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LWML Attends President’s Orientation and Installation

President Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison and LWML President Debbie Larson

Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) President Debbie Larson and Vice President of Organizational Resources Marie Chow, at the invitation of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) President Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison, attended the president’s orientation meeting and his installation service on Friday, September 13, 2019, in St. Louis, Missouri.

President Larson remarked, “It was a day to join together as servant leaders and celebrate the promises of our Savior. I look forward to the opportunities God sets before us as members of the LCMS and women of the LWML.” LWML Convention Manager Shelley Moeller, former Convention Manager Marguerite Christman, and Business Manager Vanessa Johnson also attended the installation service, which was held in the chapel at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.

LWML Convention Highlights Video

If you missed the 38^th Biennial Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) Convention in Mobile, Alabama, you can watch the highlights video put together by Rev. Bill Engfehr, our audio-visual director. After seeing it you won’t want to miss the 2021 LWML Convention in Lexington, Kentucky! Click here to watch. Also available as separate videos are the Convention Bible studies, Jan Struck’s humorous interruptions, the Mission Grants video and more.

Update on Mission Goal Progress

The voting delegation at the 2019 LWML convention in Mobile, Alabama, set LWML’s Mission Goal for the 2019-2021 biennium at $2,100,000. As of August 31, 2019, we have received $351,212.99. Total mites still needed are $1,748,787.01. Now that summer is over, our focus can return to funding and praying for our mission grants and our mission goal. Many groups have found the Mite Challenge Calendar to be a great tool for collecting mite offerings. You may download and print the September and October calendars here.

Thanking God for Vanessa Johnson and Our Office Staff

One year ago, on October 1, 2018, LWML hired Vanessa Johnson as their new business manager. LWML President Debbie Larson affirmed, “We have been blessed with an incredible office staff and God continues to provide willing, Christian women who serve the Lord with gladness. We thank our Lord for Vanessa and look forward to many more years serving together.” Congratulations, Vanessa.

LWML Commemorates Move to Concordia Seminary One Year Ago

The LWML Office moved to the Concordia Seminary, St. Louis (CSL) campus one year ago. They commemorated this landmark event on Wednesday, September 25, inviting the campus community to join them in the celebration. The Vincent Van Doughnut Company brought “Clyde the Doughnut Truck” outside of Loeber Hall, and everyone was invited to join the LWML Office staff in the festivities by picking up a free doughnut on the way to the chapel, their office, or classroom. All students, faculty, staff, and families enjoyed the sweet gesture.

Concordia students dropped by the LWML Office to say “hello” and enjoy a doughnut.

“Clyde the Doughnut Truck”

Mobile Convention Offering #4 at Work

The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS) Disaster Response is aiding several areas in Texas which have been flooded. Rev. Robert Zagore, Executive Director of the LCMS Office of National Mission wrote a letter of appreciation to LWML stating that he could see God’s timing in this gift. Tropical Storm Imelda is causing devastation in the areas of Beaumont and Winne, known as “the golden triangle.” At this writing they had received 28 inches of rain and they expect 10 more inches over the next 36 hours. Flooding in this area of Texas is equal to or worse than the flooding after Hurricane Harvey. LCMS Texas District President Michael Newman went out of his way to let LCMS Disaster Response know that he is looking forward to their participation and partnership in this flood response.

Our 2019 Mobile Convention Offering #4, LCMS Disaster Response/Community Relief, is being used to purchase supplies and necessary needs for this community devastated by natural disasters. Funds are distributed through the LCMS Disaster Response program. See the full story on the LWML website here. 

Partial Repurpose of 2017-2019 Mission Grant #18 “Restoration Programs for Native Hawaiians”

$40,000 of 2017-2019 Mission Grant #18 “Restoration Programs for Native Hawaiians”, was reallocated by the LWML Board of Directors in June 2019. Unable to use the funds as originally planned, Lutheran Indian Ministries (LIM) requested the reallocation, repurposing the remaining funds for Restorative Programs for Native Americans in the Phoenix, Arizona area.

Bible Class

Through Lutheran Indian Ministries, Kevin Maulson (Lake Superior Chippewa) has been working with the homeless population in the Phoenix, Arizona area. According to the City of Phoenix court staff, there are more than 500 Native Americans who are in need of this type of assistance. Many of them attend one of the numerous Bible studies Kevin leads and are receiving practical assistance in procuring employment and a place to live. He provides free training, teaching and counseling for adult Native American men and women in the areas of parenting, relationship building and addressing family violence.

The mission of Lutheran Indian Ministries is to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to our Native brothers and sisters, disciple them in the faith so that they might share their faith with others, and provide resources for the healing of intergenerational pain, sorrow, and suffering while honoring Native cultures. These funds are providing programs that provide a pathway towards the healing of Native people.