eNews Issue #341 — July 1, 2021

Click here to download the printable PDF of eNews 341.

LWML 39TH BIENNIAL CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS

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The Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML) welcomed 2,787 people, including 586 participants attending for the first time, to the LWML Convention in Lexington, Kentucky, June 24–27, 2021, under the theme "Running the Race … Looking to Jesus.” The convention theme was based on Hebrews 12:1–2. The LWML voting body adopted a $2,150,000 mission goal for the 2021–2023 biennium. This goal, by the grace of God, will fund the following 28 mission grants as women and men respond in prayer, offerings, and Mite Box donations during the next two years:

  1. Deaconess Ministry Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch — Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, $ 81,680
  2. Healing the Invisible Wounds of War through Horses — Spirit Warrior, Central Maine, $ 95,000
  3. Thirst to Learn: Bible Books for Africa's Children — Lutheran Heritage Foundation, $100,000
  4. Making the Next Generation of Disciples for Life — LCMS Life Ministry, $ 92,000
  5. Helping Hands for Lutheran Deaf Outreach — Lutheran Deaf Outreach, $ 50,000
  6. Hope of Christ for Cancer Patients — Phil's Friends, $ 70,000
  7. Training Pastors to Serve the Church in Russia — Lutheran Theological Seminary, Novosibirsk, Siberia, $100,000
  8. Light of Christ in Eastern Europe — Mission Central, $ 56,000
  9. Propelling the Gospel — LAMP Ministry, Inc., $ 65,000
  10. Educating Pastors in Africa — Mission Central, $100,000
  11. Redeeming Life Maternity Home, Illinois Expansion — Redeeming Life Outreach Ministries, $100,000
  12. Mercy Medical Care for Tanzania — Mwadui Lutheran School and Community, $ 68,182
  13. Gospel Outreach to Women and Children in Mongolia — Lutheran Hour Ministries, $100,000
  14. Caring for and Sharing Christ with Hurting People — Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, $100,000
  15. The Littlest and Least of These, Dallas, Texas — St. Paul Lutheran Church and Christian Academy, $ 42,000
  16. Bring the Inner-City Children to Camp — Lutheran Valley Retreat, Colorado, $ 25,000
  17. Spiritual and Physical Food for Children of Peru — La Mision Luterana del Peru, $ 56,750
  18. “Ends of Earth” Scholarships — Mission Opportunities Short Term (MOST) Ministries, $ 50,000
  19. Sharing Jesus' Love in India — Lutheran Braille Workers, $100,000
  20. Mission & Outreach to the Least of These — Victory Lutheran Church, K. I. Sawyer Community, $ 51,356
  21. Mercy House Belize Lutheran Campus — Belize Mission Society, $100,000
  22. Ministry Vehicle Fund, Ethiopia, and Sierra Leone — Lutheran Bible Translators, $ 70,000
  23. Showing God's Love in the International District, Albuquerque, New Mexico — God Cares About You Mission, $ 98,000
  24. Reaching the Homebound with God's Word — Lutheran Ministries Media, Inc. (DBA Worship Anew), $100,000
  25. Missionaries to America Project — Mission Nation Publishing, $ 88,000
  26. Strengthening the Lutheran Mission to Kuna, Idaho — Friendship Celebration Lutheran Church, $100,000
  27. Expanding God’s Love in Uganda — LCMS Office of International Mission, Africa Region, $ 92,000
  28. Christ-Centered Materials for Hmong Language School and Outreach — St. Paul Hmong Outreach Ministries, $ 70,208

Voting Body Elects New Leaders

On Saturday, June 26, 2021, the convention voting body elected these servant leaders:  

Susan Brunkow

Vice President of Christian Life
Susan Brunkow, Kansas District
 Kathy Pavelock

Vice President of Communication 
Kathy Pavelock, Eastern District
Karen Morrison

Vice President of Gospel Outreach
Karen Morrison, Kansas District
 Brenda Piester

Recording Secretary
Brenda Piester, Kansas District
Rev. Gary Piepkorn

Junior Pastoral Counselor
Rev. Gary Piepkorn, Rocky Mountain District

 

Nominating Committee

Kaye Wolff from the Michigan District, Chair, Lois Teinert from the Texas District, Janis McDaniels from the Carolinas District, Lisa Asmus from the South Dakota District, Melissa Salomón from the Pacific Southwest District, committee members

Offerings Received

The following were collected during the convention. Because offerings are still being received via mail, these are the unofficial totals and updates will be announced in a later eNews: 

Convention Offering #1 — LWML Mission Goal 2021–2023: $43,494.15

Convention Offering #2 — King’s Community Outreach in Fort Wayne, Indiana: $27,434.02

Convention Offering #3 — Gifts for All God’s Children’s Connecting Kids to Christ Center, in Detroit, Michigan: $28,206.66

Convention Offering #4 — POBLO International Ministries in Clinton Township, Michigan: $27,079.61

Gifts from the Heart

Gifts from the Heart included a huge amount of infant care items for Assurance for Ministries and eyeglasses for MOST Ministries. Checks and gift cards for Gifts from the Heart include all online donations received to date. 

Assurance for Life Ministry: $1,252.00

Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri: $1,870.00

Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana: $1,495.00

MOST Ministries: $940.00

Unspecified Gifts: $1,930.00

Mission Pledge Walk

Walking a 1.5-mile loop in beautiful downtown Lexington, nearly 1,100 participants, plus those walking in their neighborhood, brought contributions totaling $96,232.92. This total will be updated if donations continue to arrive at the LWML Office. Beginning with a prayer led by Host Committee Pastoral Counselor Rev. Mark Moog from the LWML Indiana District and followed by the traditional Call to Post, the walkers took off! Participants enjoyed the bluegrass music performed by the Lueker family children at Thoroughbred Park. 

Tee Up 4 Mites Golf Outing

The Lutheran Federal Credit Union sponsored the Tee Up 4 Mites Golf Outing with 69 golfers, comprising 18 teams, raising $30,710.00 in gross receipts. This Sixth Biennial Tee Up 4 Mites Golf Outing was led by LWML Past Presidents Linda Reiser and Patti Ross, and was the largest LWML Golf Outing to date. 

Pre and Post Tours Inspirational

Tours, offered by Destination Bluegrass, of local attractions before and after the LWML Convention were both entertaining and inspirational. One of the popular day tours brought participants to the Ark Encounter, featuring a full size replica of Noah’s Ark, built according to the dimensions given in the Bible. As Past LWML President (served from 2003–2007) Linda Reiser and her husband Ron arrived at the Ark Encounter, it began to rain fairly hard. They needed their umbrella to get to the bus loading area. Linda texted their pastor and their son. She texted, “We have arrived at the Ark, and it is starting to rain.” Their pastor replied, "Forget the umbrella, get inside!". Their son said, "It was good you arrived as a pair!". Now, we know where Linda gets her sense of humor!

Thanks to all who took a tour and brought Jesus’ shining light to the Lexington area. Thanks to Destination Bluegrass for opening these tours and trusting that God would allow the LWML to meet and take advantage of the local attractions.

The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) — Lutheran Women in Mission — is an official auxiliary of  The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Since 1942, Lutheran Women in Mission have joyfully proclaimed Christ, supported missions, and equipped women to honor God by serving others

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