Lutheran Women in Ministry

The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) is the official women’s auxiliary of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. For over 77 years, the LWML has focused on affirming each woman’s relationship with Christ, encouraging and equipping women to live out their Christian lives in active mission ministries and to support global missions.

Learn more about the LWML in the LCMS Northern Illinois District

Follow the LWML Facebook Page at facebook.com/LWMLNID

News from the NID LWML

LWML Fall Gathering

The LWML Fall Gathering will be held September 25, 2021, 9:00 a.m to 2:30 p.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 195 Nesler Rd, Elgin, Illinois 60124.

Keynote Speaker is Sheryl DeWitt, Executive Director, Redeeming Life Outreach Ministries. They are a recipient of a 2021-2023 LWML Grant!

For more information and to register, visit lwmlnid.org/

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Running the Race … Looking to Jesus

Would we or wouldn’t we? And if we did, what restrictions would there be? These were just two of the questions facing the 2021 LWML Convention planning committee, as well as women from all over the country who look forward to traveling to this event every other year. They come to praise God for the opportunity to serve Him, select new mission grants to fund, elect new officers, hear how their mite offerings are being used, and spend time with other sisters and brothers in Christ.

“Take it to the Lord in prayer. … ”- that’s what everyone did, and God answered with a resounding “YES”! Our LWML was the first organization to host a convention in Lexington, KY since the beginning of the pandemic! How did the members respond? Attending in person were 2,792, and over 3,800 more livestreamed some or all of the sessions. “Praise God from whom all blessings flow!”

The theme of the convention was taken from Hebrews 12:1-2. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” The convention was hosted by the Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio Districts.

Here are some of the highlights:

+ Thursday evening’s Opening Service is always something that attendees look forward to, with thousands of voices praising God together and the opportunity to take Communion with so many other LWML sisters and brothers, as well as family and friends. The proclaimer was the Rev. Dr. David Maier, President of the LCMS Michigan District. He reminded us that it is just as important to finish the race as to start it, looking to God to be with us all the way.

+ Friday morning’s session began with the procession of District banners, carried by the District Presidents and accompanied by their Young Woman Representatives. President Jan Gerzevske carried our banner. With her were our YWR’s – Jamilyn Clausing, Ninette (Ponsolle) Robertson, Hannah Russell, and Emelia Waugh.

+ The 2021-2023 Mission Goal ($2,150,000) and grants had been selected by the eligible voters (using electronic balloting) prior to the Convention. Twenty-eight of the 34 grants on the ballot will be funded over the next two years. Three of the grants have LWML-NID connections: Phil’s Friends, the Belize Mission Society, and Redeeming Life Outreach Ministries. A full list of the grants can be found on the national website under “Missions”.

+ Everyone always enjoys the Saturday morning Mission Flag procession, which gives witness to the 82 (six new ones this year!) countries around the world where God has led the LWML to share His love and His Gospel message. The voters also elected new officers, a pastoral counselor, and the nominating committee for the coming biennium. Following the afternoon session, almost 1,100 LWML’ers took to the streets of Lexington for the Mission Walk, which raised over $96,000 for mites.

+ Among the items of business on Sunday morning before the adjournment and Sending Service was the invitation to the 2023 Convention in Milwaukee. The presentation was given by members of the three host districts: North Wisconsin, South Wisconsin, and Northern Illinois! We are very excited to be one of the hosts and look forward to seeing you there. There will be many opportunities to volunteer, or you can attend as a delegate or guest. There will be much more information available in the coming months, so be looking and listening for updates.

The goal statement of the Convention was “Looking to Jesus, we run the race set before us and proclaim the joy of the Lord”. As we begin to meet again in our local groups and at zone and district events (The Fall Gathering is coming on September 25!), may we do so in His joy, trusting Him to guide and lead us as we continue to “serve the Lord with gladness”!