Mite Offerings and Mission Service from Joyful Hearts
But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God (Mark 10:14). And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny (Mark 12:42).
Sunday April 8, 2018, Rev. Roy Minnix invited the congregation of Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Hackettstown, N.J. to come forward and empty their Mite Boxes and loose change into buckets held by four precious children. Pastor Minnix then asked the children to bring the offerings forward for a blessing that the mite offerings, whether a penny or dollar bill, be used to God’s glory and to further His kingdom.
Sunday April 8, on behalf of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania, Jean Jaskierny gratefully accepted prayerfully given mite offerings from Lutheran women, men, and children to enable and equip women at the Tanzanian Sewing Center (LWML Mission Grant #4).
Read more about this grant at lwml.org/2017-2019-mission-grant-4.
Sunday April 22, at Faith Lutheran Church in Sioux City, Iowa, Larry Joines of Mercy Meals Siouxland (LWML Mission Grant #1) received some of your prayerfully given mite offerings. Pictured here are members of Faith Lutheran and area churches. Presenting the check is LWML Iowa West District President Ann Carrick (purple jacket) and LWML Treasurer Marilyn Schroeder. LWML South Dakota President Lisa Asmus is next to Ann. Nancy Harrison (LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison’s mother) is next to Marilyn. Nancy was instrumental in the fruition of this mission grant. Individuals from South Dakota and Iowa come to Sioux City to package mercy meals. Next to Nancy is a young woman who couldn’t wait until she was old enough to help, and now she faithfully helps every time there is a packaging event. She initially came with her grandmother and watched all the happenings. She also convinced the young man standing next to her to participate. To read more about this mission grant and mercy meal service activity opportunities, go to lwml.org/2017-2019-mission-grant-1 and lwml.org/posts/mission-servants-activities/mercy-meals-of-siouxland-packaging-event.
LWML Assembly of Leaders 2018
The LWML has historically viewed effective leadership training and communication as part of fulfilling the LWML mission statement. This year’s Assembly of Leaders (AOL), under the theme “Follow the Leader”, will be a collaborative effort to present practical leadership ideas, inspiration, and hands-on activities which will help district leaders communicate with women and men in their zones and congregations and share the enthusiasm they have for the valuable work of the LWML.
LWML Assembly of Leaders 2018 will be held November 7-10, 2018, at the Hilton St. Louis Airport, in St. Louis, Missouri. District LWML presidents are invited to attend and bring three others from their district. Those who participate must commit to take the information and enthusiasm shared at AOL back to their districts and provide training at the zone and local levels of LWML. Are you a leader passionate about sharing Christ? Talk to your LWML district president today!
LWML District Presidents: make plans soon and contact Vice President of Organizational Resources Debbie Larson with any questions at debbie.larson@lwml.org
Mite Offering Report as of April 30, 2018
Thanks be to God for blessing your Mite offerings!
Amounts as of March 31, 2018
Mission Goal for 2017–2019: $2,075,000
Total Mites Received: $1,019,599.57
Mites Needed per Month: $86,458.33
Total Mites Still Needed: $1,055,400.43
Read the full Mite Report here: www.lwml.org/mites-received
You and your congregation help support LWML grants through individual Mite Box offerings to local societies, zones, and districts, the LWML website’s online donation process, setting up recurring electronic donations through Joyful Response®, by calling the LWML office — 1.800.252.5965, or mailing your contribution to: LWML, 3558 S. Jefferson Ave., St. Louis, MO, 63118.
Mission Grant Update
2017–2019 Mission Grant #2 Mercy House for Women and Children
Franklin Avenue Mission, Flint, Michigan—$100,000
The official ground breaking on Mercy House for homeless women and children happened on May 3, 2018.
Action at Mercy House
Work has begun to redesign, renovate, refurbish, and add on to the existing home on Franklin Avenue Mission’s north campus.
To read more about this mission grant, go to lwml.org/2017-2019-mission-grant-2.
Calling All Young Women!
The LWML Committee on Young Women hopes you are attending and enjoying your district conventions. Sorry we couldn’t be there with you, but we invite you to join us in Mobile, Ala., June 20–23, 2019 for the LWML 38th Biennial Convention under the theme, “In Praise to the LORD.”
LWML Committee on Young Women
We are busy planning fun and educational events for women ages 22–35 from each district. Work through your district president on eligibility for the Young Woman Representative (YWR) Program.
During convention at a Young Woman Representative (YWR) reunion lunch, we hope to honor the young women who attended the 1973 convention in Mobile. We are sure they are still young at heart and have much to share with us about their LWML journey. Check with your district president and visit www.lwml.org/young-women regularly for updates and additional information about this event. We can’t wait to see you!
LWML at the Multiethnic Symposium
LWML Vice President of Special Focus Ministries Kaye Wolff, LWML Junior Pastoral Counselor Rev. Mitch Schuessler, Sherri Rose (Kansas District H2H District Leader), LWML President Patti Ross, with Maikou Seying, and Bernice and Walter Brunkowski.
Several LWML Executive Committee members had the pleasure of participating in the recent Multiethnic Symposium held at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis on May 1–2, 2018.
The symposium brings together LCMS missional leaders including pastors, congregational leaders, and others. The theme of this year’s symposium was “Many Peoples, One Savior, Jesus: Affirming a Multiethnic Church.”
LWML’s Heart 2 Heart Sister Program remains focused on encouraging women to reach out to women of diverse ethnic groups to serve the church, participate in LWML, witness to the world, and grow in relationships. The LWML recognizes there are gifted multicultural women serving with joy and passion in many multicultural ministries throughout The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
The LWML is the leading group for LCMS women where each woman is welcomed and encouraged to use her unique God-given gifts as she supports global missions and serves the Lord with gladness.
Questions or comment about eNews? Email pr@lwml.org
