bloghome, Lutheran Reflection, Lutheran Women in Mission, LWML Convention

Engage, Encourage, Equip and Enjoy!

That’s been my theme over the past four years while serving you as LWML President. As you read this I am already in Mobile for our convention this week. Monday in Mobile, the Convention Planning Committee meets in the morning. In the afternoon, the Executive Committee will meet to review the Strategic Plan goals and objectives and then start their pre-convention meeting. Tuesday afternoon the rest of the Board of Directors comes in and the board meeting starts. Wednesday, the Board meeting continues and registration opens and the exhibit hall is set up with 70 exhibitors. Thursday convention begins in earnest!

Amidst all the hustle and bustle will be some times of difficult good by’s by the outgoing board members who have been together for four years — four years of changes, challenges, questions, answers, highs, lows, discouragement, encouragement, learning, discerning, diplomacy, tolerance, togetherness, appreciation. The list goes on and on. When we talk about LWML sisterhood, it is SO evident in the emotional bonding that takes place as we work together.

We have worked in order to serve Jesus. We are sinners, being perfect is not a job requirement in LWML. Our imperfections many times served to God’s Glory as He worked through imperfect women to achieve His purposes. We thank all our LWML sisters for their patience, flexibility, love, and encouragement over the past four years which you have given to us. It has been a privilege to serve LWML and Jesus.

I especially want to recognize and thank these outgoing LWML leaders who I’ve worked so closely with.

Michelle Zollinger, PR Director; Leslie Jaseph, Meeting Manager; Carol von Soosten, Strategic Plan Facilitator; Debbie Larson, VP of Organizational Resources; Kaye Wolff, VP Special Focus Ministries; Marilyn Schroeder, Treasurer; Rev. Robert Mundahl, Senior Pastoral Counselor.

Please continue to engage the women of our church in mission opportunities and the Word. Remember to encourage women, church workers, and missionaries. Equip yourselves with knowledge of missions and the Word of God. Enjoy your work for the Lord and let it put a smile on your face and in your heart.

Love, Patti

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them Ephesians 2:8-10.

Serve the Lord with Gladness!

bloghome, Lutheran Reflection, Lutheran Women in Mission, LWML Convention

Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord

This past Sunday was the celebration of Pentecost. At our church we also had a blessing for all those going to convention in Mobile next week, June 20-23. It really fit together well. Pentecost and the giving of the Holy Spirit to the church and our convention, which is focused on spreading the Gospel worldwide. The logo for Mobile is a globe with a heart around it signifying God’s love for the people of the world and it converges right over Mobile, Alabama.

The poetry of our hymns is so rich! This particular hymn spoke to me as a prayer to the Holy Spirit. One that I plan to copy and use during convention preparations which will be crazy busy this week. I hope you will pray it with me and pray for the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in Mobile during convention, “In Praise to the LORD!”

Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord, with all Your graces now outpoured on each believer’s mind and heart; Your fervent love to them impart. Lord, by the brightness of Your light In holy faith Your Church unite; From every land and every tongue this to your praise, O Lord, our God, be sung: Alleluia, Alleluia!

Come, holy Light, guide divine, now cause the Word of life to shine. Teach us to know our God aright and call Him Father with delight. From every error keep us free; Let none but Christ our master be, that we in living faith abide, in Him, our Lord, with all our might confide. Alleluia, alleluia!

Come, holy Fire, comfort true, grant us the will Your work to do and in Your service to abide; Let trials turn us not aside. Lord, by Your power prepare each heart, and to our weakness strength impart that bravely here we may contend, through life and death to You, our Lord, ascend. Alleluia, alleluia!

LSB 497

Collect for Pentecost Eve

Almighty and ever-living God, You fulfilled Your promise by sending the gift of the Holy Spirit to unite disciples of all nations in the cross and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ. By the preaching of the Gospel spread this gift to the ends of the earth; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

Patti

AboutPatti, Lutheran Reflection, Lutheran Women in Mission, LWML Convention

Have Quilt, Will Travel!

I’m going to bring my butterfly quilt to convention and hang it up by the LWML Magnolia Market store in the Exhibit Hall. I hope you will come by and see it. It’s quite remarkable.

This beautiful quilt was designed and the top constructed by then LWML Nebraska North District President Crystal Miller. It was then machine quilted with the butterfly stitching. Crystal worked on this quilt on and off for two years. The inspiration was from a painting and the Butterfly E’s that LWML I have  used as my personal logo.

The quilt was presented to me by the LWML District Presidents who served in 2014-2018. All the DPs from the 40 districts serving at the time contributed four cotton fabric fat quarters each. Some of each fabric was used. All forty DPs at the time also signed it.

There are around 400 butterflies if you include those in the quilting stitches. Rev. Mundahl and Rev. Schuessler undertook the challenge of counting them. Look closely to see the new LWML logo and the 2017 Albuquerque LWML Convention logo quilted into the corners.

Look for Crystal here at the LWML Growth and Development Committee exhibit booth. I know you will want to tell her how beautiful it is.

When I look at it I think of all the beautiful women I have known while serving as LWML President. That part of the job I will miss very much! I hope we can stay in touch after this convention concludes my time as President.

Love, Patti

P.S. I’m bringing my own pillow, too!

AboutPatti, bloghome, Lutheran Women in Mission, LWML Convention

A Time to Honor

This past weekend hopefully, we all took time to remember those brave men and women who died while defending our freedoms in the United States to keep us the “land of the free and home of the brave.” Memorial Day seems to be more often a weekend of sales on refrigerators and washing machines but many still do pause and think, “could I have done that?” and remember our military fallen.

Anyone who signs up for the military should be honored because when you sign that contract you are saying you will go to the length of giving your life to defend freedoms valued by Americans.

This weekend we were in Dallas to celebrate the wedding of my nephew Andrew Ross and his beautiful bride, Michelle. This brought together a large number of Rosses from all over the United States because we value family. As one brother said, we honor Mom and Dad Ross by continuing to love and care for each other. They raised 10 children. Together they could run a small town—a priest, a personnel recruiter, a psychologist, a physician, a teacher, a school counselor, a home healthcare CEP, a mayor of Chickasha, a deacon, an insurance salesman and a dear trisomy 21 brother now in heaven. A definite Type A family but loving and generous in encouragement and recognition of each other’s God-given gifts.

Sunday night we dined together, 22 of us, and we remembered those in the family who had served in the military—WWII, Vietnam, and Desert Storm. Out of the 22 we had seven veterans. One uncle died in WWII. Then we remembered the spouses and parents who were also aligned with the military.

The minister at the wedding talked about commitment in marriage. He talked about defending your spouse, he talked about living an example of love to your family. It all seemed to be reflected in the relatives there. This is the second generation to start marrying. The third generation, my grandchildren, were observing closely the cousins and aunts and uncles as they celebrated. In a way, everyone was honoring Mom and Dad Ross. Honoring the God-blessed gift of a Christian family.

I just felt like we took time to honor the commitment of our military personnel who gave their lives for our freedoms and we also honored the commitment of Mom and Dad Ross who gave of themselves for the love and welfare of their family, community, and church. That our family so warmly embraces marriage and family is a testament to them.

Have a great week!

Patti

By the way, we are looking for our LWML military women! Be sure if you are attending the Mobile convention to come to the table and sign up and receive a special recognition ribbon for your service—veterans, reserve or active duty.

bloghome, Lutheran Reflection, Lutheran Women in Mission

It’s That Wonderful Time of the Year!

It’s that wonderful time of the year that we gather with relatives and friends to view and celebrate accomplishments. So far I have been to one band concert, one dance recital, one piano recital, received graduation invitations from four people and have a wedding in Dallas next weekend.

I know many of you have double or quadruple that number of events. What a blessing! In our technical world it still means a lot to go in person and support people. It may be a little inconvenient for you to make the effort but you need to be there. You never know how that might be remembered in the future or appreciated in the present. It’s also a great time to remind those with whom you are celebrating that God has blessed them with special gifts and will give them opportunities to use those gifts in service to His people. They are special! You are special!

It’s also a wonderful time of our LWML year as we get ready to have our LWML convention in Mobile, Alabama. The Host Committee is made up of intrepid volunteers from the three hosting districts, LWML Gulf States, LWML Louisiana-Mississippi and LWML Florida-Georgia. It takes about 500 volunteers to put on the convention doing pre-convention, convention, and post-convention work on everything from airport greeters to banquet seating ushers. We met via Zoom meeting this past Saturday for a Host Committee leaders’ last meeting before convention for 3.5 hours.

These hard-working, dedicated LWML volunteers will want you to come and view and celebrate their accomplishments at the Mobile Convention June 20-23. Your presence will mean a lot to them and will encourage them in their LWML mission work long after convention is over. They are special! You are special as a delegate, a YWR, a Heart to Heart Sister, a first-timer, an exhibitor, a mission speaker, or a general registrant.

I had an Erma Bombeck quote on my frig while raising my kids. “Being a mother means you have to show up”. Could we also say, “Being an LWML woman in mission means you have to show up”?

Enjoy all your celebrations and come celebrate the works of the Lord in Mobile as we meet “In Praise to the LORD!”

Love, Patti

bloghome, Lutheran Women in Mission

Celebrating a Sister!

This Friday at Concordia Seminary’s Commencement ceremonies we want to acknowledge a wonderful award being given to Melissa Salomón, Chairman of our Heart to Heart Sisters Committee. Melissa will be honored with Doctor of Law at the Concordia Seminary, St. Louis on May 17.  We congratulate and send our love to Melissa as she receives this award!

I’ve known Melissa through LWML for several years. She exemplifies the servant leader. You can see by her biography how God has gifted her and how she has used these gifts in His service over the years. Congratulations, Melissa! Your LWML sisters are proud of you and so happy for you!

You can congratulate Melissa at convention in Mobile! Here is the biography from Concordia Seminary.

Doctor of Laws

https://www.csl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/melissa-solomon-feat-255x359.jpg

Melissa Salomón, Chairman of our Heart to Heart Sisters Committee

For many years, Dr. Melissa Salomón has been a leader in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s (LCMS) Hispanic community and beyond. She has been a featured speaker and workshop leader in several Hispanic Lutheran conferences and conventions as well as in various Lutheran Women Missionary League (LWML) conventions and events. Even though Salomón could have had a career in law, she instead has devoted herself in service to various ecclesial tasks such as national/international mission administration, intercultural ministries and education, community life organizing and the spiritual care of women (especially, from underrepresented groups and marginalized communities).
 
Salomón has been involved in the LWML since the 1980s. Currently, she is chairwoman of the Heart to Heart Sisters Committee, an intentional effort to welcome and encourage women from various ethno cultural groups in the U.S. to participate in the LWML community and mission. In 2001, Salomón was asked to serve on a national committee which led to the LWML’s intentional focus on intercultural engagement in an increasingly diverse nation and church. Salomón had a foundational role in developing this plan to identify ethnic women leaders within the LCMS. Through their involvement with the LWML, these ethnic women have been able to lend their ministry and leadership skills to LWML local, district and national committees.

Salomón brings to her service to the church a special love for and commitment to the promotion of cross-cultural ministries on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. She has had the privilege of serving her Lord in border ministry since 1986. In 1998 she was part of a team that opened the first Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM) office in Mexico located in Tijuana. In 2012 that office was moved to Mexico City, but Salomón has since continued to work in border ministries. She has been an active participant in Frontera ministries, an LCMS think tank dealing with ministry initiatives in the borderlands. Her work with Concordia Church and School in Chula Vista, Calif., allows her an opportunity to engage in mission and mercy projects along the border and beyond in other countries such as Guatemala.

Salomón also has contributed to Concordia Seminary’s Center for Hispanic Studies (CHS) in two special ways. She offered a response to a lecturer for one of the CHS Annual Lectures in Hispanic/Latino Theology and Missions on the theme of mission in the borderlands. She also contributed a theological reflection on Hispanic women’s ministries for a special CHS partnership issue of Missio Apostolica (now Lutheran Mission Matters). She has been a featured writer and a translator of materials for the LWML and other agencies of the church. For her contributions to women’s and border ministries, Salomónwas featured on the cover and as the main feature in the Winter 2007 issue of Lutheran Women’s Quarterly.

Salomón earned a bachelor of art in political science and Spanish literature from Occidental College, Pasadena Calif., in 1978 and a juris doctorate from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, Calif., in 1985. In addition to her volunteer service to the church, Salomón serves as Chief Service Officer/Community Life Coordinator at Concordia Church and School in Chula Vista, Calif.

She is the proud mother of Andrés Alejandro and Elizabeth Rhode, both recently married. She enjoys calligraphy and blogging.

bloghome, Lutheran Women in Mission, LWML Convention

A Little History Quiz

At the two Vicar, Deaconess Intern, and Fourth Year seminary events that LWML hosted I told them that the LWML groups at the congregations they were going to were waiting for them. Waiting to welcome them and their families, waiting to learn from them, waiting to include them in LWML happenings, waiting to partner with them, and waiting to love and support them. Those of you getting one of these fresh-out-of-seminary church workers, don’t let me down! Be there for them!

I love history. I come by it genetically from my father who was a history professor at Oklahoma State University after getting his PhD. From University of Nebraska (I throw that in for Linda Reiser and Virginia Von Seggern). Here are some interesting notes about national LWML conventions. By the way, come to Mobile and experience and also, help make history!

Before convention bags
  1. There have been two LWML conventions held in Canada. When and where were they held?
  2. What convention attraction made its first appearance at the Charlotte, NC, 1997 convention?
  3. When was the first Biennial Convention?
  4. Mobile is one of four cities who have hosted more than one convention. (Mobile 1973). What other cities have hosted more than one convention?
  5. What convention had the highest attendance? What year?
  6. Have we ever had to cancel a convention?
  7. Is your delegate’s vote important?
  8. What part of convention is always rated the highest on evaluation forms?

Answers below:

There were several “firsts” at Mobile in 1973.

  • The first time a Native American addressed the convention.
  • Five district brought the first 8 youth representatives to convention.
  • Women led the convention Bible study for the first time: Pauline Groerich, Minte Brohm and Carrie Wright, who by the way, was the first black woman to address an LWML convention.
  • A Mission Goal of $500,000 was adopted.
1973 Mobile Convention Manual

I had lunch with our Archivist-Historian, Caroline Honeycutt, last week and she has a great “then and now” exhibit you will want to visit in the Jubilee Junction Exhibit Hall in Mobile! Come and join with your brothers and sisters, “In Praise to the LORD!”

Love, Patti

Answers:

  1. 1959 – 8th Biennial – Toronto, Ontario, Canada “Labor With More Love” and 1993 — 25th Biennial – Edmonton, Alberta, Canada “One in Spirit-One in Purpose.
  2. Humorous Interrupter – At the “Hold up the Light” convention, Linda Reiser portrayed “Sparky”.
  3. 1943 – 1st Biennial – Ft. Wayne, Indiana “Serve the Lord with Gladness”. (1942 Chicago was organizing convention).
  4. Portland, Oregon (1953, 2009); Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (1961, 2013); Cleveland, Ohio (1949, 1991).
  5. Ames, Iowa, 1985. Registration: 8,023.
  6. Yes. 1945 was not held due to wartime conditions. 1955, New Orleans, Louisiana, was canceled when LWML heard that our black delegates would not be allowed to stay in the convention hotel. A “delegates only” convention was convened in Denver in 1956. The schedule was resumed with Minneapolis in 1957.
  7. Yes! I was elected VP of Christian Life in Portland by only 9 votes and in Albuquerque, officer voting saw differences of 4 and 7 votes in two of the offices.
  8. Thursday evening Opening Worship.
bloghome, Lutheran Reflection, LWML Convention

Botanical Gardens

When I travel I never miss an opportunity to go to botanical gardens. I love flowers, plants, and trees. God has given us such beauty to surround us! Even in desert settings the variety of plants and how they live in that environment is amazing.

It’s azalea time in northeastern Oklahoma and I’m sharing some photos from around our house. Most of our azaleas are 15-20 years old. Apparently, the winter weather we had was just right for them because they are incredible this year. The rhododendrons are just ready to pop open.

Traveling is such an eye-opener to customs, environs, language and food! I want all of you to come to Mobile, Alabama for our LWML convention June 20-23, 2019. We will experience all of the formerly  mentioned eye-openers. Don’t say, “I don’t think I want to go there because I’ve never been there.” Instead say, “Wow, I want to go there because I’ve never been there before!” Experience something different than you have at home!

There are several tours of the area that you can go on while there. You’ll experience some of the southern ambiance at convention and more by going on several tours offered. Go to the website and see what you can sign up for. https://www.baycityconventions.com/lwml-2019-group-tours Thinking of going but not sure? Call your LWML District President and find out what her plans are. Sign up for a tour. Remember, “nothing ventured, nothing gained!”

I have a photo of my mother at the 1973 LWML convention in Mobile in front of Bellingrath Gardens. I hope to have the same photo taken this year!

Enjoy my azalea photos and if you do you will surely want to take this tour: Bellingrath Gardens and Home – Visit one of America’s most beautiful gardens and home built by Coca-Cola magnate, Walter Bellingrath. Gardens, multiple water features and fountains, such as the three-tiered Rose Garden fountain fill the once two-cabin river retreat that has been transformed into an amazing 65 acre estate. The home features antique furnishings collected from all over the world. Also on display is the world’s largest private collection of Boehm porcelains.

Be encouraged! Be engaged! Be Equipped! by attending your convention in Mobile, designed with your Christian growth and mission outreach in mind! And be sure to stop and smell the roses!

Patti

Sing to the Lord all the earth! Tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations  (1 Chronicles 16:23-24a).

In Praise to the LORD!

bloghome, Lutheran Women in Mission

Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!

What a glorious Easter service we had at church on Easter! So much music! Choir, bell choir, brass, and tympani, and our fantastic organist, Jacob Dengler! A little taste of heaven! The youth group, earning funds to attend the National Youth Gathering in Minneapolis this summer, served a giant Easter breakfast for the congregation. We saw many members who only make it to church a couple times a year and what a joy it was to see them worshiping with us again! I got to attend worship with my husband, Bill, son David’s family and our “extended family” of Christ the Redeemer Lutheran Church. (Son, John, is filming Portland and wasn’t able to come home).

We had Easter dinner at our house. Bill and I, David, Sarah, Adelaide, Jackson, and Charlotte. Joining us were John, Joan and Erin Busch, Camp Directors of our Lutheran Camp in Oklahoma, Camp Lutherhoma and our dear friends, Dave and Teresa Nightingale just returned from Hawaii. Conversation around the table was pretty dynamic! A wonderful day with the concluding remarks being “your family has been such a blessing in our lives” coming to and from each family around the circle.

One of the books I frequently pick up is The Spirituality of the Cross by Gene Edward Veith, Jr. I am reminded and give thanks for people like we spent the day with today in his chapter titled, “The Spirituality of Everyday Life”. He talks about “Luther’s common order of Christian love. This is the realm of the Good Samaritan, of friendship, of the everyday interactions of the people whom God has brought into your life and whom God calls you to love and to serve”.

I pray you had people to spend Easter with that you love and encourage. To be told you are a blessing to someone is huge! I hope you will be bold to tell people when they are a blessing to you. As women in LWML we encourage each other in the spirituality of our everyday lives through the Word of God, the service to others, and the expression of our joy in the Resurrected Christ!

He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!

Patti

The Spirituality of the Cross, Gene Edward Veith, Jr., Concordia Publishing House.

bloghome, Lutheran Resources

Gifts of Love

President Patti,
new Gift Planning Counselor Carol von Soosten, Gift Planning Counselor Linda Gage, new Gift Planning Advocates Beth Marth and Ann Carrick, and Gift Planning Counselor Pat Bilow.

I was fortunate to join our LWML Gift Planning Counselors, Gifts of Love Advocates and Supporters, and our Planned Giving Council last week in St. Louis, Missouri, April 10-13, 2019. These hard-working women received training and spent time preparing for the upcoming LWML Convention where they are excited about these opportunities to share information with you:

1. Contact your District President to register to attend the Thursday Gifts of Love pre-convention seminar,

2. Sign up and attend the Friday Gifts of Love luncheon,

3. Visit the Gifts of Love exhibit booth,

4. Attend the historic launch of the Legacy Circle at the kick off dinner on Saturday night. This is a special invitation dinner for those who have included LWML in your estate and/or gift plans. Contact our Gift Planning Counselors for more information. Will bequests and beneficiary designations can make a huge impact on Mites in the future to continue our mission work in the name of Christ. Many of LWML’s efforts this past biennium were linked to estate giving over the years. For example, the estate gift of 2 savings bonds years ago enabled us to move our offices and remodel with no use of Mite Box money!  

I didn’t realize how easy it is to work with an LWML Gift Planning Counselor and have them help you organize your estate. They do most of the work! Bill and I are putting our plan in place with the help of one of our Gift Planning Counselors.  We learned there are many options available to us that bless both our family and ministries. We are thrilled that our planning now will help LWML in the future to continue its important Gospel-focused work for generations to come. I encourage each of you to consider having one of our Gift Planning Counselors guide you in your planning. You’ll be glad you did, just as Bill and I are!  


Gifts of  Love Ministry training meeting last week in St.Louis

Contact LWML Gift Planning Counselors for more information at www.LWMLgiftplan.org or call 1-800-741-4138.  You can also email: Pat Bilow: pat.bilow@lfnd.org; Linda Gage: linda.gage@lfnd.org; or Carol von Soosten: carol.vonsoosten@lfnd.org

Patti

All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD, and all your saints shall bless you! They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power, to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.  Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations (Psalm 145:10-13).