eNews Issue #357 — November 23, 2021
Click here to download the printable PDF of eNews 357.
Announcing …
The 40th biennial convention of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) will be held June 22–25, 2023, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, under the theme “Celebrate the Lord of the Nations.”
The LWML Board of Directors has chosen Psalm 33:12–13 as the theme Scripture verse: Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage! The Lord looks down from heaven; he sees all the children of man.
The goal statement for the convention reads: As His children, we celebrate the Lord of the nations. Our objectives state: Convention attendees understanding that we are all His children, will:
- Celebrate our Lord through Word and Sacrament.
- Honor God by serving our neighbors.
- Proclaim His message to the nations.
Excitement builds for the Host Committee who met on November 20, 2021, for the first of many gatherings coordinating the details which will make for a smooth-running event for all involved. They were also privileged to see the newly designed convention logo — the wooden cross reminds us of the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus; the banner of flags draped over the cross depicts the many countries of the world; the waving motion of the flag banner symbolizes our life in the Holy Spirit and the proclamation of the Word of God into all nations.
Mark your calendars now to be a part of this gathering of sisters — and brothers — in Milwaukee, June 22–25, 2023.
Last Mission Grant of the 2019–2021 Biennium has been Paid in Full
Accepting the grant, presented by LWML Recording Secretary Brenda Piester, were members of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Wichita, Kansas. Left to right are Brenda Piester; Betty Armey, grant co-author and Lights for Christ supporter; Lyn Pitman, R.N., Lights for Christ supporter and three-time medical team volunteer to Guatemala; and Rev. Scott Snow, Senior Pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church.
The final LWML Mission Grant to be funded from the 2019–2021 biennium has been paid in full. LWML pays grants as funds become available and upon request of the grant recipient. Funds were available last biennium and set aside for when they were needed. A check for $50,000 was presented for the Lights for Christ Scholarships — Zacapa, Guatemala to supporters at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Wichita, Kansas. The Lights for Christ program was developed by Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Wichita, Kansas, and Divine Savior Lutheran Church in Zacapa, Guatemala. It will impact impoverished Guatemalan children and their families who live in the Zacapa garbage dump by offering the life-saving Gospel of Christ, food and clothing, health and sanitation care, and school transportation to “the poorest of the poor” with scholarships to attend Divine Savior Lutheran School.
This education program covers most of the children’s basic needs and equips those in grades 7-12 to reach out into their community with the Gospel. Nine students have recently graduated from grade school and more students are attending. The mission grant funds 90% of the projected costs for those entering high school over the next five years, enabling them to continue their education. Since this scholarship program began, Guatemalan children and their families are worshiping at Divine Savior regularly.
The primary goal of the Lights for Christ Program is to share the love of Christ with the children and their families. An indication that God is blessing this program is reflected in the baptism of eight of the children in March of 2018. Before the baptism at Divine Savior Lutheran Church, the children and their families had two months of instruction about the church and the importance of baptism.
To God be the glory!
LWML 2021 Convention Offering No. 3 Recipient Sends Thank You
The LWML 39th Biennial Convention offering No. 3 was given to Gifts for All God’s Children’s Connecting Kids to Christ Center in Detroit, Michigan. Executive Director Patti Jacques sent a letter to the LWML expressing her appreciation.
The offering of $29,547 is helping to expand the program of providing Sunday school with animated videos of Bible stories, one-on-one tutoring, and both on-site and off-site summer camps. Plus year-round Christ Center events for at-risk children, training for other churches that desire to replicate the program in their congregations, and back-to-school supplies in a backpack can be funded.
Mite Offerings Update
It is with joy that LWML Treasurer Karla Koehler provides supporters with regular updates in mite donations. As of October 31, 2021, the total amount received toward the LWML Mission Goal of $2,150,000 was $724,437.36 with $1,425,562.64 needed to reach our biennial goal. Thank you for your donations and prayers!
As of October 1, 2021, we have been blessed to pay three mission grants from this biennium and one remaining grant from the 2019–2021 biennium. Please continue to keep these recipients in your prayers as you continue to feed your Mite Box. A monthly update may be found on the LWML website here.
The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) — Lutheran Women in Mission — is an official auxiliary of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Since 1942, Lutheran Women in Mission have joyfully proclaimed Christ, supported missions, and equipped women to honor God by serving others
Prior issues of LWML eNews are available on the LWML website.
Questions or comments about eNews? Contact the Public Relations Director here.
LWML Office
801 Seminary Place, Ste. L010
St. Louis, MO 63105
800-252-5965
www.lwml.org
