eNews Issue #294 — June 10, 2020

Click here to download the printable PDF of eNews 294.

District Convention Prayers

Please join in prayer for our LWML sisters in Christ from the Iowa East, Eastern, and Missouri districts as they gather together for virtual conventions this weekend. We also pray for the Mid-South and the North Wisconsin districts who will be holding virtual conventions at a later date.

Dear Lord, we know You are always in control, and for that, we are truly grateful. Thank You that we live in a time that enables us to have resources for keeping connected. We ask for Your guidance as these five LWML districts meet and vote electronically. We pray, no matter the outcome, that each person on the ballots will find his/her place of service and be a blessing in the LWML. We pray that each mission grant receives what is needed in Your perfect timing. May You be glorified, and may Your Word continue to reach the lost and the erring. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Let us also say a prayer of thanksgiving for Diane Reimold as she comes to the end of her four years of service as LWML Mid-South District President. Let us also remember in prayer Margaret Kistler (Iowa East), Sally Handrick (Missouri), Becky Haltaufderheid (North Wisconsin), and Susan Bell (Eastern District), as they virtually chair their first conventions as LWML district presidents.

Lord, hear our prayers.

Serving joyfully,
President Debbie

LWML Awards Mission Grant

Dr. Dale A. Meyer, President of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, received a $100,000 check for LWML Mission Grant #19, “Making Jesus Known in the United States Ethnic Communities, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri.”

Tom Evans, Grant Writer at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, spoke about the grant funds saying, “These funds will help support the education costs of the highly devoted ethnic student/church workers enrolled in our Center of Hispanic Studies and Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology ministerial formation programs. Through their ongoing, dedicated service, these student/church workers truly are, in the words of our mission grant's title, "Making Jesus Known in U.S. Ethnic Communities."  

Lutheran Women in Mission are urged to pray for Concordia Seminary, this ministry, and its participants, especially as summer classes resume on campus in July. Read more about this grant and training programs here.

LWML Pacific Southwest District

Women and men of the LWML Pacific Southwest District originally planned to gather in Cathedral City, California, June 5–7, 2020, to celebrate the theme, “Call to Me and I Will Answer You!,” based on Jeremiah 33:3: Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. A one-day, virtual mini-convention was held Saturday, June 6, 2020. Nila Rodriguez, Glendale, California, was elected as the new LWML Pacific Southwest District President, and Pastor Ramon Contreras, Lutheran Borders Concerns Ministry Director, was elected as the new junior pastoral counselor. Attendees were able to hear a sermonette, partake in a Bible study, and learn the election results.

LWML South Dakota District

The LWML South Dakota District canceled its May 29-30, 2020, convention in Yankton, South Dakota. Paper ballots were sent to all voting delegates. On June 6, outgoing district president, Lisa S. Asmus, announced the results on Facebook Live. Patty Peters of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was elected to serve as the new LWML South Dakota District President. Rev. Clint O. Thorson of Our Savior Lutheran Church, Madison, South Dakota, was elected as the new junior pastoral counselor. A mission goal of $123,573 was also chosen. Although the women and men of the district were not able to gather in person, they will still carry out their convention theme: “Set Your Eyes on Jesus,” based on Hebrews 12:2a: looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith. 

LWML Rocky Mountain District

The LWML Rocky Mountain District celebrated its 50th biennial convention through its first-ever virtual convention on Saturday, June 6, 2020. Convention attendees gathered via Zoom and carried out their theme, “Be Still,” based on Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations (Psalm 46:10a). Attendees were able to take part in a Bible study and hear reports about 2019-2021 Mission Grant #20 Music Outreach, Classes, and Resources on the Border from Mites in Action speaker Rev Stephen Heimer. Rev. Pete Scheele, Bailey, Colorado, was elected junior pastoral counselor. Although the women and men of the Rocky Mountain District were not able to gather and “Be Still,” they are grateful that God provided a different way to gather.

LWML Ohio District

Outgoing LWML Ohio District President Jeanne Schimmelmann announced the election of Vivian Nelson as the new Ohio District President. Since the convention originally planned for June 19–21, 2020 in Dayton, Ohio, had to be canceled, voting for candidates and a new mission goal was conducted through the mail. The new mission grant information will be announced at a later date. “Hope Fully on God's Grace,” based on 1 Peter 1:13: Therefore, preparing your mind for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ., was the theme planned for the LWML Ohio District Convention. The women and men of the district are hoping fully on God’s grace and trusting in his timing and plans.

LWML Past President Patti Ross Elected to Lutheran Hour Ministries’ Board of Directors

Lutheran Hour Ministries recently held their election to fill five open positions on the International Lutheran Laymen's League/Lutheran Hour Ministries Board of Directors. Eligible voting members could vote online or by paper ballot from April 15 through May. Past LWML President Patricia Ross of Tulsa, Oklahoma, was elected for a three-year term on the board to begin in fiscal year 2021. Congratulations to Patti from your sisters and brothers of the LWML! More information about Lutheran Hour Ministries can be found here. 

Accessible Bible Study Opportunity

Over the last few weeks, author Donna Snow has been leading “Overflowing Abundance” as a Facebook Live Bible study. Thousands of LWML sisters from around the world have been gathering for the study live or watching it later on YouTube. 

After the live broadcast, the videos of the Bible study that are posted on YouTube are all closed-captioned for the hearing impaired. This opens a great opportunity to involve our deaf and hard of hearing sisters in this LWML Bible study. 

To access the closed caption option, look for the "CC" icon on the bottom of the screen. A second way of accessing the captioning is through the settings icon. Click on this gear icon, then click “subtitles,” and finally click “English.”

As LWML sisters in Christ, we are blessed to share the study of God’s Word in many different settings. Gather a group of friends to watch the study either on Facebook Live or later on YouTube. Encourage your deaf or hard of hearing sisters to join you and participate in the study by using the closed captioning option. You can access the LWML YouTube channel through this link.

Structure Committee

Structure Committee - Mary Smith, Chair; Marilyn Kuehnast, Barbara Volk -Parliamentarian & Advisory; LaDonna Stanosheck

The LWML Structure Committee has been busy since October 2019, reviewing proposed district bylaw amendments and approving those not in conflict with the LWML Bylaws. The Structure Committee also reviews the LWML Bylaws and submits, to the Board of Directors and Presidents Assembly for approval, any proposed amendments that will be presented to the convention body for their vote. 

The work that the Structure Committee does is summarized in their purpose statement: “Keep the LWML Bylaws and related resources flexible while maintaining the legal status of the organization.” The LWML Structure Committee stands ready and willing to assist your district, zone, or local group with bylaw questions. Just ask by sending an email to depor@lwml.org. You can find information and resources on bylaws on the LWML website at www.lwml.org/bylaws.

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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