Month: May 2017

LWML Convention

LWML Makeover Part II

Last week we talked about LWML receiving a makeover and compared it to a popular TV show called, “What Not to Wear”. After receiving a new “look”, the person with the new look often commented on how much more self-confident they felt. They frequently said that they felt better and had a happier outlook on life and themselves.

LWML is set to reveal a visual makeover at our 75th Anniversary Convention in Albuquerque this June 22-25, 2017. To back it up we look forward to providing more and better ways to enable women in the LCMS to use their God-given gifts in service to their Lord and the world. With resources, education and leadership help, just like the people who receive a makeover, we will have tools to go forward with confidence.

This new look will reflect the confidence we have in God’s continued blessings going forward for the next 75 years. His makeover of us through Jesus Christ is the basis for our confidence. Because of what Jesus has done for us we are moved by the Spirit to want others, who do not know Him as Savior, to be “made over” by Him as well. That is why LWML—Lutheran Women in Mission works to make people aware of those missions and support them financially through our mission offerings.

I pray your work in LWML and your association with your sisters in our wonderful organization will encourage you to face the future with confidence and joy! I’ll leave you with words from one of my favorite hymns:

Jesus lives! For me He died, Hence will I, to Jesus living, Pure in heart and act abide,
Praise to Him and glory giving. All I need God will dispense; This shall be my confidence. LSB 490

Here’s a look at some of our NEW resources. You can find them at www.lwml.org/store :
Dear Mother Book Cover
Text Messages from God coverTogether Is Better cover

LWML Convention

LWML Makeover

I used to love watching the show, “What Not to Wear”! The premise of that show was for people to nominate someone to receive a total makeover – clothing, hair, and makeup. Whether that was an honor for the person selected or not is debatable. That person would receive a gift card to go shopping in New York City after receiving ideas from hosts Stacy and Clinton on what style or “look” she should go for. She would then come back with a completely new wardrobe. Following the shopping trip she would get a totally new hairdo and makeup. Et voila’! She returns home to a party where she excitedly reveals her new look to the friends who nominated her in the first place.

Our LWML organization is about to undergo a makeover. Just like the show, the change has been recommended through friends of LWML, surveys and strategic planning. And just like the show, LWML will receive a new look. In place of Stacy and Clinton we have had James and Audra from Husbandman agency helping with the makeover. Now, after receiving their help, along with input from others, we are ready to reveal the new look!

Our party for the reveal will be our 75th Anniversary Convention in Albuquerque on June 22-25, 2017. We hope you will be part of the party and celebrate with all your sisters in LWML our new look! Along with the new look we will be celebrating the One who has made us new through His sacrifice on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. The One whose name is above all names — Jesus Christ. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17).

2017 Convention Logo

Lutheran Resources

LWML History Books

While researching for an article I wrote last week, I was deep into the LWML history books:

  • Women on a Mission by Ruth Fritz Meyer, 1967
  • Women IN God’s Service, WINGS by Marlys Taege, 1991
  • Women In League With the Lord by Marlys Taege Moberg, 2005

LWML History Books

The first two listed are now out of print. If you have extras of these lying around the house would you consider sending them to the LWML Office, please? Also, if you are cleaning up a house of a past LWML member who might be downsizing or has gone to her heavenly home, would you consider mailing them in? It’s a great resource for those who are called on to write about our history.

Carolyn Blum

Carolyn Blum

Carolyn Blum, former LWML South Wisconsin District President, former Associate Editor and News Editor for the Lutheran Women’s Quarterly, past LWML Vice President of Organizational Resources, and 75th Anniversary Committee member has taken the job of writing the next history book.

Our LWML history is filled with changes. Even our beginning as an organization was influenced by the changing role of women in society. They were looking outside the sphere of the home and family to become more involved in the work of their church. Missions, foreign and domestic, held their interest. Caring and loving outreach were the interests of others. Still others, gifted as writers, ventured into writing Bible studies and devotions. Pooling resources and focusing on certain joint ventures enhanced the effectiveness of women’s outreach in their church body. Coming together as a national organization gave strength to these initiatives.

As our 75th year anniversary approaches, we must embrace changes within our organization to respond to changes in our church, family life, culture and soccer. (Yes, soccer games on Sunday is one of my bugaboos!) (I’ll probably get some angry emails for saying that!) (I don’t do Twitter!)

Where am I going with this? Oh yes! We have some big changes coming up in LWML. Be prepared, as we step out of our comfort zone and change something.

Through it all Lutheran Women in Mission will continue to represent the church in mission, the all-inclusive mission of serving their fellowman though the preaching of the Gospel and the practical application of that Gospel. May all be done to God’s Glory!

Lutheran Reflection

Happy Mother’s Day!

No one denies the ups and downs of motherhood! We are called upon to make changes in our lives sometimes daily because of our own mothers and our own vocation as a mother. Changes are hard and we kid about Lutherans having difficulty with change! But let’s face it! We have adapted to changes throughout our lives whether it is as a child with a mother or as a mother ourselves.

When toddlers change from those who want to snuggle to those who at the age of four want independence and then again to adolescents who prefer to walk several steps behind you, we continue to love them and take care of them (although done in secret at times). Then as they morph into adults, we have to change our attitude about how we are seen by them.

As women caring for mothers who may now be dependent on us instead of the other way around we face that change and have to adapt. No longer do they care for us but we are caring for them. These changes coming with aging mothers are very hard to deal with as they are generally thought of as negative. However, this is a chance for us to show our love and care for someone who may not be able to reciprocate as they did before. What a privilege to care for them as they advance in age.

Jesus and Mary at the crossJesus made caring for His mother a priority during his agony on the cross. He not only died for her sins but made provision for her physical care. So we are called to care for our mothers’ physical and Jesus Heals a Childspiritual needs. Just as Jesus wanted the little children to come to Him and healed many children, so we mothers want to provide spiritual and physical care for our children.

Don’t let anyone tell you that we have difficulty with change! As mothers and daughters we do it all our lives! One thing we can depend on through all these changes is our changeless, Triune God who loves us, forgives us and helps us in our daily lives. Together with Him we are able to celebrate and adapt to motherhood and all that it encompasses.

Happy Mother’s Day from me to you!

Love, Patti

[The Lord God] will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.

Isaiah 40:11

Lutheran Women in Mission

A Convention Invitation Changed A Woman’s World

This week I wanted to share with you a story that touched my heart and adds reason to why I love LWML so much. Here’s Deborah’s story:

Between the doors of the sanctuary and the welcome center, she stopped me. “Would you want to go to the LWML convention in Des Moines with me?” “Sure,” I responded. Once a month, outside the sanctuary doors , a rectangular table covered with a purple cloth held a large container half filled with change and small purple and white boxes labeled “Mites” and “LWML”. That had been the extent of my LWML knowledge.

Sandy and I took the bus from Green Bay, WI to the convention center in Iowa. I experienced fellowship with other Christian women, sang praises to our Lord, and listened to devotionals—and that was only the bus ride! At the convention center, I observed in awe all the women gathered to celebrate God’s work in numerous mission fields, both in the United States and across the seas. I received communion at the opening service with thousands of others, participated in Bible Studies, Special Interest Luncheons, and Exhibit Hall events, and listened to Mites in Action speakers. I learned the far-reaching impact that small purple and white box had.

Outside the sanctuary doors of Our Savior Lutheran Church, the rectangular table with the purple cloth still greets people the second Sunday of each month. The change container awaits the emptying of Mite Boxes and new boxes are there for the taking. Now, I am there, too, telling people about the missions we are supporting and arranging speakers to give people an inside look at what their mites can do. Sandy’s invitation changed my world.

Deborah Young
Green Bay
Deborah Young

Like Deborah, I hope you all have been impacted positively by LWML. Registration for the LWML Convention is still open www.lwml.org/2017-convention. I hope you can join us!

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