As we participate in this season of Thanksgiving, let us be grateful for the Lutheran Women's Missionary League and the opportunities it gives us to respond to Christ's love. Please forward this 31st issue of e-News and encourage others to stay connected with LWML by e-mail. ROCK THE CONVENTION ROCK! Rest On Christ the King is the theme for the 32nd LWML convention June 21-24, 2007, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. This great theme is based on the scripture: "In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me." (Psalm 31:1-3) The goal statement is: Secure in Jesus, my rock and fortress, I step out in faith to declare His praise and serve others. Please pray for those planning this convention, including Host Committee Chairman Pat Reichert. Ask God to give Pat and the Host Committee inspiration and strength to help plan for this gathering of His servants. Step out in faith and make plans to ROCK in South Dakota June 21-24, 2007. HURRICANE RELIEF With caring hearts, Lutheran Women in Mission filled tens of thousands of hurricane survivor kits and gave monetarily to the relief efforts. Some of the kits were redirected to Hurricane Wilma shelters as the churches in that hard-hit area requested supplies. A sincere thank you goes out to everyone who responded to this call for help. What a marvelous opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus! If you have kits gathered and ready to send, please forward them to Orphan Grain Train, who would like to wrap up the project by the end of the year. If you have not started on kits, please redirect your efforts to another need. Glory to God for the outpouring of love for this project and those whose lives were touched. GIVE MITES A BOOST As our hearts are filled with thanksgiving, let us generously continue to fill our Mite Boxes. In the first seven months of the 2005-07 biennium, we have reached a total of $337,037.15, at an average of $48,148.16 per month. To meet the mission goal of $1,625,000 set in Tampa, the average needed monthly is $67,708.35. THE CHURCH'S FUTURE Eighty-five Fort Wayne seminarians and their wives were encouraged "To Love and to Help" during an LWML-sponsored dessert reception on the seminary campus October 8. The event was designed to generate awareness about LWML among new pastors and their spouses so they are educated about the scope and magnitude of the organization. LWML President Linda Reiser, Public Relations Director Beverly England and Indiana District President Marge Gruber presented gifts and information to the seminarians. They were encouraged to assist as LWML counselors, celebrate LWML Sunday and support LWML members in their assigned parishes. Seminary President Dr. Dean Wenthe, Dean of Students Tim Puls and their wives shared their appreciation of LWML with the group. Attendees also expressed their gratitude for the support they have received from their district LWML groups - both in prayer and financially. THE LUTHERAN WOMEN'S MISSIONARY LEAGUE 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. The first issues of LWML e-News are available as text documents; click here: http://www.lwml.org/e_news.html. To subscribe, click the link below and follow instructions to add your email to the LWML subscription list under "Mission and Ministry." "Full Text Version" will include LWML graphics and logo. The "Weekly Summary" version comes on Friday in a weekly abbreviated version with links to the entire text without graphics. Refer to your Internet provider about enabling images and links embedded in email.