LWML Board of Directors Meet, Plan, Praise God!
Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML) President Kay Kreklau welcomed LWML District Presidents, Committee Chairmen, Executive Committee members and, other servant-leaders of Lutheran Women in Mission to St. Louis, Missouri, January 30, 2015. LWML District Presidents arrived on Thursday, January 29, for training and informational meetings. They were treated to a surprise presentation on mission opportunities by Director of Church Relations-Assistant to the President of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), Rev. Dr. Albert Collver, and Regional Director of Latin American LCMS Missions, Rev. Ted Krey. Both men thanked the LWML for their contributions and encouraged all women to continue in Christ’s mission.
The LWML Board of Directors continued their meetings through Sunday, February 1, 2015, conducting the business of the organization, and enjoying Bible study and fellowship. LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison dropped in to the meeting to thank President Kreklau and the group for their servant-leadership.
Dressed in purple from head to toe, Junior Counselor Rev. Dr. Robert Roegner led cheers as the offerings to the large Mite Box rose throughout the weekend to over $2,196. Board members brought Gifts from the Heart (material items given to Christian mission service organizations) to donate to Little Bit of Haven, a converted parsonage close to hospitals where families can stay while loved ones are receiving care. Little Bit of Haven is a project of the Acts 1:8 Mission Society. Four large boxes of crayons, crafts, pillows, LWML bears, toys and games, plus $325 in cash and gift cards were collected and given to this home away from home.
President Kay shared a PowerPoint highlighting her recent trips to the Philippines and the Czech Republic. “What an opportunity to see what God can accomplish through our mission grants. With a grant of $85,000 from the 1959-1961 biennium and assistance from our partner church in the Philippines, the land was purchased and the Lutheran Theological Seminary and Training Center in Baguio City was built. Students continue to share Jesus!”
During the closing worship service an offering for mites was received, and this added an additional $913 to gifts given in response to our Lord’s blessings.
More Mission Grants Funded
Supporters of the Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML) praise God for His faithfulness. By His grace, the following Mission Grants for the 2013-2015 biennium have been funded. Learn more about each grant on our website.
Third installment given to Lutheran Children’s Books for Southeast Asia totaling $40,000. This grant will allow the Lutheran Heritage Foundation to print and distribute approximately 9,000 copies of Luther’s Small Catechism and 6,000 copies of A Child’s Garden of Bible Stories into the languages of Southeast Asia. An additional $13,000 is still needed to complete this grant.
Third gift of $25,000 for Rebuilding Nord Est Haiti Lutheran School. This grant will help to rebuild the Lutheran primary school in Haiti, meet current earthquake standards, and serve the physical and spiritual needs of Haitian children. An additional $25,000 is still needed to complete this grant.
This grant for Christian Educational Support for Children - India will help to reach 20,000 elementary-aged children in India with the Gospel message through Christian educational resources, provided by Concordia Gospel Outreach. With a gift of $85,000, this grant is PAID IN FULL!
You may help fund the remaining mission grants of this biennium and meet our national mission goal of $1.83 million. By God’s grace, your mite offerings*, along with the contributions of other LWML supporters, help meet this mission goal. In addition, each district has their own mission grant goal. You may also donate to the LWML through your local society and a portion of this donation is sent to national to support national mission grants. You may donate online at www.lwml.org and checks or money orders may be designated as missions and mailed to Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 3558 S Jefferson Ave, St Louis, MO 63118.
*What are mite offerings? Based on the Biblical account of the widow's mite (Luke 21:1-4), mites are monetary gifts placed in the Mite Box, sacrificially given by supporters of the LWML. These gifts are offerings above and beyond the support given to our congregations and The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. You may read more about this and order your own Mite Box at www.cph.org.
New Offices for LWML
An open house was held on Tuesday, January 27, 2015, at the new Lutheran Women’s’ Missionary League (LWML) Offices, 3558 S Jefferson, St. Louis, Missouri. Before entering the new offices, the LWML Executive Committee and the Office Staff took time for a Rite of Blessing.
Director of Finance and Administration Kelley Young, Office Manager Corby Petty, along with staff members Eva Koeller, Karen Andersen, and Carol Iannelli welcomed the LWML Executive Committee and led a tour of the new facilities (just down the hall from the previous offices.) Many visitors enjoyed the afternoon, including personnel from The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) Office of International Missions, LCMS Foundation, Concordia Publishing House (CPH), and Lutheran Hour Ministries.
With the recent improvements in the LWML Store’s ordering and shipping process, LWML no longer required the large space of the former office. In November 2014, LWML collaborated with CPH, and the publishing company now stores, processes the sale, and ships all LWML products and resources. “We are excited to move into more efficient facilities and operate with more effectiveness,” President Kay explained.
The LWML is an auxiliary of the LCMS and strives to continue the time-honored practice of mission, Bible study, service, and fellowship. Improvements in the LWML Office and Store allow Lutheran Women in Mission to focus on serving the Lord with gladness through missions.
Joyful Response Enrollment Available Online
Joyful Response®, a recurring gifting program available through the Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) service, provides supporters of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) with an electronic, automated method to make their mission contributions to national LWML.
For the first time, members and supporters may enroll online! This program, first offered to the Executive Committee of the LWML in October of 2014, was tested and found to be a reliable, efficient method of giving. As of January 5, 2014, the secure enrollment form has been available on the LWML website under the “Giving Plans” tab.
As you respond to God’s grace with your offerings, you help fund the remaining mission grants of this biennium and meet our national goal of $1.83 million. Each district also has their own mission grant goal.
In addition to giving directly to national mites, you may donate to the LWML through your local society and a portion of this donation is sent to national to support national mission grants. You may also make one-time donations online at www.lwml.org under the “Donate Now” tab, or checks or money orders may be designated as “missions” and mailed to Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 3558 S Jefferson Ave, St Louis, MO 63118.
Focus Bible Study, because The Time is NOW!
Focus Lost … Focus Restored is a free, downloadable Bible study written by LWML Senior Counselor Rev. John Heckmann. This resource, available on the LWML website, can be used by all districts in promoting The Time is NOW. The Time is NOW initiative encourages all Lutheran Women in Mission to re-focus on the basics of LWML: Word, Missions, Service, and Fellowship. Consider also using this resource for personal and/or group spiritual growth. This Bible study deals with 14 biblical personalities and examples of times when they lost their focus and times when their focus was restored by God. A Leader’s Guide is available. Let God restore your focus today!
LWML Convention Early Registration Open!
Men and women of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) from across the nation may now register for the 36th Biennial Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) Convention to be held June 25-28, 2015, at the Iowa Events Center, in Des Moines, Iowa. Early discounted registration is now available online or by filling out the registration form in the Winter Lutheran Woman’s Quarterly. Register by March 14 and save $20!
The theme, “Bountiful! Sow Nourish Reap,” is based on 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV). Watch for a Convention Central eNews full of information this week!
