Women of the ELCA
Women of the ELCA (WELCA), the women’s organization of this church, has thousands of participants in thousands of congregations. Together we are committed to growing in faith, affirming our gifts, supporting one another in our callings, and engaging in ministry and action that promotes justice and wholeness for all people.
Follow the South Dakota Women of the ELCA on the web:
Read the Spring 2026 WELCA Newsletter
Download the South Dakota Synod WELCA Constitution
Learn more about the Women of the ELCA at its website, womenoftheelca.org.
Watch Diana Glover as Katie Luther from the 2023 Synodical Convention on YouTube (right-click on the link and select “open in a new tab” or “open in a new window” to view the video).
Sign Up for our e-newsletter by contacting the editor, Lilah Gillis (sdwelcanews@gmail.com)
Upcoming Gatherings
2026 Dates:
Bear Butte Spring Conference Gathering: April 25 at Our Savior’s, Spearfish
Crossroads Spring Conference Gathering: April 25 at Beaver Valley, Brandon
Medary Spring Conference Gathering: April 11 at First Lutheran, Brookings
Northern Plains Spring Conference Gathering: April 11 at Emmanual Lutheran, Groton
Prairie Coteau Spring Conference Gathering: April 25 at American Lutheran, Milbank
Prairie Rivers Spring Conference Gathering: April 18 Salem Lutheran, Parkston
Southeastern Spring Conference Gathering: April 18 at Trinity in Yankton
2026 Annual WELCA Synodical Convention – June 17-19, 2026 at Grace Lutheran in Watertown
Give
Support the ministry of the Women of the ELCA in South Dakota through your financial gifts.
Officers
Co-Presidents
Lois Storm
Corsica, SD
605-93301243
thestormfarm@hotmail.com
Sherry Archer
Sioux Falls, SD
605-310-0153
ladnred2023@gmail.com
Vice President
Wanda Biel
Sioux Falls, SD
402-883-0474
wandabiel402@gmail.com
Secretary
Teresa Mikkelsen
Webster SD
605-345-2912
teresalm82@hotmail.com
Treasurer
Kathy Otterby
Mitchell, SD
605-999-3506
otter@mit.midco.net
Director for Stewardship
Darlene Bresson
Watertown, SD
605-421-1258
dbress20@gmail.com
Director for Justice
Kathy Heffernan
Faulkton, SD
605-450-8782
kheffernan1957@gmail.com
Director for Discipleship
Pastor Erika Lehmann
Garretson, SD
605-338-4737
elehmann1865@icloud.com
Member-at-Large
Beth Nielsen
Spearfish, SD
605-381-8695
bethn2005@gmail.com
Member-at-Large
Connie Bickett
Arlington, SD
605-315-2402
conniebickett452@gmail.com
Nominating Committee