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heartbeat: Lutheran Women in Action
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Alma Kern received the Witness in the Public Square Award from the Atlantic District Mission Society last fall at ceremonies in New York City, NY. Alma is past ILWML Third Vice President, Atlantic District LWML President, stewardship editor for the Quarterly, and author of four books for the LWML: You are Special, You are Loved, You are Precious, and You Make a Difference. Alma was the first woman to write for Portals of Prayer and served as a member of the Sermon Research Committee for the late Oswald Hoffman of The Lutheran Hour. Along with her husband Rev. Herbert Kern, Alma has spoken at conventions, retreats, and seminars throughout North America. |
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Peggy Turnipseed was named Lutheran Woman of the Year 2005 by Concordia University in Austin, TX. Peggy is a former Texas District LWML President and LWML Nominating Committee Chairman. Criteria for the award, which Peggy received at a special recognition luncheon last fall, include church and community involvement. Peggy's family has created a scholarship endowment fund, the Peggy Krueger Turnipseed Endowment Fund, in recognition of her many years of service to The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and in honor of her dedication to LWML and Concordia University, Austin, TX. Peggy Turnipseed and Dr. Tom Cedel, President of Concordia University, Austin |
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Has your LWML group thought of adopting another LWML group in the area devastated by the hurricanes on the Gulf Coast?
That is just what Beacon Lutheran LWML in Seattle, WA has done in response to Hurricane Katrina. The Seattle group has "adopted" the LWML from Holy Cross Lutheran Church in New Orleans, LA. They have been praying for their sisters in Louisiana and have sent support as it is communicated and needed. Immediately following the crisis, Judy Knebel, a member of the group in Seattle, WA writes: We can begin to pray and look for other needs later.
Another LWML group that "adopted" an LWML society from the Gulf Coast was Emmaus Lutheran Church LWML in Bonner Springs, KS. Less than a week after Hurricane Katrina made landfall, Deb Glaum from this Kansas LWML society, wrote that the ladies in her society had been especially blessed this year in their fundraising and that they would like to use this bounty to "adopt" a society from the affected areasto help in the recovery process. The Kansas group was connected with the Lutheran Women in Mission at Holy Trinity Lutheran in Covington, LA.
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Trinity Lutheran Church LWML members and friends from Monroe, LA use a motor home to deliver supplies to Katrina victims. |
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These pictures show immediate needs of Hurricane Katrina evacuees being met by members of Trinity Lutheran Church LWML in Monroe, LA. The LWML group at Trinity gathered up donations and supplies (first aid supplies, canned goods, water, clothing) for their sisters and brothers at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Gulfport, MS. Pat Minor, an LWML member from Trinity, Monroe, used her motor home to deliver the supplies to Trinity, Gulfport. She said that the Gulfport group was not only grateful for the supplies, but also encouraged by the response from their fellow congregations.
2005 Heart to Heart Sister Lucille Collins from New Orleans, LA writes that she and her family evacuated before the storm [Hurricane Katrina] hit. When asked about her house, Lucille said it was a two-story house in an area that she said never floods. However, this time it did flood and the water was so deep that it covered the rooftop! Lucille and her family lost everything. They have relocated to Garland, TX just outside of Dallas. Lucille says: I told my family that we are fortunate, because we are all here together, and we have each other, and we will just start over. Lucille was encouraged that her fellow Heart to Heart Sisters and LWML groups from both far and near were praying for her and all the evacuees.
Praise God for all the outpouring of support and love to evacuees!
A Celebration of Life Over 80 was the theme of the LWML-sponsored event that honored members from St. Paul Lutheran Church in Caledonia, MI. These are twenty-five, wonderful, outstanding people who have and still are serving their God faithfully. What an awesome God we have! exclaims Fran Beuschel, one of the LWML event planners. All enjoyed a catered meal, musical entertainment and a time of visiting. The stories remembered, the renewing of friendships and the flow of love felt for these dear brothers and sisters in Christ was overwhelming, says Fran. Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father!
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A Celebration of Life Over 80 sponsored by St. Paul Lutheran Church LWML in Caledonia, MI. Those honored include (front row): Al Simon, Evelyn Dietchweiler, Elaine DeLeeuw, Eleanor Leatherman, Erna Tennant, Beatrice Schulz, Lester Jahnke, Marilyn Choiniere. (second row): Beryl Fischer, Bill Dodge, Gertrude Middlebush, Laura Schroeder, Dorothy Staiger, Ruth Martin, Lucy Weaver, Kornelia Roelfzema, Bonnie Bushee, Gen Datema, Eunice Milliman. (not pictured: Evelyn Lass, Carl Molenar, Elsie Hess, Alice Dodge, Helen Miller, Robert Miller, Viola Fischer.) |
LWML groups across our nation continue to serve as prayer and care warriors for thousands of men and women stationed all over the world. Materials such as the devotional booklets, As His Hands, In His Service, and By His Side have been sent to people who serve in law enforcement, fire, EMT, rescue services and the military, as well as to the families of these service men and women.
The LWML group at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Burbank, IL filled boxes with many articles and words of gratitude to thank men and women overseas for their service to their country. Nancy Osborne-Steeves, president of the LWML group, shares: With the encouragement of our LWML group, Sunday School children followed through with the help of the whole congregation to reach out to the families of those serving. Excerpts from a thank you written by one of the recipients follow:
The evening after I returned home on leave, representatives from your congregation arrived at our home bearing a box full of gifts for our three childrenI was completely surprised and humbled. My family appreciates your congregation taking the time to think about our children. During our Christmas dinner, we said a prayer for your congregation and thanked all of you ...
God bless all of you,
Major Gerald Cruz, Chief, Detainee Operations Training, Department of the Army, Fort Dix, NJ.
Find some LWML retreat materials and plan a sleepover with your fellow sisters in Christ. The Mary Circle of First Lutheran Church LWML in Helena, MT has met for the past two years at the home of a member by Canyon Ferry Lake in May for a time of fellowship and Bible study.
This year's retreat was planned around the theme, "A Woman of Grace," and began on Friday evening with supper and Bible study, says Shari Miller, Bible study leader. Retreat activities, in addition to Bible study, included eating, facial cleansing, nail polishing, movie watching, card making and nature walking. Everyone was home by suppertime on Saturday.
What a great way to show your care for one another in a non-threatening and confidential atmosphere! Make plans to try this in your group today! You might want to include a service project for those who are suffering from nature's devastation.
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Mary Circle, First Lutheran Church LWML, Helena, MT meet for retreat. |
Don't forget to access the Web site at www.lwml.org for the late-breaking LWML news, photos and updates. Click on the e-News button or subscribe to the LWML e-News for the latest from LWML committees!
News and pictures from your society
are needed for the Fall 2006 issue of the Quarterly. The
topics will be based around the words family foundations.
Here are some questions you might ask:
Please send all information and original or electronic pictures by April 1, 2006 to:
Shari Miller, Quarterly News Editor 3827 Chokecherry East Helena, MT 59635 e-mail: sjmiller1@bresnan.net
