LWML Convention

LWML Convention Is Close!

Bags are packed, cats are scheduled at the kennel, meeting agendas are printed off, clothes are clean — guess I’m ready to go to convention in Albuquerque. I’m looking forward to seeing many of you there! It’s so nice that today’s media offers you the chance to watch the convention happenings on your computer at home, either live or recorded for later. I hope those of you who can’t attend will watch and perhaps plan to attend in person when we go to Mobile, Alabama in 2019!

Convention is mainly to accomplish the business of the organization. Over the years we have added many events to enhance the convention experience for those attending. At convention our activities reflect the objects of our organization — mission inspiration, mission service, mission education and gathering of funds for mission grants.

There are three women who have been at the head of planning for this convention. Lois Anderson, LWML Treasurer 2011-2015, from the LWML Utah-Idaho District, is the Host Committee Chairman. Nancy Bogenhagen, Vice President of Communication, from the LWML South Dakota District is the Convention Programming Committee Chairman. Marguerite Christman, from the LWML Oklahoma District is the Convention Manager. These women have worked tirelessly over the past two years to bring this convention into being. Much appreciation goes out to them.

As of Friday, June 16, our registration total was 3,427. There are 83 Young Woman Representatives attending this convention. The Mission Pledge Walk has 1,106 registered to participate. The choir has 252 singers signed up. We will have five Mission in Action speakers telling about their ministries, 66 exhibitors in the Above All Exhibit Hall and programs for children attending with their parents.

This convention is dedicated to proclaiming Jesus Christ above all. Our prayer is that after attending, either in person or through the media, LWML women will be renewed in enthusiasm to do just that!
Gotta run print off my airplane ticket and see if I got “TSA Precheck”! See you soon!

Love, Patti
2017 Convention Logo

 

 

 

 

 

More LWML convention news can be found here www.lwml.org/2017-convention

LWML Convention

Gifts From the Heart

Tomorrow my LWML group will be boxing up 93 quilts to take to the Albuquerque Convention! Sunday we prayed in church for the recipients of these quilts with all our members. They are one of the Gifts From the Heart donations brought to convention by convention goers. I’m not sure historically, when LWML conventions first started having people bring items to convention for distribution to local and national agencies. If someone knows, please write to me. I do know that like our mite offerings, where an individual’s small but Spirit-led contribution is added with those of others to bring about a tremendous offering, so, too, these gifts will combine for a huge “gift” at the convention center!

Organizations receiving our shared material blessings are Albuquerque Christian Children, a privately funded foster care that emphasizes Christianity; Care Net, a pro-life group working with unplanned pregnancies; Lutheran World Relief (LWR), a Lutheran organization focusing on international disaster relief and sustainable development; and Ysleta Lutheran Mission, providing ministry and human care in the El Paso/Juarez border area.

Our quilts will go on one of two trucks that LWR is bringing. Other items such as new baby kits, school kits, health kits, sheet sets, children’s underwear and, of course, gift cards will make a definite impact in caring for God’s children in need in the immediate Albuquerque area and worldwide. This is so much a part of the heart of LWML! Women who identify needs and work to fulfill those needs. They take to heart the words of Jesus in Matthew 25:40, “And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’”

Buses, cars, suitcases and purses will be carrying Gifts From the Heart—an apt name for gifts given with heartfelt gratitude for the blessings received from our gracious God. If you’d like to add yours, find someone going to convention and send it along with them!

What to bring or send? Click here http://books.cph.org/lwml-gifts-from-the-heart

Gotta run get my gift cards purchased!
Love, Patti

Pictured is Patti and baled quilts at LWR warehouse. 35 quilts per bale.

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!