eNews Issue #278 — January 28, 2020
Click here to download the printable PDF of eNews 278.
First LWML Presidents Assembly Meets in St. Louis
With the restructure at the national level of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) approved at the Mobile convention, the district presidents gathered together for the historic first meeting of the LWML Presidents Assembly. Business was conducted, training sessions were held, and discussion panels allowed the presidents to share ideas and concerns as they serve the Lord in their districts. These servant-leaders invested this time so they can be better equipped and informed to inspire their members.
Feedback from the LWML district presidents was very positive, and they are eager to meet again next January and share how they have incorporated ideas and information in their districts.
Presidents Assembly and Board of Directors Donate to St. Louis Seminary’s Food Pantry
Pictured are Senior Pastoral Counselor Rev. Mitchel Schuessler, President Debbie Larson, Eric Larson, Strategic Plan Facilitator Michelle Jenks, and Junior Pastoral Counselor Rev. Brian Noack.
Eric Larson, a second-year student at Concordia Seminary St. Louis, works at the seminary’s food pantry and spoke to the LWML Presidents Assembly on January 24, 2020. He thanked the LWML for their donations of food, gift cards, and cash. Eric, a DCE from South Dakota, is in St. Louis with his wife, Judy, and their three children, ages 3, 7, and 10. These Gifts From the Heart help defray the cost of living for our seminary students and their families.
Donations included $630 in checks and cash, $430 in gift cards, and numerous boxes of food items, personal items, and toiletries. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
LWML Vice President of Gospel Outreach Resignation Accepted
With thankfulness for her dedication and service and understanding of her decision, the LWML Board of Directors (BOD) accepted the resignation of Angelina Jauregui from the position of LWML Vice President of Gospel Outreach on Friday, January 24, 2020. For health and family reasons, Angelina respectfully resigned stating that she feels LWML needs the full attention of their leaders so they may give the committees under their care encouragement to serve Him in truth and love.
Angelina Jauregui, from Los Angeles, California, was elected at the Albuquerque LWML Convention in June 2017. Under her guidance, the Gospel Outreach Committee has brought “I Love to Tell the Stories” articles to thousands of readers, inspiring them to share their story of what Jesus has meant in their lives. The Mission Grants Committee, also under Mrs. Jauregui’s leadership, accepts mission grant applications, reviews them, and brings grants forward to the LWML convention delegation. They provide all the mission grant resources available on the LWML website. This department is vital to Gospel outreach and provides mission leadership in the LWML. Angelina guided her committees with love. We thank God for her commitment and loyal service. God will continue to work through His faithful servant.
In her letter of resignation, Angelina shares these words: “I will keep each of you in prayer as you continue to serve the Lord with gladness and thanksgiving. I have enjoyed serving. It has been a blessing and a privilege. God bless each of you as you serve Him and reflect on God’s precious Word as we enter this very holy Lenten season.”
Please pray with the members of the LWML BOD as they choose and approve a new servant leader to fill the position of Vice President of Gospel Outreach until the June 2021 LWML Convention in Lexington, Kentucky.
America Sign Language (ASL) as a Second Language
The mission of the Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML) is to assist each woman of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) in affirming her relationship with the Triune God so that she is enabled to use her gifts in ministry to the people of the world.
Kaye Wolff (r) communicates using American Sign Language with Deaconess Diana Rice (l), a teacher at St. Martin Lutheran School for the Deaf, Dearborn Michigan.
One way to offer this assistance is to ensure that women whose first language is something other than traditional English may be enabled to connect with others. American Sign Language (ASL) is growing in popularity as a second language in the United States, so by learning ASL, LWML women can be better equipped to communicate with our deaf and hard-of-hearing sisters. We welcome their participation in the LWML.
If you are interested in learning ASL, check out the resources and links on the Deaf Ministry page of the LWML website. If you are fluent in ASL and would like to serve as an instructor in your area, or serve as a district Deaf Community Liaison, please contact your LWML district president. More information about Deaf Ministry in the LCMS can also be found on the LWML web page at lwml.org/deaf-ministry.
Young Women Begin Online Bible Study with Donna Pyle
What started as a lofty dream at the LWML Interdepartmental (ID) Meeting in October 2019 became a reality on January 13, 2020. The Committee on Young Women (CYW) brainstormed many ideas in October, one of which was organizing an online Bible study with Donna Snow Pyle and the Young Woman Representatives (YWRs) from the Mobile convention.
Donna was in St. Louis that October week for an unrelated meeting. When committee members saw her in the hotel lobby, they found themselves making a coffee date with Donna to discuss their Bible study idea. They were honored that she took time out of her busy schedule to meet with them and listen to their big idea!
On January 13, after much planning and promoting with the YWRs from Mobile, a Zoom study was scheduled. Committee member Kristen O’Shea welcomed the participants and introduced Donna. Donna led the Bible study for about 30 minutes, during which the participants could enter thoughts and comments in a chat group. Donna entertained questions and closed the meeting with a prayer.
The study will continue through 2020 for a total of eight sessions, using Donna’s LWML study, “Where Love Abides.” Each month, Mobile YWRs from all across the country will log in with the Zoom link to join in! This is a very new and exciting venture for the Committee on Young Women. Their prayer is that this will be the start of a new way women can connect with each other, no matter where they are. To God be the glory!
Lutheran Women in Mission — The Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML) is an official auxiliary of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Since 1942, the LWML has focused on affirming each woman's relationship with Christ, encouraging and equipping women to live out their Christian lives in active mission ministries, and to support global missions.
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.
Prior issues of LWML eNews are available on the LWML website.
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