Welcome to the 2007 Gathering of the Rocky Mountain Synodical Women’s Organization. Our central theme for the Gathering is from 1st Corinthians Chapter 6, verses 19:20, “Do you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own you have been bought at a price."

Let us begin with our Mission Statement.

“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.

We would like to dedicate this Gathering in particular to a woman who served her Lord as a nurse, from Ghana to Colorado Springs. She was a parish nurse, mother, grandmother, wife, aunt, cousin, friend, and "Mama Rain". She died this year and left a wonderful legacy behind and a lot of people who loved her dearly. Pastor Erwin Spruth, her devoted husband remains behind. Perhaps some of you know him. Lorraine’s WOW in life was her Lord and I have begun asking the question of women I meet, “What is their WOW?” “What is your WOW?” Think about it and perhaps we can talk about your WOW sometime.

Welcome on behalf of the Rocky Mountain Synodical Women’s Organization of the Women of the ELCA. I truly hope you receive the uplifting love of God and friendships offered during this Gathering. The RMSWO Board would like to dedicate this Gathering to Lorraine Spruth, "Mama Rain", as she was so lovingly referred to. This writing is not of my own but her daughters at Lorraine's funeral. Lorraine Spruth died at the age of 79 here in Colorado Springs on May 5, 2007.  

Her life began in 1927 in St. Louis, Missouri. At age 17, she had a job with Bell Telephone as a long distance operator during World War II. She wanted to change jobs but because her job was essential she had to wait 6 months before she could get another job. Washington University School of Nursing at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis was enrolling a new class of Cadet Nurses, she enrolled and changed her life. Concordia Seminary and Washington University had an agreement where Seminary students who worked as orderlies, received credits from the university and this is how she met the Rev. Erwin Spruth (Ob), a student. Both Rain and her mom were baptized in 1949, Rain being 21, her mom 42. The first call for the Rev. and Mrs. Spruth was in Papua New Guinea. She wrote a Health Manual for the schools in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea and helped develop literacy courses for the Enga people.

Children came late with Rain losing six before their first born arrived. She did eventually have the four, one dying when he was but 5 years old.

After 28 years in New Guinea they returned to the US and worked in Spring Valley, a suburb of San Diego. During the 8 years there, God continued to prepare Rain for the challenges that would come to them. She worked in Chemical dependency, as a research nurse, for the Red Cross as director of health service and finally as a hospice nurse. In 1988 Rain and Pastor Ob were asked by the Board for Global Missions to consider a call to serve at one of the seminaries in Africa, Tanzania, Nigeria, or Ghana.

Rain taught at the Good News Theological College and Seminary in Ghana for 8 years, teaching health, counseling and shepherding, church administration, and acting as the “Mama” of the seminary, becoming in the process, “Mama Rain”. Ob and Rain retired in 1997. Lorraine served Prince of Peace Lutheran Church as Director of Christian Education for 18 months and then Ascension Lutheran as Parish Nurse and Director of Health Ministries until Sept. 27, 2006 when she retired for health reasons. Rain was very active in working with the Rocky Mountain Synod, on the Global Mission Board, then Social Ministries, and the Health Ministries Parish Nurse Network. On March 17, 2002 at the age of 74 Rain was commissioned as an Associate in Ministry (AIM) of the ELCA, one of the oldest to have completed the program and one of the first Parish Nurses to have done so. On March 10, 2006 she was presented with a Special Award for Life Time Achievement in the ministry of caring.

A blessed truth Rain would invite you to share:
“Remember that everything depends upon God’s love and blessings and never cease to be amazed that God chooses you as God’s own and blesses you to serve”.

In His Peace I leave you Lorraine and will miss you always.

Ina Anders