eNews Issue #282 — March 16, 2020

Click here to download the printable PDF of eNews 282.

LWML Issues Travel Restrictions for BOD

LWML President Debbie Larson, today, issued a travel restriction for the members of the LWML Board of Directors until May 3, 2020. This measure will impact LWML district conventions held during this time period and the LWML BOD is praying that the Lord will guide the decisions each LWML district president will make as they consider postponing their gatherings. Blessings continue amongst Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) concerns. "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life ..." (Luke 12:22). "And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?" (Luke 12:25). "Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Luke 12:33-34). By the grace of God, the women of the LWML will find the opportunities to serve His people and share His Gospel. The LWML will continue to serve with gladness.

LWML Hosts Dinner at St. Louis Seminary

President Debbie Larson and Andrew Simpson

Last Monday, March 9, 2020, the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) hosted a dinner and program for second-year seminary students at Concordia Seminary St. Louis. These students and their families are looking forward to serving as vicars in congregations around the nation. 

The evening began with a delicious buffet and a short program about LWML and how Lutheran Women in Mission share the Gospel message within the United States and around the world. Greetings were given by LWML President Debbie Larson with Vice President of Special Focus Ministries Deaconess Betty Knapp, the Lutheran Woman’s Quarterly Editor-in-Chief Sheila Lutz, Public Relations Director Susan Donnelly, Church Workers in Mission Committee Chairman Christie Steffens, and Missouri District President Sally Hendricks, participating.  The special night concluded with LWML gift giveaways to the students by Product Developer, Bev England.

Public Relations Director Susan Donnelly and Product Developer Bev England

Several members of the seminary faculty joined the festivities including our welcoming host, Dr. Glenn and Mrs. Sue Nielsen with comfort dog, Noah! Dr. Nielsen is the seminary’s Director of Placement, Director of Vicarage and Deaconess Internships, and Professor of Practical Theology. LWML is thankful to our Lord Jesus Christ to be given such an opportunity to support our seminaries with our prayers, love, and gifts!

Direct Your 2019 Thrivent Choice® Dollars by March 31, 2020

The Thrivent Choice® program continues to be a blessing to LWML. Beginning in 2010, the LWML has received $197,620 in Thrivent Choice® Dollars to date. Thrivent Choice Dollars go 100% to mission grants. If you are an eligible Thrivent member and have not designated your 2019 Choice Dollars, you may do so until March 31, 2020. You can donate online at https://www.thrivent.com/making-a-difference/living-generously/thrivent-choice/ or you can call Thrivent at 1-800-847-4836.  If you designate, or have designated, funds to the LWML thank you for helping us to share the love of Christ! You are making an eternal difference!

Lutheran Braille Workers BOD Visit

Ft. row – l to r Deborah Rutt (board member), Priscilla Newton (secretary), Ruth Martin (treasurer), Patti Ross (board member) Back row – l to r Ken Loeber (president), Rev. Dr. Daniel Mattson, Debbie Larson, Gregory Moffitt, Dr. Paul Dasari, Jay Zemke (CEO)

The Lutheran Braille Workers Board of Directors stopped by the LWML office during a recent meeting on campus. President Ken Loeber thanked President Debbie Larson for the mission grant funds they recently received. Because God touched the hearts of so many generous donors LWML was able to pay 2019-2021 Mission Grant #11, Touching the Living Word — Lutheran Braille Workers, for $100,000. This allows for the purchase of a PUMA plate embossing device capable of creating the necessary number of zinc plates to meet production needs.

Cookie Brigade to the Rescue!

Melody Hagans and Mary Renne from Gordonville/Jackson, MO, delivered some of these cookies.

Shortly after the LWML Office moved to the Concordia Seminary, St. Louis campus, the office staff began working on ways to connect with the students, faculty, staff, and families on campus. Equipped with donations from the LWML Assembly of Leaders in November 2018, a Keurig single-serve coffee maker was purchased and the LWML Office started offering complimentary coffee and hot chocolate to all office visitors. The staff thought it would be nice to also provide visitors with a bit of “home” by supplying homemade cookies made especially for them by bakers in local LWML groups. Most importantly, it provides a great opportunity for the office staff to share the mission of LWML.

Sally Handrick, LWML Missouri District President, helped kick off the cookie outreach by spreading the word about these plans and inviting local LWML groups and zones to bake cookies. The demand for cookies is steadily increasing (especially chocolate chip), thanks to an increasing number of students stopping by the office, and thankfully LWML has been blessed by bakers who regularly come to their aid when the supply is running low. Local groups also volunteer their time to deliver the cookies, sometimes from two hours away.

Students enjoying the cookies!

Individuals from the LWML Missouri District and Southern Illinois District, who have assisted with this cookie outreach effort, include:
• Brenda Fore, Marian Hoehner, and Sue Williams, St. Charles Zone
• Barb Edwards, St. Louis North Zone
• Melody Hagans, Mary Renne, and Melanie Weibrecht, Jackson Bootheel Zone
• Doris Verseman, Altenburg Zone
• Donna Wegner, Lower Kaskaskia Zone

Please accept our apologies if your name was omitted. Sometimes names are not shared but LWML is very thankful to all who have participated and thank God for your kindness and willingness to help!

For more information or, if your group or zone would like to help, please contact Katie Thompson at outreach@lwml.org.

LWML Office and the Coronavirus

The LWML Office is located in Loeber Hall on the campus of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. On Thursday, March 12, in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) virus outbreak, Concordia President Dr. Dale A. Meyer sent out a letter outlining decisions made for the students and faculty. Information concerning classes and campus activity is available by contacting the seminary. Access to buildings will be by ID badge only. All buildings at the seminary will be sanitized by the Campus Facility Team.

The LWML Office staff will be working remotely until further notice. The LWML Office may experience shortened hours of operation and will answer messages as soon as they are able. We appreciate your patience as we respond to your calls and emails.

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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LWML Office
801 Seminary Place, Ste. L010
St. Louis, MO 63105
800-252-5965
www.lwml.org