eNews Issue #330 — April 13, 2021
Click here to download the printable PDF of eNews 330.
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League
2021 Convention
Lexington, Kentucky
June 24–27
Book Pre or Post Convention Tours Soon!
Book your tours for before or after the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) Convention soon! As we look forward to meeting together for the LWML 39th Biennial Convention in Lexington, Kentucky, remember to check out the exciting and inspiring tours that are offered at https://strategyaemlh.regfox.com/lwml-convention-tours. The Bluegrass State offers the serenity of traveling among the rolling green hills in horse country or taking a scenic city tour and seeing the historic homes of some of Lexington’s most fascinating families. Full-day tours include the awe-inspiring full-size Noah’s Ark, the Creation Museum, historic Churchill Downs, beautiful Bardstown, or a country tour of Shaker Village. Whether you are an avid horse fan, a history buff, or love the fresh country air, there is a tour to pique your interest and enlighten your heart.
Convention Registration Update
Due to COVID-19 restrictions the Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center, where the LWML Convention will be held June 24–27, 2021, can only allow a limited number of people to attend at this time. This restriction caused LWML to shut down convention registrations temporarily.
The LWML Board of Directors prayerfully anticipates that the percentage allowed will increase and suggests anyone interested in attending click HERE to be placed on a waitlist. When/if capacity is increased LWML will supply a link to registration and honor the early registration price for a limited time. Registrations for all delegates and special guests will be accepted. Please contact the LWML with any questions.
LWML President Debbie Larson asks that you continue to pray boldly, knowing God hears and answers prayers. She asks for your patience and understanding as we continue to “Running the Race … Looking to Jesus.”
Gifts from the Heart
Now is the time to start collecting Gifts from the Heart (donations for many organizations) to put in your suitcase to bring to Lexington. Recipients include Assurance for Life Ministry (Lexington); MOST Ministries; and Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Concordia Seminary, St. Louis food banks. Items to bring include newborn, baby, and toddler supplies; gift cards in denominations of $10, $20, and $25 (Walmart or Target); small “First” Christian books (board books, vinyl books); and eyeglasses. Click here for Concordia Publishing House book specials.
Assurance for Life, based in Lexington, is a pregnancy support center sharing the love and grace of Jesus Christ with those facing an unplanned or crisis pregnancy. Believing every child is a gift from God, they provide a range of free services centered on the goal of sharing the love of Christ and empowering the choice of life for each unborn child. Please check the LWML website for more information about these gifts.
MOST Ministries focuses on short-term mission trips. In their current campaign, they are asking for new-to-nearly-new eyeglasses. Over 100 volunteers have given away 149,623 pairs of glasses in 52 countries, impacting the lives of 240,661 families. Gather those glasses you’ve outgrown and put them to good use!
Food bank support at the Fort Wayne and St. Louis Seminaries provides basic supplies for the needs of the students and their families. Both food banks are always in need of baby supplies.
Servant Connections
In Lexington, from 9 a.m.–3 p.m., Thursday, June 24, 2021, there will be a myriad of things to do, make, assemble, write, and create, giving you the opportunity to support many organizations. Two local recipients will be the beneficiaries of your efforts. You may assemble food kits for Love for the Hungry, a local hunger support group in Lexington. You can also make no-sew fleece pillows and lap robes for GraceWorks, a place where people who are disadvantaged learn job skills and produce handmade items in a safe and supportive work environment. The pillows and lap robes help support their store by generating income for the program.
Additional projects include making witness bracelets and puppets for MOST Ministries, assembling school backpacks for Orphan Grain Train, filling Blessing Bags for college students, making Braille books and calendars for Lutheran Braille Workers, coloring bookmarks and writing Cards of Hope for Phil’s Friends, and creating encouragement cards for Refuge for Women. There are many projects in need of many servants. Select a first and second preference on the Registration Form — Part 2, Page N.
Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne Schedules Livestream Placement Service
Vicarage and Deaconess Internship candidates on the Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne (CTSFW) campus are getting excited as the Assignment and Candidate Call Services approach. As Director of Certification and Placement, Dr. Jeffrey Pulse said, "The vast majority of the students being placed this year finished their vicarages in the midst of the pandemic. Now they have the opportunity to go forth, serve, and guide the Lord's Church as it emerges faithful from the darkness of disease. Not unlike a ‘resurrection!’"
The Assignment Service will take place on April 26 at 7:00 p.m. with the Rev. Christopher Esget preaching. The Rev. Dr. John Wohlrabe will preach at the Call Service on April 27 at 7:00 p.m. To ensure adequate in-person space for students and their loved ones, they are inviting the broader community to attend services virtually. You can watch the live stream at callday.ctsfw.edu or facebook.com/ctsfw. Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, will also provide a free live stream of their Call Day services on April 28 at csl.edu/callday.
Alma Kern Remembered
Alma Kern (1922-2011) was featured in the March 25, 2021, issue of the New Jersey District LCMS “Grapevine” publication. The article, “In Celebration of Women’s History Month,” detailed Alma’s many achievements. She was the first woman to write devotions for Portals of Prayer and the first dean of women and instructor of business at Concordia College New York. She was an inspirational author, writing four books for the LWML: You Are Loved, You Are Special, You Are Precious, and You Make A Difference. She also served as the Lutheran Woman's Quarterly Stewardship Editor. Alma was a popular speaker and an international LWML Third Vice President. Read more about her in an article from the Spring 2012 issue of the Lutheran Woman's Quarterly. The LCMS New Jersey District considers her one of their own since she was the mother-in-law of Pastor Bob Kuppler, former senior pastor of Somerset Hills Lutheran Church in Basking Ridge, New Jersey.
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.
LWML Office
801 Seminary Place, Ste. L010
St. Louis, MO 63105
800-252-5965
www.lwml.org
