Lutheran Women in Mission

Learning How to Let Go

Sometimes you have to let go! We’ve all faced time of letting go. Letting go of our children as they go to school, from grade school to college and beyond. We have to let go of our family traditions as our families move far away geographically—think of Thanksgiving and Christmas. We have to let go of the idea that our children will want our china and crystal someday! You can add your own.

What does this have to do with my thinking about LWML this week? I have to tell you, if a woman in my congregation came up to me and said she wanted to start an additional LWML group in my church, after I picked myself up off the floor, I would be so excited! If they wanted to meet once a quarter, or have Bible study and collect mites only, or do activities with their small children, I would be so excited! If they wanted to have an LWML as a service group alongside a women’s ministry group already in existence in their church, I would be so excited!

Yet I received two inquiries from women interested in starting LWML groups who met opposition because they are proposing an alternative look for an LWML group. Isn’t that sad. When we “mentor” women in LWML that doesn’t mean we make them do exactly what we have been doing in our LWML group over the years. If we are comfortable in our group and how it operates and when it meets, and don’t want to change, why not encourage formation of another LWML group? They, too, want a group that they are “comfortable” in. Why not try letting go?

I hope you will take it as a mentoring opportunity should some women in your church want something different in their LWML group and are proposing to start one with a different look. Teaching with love and encouragement can be a great example of “serving the Lord with gladness.”

Believing that God has molded each of us individually with love should help us let go. Individual molds means no two are exactly alike. Can’t we let go and let God guide the women to celebrate LWML as it meets their needs? Be a positive mentor. Just think how exciting it would be to have more than one LWML group in all our congregations!

I [Paul] therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift (Ephesians 4:1-7).

Love to you!
Patti

Me and the LWML office staff at a session on, “Effective Mentor-ship”.

Lutheran Women in Mission

Celebrating LWML Sunday

LWML Sunday is traditionally held in October of every year to draw attention to the work of the LWML—Lutheran Women in Mission. Mission grant information is shared, congregations and pastors are thanked for their help, and usually there is a meal or refreshments involved.

Today, at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Tulsa, OK, we finished our Braille workshop (20 copies of Leviticus in Braille) and then we got to admire the LWML Sunday display they had for church Sunday. Every grant had photographs, information sheets and the center “stairway” on the display also had photos of the grants. It was very colorful and attention-getting. They also had a brunch and displayed the Lutheran World Relief contributions of the congregation. Mission Grant bookmarks were handed out. All of this was accessed through the www.lwml.org website! One of the important things that Lutheran Women in Mission do is bring mission awareness to their congregations. The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is part of so many wonderful ministries out there that meet the spiritual and physical needs of God’s people! Often, our congregations have not heard of them. Knowledge about them can even inspire new mission outreach plans in some congregations.

At my church, Christ the Redeemer, also in Tulsa, we took a door offering. People love to work together to help fulfill needs. Letting them know what those needs are is a key activity for us all as women in mission.
If you haven’t had your LWML Sunday yet, please make a big effort to inform, thank, and engage your congregation in our mission outreach and funding of our mission grants. Use the resources available on our website. We won’t all have displays like the women of Our Savior had, but we can have fun and enjoy telling others about our LWML—Lutheran Women in Mission.

Greetings from my friend, Cherry, my husband, Bill, and myself! Love to all of you!

Patti

Cherry, Bill, and I attending LWML Sunday

Lutheran Reflection

Lutheran Mentors for the Next Generation

This week I want to continue on the topic of being a mentor to the next generation. I’ve invited Ashley Jenkins, Marketing and Communications Manager for the LWML to write an article about someone who inspired her:

It was 1993, a beautiful fall morning, and I was the young age of 5, dressed to impress for my first day of kindergarten. My mother always dressed me up. As we approached school, I remember being completely overwhelmed by the sight of Historic Trinity Lutheran Church. It was more than my 5 year old brain expected. I clutched my mom’s hand and refused to let go. She sat with me and didn’t leave. The other parents hugged their kids and said goodbye but mine didn’t. We sat in church and listened to Pastor Dave Marth greet us and pray for God’s blessings on our school year ahead. When the time came to enter the school hall I wasn’t ready. I burst into tears and grabbed my mom. She gave in and held onto me. We walked into the classroom together and my mom directed me to my desk. I was totally stoked because my name was on the desk “Ashley Elliott”. My mom stood back as the teacher introduced herself. Eventually she snuck out. From that day forward my mom was always there for me, and then she would silently sneak off when she knew I would be okay. The only reason I can call myself a Lutheran today is because of her. My mom was the best mentor I ever had. We regularly went to church and took Bible classes together. I’m so thankful to God for blessing me with Karen Elliott as my mother. I look forward to sharing God’s word with my own daughter. I will pass the torch to her as my mom did to me.

One week before my 29th birthday, my mom went to be with the Lord. She died from Alzheimer’s disease. The Alzheimer’s Association is a foundation I support in order to continue her fight. She held onto me for as long as she could but now she’s snuck away because she knows I’ve got this.

Let us all reflect on what Jesus has called us to do as mentors. Have you spoken to someone younger than you about Christ? Invited them to church? Even the simplest act of kindness can speak multitudes to those who need it.

Thank you President Patti for inviting me to share my story. I hope my story can inspire others and from one generation to the next we can continue to share God’s love to the ends of the earth.

Lutheran Women in Mission

LWML a Mentor for the Next Generation

For 75 years as an organization and for more than that as united groups of women, women in the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League have served their church, their families and strangers in strange lands. This service is given to the glory of God. How do we pass on LWML—Lutheran Women in Mission from generation to generation? It’s important to remember that we don’t pass on the organization per se, but we pass on the Mission and purpose when we speak of His glory [of God] and all His redeeming acts, extending His kingdom throughout the world. We pray that these things are always present in the work of women in LWML.

I don’t think you will get too far sharing the organizational structure, the election of officers process, or the financial status of LWML. What you do share that has the most impact with those around you is the joy of being able to share the love God first gave to you with others. What is your passion that is expressed through LWML? What is it that excites you? Is it coming together to provide radio broadcasts to the Middle East? Is it giving women in Tanzania a chance to learn a trade and provide better for their families? Is it providing goods for the homeless in your community? Is it meeting together to study God’s Word?

I hope that you can pass along to the next generation the “why?” of LWML and the “why?” of your participation in it. This is the best way for our organization to continue to the next generation.

One generation shall commend your works to another,
And shall declare your mighty acts.
On the glorious splendor of your majesty,
And on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds,
And I will declare your greatness.
They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness
And shall sing aloud of your righteousness.
(Psalm 145:4-7)

What’s your “why”?

Spend some time thinking about that this week and be ready to tell someone about it. Pass it along to someone in a different generation and see if you can communicate your passion, the “gladness” of serving in LWML.

(And it better include Jesus)!

Patti

Mother and daughters praying during bible study at home.

Lutheran Resources

LWML History

On my blog this week I’m sharing the article I wrote for the Lutheran Layman. I was asked to write about the relation of women of the Reformation to current LWML—Lutheran Women in Mission. I learned some history while doing this and plan to dig deeper into the lives of these women of the time of the Reformation. I got the history information from our LWML history books by Marlys Taege Moberg and Ruth Fritz Meyer.

Throughout the 75 year history of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML), the Reformation has been revealed in the work of women in this organization. In 1929 a committee of seven women, working with the encouragement of the International Lutheran Laymen’s League (LLL), began to organize district women’s groups under a national umbrella for better coordination of mission support efforts. One of the names they considered for the organization was, “Lutheran Women of the Reformation.” Continuing efforts to organize and be recognized were supported by the LLL and came to a conclusion when LWML was officially organized in 1942. In 1962 LWML became one of the official auxiliaries of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS); the other auxiliary being the International Lutheran Layman’s League/Lutheran Hour Ministries (Int’l LLL/LHM).

Women of today rejoice in the full salvation by grace through faith that Christ won for them and the reality of being a part of the priesthood of all believers. These components of the Reformation encourage women to share their God-given gifts and talents in representing the church in mission. This inclusive mission of serving all people through sharing of the Gospel and practical application of that Gospel, is key to the LWML as they declare the praises of Jesus.

Early women reformers influenced by Luther’s teachings exhibited gifts of service that continue in Lutheran women today. The most well-known, Katie Luther, is known for her hospitality, hard work in the garden and on the farm, and hymn writing. Argula von Grumbach wrote in support of the Reformation. She is remembered for her emphasis on Scripture and her support of the priesthood of all believers, including women. Katherine Zell, a gracious hostess, offered food and lodging to the Protestant travelers and floods of refugees who came through Strasbourg. She wrote hymns, campaigned for better run hospitals and visited troops in the field during the Peasants’ War. Working with other reformers, Elizabeth von Muenden developed guidelines and orders of service for Protestant worship. This faithfulness in every vocation in life continues in women of the church today. “How can I help?” is a familiar phrase.

In LWML we engage with and equip women to support mission work, write devotions and Bible studies, search for opportunities to serve, learn how to be leaders in their women’s groups, and look outward with Christ’s love.
Just as the Reformation brought major changes for women in the church, and necessitated a look into the future, so today we are faced with many changes. The new realities in communication, family life, and education have brought changes in human relations. These changes call for a new kind of commitment and focus on God’s mission in His world: new understanding of differing needs, new plans for effective programs, and new support for all Christian woman. LWML — Lutheran Women in Mission — continues to bring gifted women together to recognize, identify, and then address these pressing issues.

Equipping women to serve has fostered new family resources in the form of the “Balance” Bible study series on family issues, the “Dear Mother” devotionals for new mothers, and the “Together is Better” marriage devotion book; all written to address their specific needs. Service opportunities for families and women’s groups are evaluated and posted online. Flexible meeting and activity plans are suggested to involve working women and families in the mission outreach of the church while considering the best use of their time.

Equipping missionaries and missions and educating congregations about them is the work of the national and district LWMLs. These are funded through mission offerings and the familiar LWML Mite Box. Through these grants missions have been equipped to improve the physical and spiritual lives of families. One recent grant was to Lutheran Hour Ministries for outreach in refugee camps in Lebanon. In the same way that women of the Reformation worked to improve the physical and spiritual lives of God’s people, so we today continue that work in LWML.

Engaging, equipping, and encouraging women in the church continues from Reformation to the present and will go on into the future. The LWML — Lutheran Women in Mission — looks back on 75 years in 2017, but just as importantly, looks ahead to a future as women of the Reformation even now. We are embracing change while enjoying the delight of being a child of God and serving Him with gladness!

Lutheran Resources

LBW Servant Connections at the LWML Convention

Many of you work at a Lutheran Braille Workers work center, making materials available to share the Gospel of Jesus with the visually impaired around the world! Some of you may have worked with LBW in the Servant Connections area at the LWML Convention in Albuquerque. I wanted to share these notes from LBW President, Rev. Dennis Stueve and Janis Fisher.

LWML in Albuquerque
The women at the Lutheran Women Missionary League (LWML) Servant Connections in Albuquerque, NM were energized. What a wonderful opportunity this was for us to witness their love for missions and outreach to others.

Lutheran Braille Workers (LBW) had two projects at the Servant Connections. Our Large Print Department brought 2,900 calendars to be collated, punched and bound. All 2,900 were completed. Each month of the calendar has a scripture and a corresponding picture at the bottom of the page sharing the message of salvation. These calendars will be given to people who are visually impaired free of charge.

The Braille Department had two work stations equipped with Braille presses and plates to produce Volumes 1 and 2 of the Book of Jeremiah. By the end of the sessions they had completed 40 volumes to be sent free of charge to people who are blind.

It was good to see so many familiar faces and friends. Our thanks to the LWML for allowing us to share our ministry. Hope to see you all again in two years!

Janis Fisher, LBW Vice President Ministry Operations

Jesus Christ Above All

The primary work of every Christian is to be Christ’s agent of making Him known in a sinful world. There are lots of ways to do that. For Lutheran Braille Workers (LBW) that means reaching out with the Gospel to people who are blind or visually impaired. That mission spirit was very evident at the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League’s biennium convention as they celebrated their 75th anniversary under the theme, “Jesus Christ Above All.” I, along with many other Lutheran Braille Workers, were excited to join in the LWML convention and celebration. As always, LWML conventions are filled with joy, spiritual growth, and reconnecting with other LWMLers!

LBW was privileged to be part of the Servant Connection at the convention where participants produced Jeremiah and Lamentations in Braille and our faith affirming 2018 calendar in Specialized Large Print.

LBW also had an exhibit at the convention where many gathered and shared their stories and their connections with LBW. Almost every person I spoke with had some connection to LBW. Either they are, or were, Lutheran Braille Workers or their parents or grandparents were Lutheran Braille Workers! It was heartwarming to see these individuals share their stories with a smile on their face knowing that people who are visually impaired had been touched eternally with the Gospel!

LBW was also one of the ministries to be included in the LWML Mission Grants. Over the next biennium the LWML has pledged to provide $100,000 for the production of the English Standard Version (ESV) of the Bible in both Braille and Specialized Large Print. We praise God and give thanks to the women of the LWML for this mission grant that will allow LBW to touch the lives of people who are visually impaired with God’s saving Word!

LBW also hosted a breakfast on Saturday at the convention and I had the opportunity to thank those who attended for their support and commitment to the ministry of LBW. Others learned about the mission of LBW to reach out with the Gospel to people who are visually impaired who are often very marginalized by society. I noted that 95% of people who are visually impaired are unchurched and that we are called into that mission field.

Rev. Dennis Stueve, President LBW

I volunteer at the Tulsa Work Center and it is a lot of fun! Thank you for being involved in some way with LBW. An offering in your Mite Box will help a blind or visually impaired child of God receive the blessings of His Word.

As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth … (John 9:1-41).

Patti

Lutheran Women in Mission

LWML Districts Day

The work going on in our LWML districts is the focus of the LWML Districts Day that is being promoted. Districts were invited to send in information about a grant or some service project they have been working on for us to highlight via the media outlets we have at LWML. When we promote mission offerings we pray that donations will be sent to the district treasurers for them to distribute. When a dollar is put in the offering, 75 cents stays in the LWML district and 25 cents is sent to LWML. Last biennium, district mission offerings for district grants totaled around $7 million. Isn’t that fantastic?

Our other district focus as I write this (on Friday, the 25th) is the dedication to providing human care needs in the districts. I’m watching weather forecasts for torrential rains in the Texas-Louisiana coastal areas. The districts are the ones who are the “feet on the ground” during times like this. LWML Texas and LWML Louisiana-Mississippi districts are making plans to provide aid as needed and requested.
Our districts are varied, like the members of the body of Christ. There are some that are heavily Lutheran, others face the statement I frequently encounter, “what’s that?” Some face challenges of large geographic areas to cover, like Washington-Alaska or Montana.

We have concluded our LWML convention in Albuquerque. What a force for the Gospel to have so many women come together to praise God and be part of a movement to spread the message of God’s saving Grace through Jesus Christ. Now, going into 2018, the focus is on our 40 LWML districts. They have their conventions, retreats, conferences and workshops to reach out to more women. These will be fun and informative. But, in the meantime, the districts are hard at work providing funding for mission grants in their districts and providing that loving touch in human care need situations.
I pray that today you will tune into the LWML Facebook page to see the work of these districts and perhaps, if one pulls at your heart, you will consider supporting that work in even a small monetary way and as always, with your prayers.

Have you signed up to attend your fall retreat or fall mission fest? Please do and be part of your district’s work. You will be blessed!

Writing from the great LWML Oklahoma District,
Patti

Lutheran Women in Mission

School Day!

I play Mahjong with a group of women from Lutheran churches in Tulsa. One of our players is a young woman who teaches 8th grade in a public school. Kristin is amazing. She has a lot of patience, a great sense of humor and empathy for the situations her students are in at home and at school. She struggles with lack of materials and low pay as many of our public school teachers in Oklahoma do. But she is making such a difference in the kids’ lives!

So many of our LWML—Lutheran Women in Mission women are getting ready to begin a new school year this month. Many are blessed to teach at our Lutheran schools. Many are blessed to teach at public schools. All are blessed to be a blessing to the children they teach. I remember all of my teachers. Mrs. Hoover, my first grade teacher, eased my fears as a terribly shy girl starting school. Mrs. Gray, second grade, was a joy-filled teacher who also played piano and we sang a lot! Mrs. Grimsley taught us penmanship in 3rd grade. Mrs. Lemon in fourth grade was very strict. I thought I was going to have to confess to hiding Peggy Smith’s shoes in the ditch during recess until another child found them and returned them saving me the confession. And so it went through college—teachers making a difference and making a place in memories.

I’m sure a lot of you young moms will feel like I did. After seeing my oldest child on his first day of school waiting for the bus, seeing that huge bus pull up and the tiny child reach up the big steps, and see it drive off, I headed into the house and cried for half an hour. I know moms will be blessed if when their kids get off the bus there is an LWML woman waiting in their classroom!

I salute all of you LWML women who work or used to work in schools with children. As representatives of the love of Christ for children, who could be more important an influence on their lives outside of the home? I never had the patience to be a teacher. I’ve always admired those who could do that.

So, blessings to all of you who are getting ready to begin a year of school. You are important. You are appreciated. You are valued. You are a woman in mission!
I’m sending my youngest granddaughter to Kindergarten this year. You’re gonna need that patience!

Love, Patti

“Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them (Mark 10:14-16).

Lutheran Resources

Where Love Abides

Please enjoy the photo gallery in this post. It includes photos of the production team for “Where Love Abides”, Donna Pyle, the audience at the taping, Mikayla and I, Debbie Curry and I, and finally the Texas District leaders that attended the taping of “Where Love Abides”.

Ambient noise check – Applause check, loud, enthusiastic, not so loud – No gum chewing – nod in agreement – show “ah-ha” moment facial expression – Don’t look into the camera. Ready to roll!

That’s what you heard as a member of the audience for the recording of the fourth LWML DVD Bible study by Donna Pyle titled, “Where Love Abides”. This study is based on John 15, the story of the Vine and the Branches. About 70 people were attending this event which the LWML Texas District hosted to participate as audience members during the Audio Visual recording sessions at Salem Lutheran Church, Tomball, Texas, July 21-22.

If you were in the middle of a speech and someone interrupted to say you needed to start back and correct something you said, could you do it? Not many of us could. You have to remember what you said, what your expression was at the time, where you were onstage, etc. It’s amazing to watch Donna and her production team work. This team includes two pastors backstage with earphones doing review of her speech as she does it. If they hear something that needs to be said a different way, they interrupt, conference, and she rerecords that portion. If the air conditioning vent is making her sweater flap, rerecord.

Other things occur like stopping to remove a stapler she had used as an example from the table where she stands to teach because it was reflecting on her like a mirror does with the sun. Duct taping fruit to the vines onstage. It can be crazy funny sometimes!

Crazy funny but crazy good, too! It never ceases to amaze me how you can study God’s Word and go over a story for the umpteenth time and the Holy Spirit reveals something you hadn’t seen before! I’m not going to tell you what that was. You’ll have to do the study and find out for yourself if you learn something new looking at this story of the vine and the branches again.

Filming winds up this October at the Gage Orchards and Vineyards in New York state. Thanks are given for the generous donor who gave money to finance this DVD Bible Study. I hope you will look forward to this study. It is visually impressive with beautiful vineyard shots and you will learn more about vineyard cultivation.

There are three DVD studies currently available from LWML. These are so easy for your group to do in any setting – church, home, groups or private study. The latest one is “Peter – From Fisherman to Fisher of Men”. Engage in Bible study! Be encouraged, equipped and enjoy! http://www.lwml.org/store

Enjoying my chewing gum!
Patti

Lutheran Women in Mission

All for Jesus – Know him, Confess Him, Serve Him Philippians 3:7-11.

All for Jesus – Know him, Confess Him, Serve Him Philippians 3:7-11.
This was the theme and scripture for the 2017 Black Ministry Family Convocation held in Birmingham, Alabama, July 12-16. LCMS Black Ministry is celebrating their 140th Anniversary this year!

As LWML President I have the opportunity to go to many different events and bring greetings from all Lutheran Women in Mission across our 40 districts. I had the opportunity to give your anniversary congratulations and support to those attending the Friday morning session of the meeting.

LWML Vice President of Special Focus Ministries, Kaye Wolff, presented a breakout session about LWML on two different days. There were many LWML members in attendance, as well as several pastors who had been LWML Pastoral Counselors. LWML Public Relations Director, Michelle Zollinger, attended as did LWML Michigan District Past President and LWML board member, Willie Marie Henry. I also got to talk with several women I met at Louisiana-Mississippi district convention last year.

I was able to meet five pastors from the six New Orleans’ churches who received one of our grants for the coming biennium (Grant #8 NOLA 4H: Hearts for the Hungry, Homeless, and Hurting.) To say they were excited is to put it mildly. You have become part of their ministry to God’s people in New Orleans!

Another grant recipient at the convocation who expressed excitement and thanks to LWML was Rev. Matthew Heise of Lutheran Heritage Foundation (Grant #6 Lutheran Children’s Books for Families Worldwide.) Representatives from Bethesda Lutheran Communities (Grant #15 Sharing Jesus with People with Disabilities) were eager to tell us what they would be able to do now that LWML was supporting their ministry with a grant. And gratitude was expressed by the prison ministries included in the grant for the synod-wide conference in 2018 (Grant #20 Prison and Jail Ministry Synod-wide Conference in 2018.)

We got updates from former grant recipients Rebecca’s Garden of Hope, Rosa Young Academies and the Acts 2 Enterprise in Detroit. Inquiries about starting LWML organizations in Liberia and Kenya were very exciting as possibilities in the future!

Since I share your encouragement at these events, I wanted to share with you how thankful the recipients of our grants are. I am blessed to be in the position to hear their stories and their plans. You are answers to their prayers. God is enabling you to engage, encourage, and equip these dedicated fellow servants of God! Thank you for serving the Lord with Gladness by supporting these mission grants!

Serving with you,
Patti

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