eNews Issue #354 — October 28, 2021
Click here to download the printable PDF of eNews 354.
New Committees Plan for 2021–2023 Biennium
At the beginning of each biennium, the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) Board of Directors selects women to serve on the various departmental committees and task forces. Last week these women from all across the country came together to share their ideas with fellow committee members.
The theme “Saints Equipped to Serve” inspired the women to develop plans for 57 resources and programs for this biennium. There will be new devotions, Bible studies, and new products in the store. Several departments will update their resources, making them more relevant.
LWML Strategic Plan Facilitator and chairman for the LWML Interdepartmental Meeting, Michelle Jenks listens to Karol Selle, Chairman of the LWML Heart to Heart Committee
The LWML Special Ministries Task Force will develop an advocacy program for district-level implementation. It will include a training program for assigned advocates in each district to encourage involvement to the deaf and hard of hearing, blind and visually challenged, and intellectually and developmentally challenged.
Every time LWML women and men get together they generously donate to mites. This meeting was no exception with a total of $1,800 in gifts towards the 2021–2023 LWML Mission Goal.
LWML Senior Pastoral Counselor Rev. Brian Noack
Closing out the day on Friday was a worship service with Holy Communion, led by Senior Pastoral Counselor Rev. Brian Noack and Junior Pastoral Counselor Rev. Gary Piepkorn. LWML thanks you all for your prayers for these committees during the past week. Continue to keep them in prayer this biennium as they begin their service.
LWML Interdepartmental Meeting — Gifts from the Heart
Christian Friends of New Americans, an LCMS Recognized Service Organization located in St. Louis, Missouri, was the recipient of the Gifts from the Heart ingathering at the 2021 LWML Interdepartmental Meeting last week. Attendees were asked to bring personal care items or gift cards for these new immigrants. Rev. Dr. Stanish Stanley, Executive Director for the organization, thanked everyone for their bountiful donations. The gift cards and cash donations totaled $1,205. These donations will be used to assist Afghan refugees being resettled in the St. Louis area.
Left to right: Leslie Colligan, LWML Gospel Outreach Committee Chairman, Rev. Dr. Stanley, and LWML Vice President of Gospel Outreach Karen Morrison
The personal care items included:
440 toothbrushes
168 tubes of toothpaste
145 containers of dental floss
75 combs
16 hairbrushes
13 nail clippers
6 nail files
2 Blistex
6 tissue packs
5 bottles of lotion
Mission Grants Paid!
Two LWML 2021–2023 Mission Grants were paid in October for the first time in LWML History. God blessed the LWML with a mite offering surplus from the last biennium. With this surplus, the LWML was able to begin funding mission grants one month earlier than usual. Click on the links in the articles below and read more about the grants that have been paid in full.
Mission Grant #14 Caring for and Sharing Christ with Hurting People — Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, $100,000
On Wednesday, October 13, 2021, LWML President Debbie Larson presented a check to Rachel McCloskey, Deaconess student; Alyssa Lehenbauer, Deaconess student; Dr. Gillian Bond, Director of Deaconess Studies; Dr. Thomas Egger, President; and Mike Louis, Chief Operating Officer at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, for $100,000 for 2021–2023 Mission Grant #14 Caring for and Sharing Christ with Hurting People.
L to R: Rachel McCloskey, Deaconess student; Alyssa Lehenbauer, Deaconess student; Dr. Gillian Bond, Director of Deaconess Studies; Dr. Thomas Egger, CSL President; Mike Louis, CSL COO; Debbie Larson, LWML President
This grant will help provide scholarships for deaconess students and assist with seminary costs to further their theological education. Future enrollment for the online Deaconess Studies Program is expected to increase. This grant will train more deaconesses, enabling them to provide compassionate, Christ-centered care for those who are hurting and suffering — physically, emotionally, and spiritually. For more information, click here.
Mission Grant #26 Strengthening the Lutheran Mission to Kuna, Idaho — Friendship Celebration Lutheran Church, $100,000
Pastor Thomas Hausch and LWML Utah-Idaho District President Lois Anderson
The walls of a small local coffee shop in Kuna, Idaho, were nearly bursting as the crowd of members from the newly formed Kuna Lutheran Church gathered to receive the $100,000 2021–2023 Mission Grant #26 check from LWML. LWML Utah-Idaho District President Lois Anderson was blessed to present this check on behalf of LWML to Rev. Thomas Hausch. Pastor Tom and the church members are very grateful to the LWML for their partnership in spreading the Gospel to this rapidly growing area. Plans for a worship center have been developed to help this mission group continue sharing the love of Christ to the community in Kuna, Idaho. Learn more about this grant by clicking here.
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
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