LOOKING FOR A SPEAKER? Bethesda Lutheran Homes & Services, Inc. has Parish Ministry Consultants that are looking to be guest speakers at LWML Zone events. Their presentation is about Bethesda's mission and ministry that teaches and shares Christ's love for people with developmental disabilities. Established in 1904, Bethesda now supports 2,100 people across the country. Consultants also work with churches as they become "partner congregations" to individuals with developmental disabilities that Bethesda aids through their homes and in the community. The message they bring is in thanksgiving for the faithful contributions they have received from LWML over the years. Interested in booking a Parish Ministry Consultant speaker? Contact Kathleen Morris, Northeast Region Religious Life Director, Bethesda Lutheran Home & Services , Inc., 2744 Roundtree Drive, Troy, MI 48083-2328, 248-680-1679, kmorris@blhs.org. She looks forward to serving our zones in Michigan, Ohio, and New Jersey, but will also be happy to link zones in other states with their region's Parish Ministry Consultant.
HELP IN STARTING UP A TEEN LWML IS AVAILABLE "Friends Into Serving Him" is for young women who want to grow in their faith and share the love of our God with others through service activities. The format is such that teens learn to run their own meetings, plan their own activities, and develop ideas to carry out their plans. This is all done under the guidance of young women mentors.The teen LWML concept was introduced at the 2005 LWML National Convention. Since then, a task force has developed the program and various materials for use by those who are interested in starting a "Friends Into Serving Him" program in their area. Our district appointed a coordinator to assist your society in establishing a teen LWML. She is Corinne Compton of the Greater Chicago Zone. Her contact information is 8751 South Harper Avenue, Chicago, IL 60619, 773-721-3348, or toniccc@yahoo.com
Hook your teens into LWML! Check out the new resources and promotional products at http://www.lwml.org/resources/lutheran-women-in-mission-teens.htm and in the teen section of the online LWML store at https://shop.lwml.org. Items include: mite can label, devotional journal, stand alone web site, resource manual, and informational postcard for publicity mailings. Two pages in each issue of the Quarterly will now be devoted to this teen group. Contact our new district coordinator to get some organizational tips, gear, and go fishing for the future of LWML!
IT'S NOT TOO EARLY TO BEGIN PLANNING FOR THE....
33rd Biennial LWML Convention
June 25-28, 2009
Portland, Oregon 
THEME VERSES:
I lift my eyes to the hills--where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth...Psalm 121:1-2
How beautiful on the mountain are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!"...Isaiah 52:7
CONVENTION GOAL STATEMENT:
Confident that my God reigns as Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier, I share His love and peace with others.
CONVENTION OBJECTIVES
Worship God the Maker of all things.
Trust in the Lord who daily meets their needs.
Declare God's peace and provision through tangible acts of mercy and grace.
Share the Good News of Jesus in everyday situations.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, LWML! Did you know that this year the LWML is celebrating 65 years of serving the Lord with gladness? Check out the new history section of the LWML web site at http://www.lwml.org/about_us/lutheran-women-in-mission-history.htm. Check out the list of LWML firsts and other interesting facts. Then consider sending a thank offering to mark this milestone event and to further the work of the LWML in the future.
DON'T FORGET...
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.... let us encourage one another. Hebrews 10:24, 25 The English District LWML has two Mission-Ministry Vision consultants available to assist your society or zone. MMV consultants are professionally trained to guide, support, and provide resources to women for Christ-centered decision making and implementing processes. Consultants also help women in creating and enhancing sensitive, relevant, and appealing mission outreach in their communities. Our MMV consultants can:
- clarify your purpose
- generate increased enthusiasm
- explore possible organizational structures for your group
- define and develop local leaders
- provide resources for planning effective and spiritually motivated programs
- supply guidance in engaging more women in meaningful ministry
- reveal ways to create interest for young women's involvement
- offer direction when you are facing change and/or new opportunities
- sharpen your focus in strategically planning for the future
Are you interested in learning more about how an MMV consultant can help revitalize or expand your LWML? Then contact one of them today....
Deaconess Sylvia Johnson, MMV Consultant 5222 S. Menard Drive New Berlin, WI 53151 414-529-4758 kjohnson2056@wi.rr.com Marilyn McClure, MMV Consultant 2012 E. Monte Vista Tucson, AZ 85719 520-881-2252 gdmmac@aol.com
A REMINDER TO USE GOODSEARCH Instead of "Googling" the next time you need a search engine, go to "GoodSearch" at http://www.goodsearch.com. Under the question "Who do you Goodsearch for?”, type "LWML" in the box and hit "verify". The words "Lutheran Women's Missionary League--LWML--National (St. Louis, MO)" will appear. Then go up to the search box and type in whatever information you need. The next time you go to the site, LWML will automatically appear as your charity of choice. Each time a search is initiated, an estimated 1 cent is given to LWML. This sounds like a small amount, but multiple searches by many people add up. For example, if 1,000 women searched twice a day, LWML could possibly raise $7,000 a year. Much like mites add up to produce significant results, so can GoodSearch generate money for missions. Since its inception, GoodSearchers have raised approximately $5,000 for LWML mission grants. It's even possible to add GoodSearch to your Internet browser's toolbar. Follow directions on the site to install. Tell your friends and happy searching.
PRESIDENT
Remember to join your Sisters in Christ "Together in Prayer at Noon" on Mondays.
TREASURER
Zones are asked to remit mite money to the treasurer once every quarter at a minimum. In other words, mites can be sent in more often if your societies are meeting monthly and sending you mites more frequently. Also, any special collections from LWML Sunday or Mission Sundays can be forwarded at any time along with gifts to the leadership fund or for memorials. Letters for Lutheran Woman's Quarterly and ACCENT subscriptions will be mailed in January 2007 with orders and payment due March 15th.
SECRETARY
Zones and societies are asked to send updated contact information whenever changes occur. This helps to insure that district mailings are routed to the correct individual and disseminated at the local level in a timely fashion. If you receive a mailing in error, please forward the envelope to the correct person and notify the secretary of her name and address. Also, remember that mite boxes are available from the secretary, not the treasurer.
BYLAWS & MEMBER DEVELOPMENT
Did you ever wonder why we have bylaws? The internal rules of the English District LWML are embodied in the bylaws. Bylaws are drafted by a committee at the beginning of an organization's existence. The committee needs to take great care with the language and to be realistic in forseeing changes in the organization as it continues. After the committee has completed its work, it reports to the assembly; and the assembly, after debate and possible amendment, adopts the bylaws by a main motion. The bylaws should not contain trivial matters or temporary provisions; they are meant to provide the most basic regulations, understandable by the typical member, and important enough that they will not need to be changed often. It is the practice of the English District LWML to review its bylaws each biennium and to make sure they reflect changes made at the national level of the organization.
CHRISTIAN LIFE COMMITTEE
Are you a Hope Dealer? Do you regularly write notes of hope to others who are in desperate need of it? Are you offering encouragement to your friends and family? Have you taken time to thank your Pastor for his sacrificial service? We have the hope that Easter gives us. We know the joy it brings. Let us give hope to others by sharing the joy. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit...Romans 15:13
HUMAN CARE COMMITTEE
The purpose of the Human Care Committee is to sensitize women toward those who are hurting or in need and enable them to compassionately reach out with knowledgeable, Biblical and hands-on caring assistance and comfort. For self, human care includes healthy lifestyle choices for the body, lifelong learning for the mind, and meditation and prayer for the spirit. For others, human care translates into an awareness of need, personal involvement, and servant opportunities.
The Human Care Committee has three basic responsibilities:
- to keep a record of missionaries of the English District and to befriend them and other missionaries supported by the Lutheran Women in Mission of our district.
- to advise Lutheran Women in Mission throughout the district of possible human care projects.
- to assist with an in-gathering at the Biennial Convention.
Do not hesitate to contact Sarah Reinstadtler at srein8@verizon.net if you have any needs or ideas for human care activities, including how to support our missionaries and their families. Also, please forward the ministry description and contact information of any missionaries being supported by your LWML or congregation with whom we might communicate. We hope that all societies will encourage their congregations to participate in the Gifts from the Heart ingathering of school supplies for the upcoming convention. HUMAN CARE IS GOD IN ACTION THROUGH YOU!
GOSPEL OUTREACH COMMITTEEBy the grace of God, we have paid ALL six mission grants for the 2006-2008 biennium. Visit the Mission Grants page of this web site to read about the specifics of each grant. There will be eleven grants to be considered for support at the upcoming convention.
Please remember that our work is not over when we have reached our English District LWML mission goal. Our mission support is an ongoing process which begins in our societies, continues through the Zone and District, and culminates at the national level. A record $1, 190,000 mission goal for the 2007-2009 biennium was adopted at the recent national LWML convention. It is the largest in the organization's 65-year history. The goal is $75,000 more than the LWML's previous goal for 2005-2007 which was exceeded by $55,000. The funds raised over the next two years will be used to support 18 mission grants. For updates on the national LWML mission grants go to http://www.lwml.org/missions/lutheran-women-in-mission-mission-grants.htm
COMMITTEE ON YOUNG WOMEN
The English District LWML Board set a goal of having ten YWRs for the 2008 Convention. The registration fee for the YWRs will be waived. Each zone will be asked to include a YWR in their equalization package so that her transportation expenses will be picked up through that fund. In addition, it will be the zone's responsibility to pay for their YWR's room and food. Want more information to share with your society? Click here for a detailed letter. Interested in applying or encouraging someone else to do so? Then click here to download an application form. Are you uncertain regarding the selection guidelines? Then click here. Applications are due December 31, 2007. Copies should be mailed to Renae Korenchan, 2213 South Home Avenue, Berwyn, IL 60402 and Jennifer Harman, 8517 East 19th Street, Tucson, AZ 85710. If you have questions, please contact Renae Korenchan, Young Women Committee Chair, at 708-788-3240 or renaekorenchan@sbcglobal.net.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
How many of us have grown to adulthood believing we are not intelligent, experienced, or wise enough to give our opinion and share our insight? We passively wait for leaders to solve every problem. Be aware that each of us has something to offer--a personal wisdom different from anyone else's. And we can never know what influence we might have unless we speak up in the spirit of Christian love. May God give you the courage to share what He has revealed to you. We have many leadership opportunities in the English District LWML and we encourage you to prayerfully consider serving as an officer or on a committee. The Nominating Committee will be actively seeking candidates for the offices of Vice-President of Servant Resources, Vice-President of Christian Life, Vice-President of Human Care, and Nominating Committee. God does equip those He calls! Here I am Lord...Is it I, Lord?..I have heard you calling in the night...I will go, Lord, if you lead me...I will hold your people in my heart.
EQUALIZATION
Each zone and society in the English District LWML is responsible for sending delegates to its biennial convention which is held in even-numbered years. Your zone sends one delegate and your society is entitled to send two delegates. The district has an Equalization Fund that helps pay transportation expenses for delegates. The equalization fee is currently $160 per delegate. When your zone and society pay the $160 equalization fee per delegate, the delegate's transportation expense or a portion thereof is reimbursed from the Equalization Fund. This includes those who travel by car, plane, bus, or train. Those who live close to the convention site and have minimal transportation expenses need to pay the $160, per delegate, to help defer the cost of those far away. That's what makes it EQUAL!
Your delegates are the voice of your society. We understand that travel costs are rising all the time and can possibly deter representation from some societies. Equalization can help change that--the more who participate in equalization, the more in attendance. And for a district that is non-geographic, this approach is fair and smart! However, we must ALL participate for the Equalization Fund to work properly. Plan now to raise money for equalization for your society...plan now to join us in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania in 2008! Questions? Contact Equalization Chair, Cheryl Gruenwald, at dcgruen@iserv.net.
ACCENT
Our newsletter, ACCENT on Lutheran Women's Missionary League - English District, is published three times a year. Societies and zones are encouraged to send current news and photos. Submission deadlines are April 1st, August 1st, and December 1st. Annual subscriptions are $3.00. ACCENT can also be read on-line or downloaded by clicking on the ACCENT link. The editor is Cherie Voorhees, 1305 Lower Ferry Road, Trenton, NJ 08618. Contributions may also be faxed to 609-896-0341 or sent as an attachment to voorhees@rider.edu
PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE
Your feedback regarding our web site is most appreciated. Web sites are works in progress just like us...PBPWMGIFWMY...please be patient with me, God isn't finished with me yet! Your Webservant at admin@englishdistrictlwml.org looks forward to receiving your comments and contributions for the Zone News & Views page. May all our public relations be they our interactions with people or our website glorify God!
September 12-14, 2008
English District LWML Board of Directors Meeting
June 25-28, 2009
33rd Biennial LWML Convention
Portland, Oregon
