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Mark Your Calendar for Giving Tuesday, December 3, 2019
Make a Difference in a Changing World!

Double your impact! Thanks to two generous donors, this year all Giving Tuesday donations will be matched, up to $20,000. A donation link for Giving Tuesday will be live here on Tuesday, Dec 3. Mark your calendars and bless others through LWML Mission giving!

What is Giving Tuesday?

Giving Tuesday, observed on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, takes the focus off the commercialism of Black Friday and Cyber Monday and, instead, celebrates giving back. Our goal is to use Giving Tuesday to spread the Gospel message by collecting money and raising awareness for LWML Mission Grants, which share the love of Jesus throughout all nations. 

You are being offered a wonderful opportunity to reach others with the saving Word of Jesus through our LWML Mission Grants. Each member of the LWML Board of Directors wrote a personal message about one of our grants; look for these on the website each week.

LWML Participates in First LCMS Making Disciples for Life Gathering

LWML President Debbie Larson will lead a tabletop discussion during The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) Making Disciples for Life Gathering to be held January 9–11, 2020, at the LCMS International Center, St. Louis, Missouri. This new LCMS initiative will provide resources, training, and opportunities for congregations and individuals as they witness to Christ and His eternal gifts. All are welcome and can find more information here.

Game Night at the LWML Office

On Saturday, November 23, 2019 LWML hosted a Game Night for the seminary community to connect with LWML and enjoy a fun night of friendly competition. A group of about 15 people were in attendance that ranged from single students, married couples, a professor’s wife, and a family of four. The night began with a devotional about “Comfort Food”, since Thanksgiving is upon us. The group prayed and then divided into two teams to play a game provided by one of the seminary students. Everyone had much praise for the LWML hosted Game Night. The LWML continues to enjoy having their office at Concordia Seminary St. Louis.

A Thank You to LWML

A letter of thanks to LWML was recently received from Deaconess Katherine Rittner, Director of the Food and Clothing Co-op at Concordia Theological Seminary Fort Wayne. As we look toward Thanksgiving and Christmas, we remember in our prayers and gifts our LCMS seminaries and the impact LWML has had, and can have, on our brothers and sisters there.

It is because of the mighty ladies of the LWML that I am able to care for and provide for “my kids” at the seminary. As a pastor’s wife, former seminary wife and a former student of Concordia Theological Seminary Fort Wayne (CTSFW) myself, I know first-hand what it means to have the caring support and generosity of the LWML. The difference you make is more than you will ever know.

My mom was a past zone president (many, many years ago) in Jacksonville, Florida. She was so excited to go to a national convention in Detroit one year and remarked how she stood along the bank of the river one evening looking over into Canada just so she could say she had seen it. I learned from her how important the LWML is not only to our future pastors and deaconesses but to the church at large. We are all one in Christ and for the mighty ladies of the LWML to care so passionately and lovingly for the future through their support of our seminary students and families speaks volumes to the world of The Lutheran Church−Missouri Synod and of our church at large. From the bottom of my heart on behalf of the students and families of CTSFW, thank you for your love, prayers, and support.

In His Service,
Deaconess Katherine Rittner

Do You Shop Online?

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are right around the corner, and many of you shop online. Consider signing up for AmazonSmile, if you haven’t already. From July through September LWML received $253.03 from shoppers who designated LWML as their charitable organization. To sign up go to https://smile.amazon.com/. Instructions on how to get started are also available at http://www.lwml.org/more-ways-to-give.