After 60 years of organization, the story of the Lutheran Women's Missionary League spans several generations. The LWML's history is already narrated in two books: Women on a Mission, by Ruth Fritz Meyer, and Wings: Women In God's Service, by Marlys Taege. Now the LWML story is told in a new and exciting way through a museum exhibit at Concordia Historical Institute (CHI), the LCMS's Department of Archives and History. Located in Clayton, Missouri, CHI features a research facility and a free museum open to the public. CHI houses the archives of the LWML and includes a good number of items from the League in its museum collection. Until now only the LWML archivists and CHI staff have seen those museum artifacts.

The theme of the CHI museum for the coming year is "Lutheran Missions." The purpose is to inspire the public with the history of LCMS foreign mission work. These exhibits coincide with the 300th anniversary of Lutheran foreign missions, which began in July 1706 with Bartholomew Ziegenbalg, Danish missionary to India. Much of the critical support for missions and human care over the years has come through the LWML.

The exhibit displays the highlights of LWML work, including the pre-history of the League in the late 1920s, a selection of League projects, the 25th and 50th anniversary celebrations, communion ware from conventions, artwork given to the League celebrating its missionary endeavors, a national convention district patchwork quilt, various publications and League paraphernalia, and a convention committee uniform.

The LWML exhibit at CHI serves the church at large by demonstrating in a tangible way how the League has had a great heart for missions, for children and for the underprivileged. The exhibit will appeal to women who have a desire to serve their Lord, their church and their community, but may not know how one person can do much good. The League's history demonstrates what good can be done when the Gospel and the love of our Lord Jesus Christ motivates God's people.

The exhibit should be of interest to church and League leaders who are faced with apparently insurmountable obstacles. It tells the story of how, for the first 20 years, the women of the LWML struggled valiantly to find their place in the church. Great things do not arise overnight, and the League has been no exception to that rule.

Patrice Russo, CHI Executive Assistant, prepared the LWML exhibit. She received assistance in the creation of the exhibit from Gladys Grovender, Emeritus LWML Archivist-Historian and from LWML archives volunteer Barbara Huggins.

The LWML and mission exhibits will be open to the public from April 5, 2005 through the end of summer 2006. Tours of the archives are available by advanced appointment (phone 314-505-7900 or email receptionist@chi.lcms.org). The CHI staff does not give museum tours, but most groups combine an archive tour with time for viewing the museum. There is no entrance fee, but donations are appreciated.

The Institute and its museum are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the campus of Concordia Seminary, 804 Seminary Place, Clayton, Missouri. Additional information at www.chi.lcms.org.