I was fairly new to LWML when Lauren Beale encouraged me to become more involved. I am so thankful for her inspiration and support!

I was a zone president when I met Lauren. We were both in our 30s, and she was already an LWML South Wisconsin District officer. When it was time for officer nominations, she encouraged me to allow my name to be placed on the ballot as the third vice president, the office she held at that time. She carefully explained the duties. Lauren was on the ballot for the office of district president.

When we were both elected, she continued to support and nurture me by listening to my ideas, helping me understand the way LWML worked as an organization, and encouraging me to stretch my writing abilities. Because of her gentle leadership, my confidence grew right along with my skills. I have been blessed to serve as Features Editor for the Lutheran Woman’s Quarterly and to hold several committee positions at the district and national levels. Lauren is a respected encourager and guide.

Martha Hartwig

Chairman, Gospel Outreach Committee 
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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October is “Clergy Appreciation Month.” A Google search shows it was established in 1992 to “uplift and encourage pastors, missionaries, and religious workers.”

Celebrating, encouraging, and supporting the work of our professional church workers does not need to be limited to a single month, but having a designated month reminds us of the importance of these workers and their unique call to share the Gospel message.

Unfortunately, there are times when our sinful nature has us criticizing instead of encouraging, finding fault instead of supporting, and discouraging instead of celebrating the service of these special servants of God. Listening and learning from those closest to our professional church workers can open our eyes to the sacrificial work being done and provides insight into the challenges and joys of their work.

The LWML devotion “Showing Our Pastors and Church Workers Love and Respect,” written from the perspective of a church worker spouse, encourages us to take time during October to share the love of Jesus with them and thank them for their selfless service.

Deaconess Betty Knapp

Vice President of Special Focus Ministries
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Wendy Greiner influenced my involvement in LWML. Her support helped lead me to say “yes” to serving as database manager for the LWML Information Technology Committee.

Wendy is third from the left.

I knew Wendy from my district; she served on the LWML Information (IT) Technology Committee. She kept mentioning an open position and how she thought I would enjoy working with the IT committee. She promised to teach me everything I needed to know. After her gentle nudging and much prayer, I finally agreed to an interview, even though I thought I had no technology skills to offer.

Wendy’s encouraging words made all the difference and moved me to say “yes” and accept the position. She told me she saw qualities in me that would benefit to the committee and knew I’d enjoy it once I was trained. And she was right. I did enjoy it and learned new skills which then opened doors for serving at the district and national levels.

Blessings received:

• Learned new skills;
• Developed friendships with women across the nation;
• Gave back to the organization that I love;
• Opened additional avenues to serve in the LWML;
• Enriched my faith life;
• Made me a better leader; and
• Provided mentorship opportunities.

Joy Anderson

Chairman, Growth & Development Committee 
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Fall is the favorite season for many of us. We have blue skies, warm days, cool nights, and summer’s humidity has gone.

In October, we celebrate LWML Sunday. Pastor Larry Krueger, a past pastoral counselor for the LWML Texas District, authored the materials for this year with the theme “Kingdom People Produce Kingdom Fruit.” The materials are based on Jesus’ words to the chief priests and Pharisees found in Matthew 21:43 The kingdom of God will be … given to a people producing its fruits. God has given us everything we need to produce fruit and plant the seeds of faith in others. What joy we have knowing that the kingdom of God is ours!

Share this joy in your church by using the resources available on the website, including the sermon, bulletin covers, a children’s message, and ideas for encouraging mite donations. Talk with your pastor about using these resources for starting an LWML group in your congregation. All are available for free download. Check out the LWML Sunday materials here and begin planning your celebration.

Susan Donnelly

Public Relations Director 
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Louise Reisler influenced my involvement in LWML and encouraged me to apply to be a Young Woman Representative from the LWML North Wisconsin District to the 2002 LWML convention in Oklahoma City.

My husband and I had just moved to a new city in northern Wisconsin with a newborn and a three-year-old. I was staying at home with them and felt very isolated. She thought it would be something I would enjoy, as a little break from childcare, plus she knew I really loved to serve in the church.

Louise and I had been friends since 1991 when we both served as counselors at Camp Luther in northern Wisconsin. She was my first introduction to LWML. I really didn’t think the district would choose me since I had no prior experience or knowledge of the LWML.

Serving as a Young Woman Rep changed my life! I have gone on to serve on five LWML committees and in many ways in my district. I’m the current chairman of the LWML Committee on Young Women as well as the Host Committee Chairman for the 2023 LWML convention in Milwaukee.

Anne Hartman

Chairman, Committee on Young Women 
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Labor Day, the first Monday in September, was established by the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It honors workers for their contributions to the well-being of our country.

As Lutheran women, we are familiar with the Scripture in Matthew 9:35-38, And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Think about the privilege we have to labor in God’s harvest field. When Jesus spoke these words, He knew the needs in the world were great. The harvest was ready. The laborers were few. At this very moment, the harvest is ready. Find resources on the Gospel Outreach webpage, and be Jesus’ laborer, sharing His love and proclaiming His message today!

In HIS service, surrounded by HIS grace,

Debbie Larson

President
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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My mom, Annette Jarratt, influenced and encouraged my involvement in LWML. Her support helped lead me to say “yes” to serving as Structure Committee Chairman.

My mom’s own involvement in LWML started before I was born. Her love for her Savior shone through to all who knew her. She served with a glad heart in so many ways, including being a member of the host committee for the 1989 LWML convention in Rapid City, South Dakota, and as the LWML South Dakota District President.

After I left home, we spent many hours talking on the phone about what each of us was doing for our LWML service. As she grew older and became less involved, I became more involved. She loved hearing all about whatever LWML “thing” I was doing. She helped me plan programs that I was leading and asked me thoughtful questions that led me to run for offices and positions.

She has gone to be with Jesus now, but I can still see her smile and hear her encouragement as I continue to serve. She blessed me with a love for Jesus and a desire to serve Him through the LWML.

Mary Smith

Chairman, Structure Committee 
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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