Blog Posts - Lutheran Women's Missionary League California Nevada Hawaii

Gospel Outreach

11/30/2021

by Bev Vietor, VP Gospel Outreach

I want to be like Martin Luther…nail important message to the church doors. My message to all you wonderful LWML ladies is THANKS for sharing your talents in so many ways with your church, LWML societies and the world in so many different ways. What you do does not have to be big, on a grand scale, expensive or publicized. Even small items, like a handwritten note can have huge impacts. All the quilts you talented ladies make warms the soul and bodies of many and show the Lord’s compassion. The bonus, all your gifts are wrapped in prayers.

We are one, we are LWML ladies sharing the gospel of Jesus in so many ways.
Penny knows you will share the gospel with many in unique ways this ADVENT season.

Zone 11 News

11/30/2021

by Dinnie Kysar, Zone 11 Secretary

“Continuing God’s Mission in Unusual Times” was the theme for the Zone 11 zoom event held on November 6 and 13. There was time for small groups, for singing, and for listening to two speakers. Thirty-four people attended.

Pastor Bob Smith, serving as interim pastor at Messiah Lutheran, ‘Ewa Beach, spoke on prayer. Prayer is not a technique. There are no rules. Prayer is centered around a relationship with Jesus. Stop, rest, relax – Jesus is listening. He has written two books: Keep Me from Evil, Harm and Fear (2004) and Keep Me and Keep All (2011).

Pastor Uchel Naito from Good Shepherd, Honolulu spoke on the history of the Palauan congregation in Honolulu and its relationship with Good Shepherd. It all started with one lady from Good Shepherd who met a lady from the Palauan community. A relationship formed and resulted in Bible studies for Palauans. By 2004 a missionary arrived in Hawaii from Palau and he became a Lutheran pastor for the Palauan congregation.

Following the zoom events, participants’ comments were enthusiastic about seeing so many beloved ones in Christ all at once. Carol’s prayer (she joined from Hong Kong) was “may God continue to bless all the LWML work you do for it assists to proclaim the Gospel all over the world”. Sharon Self remembered how Our Savior Lutheran Church, Pacifica, CA supported a man training to be a pastor at the seminary – that man was Pastor Les Self, who is currently serving as interim pastor at Good Shepherd, Honolulu. Avis commented that the participants’ experiences noted during the small group Ice Break session expanded her thinking about God’s mission for each of us. Pastor Bob Smith’s presentation offered lots of room for us to grow.

Zone 15 News

11/30/2021

by Cheryl Dies, President, Emmanuel, Clovis

For several weeks under the guidance of Chris Squire, Emmanuel’s Women of Grace and church members have been collecting items to send to Samaritans Purse outreach. The ladies have been assembling boxes filled with needed items and toys for children from toddlers to preteens. They will be taken to a local distribution center and forwarded on to a main center for dispersing to many countries

Zone 11 News

9/22/2021

by Dinnie Kysar, Zone 11 Secretary

Our LWML ministry at Christ, Hilo is Quilt Making. We meet once a month to piece together and tie quilts. Others sew at home and bring their work to the Quilting session. We have a Quilt Blessing before they are sent out to Hospice, the Veterans Home, and Dialysis patients as well as given to needy people. We also sell our quilts with the money donated to National to assist with the cost of mailing quilts overseas and also supporting such ministries as LAMP pilots and Bethesda Auxiliary (scholarships).

Special Focus Ministries

9/22/2021

by Rebecca Weisshahn, VP Special Focus Ministries

We were excited to have Amy Vang as a Young Women’s Representative, and Linda Patel, as a Heart to Heart Sister, attend the National Convention in Kentucky this year. We look forward to hearing all they learned and experienced there; we know they will both be valuable members of Special Focus Ministries for the LWML.

Lori Fisher, chair of the Human Care Committee, had the wonderful idea of having purple and gold masks available at the retreat for our ladies. She had over 100 masks ordered and made ready for each of the women who attended. Thank you, Lori, for all you have done and continue to do for the committee.

The Human Care Committee has confirmed that the Lutheran Braille Workers will be coming to the District Convention in Sparks, Nevada. We are also revisiting the idea of marking Bibles for prisoners as a servant event.

Zone 6 News

9/22/2021

by Marian Durbin, LWML President, Trinity Lutheran Church, Fairfield

A major source of pride in our organization is that in January of 2011 we "adopted" the Jonathan Federwitz family in Papua, New Guinea. All proceeds from our monthly bake sales go directly to this family in support of their mission, and our congregants have generous hearts! During Covid we had "No Bake/ Bake Sales" and were still able to meet our commitment to them.

Jonathan, Carrie, and their family have visited us twice and told us about their work, New Guinea life, and even preached on the two Sundays they were here. So, we do feel we know them. We look forward to their newsletters and have learned much about Lutheran Bible Translators.

President's Message

9/22/2021

by Martha Dubke, LWML CNH District President

Dear friends,

The special moments at this summer’s LWML Convention in Lexington, Kentucky are now wonderful memories.
If you were not able to attend, you are invited to view sessions of the convention on the lwml.org website, under Convention Central; scroll down and find Convention videos. Contact Communications Director Lynnette Campbell for a list of Time Stamps of the activities. The inspiring message from Linda Reiser and the humorous interrupters, Jan Struck and Abbie Goehring are well worth your time. You might be able to use these sessions in your gatherings and you could even “participate” in the Bible studies led by Deaconess Heidi Goehmann, Running on Solid Ground. Check out the Bible study in the Convention Manual found online.

The elected officers are fulfilling their duties and Mite offerings are being gathered to fund the new Mission Grants to reach the 2021-2023 mission goal of $2,150,000. The lwml.org website features all of the opportunities we have to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Continue to prayerfully fill those Mite boxes day after day. God is using our Mite offerings to fulfill His purpose.

With that being said, remember that our deadline for reaching our 2020-2022 District Mission Goal of $248,000 is March 31, 2022. Search your hearts, pray for mission outreach, and continue to faithfully gather your mite offerings.

We now look towards the LWML California-Nevada-Hawaii District Convention June 10-June 12, 2022, at the Nugget Casino and Resort in Sparks, Nevada. We will work under the theme based on Psalm 62:8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us, Trust in God’s timing! The members of Zone 10 along with Vice-President for Convention Planning, Roxan Schwab are joyfully working to make this convention a reality. We hope to see you in Sparks!! Get the news out!

LWML is asking for names for the selection of Pastoral Counselor nominees for the convention ballot at the 2023 LWML Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. To be eligible, nominees must have served as a district pastoral counselor and are currently serving in the parish ministry. If you know of a possible candidate, contact me as soon as possible so we can meet the eligibility requirements before the October 31, 2021 deadline.

I pray that, as you gather as zones this fall, you take to heart the mission of the LWML which is to be Lutheran Women in Mission, who joyfully proclaim Christ, support missions, and equip women to honor God by serving others.

Zone 13 News

9/22/2021

by Marilyn Munz, Zone 13 President

Zone 13 was able to come together for a Quilt Tying Party in July. Our hope is to send all finish quilts to Lutheran World Relief in October.

LWML at Grace in Crescent City is making their famous Grace Cooper Frozen Pies. As of this writing our pie count stands 225. The pie sale is slated for November 6th at Grace Lutheran Church.

Our Fall Gathering is scheduled to be held at St. Marks, Ferndale on October 2. President Martha Dubke will be our guest speaker. Pastor Ty Bramwell will lead us in Bible study, “Living in the Days of Noah—Today.” (A new study published this year by LWML.)

Zone 14 News

9/22/2021

by Laura Lynn Ledson, Zone 14 President

Finally, the Zone 14 Rally will be held this month. The last plans are being implemented, changes put in place, RSVPs announced. On Saturday, September 25th, Good Shepherd Hall at St. Mark Lutheran Church, Santa Rosa will open its doors at 9:30am for the early registration with coffee, tea and breakfast treats. An ingathering to benefit Redwood Gospel Mission of men's and women's socks will be taken at the door. "And I heard the voice of the LORD saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' Then I said, 'Here am I! Send me,'" from Isaiah will open the day. The inspiration for this theme came from the powerful hymn "Hark the Voice of Jesus Calling". Our new pastor, Rev. Gary Gerloff, is the keynote speaker. We will sing some more to the notes of the keyboard played by Gregg Campbell. Elaine McFarlane, one of our district vice presidents, will give a shortened version of "Change", some guidance, and tools to see our lives in different forms. Then the proverbial potluck will be served by the ladies in a careful way. Also, space between seating and masks will be required. The afternoon continues with a few surprises up our sleeves. We must include a short business portion for a vote to be taken on president and vice president. Elaine and I will continue in our positions due to no other nominations. The gals will have a chance to shop at the LWML STORE AND MORE, where many lovely hand-made items by members and such will be on display. Safe travel home will end the wonderful day of fellowship.

The next zone gathering is planned for Saturday, October 30th this year. This will be our annual servant event to make thanksgiving cards for military families. The ladies will also work in another area of Good Shepherd Hall of St. Mark on quilts. A third group will bag dried beans of ten varieties, enough for delicious pots of soup. The churches present will have an opportunity to take these to their congregations to sell and benefit missions. We love working together!

Nominating Committee

9/22/2021

by Marcia Houseworth

The LWML Convention in Lexington, Kentucky was a wonderful experience - Bible studies, mission speakers, a new Mission Grant Goal and Mission Grant selection, displays, and so much more that encompasses a convention. One highlight is the election of new officers. What a blessing to choose from pastors who agree to run as counselors and women willing to serve in leadership capacities.

Now it is time to do the same in the LWML CNH District. Preparations are underway for similar experiences in June 2022. The Nominating Committee has begun the work of seeking names for the following positions:

President
Vice President of Organizational Resources
Vice President of Convention Planning
Recording Secretary
Financial Secretary

Are you the person who has a willing heart to fill one of these positions?

Please send your suggestions or your own personal interest to Marcia Houseworth. As Lutheran Women in Mission, we joyfully proclaim Christ, support missions, and equip women to honor God by serving others.

The comments and opinions expressed herein on this website do not necessarily reflect the beliefs and point of view of the Lutheran Women's Missionary League or The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod. Statements are made exclusively by the author(s) and appear as written and have not been subjected to the Lutheran Women's Missionary League or The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod doctrinal review process.
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