Dear Lucy Leader …

LWML Lingo

Dear Lucy Leader,

I’m new to LWML, and the ladies in my group throw around all these terms like “Quarterly,” “rally,” “YWR,” and “Gifts of Love.” I don’t know what they mean, and I don’t want to ask for their meanings all the time. How can I learn these terms?

Curious but Confused Caroline

Dear Curious but Confused Caroline, Welcome to LWML! I know you will find forever friends here. All the different terms in a new-to-you organization can be confusing and overwhelming. I have three suggestions for you. First, find a woman in your group that you feel comfortable with and you can talk to freely. This woman can be your go-to person when you find yourself in a situation in which you need to know the meaning of a word right away. More than likely, you will have found a new lifelong friend in this helpful woman! Second, check out the LWML Glossary on the LWML website. This resource has definitions for all your LWML terminology questions. Take the time to learn these terms to give you an extra boost of confidence at your next group meeting. And, last but very important, please do speak up. It’s helpful to long-term members to understand that they need to talk in terms that everyone can understand. I’m sure they are so happy you are part of their group and want you, and other newcomers, to feel welcome and comfortable. May God guide you in your endeavors! Lucy Leader Do you have a question for Lucy Leader? Write in to depor@lwml.org! God's Blessings, 2021–2023 Group and Leader Development Committee Members Christina Bean Elaine Engelman Jennifer Gierke Brianne Stahlecker, Chairman Marie Chow, Vice President of Organizational Resources, advisory

Dear Lucy Leader …

Meeting Minutes Helps

Dear Lucy Leader, Help! I was nominated to be my zone’s recording secretary. I’ve been my group’s recording secretary for some time, but I’m unsure whether I may include too much or too little or if I leave out something I should really be including. If I’m elected, I want to write the minutes properly. Can you give me a definitive list of what should be included in meeting minutes? Susie Secretary Dear Susie Secretary, Congratulations on being nominated! The position of recording secretary is a big responsibility, and the records you keep are very important. It is great that you want to know how you can record the minutes accurately if you are elected. Meeting Minutes Helps is exactly what you need in your toolbox to make you feel confident as a recording secretary at any level. This resource is straight to the point with its information about what to include and the helpful hints provided. May God bless you! Lucy Leader

Dear Lucy Leader …

Encouraging Excitement About Mites

Dear Lucy Leader,

I am looking for a way to make collecting mites more exciting for my local group. We love supporting the missions but our Mite Boxes have been lighter recently. Do you have any suggestions to help me?

Martha for Mites

Dear Martha for Mites,

Thank you for your devotion to the LWML and supporting our grant recipients! There are multiple resources to learn more about the grant recipients at www.lwml.org. However, I would recommend looking at www.lwml.org/posts/free-resources/mite-challenge-calendar and seeing if your group would be interested in using the mite challenge calendar! This calendar would give you a small task and a small mite offering each day of the month. A new calendar is published for each month. This resource could be used as a one month or a year-long challenge.

In addition to the mite challenge calendar, you can share information from www.lwml.org/thanks about how our mite offerings have made an impact on those ministries that have received the mission grants. It’s always exciting to see how our mite offerings make an impact.

May God bless you and your group in your endeavor!

Lucy Leader

Do you have a question for Lucy Leader?

Write in to depor@lwml.org!

God's Blessings,

2021–2023 Group and Leader Development Committee Members

Christina Bean
Elaine Engelman
Jennifer Gierke
Brianne Stahlecker, Chairman
Marie Chow, Vice President of Organizational Resources, advisory

Dear Lucy Leader …

Connecting with Multicultural Women

Dear Lucy Leader,

My church is in an area where a lot of people speak Spanish. Our LWML group would like to reach out to the Spanish-speaking population in our area. Do you know of any resources to help?

Wanting to Connect Cora

Dear Wanting to Connect Cora,

What a great idea for outreach in your own community! The LWML has many resources for you. Each issue of the Lutheran Woman’s Quarterly includes a Bible study that has been translated into Spanish. The archives of these studies can be found here: www.lwml.org/spanish-bible-studies. In addition to the Bible studies, the LWML has created coloring sets in Spanish. Pairing a Spanish Bible study with a notecard or bookmark would be a great way to reach out to the people in your community.

If you want to specifically get Spanish-speaking ladies involved in LWML, there is a Spanish translation of “Introduction to the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League.” The LWML also has a program called Heart to Heart — Sisters of All Nations which is intended as a way to introduce and welcome multicultural women into the LWML. This program develops multicultural women as LWML leaders. A variety of resources can be found at www.lwml.org/heart-to-heart.

As Lutheran Women in Mission, it is important for us to not only share the LWML with women of all cultural backgrounds, but also to learn about their cultures, traditions, and stories. So, as you begin to welcome these women into your group, take time to get to know them and embrace their culture as part of what makes your group unique and special.

May God bless you as you connect with and learn about the people in your area!

Lucy Leader

Do you have a question for Lucy Leader?
Write in to depor@lwml.org!

God's Blessings,

2021–2023 Group and Leader Development Committee Members
Christina Bean
Elaine Engelman
Jennifer Gierke
Brianne Stahlecker, Chairman
Marie Chow, Vice President of Organizational Resources, advisory

Dear Lucy Leader … Accept a Position

Dear Lucy Leader,

I commit to a task. I believe that it should be completed to the best of my abilities. My motto is “God doesn't call the equipped, but equips those He calls.”

Sometimes I hesitate to accept a position where others work under my direction, because I cannot be sure of their commitment/dedication to completing the work.

Can you supply any wisdom?

Willing but Hesitant Wilma

Dear Willing but Hesitant Wilma,

Your concern is legitimate. Let me give you some thoughts as you consider serving in a new position. Begin your new position as you begin any new task — go to the Lord in prayer. Get to know each person on your team — learn her strengths and weaknesses. Actively engage with your team. Be clear about what your team needs to accomplish. Help your team members see how they are contributing to the big picture, and that you are counting on them. Recognize work that is done well. 

Past LWML Pastoral Counselor Michael Mattil and his wife Cheryl (past LWML Strategic Plan Facilitator) have these words of advice:

“Our service is an offering to Jesus, using the gifts we have been given. We all are imperfect and should be careful about judging the work of others.” 

None of us know exactly what to do when we start a new position; we figure it out about the time we finish our service. Encouragement, trust, and mercy create a great team. God uses us where we are. Be yourself and support and pray for the others on your team.

May God bless your service,

Lucy Leader

Do you have a question for Lucy Leader?
Write in to the Vice President of Organizational Resources here!

God's Blessings,

2019–2021 LWML Leadership Development Committee Members
Marie McNary
Sherrie Smith
Lois Teinert, Chairman
Marie Chow, Vice President of Organizational Resources, Advisory

Sign up to receive these leadership tips in your inbox!

View more Leadership Tips

More LWML Leadership Resources

Dear Lucy Leader … Showing Appreciation

Dear Lucy Leader,

The women in my group have worked so hard sharing Jesus’ love with the women in our church and the people in our community who are hurting. They are always willing to step up and do anything that needs to be done. What can I do to let them know that I really appreciate all their hard work?

Grateful Greta 

Dear Grateful Greta,

Praise God that you have volunteers who get the work done! Volunteers can be shown appreciation by a simple “thank you” or by presenting them with a unique and memorable gift.

Formal recognition of your volunteers can be accomplished in several ways. Litanies during a service is one example. Your pastor could also say prayers of thanks for volunteers at worship services. You might want to plan a volunteer recognition banquet.

As an alternate form of recognition, consider making a mite donation in honor of the volunteer you are recognizing. This is a thoughtful way to let the person know that her service and Christian witness has touched your life in a special way.

You can find more information and specific examples of volunteer recognition at www.lwml.org/posts/leadership/volunteers-in-christs-ministry. May God continue to bless your volunteers and your ministry!

Lucy Leader

Do you have a question for Lucy Leader?
Write in to the Vice President of Organizational Resources here!

God's Blessings,

2019–2021 LWML Leadership Development Committee Members
Marie McNary
Sherrie Smith
Lois Teinert, Chairman
Marie Chow, Vice President of Organizational Resources, Advisory

Sign up to receive these leadership tips in your inbox!

View more Leadership Tips

More LWML Leadership Resources