longer being done. In the 1970’s cancelled stamps were
saved to benefit Lutheran Bible camps. The Sunset Lutheran Home in Clifton received baked cookies and
washcloths, soap and other items for their residents. In 1976 used Christmas cards were sent to the Children’s
home in Austin to be used in crafts. In 1978 through 2011 the fronts of greetings cards, calendars and
Christmas wish books were sent to the Mexia State Home. The women hosted family nights for food, games
and fellowship. A garage sale was held to benefit a church family whose house burned down.
The following projects for our congregation started in earlier years continue today. In the mid 1990’s the
women started hosting the 4th Sunday coffee-cookie fellowship held after the morning worship service. The
women maintain the flower chart in the narthex and sponsor Easter Lily Memorials at Easter and Poinsettia
Memorials at Christmas to beautify the church chancel. The Altar Guild chairman changes the paraments and
banners as needed and keeps the candles supplied with oil. Volunteers provide for the filling and cleaning of
the communion cups and vessels. A choir sings special music at the Sunday worship services twice a year.
During the Christmas season the members who are homebound or nursing home residents receive a gift and
visit. The circle women and their spouses or friends enjoy a Christmas social with a potluck dinner, sing
Christmas songs, exchange gifts or bring toys for kids. Birthday cards are sent to the women of the
congregation on their birthdays. Birthday cards, get-well cards and Christmas cards are sent to all members
over 80 years of age. The women also provide a meal the day of a funeral for a member of Abiding Savior
Lutheran Church.
From the beginning of the church in Cameron, the women have brought Thank-offerings to the altar the Sunday
before Thanksgiving. Today these offerings are given to the National ELCA Women to help fund their
projects.
The women’s circles have been very active through the years with emphasis placed on Bible study and prayer
and helping others.
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In support of the community, members volunteer to work at the Cameron Thrift Shop to support the Cameron
Area Christian Services. The women participate with other area churches in providing lunch during community
Holy Week services. The whole congregation collects Box Tops for Education to support the Cameron
schools.
In 1982 the women started collecting Campbell, Franco-American, Pepperidge Farms and Swanson brand labels
to be sent to Martin Luther Home in Beatrice, Nebraska to be used to purchase playground and educational
equipment. This project continues today.
Abiding Savior’s Women’s group is affiliated with the Women of the ELCA, Southwestern Texas Synod. For
more information contact www.elca.org/welca
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