eNews Issue #301 — August 11, 2020

Click here to download the printable PDF of eNews 301.

LWML District Convention Prayers

Please join in prayer for our Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) sisters in Christ from the LWML Utah-Idaho District as they gather together for a virtual convention Saturday, August 15, 2020. This gathering will focus on missions, as all voting took place earlier.

Dearest Lord, we pray for the Holy Spirit to lead and inspire them to serve with gladness as they learn about various missions and mission opportunities. Be with President Lois Anderson as she chairs her first convention, and with all the district officers and mission speakers as they share how God is working through the LWML.

We pray for all our sisters in Christ who are unable to meet in person for their district conventions. May they have future opportunities for fellowship and find encouragement and inspiration through Bible study and devotions. We thank You for the talented women and men You have provided as officers for the next biennium. 

Lord, hear our prayers.

Serving joyfully,
President Debbie

New Devotion Booklet Available

Do you feel like you are in the lazy days of summer, or are you anxiously waiting for the cool crisp days of autumn? LWML has a new devotion booklet called Devotions for All Seasons to encourage you in your walk with God, in whatever season you find yourself. These devotions are centered on the seasons of the year as well as on the seasons of your life. Authors Lynn Batchelder, Edie Norris, and Marilyn Stuckwisch captured the essence of spring, summer, autumn, and winter in this set of 20 new devotions. Devotions for All Seasons would make a great gift tucked into a sympathy or get well card. It’s available in the LWML Store.

Mission Grant Proposals Submission Dates

August 15 is the recommended deadline to complete the electronic submission for LWML mission grant proposals (Step 4 in the Mission Grant Guidelines) to allow the submitter time to follow up for necessary signatures and review before the final hard copy submission deadline of September 30, 2020. Electronic submissions will be accepted past August 15. September 30 is the deadline for the final submission. Review the guidelines here or submit your questions about the grant process to the Vice President of Gospel Outreach here.

What Does Being an LWML Leader Mean to You?

LWML leaders are women just like you. The Leadership Development Committee recently sat down with LWML Vice President of Special Focus Ministries Deaconess Betty Knapp, who shared words of wisdom. Betty offered advice for LWML leaders (we are all leaders in the LWML in some way), how she got involved in leadership positions in LWML, and more. Listen to Deaconess Betty here. 

More interviews will be coming soon. Do you have a question you’d like us to ask in a future interview? Send your comments and thoughts to the Vice President of Organizational Resources here.

LWML Nominations Open until August 15

Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him (1 Corinthians 7:17). God has called each of us to our vocation, where He has placed us in this world. The LWML Nominating Committee is asking for you to connect with women whom God has blessed with leadership gifts and encourage them to consider a nomination in the area where their gifts can best serve God through the LWML. Ask her to prayerfully consider if it is God’s will to expand her call into leadership within the LWML and allow her name to be placed in nomination for LWML’s open positions. Pray alongside her, and ask God to reveal to her His will for her service at this time. The nominating committee is seeking nominees for:

• Vice President of Christian Life
• Vice President of Gospel Outreach
• Vice President of Communication
• Recording Secretary
• Nominating Committee (5 positions)

God is calling women to serve Him in the LWML — ask God if it is someone you know and submit a nomination. Visit lwml.org/nominations or contact Brianne Stahlecker, the Nominations Chairman here.

Your Donation Doubled through Matching Gifts

Thanks to generous gifts from LWML donor families, all donations given through the 2020 HELP | LOVE | GROW Pledge Drive will be matched to a total of up to $55,000. Please consider a gift today to support LWML’s Gifts of Love Ministry that, by God’s grace, will multiply mission work for generations to come.

The HELP | LOVE | GROW campaign donations go directly to LWML’s Gifts of Love ministry. Gifts of Love, the official planned giving ministry of LWML, supports two highly qualified counselors. Linda Gage and Carol von Soosten help people return God’s blessings and make an eternal impact through charitable planning. LWML women and their heirs discover how they can share their faith, minimize taxes, bless their family, and support God’s ongoing ministry through their estate.

Gifts can be made through the secure Giving tab on the LWML website or by mailing a check to the LWML Office. More information about the HELP | LOVE | GROW campaign and how our counselors can assist you can also be found on the LWML website. Carol and Linda are available to speak at your local and zone events. Thank you for your continued partnership and faithful donations.

Support Your District

There are several district virtual conventions or gatherings in late August and during September. Throughout the remaining districts, there are new officers and counselors making plans for the new biennium. They need your prayers and support. 

Send a card or email to your new president, if you have one, or your continuing president. Pray for new mission grants and continue to support them through your donations. Publicize the mission grants in your districts, zones, groups, and churches. LWML Sunday resources are available on the website. Plan to share them often, and especially on LWML Sunday, and promote these grants in your congregation. 

Lutheran World Relief (LWR) Donations Destroyed in Beirut

The explosion in Beirut, Lebanon, on August 4 destroyed three 40-foot shipping containers filled with humanitarian aid items, including thousands of handmade quilts, school supplies, and baby care and personal care items. The provisions had been donated to Lutheran World Relief. Many LWML women throughout the United States supply quilts and other humanitarian aid for the refugees and other vulnerable communities in the Middle East. Additional information about this tragedy is available here. Lutheran World Relief thanks God for all LWML women and supporters for their offering of quilts and kits.

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.
Questions or comments about eNews? Contact the Public Relations Director here.

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