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

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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

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Dear Lucy Leader … Understand the District Treasurer Position

Dear Lucy Leader,

I have been nominated for the position of district treasurer. What resources are available to help me understand this officer position?

Am I a Treasurer Tracy

Dear Am I a Treasurer Tracy,

First of all, let me thank you for your willingness to understand this position. You are considering a very important role, and it is necessary that you recognize how you would be serving God. 

Your best resource is your LWML district website. Find your district bylaws. Those bylaws will specify the duties for the position of district treasurer. It is also helpful to talk with someone in your district who has recently served in that position.

Another source of information for financial officers is the LWML website. Check out www.lwml.org/financial-officers and review the documents.

Prayerfully consider whether or not you would enjoy using the financial skills which this position requires. May God bless your deliberation!

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

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Dear Lucy Leader … Planning a Prayer Event

Dear Lucy Leader,

Prayer is a very important part of a Christian’s life. I would like to plan an event for my group that centers around prayer. Do you have any ideas to help with that?

Prayerful Pam

Dear Prayerful Pam,

It is wonderful for you to want to plan an event that centers around prayer. What a special way for your group to be connected with Jesus and with each other!

LWML does have resources that are written especially to engage your group in  prayer. The 2021 Prayer Service, written by past LWML Pastoral Counselor Rev. Robert Mundahl, is “He Prayed with Them,” based on Acts 20:36b. This can be found at www.lwml.org/prayer-service. A guide to organizing a prayer walk can be found at Walking in Prayer: Organizing a Prayer Walk — Lutheran Women's Missionary League (lwml.org). 

LWML has an abundance of other resources that will greatly enrich your activities. Devotions, Bible studies, litanies, and more can be found at LWML Resources on Prayer — Lutheran Women's Missionary League.

May God bless you and your group!  Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18).

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

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