Lutheran Women in Mission

LWML Interdepartmental 2017

What do you do at an Interdepartmental Meeting? Just ask an LWML committee member. Enjoy this article written by Public Relations Team member, Beth Weber, from the Rocky Mountain District! -Patti

We came from far and wide to St. Louis where we were Engaged, Encouraged, Equipped, and definitely Enjoyed our time together.

Meeting Manager, Leslie Jaseph made sure that we all had transportation, worked with an awesome hotel staff securing comfortable rooms, and fed delicious food.

As Lutheran women in mission, we brought Gifts From the Heart, mites, and purchased many LWML products and devotional materials from the LWML Store hosted by Bev England of the Public Relations Team and Karen Andersen.

We sang songs led by Carrie Brumbaugh, Chairman of the Committee on Young Women.

We met as committees, planning the activity of the LWML for the 2017-2019 biennium, focused on nurturing faith in Christ; making our faith meaningful; and sharing encouragement. To learn more about the LWML Committees’ and Teams’ Purpose Statements, visit lwml.org and click on the About tab.

LWML President Patti Ross, our very capable Captain and Navigator, led us on an exploration to discover the opportunities that God has chartered for us during the next two years. The committees and teams mapped out these possibilities by writing and presenting informative and entertaining sketches which brought much laughter to all.

The Interdepartmental Meeting closed as we gathered in worship. Rev. Robert Mundahl officiated and Rev. Mitchel Schuessler assisted with the closing service where the Word and Sacrament were offered and received. After many hugs, we departed St. Louis to return to our homes far and wide; energized, enthused, and enabled to use our unique God-given gifts in gladsome service to our Lord.

God’s Blessings,

Beth Weber, Public Relations Team 2017-2019

Lutheran Women in Mission

Interdepartmental Met in St. Louis Last Week – What exactly is that?

Interdepartmental is a meeting of all the LWML—Lutheran Women in Mission committees that were chosen in August to work on the programs and resources for LWML over the next 2 years. Committee members represented 30 of our 40 districts. Meeting with the entire group for Bible study, then as committees, and later committee with committee, they addressed the goals and objectives from our Strategic Planning meeting held last year.
The women attending this meeting opened their hearts and brought $524 cash and $623 gift cards for the Texas LCMS Disaster Relief efforts. Along with that was $389 for shipping of goods from the LWML store for use in ministry to the flood victims. They also brought mite offerings of $1,313.54 for our mission grants.

Thanks be to God for these women who dedicate their time, talents, and treasure to the mission of LWML and our work to further the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Thanks, also, to all of you in your districts and congregations who are just as dedicated. May you be blessed as you serve the Lord with gladness!

Serving with Gladness,
Patti

For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Chirst and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them … (Romans 12:4-6a).

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.