April 6, 2004

Women Respond to Special Requests for Funds

ST. LOUIS, MO-Pulling together in the face of a crisis is one of the things that LWML, Lutheran Women in Mission do best. The terrorist events of 9-11, and now the war in Iraq, are crises that invoked a positive response from The Lutheran Women's Missionary League. In the aftermath of September 11, 2001 a special fund was established to gather money to send LWML bears to children in New York City and also products focused on military service to chaplains here and overseas.

Although not extensively publicized, LWML members continue to collect money used to purchase products and to ship them overseas. Nearly $1,000 is available for products to support chaplains who minister in time of war. Monetary donations for this most worthwhile program should be designated to "Support Our Troops", and can be sent to the LWML Office at P.O. Box 411993, St. Louis, MO 63141-1993.

Among the new promotional products produced especially for men and women in the military are cards that reach out to those serving our country, for times when home seems so far away. Choose from five varieties for birthday, Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving and encouragement (85¢ each; volume discounts). Visit the online LWML Catalog for more information.

In addition, a trio of pocket-sized devotionals (In His Service, By His Side, and As His Hands) were written by people who have experienced the range of emotions that come with the territory. Drawing on personal experience, Chaplain Donald S. Roberts wrote As His Hands (#20070, 85¢) for people who serve in law enforcement, fire, EMT and rescue services. For women serving in the military, Christian encouragement is just a uniform pocket away. Lois McCall, wife of a career military man, addresses issues like loneliness and self-esteem in these 10 devotionals. In His Service (#20080, 85¢) is designed to fit neatly into the pocket that goes into battle. A companion devotional is By His Side (#20071, 85¢), written by a chaplain's wife for military families when a loved one is deployed. Aretta Gordish brings her own experience to each topic in a personally sensitive way. For such a time as this, each booklet stands alone but also creates an excellent gift together.

The Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML), with a membership of over 250,000, is the official women's auxiliary of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. The LWML focuses on affirming each woman in her relationship with Christ to enable her to be in ministry among the people of the world. For over 60 years the LWML has been encouraging and equipping women to live out their Christian lives in active mission ministries and to financially support global mission.