eNews Issue #287 — April 22, 2020

Click here to download the printable PDF of eNews 287.

District Convention Prayers

Please join in prayer for our LWML sisters-in-Christ from the English, Louisiana-Mississippi, Montana, New England, and Utah-Idaho districts. These five districts were scheduled to gather in convention this week but, due to the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), they have either rescheduled or canceled their conventions.

Lord, we ask that You be with all these LWML women and counselors as they deal with disappointment in missing the business, fellowship, Bible study, and servant activities with fellow sisters and brothers from their district at this time. We also pray for the Holy Spirit to lead and guide the delegates from the Louisiana-Mississippi and the Utah-Idaho districts as they vote electronically this weekend to choose new officers and vote for their mission goal and mission grants.

We pray for wisdom and strength for LWML district presidents Barbara Jean Lis (New England), Shari Miller (Montana), and Lois Anderson (Utah-Idaho) as they revise their convention plans to meet later this year.

Thank you, Lord, for Anita Granger (Louisiana-Mississippi), Shari Miller (Montana), and Barbara Jean Lis (New England) as they come to the end of their four years of service as district presidents. We remember in prayer Darlene Keca (English) and Lois Anderson (Utah-Idaho) as they complete their first biennium and look forward to serving for two more years.

Lord, hear our prayers.

In His service, surrounded by HIS Grace,
Debbie Larson, LWML President

Facebook Live Bible Study 

Join Donna Snow and your LWML friends from around the world as we unite together in Bible study. Donna will be live on the LWML Facebook page at 8 p.m. Central Daylight Time each Tuesday night, beginning April 28, 2020, leading us through her Overflowing Abundance Bible study based on Jesus feeding the five thousand found in Matthew 14:13-21.

LWML President Debbie Larson, Vice President of Christian Life Susan Brunkow, and our Pastoral Counselors, Rev. Mitchell Schuessler and Rev. Brian Noack, will be online answering questions and taking prayer requests in the comments. The study guide is now available as a free download here.

To learn more and to invite your friends, check out the Lutheran Women in Mission Facebook event page.

Call Day 2020 — Virtual Services at Concordia Seminaries

The placement of new seminary graduates, deaconess interns, and vicars from The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) seminaries customarily is announced during festive worship services held on each seminary campus. Call Day 2020 will be different because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the requirement to continue the necessary social distancing. Services announcing the placements for these new church workers will be held in an all-virtual format. Please pray for these new church workers as they begin serving the church as pastors, deaconesses, deaconess interns, or vicars. May God give them courage and wisdom as they answer the call to serve. More information about the services and how we can participate in our homes can be found here.

God Works Through LWML Mission Grants

LWML mission grants supported by women throughout the nation continue to bring the Gospel to people around the world. One of those grants from the 2019-2021 biennium on the national level is Women’s Witness and Mercy, Asia. This grant supports ten women as they teach, perform acts of mercy and proclaim the Gospel throughout Taiwan, Thailand, Hong Kong, Macau, and Southeast Asia. Aimee Cima feels blessed to be in Cambodia with the help of LWML Mission Grant #12. Read about her, her family, and her work here. 

“The Task-Filled Life” Podcast Available Now

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the crazy life we are living? LWML On The Go Podcasts are currently featuring a Bible study series titled “The Task-Filled Life” by Jan Brunette. Coming in the next few weeks are podcasts to help us deal with excuses and delays. This Bible study encourages us as we learn more of the hope that comes only through our Lord. 

Podcasts are available at lwml.org but many women find it easiest to listen to them on their smartphone through the LWML app. The LWML app is free through the app store on your phone.

Podcasts are flexible, so tune in any time that fits your schedule, and join host Rebecca Futty as she leads us through “The Task-Filled Life.” 

LWML Accepting Mission Grant Proposals for 2021-2023

LWML is now accepting mission grant proposals for consideration at the 2021 LWML Convention in Lexington, Kentucky. Please note that electronic submission of mission grant proposals is requested by August 15, 2020, with the final hard copy submission postmarked by September 30, 2020. A helpful resource to begin your submission is Mission Project Proposal — How to Get Started, click here. 

Good News for Giving

For 2020, certain cash charitable contributions up to $300 can now be deducted for those who do not itemize their deductions. The logic behind this new ruling was to give some relief to not-for-profit organizations, such as the LWML, due to the COVID-19 virus. Contact your tax advisor or the IRS website for more information. 
Does your stimulus check provide an additional opportunity to support mission grants?

With groups and zones not currently gathering to collect mite offerings, you can send your donation directly to your group treasurer or your district. To donate securely online to national LWML, click here, or send your check to LWML, 801 Seminary Place, Ste. L101, St. Louis, MO 63105.

New Appointments for LWML

The LWML Board of Directors approved the appointment of Lauren Deneen, of Antigo, Wisconsin, as the Lutheran Woman’s Quarterly Christian Living Editor, filling the position vacated by Eden Keefe, who now serves as Vice President of Gospel Outreach. Lauren, the wife of seminary student Christopher Deneen, worked in the LWML Office as the Office Clerk until she and her husband left St. Louis for his year of vicarage in Wisconsin. Her degrees in English and Spanish from Concordia University Ann Arbor will be a wonderful asset and the Official Publication Staff for the Quarterly looks forward to serving alongside Lauren. 

Even as plans continue for the 2021 LWML Convention in Lexington, Kentucky, the LWML looks to the future convention to be held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The LWML Board of Directors approved the appointment of Anne Hartman, of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, as the Host Committee Chairman for the 2023 LWML Convention. Anne now serves as the Committee on Young Women Chairman. She has served at the national level on the Christian Life, HOPE, and Leader Development Committees, and on the Young Women Representative (YWR) Task Force. On the district level, Anne has co-chaired a district convention, served on the Christian Life Committee, and as YWR chairman. She was selected as a YWR for the 2003 Oklahoma City Convention. She is an individual LWML member and enjoys sharing LWML with everyone she meets. President Debbie Larson stated, “We are so blessed to have someone with people and organizational skills willing and ready to step up and serve God with such joy. Anne will be a welcome addition to our planning process.”

LWML Oklahoma District Elects New President Electronically

The LWML Oklahoma District was planning to use an electronic balloting system for its April 17-18, 2020 convention. The convention theme was “Fix Our Eyes on Jesus” based on 2 Corinthians 4:18. Due to the COVID-19 virus, the convention was canceled and delegates and voting members voted electronically. Congratulations to Pam Wiederkehr from Enid, Oklahoma, who was elected as the new district president. LWML thanks God for Dianna Just, who has completed her 2015-2019 term. The success of this process was a bright spot for the members of the Oklahoma District who were missing their “in person” convention. They are working on plans to hold a Mission Festival gathering in October 2020 to celebrate, serve, learn, and share the love of Christ.

The business of the district included voting to fund 20 mission grants totaling $143,825. Rev. John Wackler from Stillwater, Oklahoma, was elected as the district’s new junior pastoral counselor. LWML Vice President of Special Focus Ministries Betty Knapp attended the Zoom meeting elections.

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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