LWML eNews Issue #156 – May 7, 2015
Two More Mission Grants Paid!
With thanksgiving to our gracious God, the Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML) is pleased to announce the funding of the following LWML Mission Grants for the 2013-2015 biennium as the result of faithful prayer and mite* giving:
The final gift of $30,000 was given for Christ-Centered Tutoring Through Rebecca’s Garden of Hope (RGOH). RGOH is a tutoring and mentoring outreach ministry, improving academic grades and church and Sunday school attendance. Through the efforts of RGOH and the LWML, many congregations and thousands of children are given the opportunity for Christian tutoring and mentoring that can spiritually change these children’s lives forever as they learn about the Good News of salvation in Christ. This grant of $100,000 is now PAID IN FULL!
Concordia Theological Seminary (CTS) 2009 international graduates with the Rev. Dr. Detlev Schulz. (photo courtesy of CTS)The final gift of $70,572.39 was given for Training Indigenous Pastors and Deaconesses. This grant is providing scholarships to foreign students from our partner churches in developing countries, so that they can spread the Gospel message in their own countries. These men and women are full of enthusiasm and ready to share Christ’s grace and mercy with their people. This grant of $100,000 is now PAID IN FULL!
By God’s grace, your mite offerings, along with the contributions of other LWML supporters, have helped meet the national 2013-2015 LWML Mission Goal of $1.83 million! Thank you and thanks to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! You may continue to donate online at www.lwml.org and checks or money orders may be designated as missions and mailed to Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, P.O. Box 411993, St. Louis, MO 63141-1993. All offerings received will be added to the new LWML Mission Goal that will be prayerfully selected by the delegates at the LWML 36th Biennial Convention in Des Moines, Iowa, June 25-28, 2015, for the mission work of the Lord during the 2015-2017 biennium.
A mission grants video (covering 33 grant proposals on the convention ballot) will be available for viewing before the convention. It will be posted on the LWML website. This video is in the final stages of production and it will be posted when it is completed. The LWML encourages all groups to consider planning a time when they could gather together, eat popcorn, watch this video, and pray and discuss these grant proposals. All grants highlighted are worthy missions and this may also serve as a resource for LWML districts and even local groups as they look for opportunities to share Christ through their mite offerings.
*What are mites? Based on the Biblical account of the widow's mite (Luke 21:1-4), mites are monetary gifts placed in the Mite Box, sacrificially given by supporters of the LWML. These gifts are offerings above and beyond the support given to our congregations and The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. You may read more about this and order your own Mite Box at www.lwml.org.
Seminary and Deaconess Students Given Gifts
LWML President Kay Kreklau greets seminary student David Casey-Motley at CTS, Fort Wayne on April 30, 2015.
LWML President Kay Kreklau enjoys meeting seminary student Micah Bauer and his wife Erin, who is also a deaconess student, at Concordia Seminary St. Louis, on May 1, 2015.
Left to right: LWML PR Director Debbie Larson, Deaconess student Tadelech Shumblo, and LWML President Kay Kreklau at the CTS Fort Wayne on April 30, 2015.Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML) President Kay Kreklau and LWML Public Relations Director Debbie Larson were privileged to visit Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, on Thursday, April 30, and Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, on Friday, May 1, 2015. The primary reason for this visit was to give gifts to the second year seminary students (heading into their year of vicarage) and the second year deaconess students (heading into their internship).
A total of 118 seminary students and 12 deaconess students received a copy of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s (LCMS) Pastoral Care Companion. Gifts of an LWML Today’s Light Bible® and an LWML mug were also given to each of the seminary student’s wives. President Kay stated, “We want these servants of God to know that the women of the LWML pray for them. We want them to know they are valued and appreciated, and that there are Lutheran Women in Mission across the country ready to assist them in their ministry. What a joy to visit with these students from all walks of life! God has truly blessed the LCMS with these willing servants.”
Seminary student James Miller gives LWML President Kay Kreklau a tour of the seminary food bank at Concordia Seminary St. Louis, on May 1, 2015.Lutheran World Relief Requests Quilts and Kits
Lutheran World Relief (LWR) has reached out to the Lutheran Women's Missionary League’s (LWML) after a 7.9 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal on Saturday, April 25, 2015, resulting in the loss of thousands of lives, many injuries, and the loss of many homes. LWR has shipped 9,240 mission quilts, 1,000 personal care kits and 100 water filtration units from the United Nations Humanitarian Response Depot warehouse in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Anand Kumal and his family live in the Lamjung District, in a village near the epicenter of the earthquake. His house was severely damaged in the quake and his family – pictured – are now staying in makeshift arrangements outside the house. (Far left: LWR staff member)LWR currently is working with local partners in the Lamjung District of Nepal, which was the epicenter of the earthquake. They have confirmed the safety of their staff, even as their Nepal office was deemed unsafe for use. Shelly Talcott, LWR Senior Director of Constituent Engagement shared, “We are very thankful that all staff are safe, including a few U.S. staff who were visiting Kathmandu for meetings.”
Ms. Talcott, on behalf of LWR, wants to thank all Lutheran Women in Mission for their generous support of LWR’s Quilt and Kit Ministry. She continued, “Their generosity has enabled us to respond during this time when people are most in need. We deeply appreciate the time and effort it takes to make and assemble quilts and kits. As we respond to this emergency, we continue to need quilts and Personal Care Kits to restock our supply. Please continue praying for the people of Nepal and for wisdom in our response.”
For updated information on the Nepal earthquake and what can be done to help, visit lwr.org/nepalearthquake. LWR has resources available for congregations at lwr.org/nepalearthquake/resources.
If anyone has specific questions, Shelly invites them to contact LWR by email at lwr@lwr.org or call them at (800) 597-5972.
Shelly again thanks the LWML, “Thank all Lutheran Women in Mission as they put their faith into action for the sake of their neighbors near and far. Events like this shake us deeply but it is incredibly reassuring to see how quickly Lutherans can respond, largely due to the faithful service of the communities you steward. Thank you!”
Looking Forward to LWML Sunday in 2015
The Lutheran Women's Missionary League’s (LWML) 2015 LWML Sunday theme, “Seek First the Kingdom of God,” is based on Matthew 6:26, 32b, 33, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? … and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
LWML Sunday is traditionally celebrated in The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS) churches the first Sunday in October, however, the observance may be on any Sunday.
LWML Senior CounselorRev. John Heckmann
LWML Junior CounselorRev. Dr. Robert Roegner
This year, the LWML is honored to have LWML Counselors Rev. John Heckmann and Rev. Dr. Robert Roegner author the materials for use in all churches. Rev. Heckmann will write the sermon and the children’s sermon, and Rev. Roegner will contribute the litany and the Gifts from the Heart dedication. A full worship service will not be offered, as many pastors prefer to tailor their services to their congregation’s needs, but the sermon, litany, and dedication may be inserted wherever needed. A banner design and a PowerPoint template will also be available.
The graphic design for this year's service was created by Nichelle Dykema, of Boise, Idaho. Nichelle serves as one of the talented graphic designers, volunteering on the LWML Graphics Team.
All resources will be available on the LWML website by June 1, 2015. Materials will not be mailed to each congregation. If anyone needs assistance with downloading the resources, they are welcome to call the LWML Office at 1-800-252-5965 for assistance. Bulletin covers will be available for sale, as in past years. These may be purchased through our LWML Store at www.lwml.org/store after June 1, 2015. If you have any questions, please contact the LWML Office.
Celebrate the LWML! The Time is NOW to share how God has worked through this organization, and through the women and men who have a passion for the Gospel.
LWML Convention Fees Increase After May 12
The Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML) 2015 LWML Convention will take place on June 25-28, 2015, in Des Moines, Iowa. Registrations postmarked, emailed, or faxed by this date will pay the regular registration fee of $195.00 per person. Registrations received after this date (and onsite in Des Moines) will be charged the late registration fee of $220.00 per person. Get your registrations in now! Other rates apply for spouses, children, and one day attendees. You may find the registration information and forms at www.lwml.org/convention.
