eNews Issue #347 — August 31, 2021
Click here to download the printable PDF of eNews 347.
LWML 2021–2023 Committees Chosen
The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) Board of Directors (BOD) met August 17–21, 2021. The BOD selected committee members and chairmen for this 2021–2023 biennium. There were over 90 personnel resource forms submitted from women throughout the 40 LWML districts. Over 50 women have committed to serve the Lord with gladness on these committees, task force, and on the official publication staff of the Lutheran Woman’s Quarterly (LWQ). We praise and thank God for sending His Holy Spirit to plant new seeds of service in the heart of these women. These women have accepted assignments and will meet together October 20–23, 2021, in St. Louis, Missouri, for training and planning. The women serving as committee leaders and members are:
CHRISTIAN LIFE DEPARTMENT
Christian Life Committee
Chairman — Rebecca Bessell, Eastern District
Members — Molly Dixon, Nebraska South District; Cheryl Mattil, Texas District
Christian Resources Editors Committee
Chairman — Mary Smith, Utah–Idaho District
Members — Ruth Badciong, Minnesota South District; Tiffany Harkins, Missouri District
COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT
Graphic Artists
Nichelle Dykema, Utah–Idaho District; Cheryl Rackov, North Dakota District
Information Technology Committee
Chairman — Lisa Wilson, Iowa West District
Members — Erin Foster, Mid-South District; Leslie Koenck, Louisiana–Mississippi District; Marie McNary, Iowa East District
Official Publication Staff, Lutheran Woman’s Quarterly
Editor-in-Chief — Sheila Lutz, Central Illinois District
Bible Study Editor — Katy Gifford, Nebraska South District
Christian Living Editor — Linda Guteres, Atlantic District
Features Editor — Becky Wehrspann, Iowa East District
Graphics Editor — Amy Gill, Pacific Southwest District
Missions Editor — Eden Keefe, Kansas District
News Editor — Shari Miller, Montana District
GOSPEL OUTREACH DEPARTMENT
Gospel Outreach Committee
Chairman — Leslie Colligan, New England District
Members — Desiree Davis, Chesapeake District; Dianna Just, Oklahoma District; Christie Steffens, Missouri District
Mission Grants Committee
Chairman — Sharon von Qualen, Iowa West District
Members — Beth Nagy, Rocky Mountain District; Sherri Rose, Kansas District; Barbara Schaer, Wyoming District; Margie Wickert, Indiana District
ORGANIZATONAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT
Church Workers in Mission Committee
Chairman — Nancy Heredia, Pacific Southwest District
Members — Sylvia Bean, Rocky Mountain District; Tami Ulland, North Dakota District
Group and Leader Development Committee
Chairman — Brianne Stahlecker, Missouri District
Members — Christina Bean, Rocky Mountain District; Elaine Engelman, Kansas District; Jennifer Gierke, New England District
Structure Committee
Chairman — LaDonna Stanosheck, Nebraska North District
Members — Marilyn Kuehnast, Iowa West District; Ruth Thomas, Indiana District; and Parliamentarian Barbara Volk, Carolinas District
SPECIAL FOCUS MINISTRIES DEPARTMENT
Committee on Young Women
Chairman — Linda Fees, Nebraska South District
Members — Joy Anderson, Minnesota South District; Carla Church, Washington–Alaska District; DCE Kristina Parker, Utah–Idaho District
Heart to Heart Sisters Committee
Chairman — Karol Selle, North Wisconsin District
Members — Giovanne Turincio, Texas District; Deb Vinkemeier, Minnesota South District; additional member, pending
Special Ministry Liaisons Task Force
Chairman — Carmen Nagel, Oregon District
Blind or Visually Impaired Liaison — Marilyn Schroeder, Iowa West District
Deaf or Hearing Impaired Liaison — Jennifer Ceyanes, Texas District
Intellectually or Developmentally Disabled Liaison — Linda Koeller, Missouri District
PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENT
Public Relations Committee
Members — Diane Frauendienst, Minnesota South District; Crystal Miller, Nebraska North District
Thanks be to God for all those willing to serve with gladness!
A Prayer for Our Nation
LWML Senior Counselor Rev. Brian Noack shared a prayer for our nation and the world yesterday. What a privilege to go before our Lord in prayer! Please join in praying these words. The LWML thanks God for prayer warriors who trust in His will for His children.
Assistance Welcome for Afghanistan Refugees
As in many instances where mercy work is needed, LWML groups and districts have reached out, asking how they can help. Because of the logistical complexity of the immigration process, LWML President Debbie Larson reached out to those in the Missouri Synod who are already assisting.
LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces currently has nine chaplains in direct support for the mission in Afghanistan, including the refugees. Ministry to the Armed Forces will be gathering information from the chaplains on site to do an assessment of the needs for the refugees as they arrive in the United States and begin the immigration process. If you or your LWML group are interested in assisting, please contact Alicia “Lee” Hinton at lcmschaps@lcms.org. She will keep your contact information and reach out to you once the needs are assessed and determined to provide mercy assistance to the refugees.
LWML Participates in LCMS Celebrations
LWML President Debbie Larson congratulates newly trained missionaries Rev. Philip and Deaconess Rachel Jaseph at the Service of Thanksgiving in St. Louis, August 26.
Representing Lutheran Women in Mission, LWML President Debbie Larson attended a Service of Thanksgiving hosted by the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) Office of International Mission (OIM). The service was held in the chapel at our church’s headquarters in the International Center, St. Louis, Missouri, on Thursday, August 26, 2021. After worship, OIM Executive Director Rev. Daniel McMiller thanked the alumni missionary families and recognized current missionaries that were in attendance. He prayed for and blessed newly trained missionaries and their families as they continue their preparations for their service to the Lord around the globe. President Debbie addressed the group, telling them that women around the country were supporting them and praying for them. LWML Convention Manager Shelley Moeller was also able to attend this event. LWML is Christ centered and mission focused. President Larson said it was a privilege to represent the women of the LCMS at this joy-filled event.
LWML President congratulates newly installed Concordia Seminary St. Louis President Dr. Thomas Egger.
Friday, August 27, 2021, Dr. Thomas J. Egger was installed as the 11th President of Concordia Seminary St. Louis. This auspicious occasion was marked by an installation service, an all campus lunch, an afternoon inauguration service, and a special dinner. Both worship services were held at the seminary’s Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus. LWML was represented by President Debbie Larson, Convention Manager Shelley Moeller, Executive Director Vanessa Johnson, and members of the LWML Office staff.
LWML Convention Videos Available
If you weren’t able to attend the 2021 LWML Convention in Lexington, Kentucky, or if you want to look back on some of the highlights, you can still watch the business sessions at livestream.com/thelwml. Separate videos are available for you to view at your next local group or zone event. Enjoy a video of the 2021–2023 LWML mission grants that were adopted, the keynote address by Linda Reiser, the humorous interruptions by Jan Struck and Abby Goehring, and the thank you video from LCMS.
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
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