Are you looking for new ideas to keep your LWML meetings fresh and inviting?  The following were shared by the LWMLers who attended the Spring Share Shops in March 2011: 

 

Program Ideas

•  Host a Celebration for the Aged: Invite those over 80 years old to attend and provide them dinner or make it a potluck. Have a program on aging and invite the attendees to bring an item from their childhood and tell about it over dinner. 

• Holiday activity: Organize a soup-and-sandwich, tea party, cookie exchange, Seder meal, dinner or lunch around one of the holidays

• Plan a Mystery Road Trip: Have a devotion, lunch, and Bible study in a park or special area.

• Organize a Progessive Dinner.

• Host a "picnic" in the middle of winter.

• Host a Baby Shower:  Bring baby items to donate to A Place of Refuge, Families First, the seminary or other organization.

• Girls Night Out: Take the young women in the congregation out to dinner or make dinner for them.

• Host International Students: Invite an international student (from the International Friendship Center in Madison or the UW-M campus ministry) to your home for a holiday, dinner, or a weekend event.

• Field Trip

• Christmas Party: Exchange spiritual gifts

• Mission Month: Designate one month each year for a mission program (with LWML group or entire congregation). Invite a missionary to speak. Find recipes and have a meal with food from representative mission country/culture.

• Mother-Daughter Banquet

• Tea for Teens: Bring food and fancy tea. Explain the LWML and how they could get involved.

Project Ideas

• Muffins for Mites or Cookie Walk: Make muffins or cookies and sell them for mite/mission money.

• Gospel Bead Bracelets: Make Gospel Bead Bracelets for missionaries to pass out and share the Gospel with others.

• Cheer Boxes: Make cookies, cakes, plus other goodies and deliver them to shut-ins and nursing homes.

• Mighty Mite Sunday: Designate a Sunday to bring in the mite boxes.

 

Printable version of this list to download

Are you looking for new ideas to keep your LWML meetings fresh and inviting?  The following were shared by the LWMLers who attended the Spring Share Shops in March 2011: 

 

Program Ideas

•  Host a Celebration for the Aged: Invite those over 80 years old to attend and provide them dinner or make it a potluck. Have a program on aging and invite the attendees to bring an item from their childhood and tell about it over dinner. 

• Holiday activity: Organize a soup-and-sandwich, tea party, cookie exchange, Seder meal, dinner or lunch around one of the holidays

• Plan a Mystery Road Trip: Have a devotion, lunch, and Bible study in a park or special area.

• Organize a Progessive Dinner.

• Host a "picnic" in the middle of winter.

• Host a Baby Shower:  Bring baby items to donate to A Place of Refuge, Families First, the seminary or other organization.

• Girls Night Out: Take the young women in the congregation out to dinner or make dinner for them.

• Host International Students: Invite an international student (from the International Friendship Center in Madison or the UW-M campus ministry) to your home for a holiday, dinner, or a weekend event.

• Field Trip

• Christmas Party: Exchange spiritual gifts

• Mission Month: Designate one month each year for a mission program (with LWML group or entire congregation). Invite a missionary to speak. Find recipes and have a meal with food from representative mission country/culture.

• Mother-Daughter Banquet

• Tea for Teens: Bring food and fancy tea. Explain the LWML and how they could get involved.

Project Ideas

• Muffins for Mites or Cookie Walk: Make muffins or cookies and sell them for mite/mission money.

• Gospel Bead Bracelets: Make Gospel Bead Bracelets for missionaries to pass out and share the Gospel with others.

• Cheer Boxes: Make cookies, cakes, plus other goodies and deliver them to shut-ins and nursing homes.

• Mighty Mite Sunday: Designate a Sunday to bring in the mite boxes.

 

Printable version of this list to download

Our President, Jan Dankwardt, has assembled some fresh ideas to employ as we progress toward our mite goals.  Follow this link for suggestions that can get your entire congregation involved or be used for your personal giving. 

Our President, Jan Dankwardt, has assembled some fresh ideas to employ as we progress toward our mite goals.  Follow this link for suggestions that can get your entire congregation involved or be used for your personal giving. 

This is a series of cutout dresses with printing on them and small notions. They are stapeled together at one of the shoulders to make a tablet to use as a table favor or to pass out at a meeting or rally.  The messages on the dresses are as follows: 

• Patterns for Living
• This booklet is a gift of love from the LWML ladies of (your society)
• Let your message be felt.  John 3:16 (piece of felt glued on)
• Know when to button your lip.  Proverbs 10:19 (button glued on)
• Let your testimony be trimming in your life.  2 Tim. 1:3 (piece of trim glued on)
• Guard against the sharp points of discouragement.  Psalm 7:1-17 (straight pin stuck through)
• Expand your love to include everyone.  Matthew 5:44 (elastic)
• Put some snap into your life.  Col. 3:16 (snap)
• Thread your work with dependability.  3 John 5 (thread)
• Measure up to your calling.  Luke 6:38 (piece of tape measure)

 

This is a series of cutout dresses with printing on them and small notions. They are stapeled together at one of the shoulders to make a tablet to use as a table favor or to pass out at a meeting or rally.  The messages on the dresses are as follows: 

• Patterns for Living
• This booklet is a gift of love from the LWML ladies of (your society)
• Let your message be felt.  John 3:16 (piece of felt glued on)
• Know when to button your lip.  Proverbs 10:19 (button glued on)
• Let your testimony be trimming in your life.  2 Tim. 1:3 (piece of trim glued on)
• Guard against the sharp points of discouragement.  Psalm 7:1-17 (straight pin stuck through)
• Expand your love to include everyone.  Matthew 5:44 (elastic)
• Put some snap into your life.  Col. 3:16 (snap)
• Thread your work with dependability.  3 John 5 (thread)
• Measure up to your calling.  Luke 6:38 (piece of tape measure)

 

This idea was used on LWML Sunday.  It is a copy of the devotions that came with the LWML materials.  Staple a note on top, glue on a puzzle piece and hand out to all the ladies in church that Sunday.  The note on top reads, "Life is a puzzle.  Missing a piece?  Complete your puzzle with Jesus and his Word." 

This idea was used on LWML Sunday.  It is a copy of the devotions that came with the LWML materials.  Staple a note on top, glue on a puzzle piece and hand out to all the ladies in church that Sunday.  The note on top reads, "Life is a puzzle.  Missing a piece?  Complete your puzzle with Jesus and his Word." 

This is an idea that came from one of the zone rallies.  These pumpkin cards were printed by a teacher and then a note was written on the inside by some of the students. They were handed out to the women at the rally.

This is an idea that came from one of the zone rallies.  These pumpkin cards were printed by a teacher and then a note was written on the inside by some of the students. They were handed out to the women at the rally.

Blest be the Ties that Bind - An Apron program idea. 

 

Blest be the Ties that Bind - An Apron program idea. 

 

At the 2009 Fall Retreat a Servant Event was assembling 400 Jesus Paks for distribution in the central city. Pilgrim Lutheran's school building is the “warehouse” for these materials. A servant event could include coming to help sort and organize the materials that are donated. There are crayons to sort, bags to unpack, and unused Sunday School materials to sort. Assembling more paks for distribution could also be done.

 

Please contact Ruth Mueller for more information.

At the 2009 Fall Retreat a Servant Event was assembling 400 Jesus Paks for distribution in the central city. Pilgrim Lutheran's school building is the “warehouse” for these materials. A servant event could include coming to help sort and organize the materials that are donated. There are crayons to sort, bags to unpack, and unused Sunday School materials to sort. Assembling more paks for distribution could also be done.

 

Please contact Ruth Mueller for more information.

Another mission activity is setting up a Milwaukee site for regular CamoQuilt Project workshops. The first “mini” workshop was held February 13, 2010, and ran smoothly, with lots of enthusiasm.  Please contact Ruth Mueller for more information about future workshop dates.  It will be necessary for us to know how many and when you might like to come so that the building will be open. To learn more about the CamoQuilt Project, go to www.camoquiltproject.blogspot.com.

 

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Another mission activity is setting up a Milwaukee site for regular CamoQuilt Project workshops. The first “mini” workshop was held February 13, 2010, and ran smoothly, with lots of enthusiasm.  Please contact Ruth Mueller for more information about future workshop dates.  It will be necessary for us to know how many and when you might like to come so that the building will be open. To learn more about the CamoQuilt Project, go to www.camoquiltproject.blogspot.com.

 

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Follow this link to find:  A fun project to start at a January or February society meeting.

Follow this link to find:  A fun project to start at a January or February society meeting.

Friendship Tea Recipe

 

Mix up a batch of this special tea at a society or zone meeting, and then share the recipe and the dry mix with new friends as you invite them to your next LWML event.

 

 Mix together:
½ c. instant tea (powdered)
1 c. powdered lemonade mix
1 c. powdered orange drink (Tang)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground cloves
To make one cup of tea:
Place 2 teaspoons in a cup of boiling water.
STIR AND ENJOY! Recipe makes 40 cups

Friendship Tea Recipe

 

Mix up a batch of this special tea at a society or zone meeting, and then share the recipe and the dry mix with new friends as you invite them to your next LWML event.

 

 Mix together:
½ c. instant tea (powdered)
1 c. powdered lemonade mix
1 c. powdered orange drink (Tang)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground cloves
To make one cup of tea:
Place 2 teaspoons in a cup of boiling water.
STIR AND ENJOY! Recipe makes 40 cups

Watch Your Congregation's Response Grow with a THANKSGIVING TREE

This is a picture of the Thanksgiving Tree at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Sheboygan. Each year around the first of November they put up this tree and people will take a green leaf with a food item listed on it. When they return the leaf and the food item, a brown, gold or orange leaf replaces the green one on the tree. It’s fun to watch as it turns color in autumn and the necessary items are brought in for Thanksgiving.

They have a very good response and each year and are able to supply Thanksgiving meal items to some people who really need the help. You might want to try this in your congregation next year. Please let us know what you are doing at your congregation especially for Thanksgiving and Christmas this year. Send your articles to Jan Dankwardt

Watch Your Congregation's Response Grow with a THANKSGIVING TREE

This is a picture of the Thanksgiving Tree at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Sheboygan. Each year around the first of November they put up this tree and people will take a green leaf with a food item listed on it. When they return the leaf and the food item, a brown, gold or orange leaf replaces the green one on the tree. It’s fun to watch as it turns color in autumn and the necessary items are brought in for Thanksgiving.

They have a very good response and each year and are able to supply Thanksgiving meal items to some people who really need the help. You might want to try this in your congregation next year. Please let us know what you are doing at your congregation especially for Thanksgiving and Christmas this year. Send your articles to Jan Dankwardt

Marking Bibles - a Good Society Project!

     Marking Bibles for the Milwaukee House of Correction is a project that many LWMLers have enjoyed at district LWML events, but it's also a project that members can do in their societies.

      Because of the LWML grant to buy Bibles for the Chaplain Gary Ruckman's ministry at the House of Correction, societies can obtain Bibles from him for this purpose.

        The labels are set up to be printed on Avery Shipping labels, #5163, size 2" x 4", 10 to a page, and Avery Return Address labels, #5167, size 1/2" x 3/4", 80 per sheet.  

       The easiest and most cost-effective way of getting the labels ready is to print off the masters (supplied on our website Publications Page, under "Resources"). Buy the correct size labels and have your school or church secretary run them off for you. You may also print them directly from the masters to the label sheets using your own computer. If you use your own Bibles, you will have to change the page numbers on the masters. A set of directions is available on the Publications Page (under "Resources") - make a copy of this for each participant -- along with Bible Marking Labels A  and Bible Marking Labels B.  

       If you have any questions, you may call Diane Kosbab at 414-771-6086. To obtain Bibles, call Pastor Ruckman at 414-427-4734. If he is not in his office, leave a message and he will call you back.

 

Editor's Note:  This is no longer a viable project to do for the House of Correction.  However, the information remains here for those who may have access to Bibles and want to mark them for other ministries or mission projects.  

Marking Bibles - a Good Society Project!

     Marking Bibles for the Milwaukee House of Correction is a project that many LWMLers have enjoyed at district LWML events, but it's also a project that members can do in their societies.

      Because of the LWML grant to buy Bibles for the Chaplain Gary Ruckman's ministry at the House of Correction, societies can obtain Bibles from him for this purpose.

        The labels are set up to be printed on Avery Shipping labels, #5163, size 2" x 4", 10 to a page, and Avery Return Address labels, #5167, size 1/2" x 3/4", 80 per sheet.  

       The easiest and most cost-effective way of getting the labels ready is to print off the masters (supplied on our website Publications Page, under "Resources"). Buy the correct size labels and have your school or church secretary run them off for you. You may also print them directly from the masters to the label sheets using your own computer. If you use your own Bibles, you will have to change the page numbers on the masters. A set of directions is available on the Publications Page (under "Resources") - make a copy of this for each participant -- along with Bible Marking Labels A  and Bible Marking Labels B.  

       If you have any questions, you may call Diane Kosbab at 414-771-6086. To obtain Bibles, call Pastor Ruckman at 414-427-4734. If he is not in his office, leave a message and he will call you back.

 

Editor's Note:  This is no longer a viable project to do for the House of Correction.  However, the information remains here for those who may have access to Bibles and want to mark them for other ministries or mission projects.  

DVD's Offer Great Programs

To borrow a DVD, contact Janet Steinhaus, Mission Education Chairman, who will be pleased to lend a copy for your use. e-mail

DVD's Offer Great Programs

To borrow a DVD, contact Janet Steinhaus, Mission Education Chairman, who will be pleased to lend a copy for your use. e-mail

Do Your Business Last!

 

 At a recent retreat sponsored by the SWD, a woman shared with an LWMLer why she had never joined the LWML - after working all day in a responsible job, she didn't want to spend her evening at a meeting that focussed mostly on business (especially long debates on whether to buy a refrigerator for the kitchen or what should be done during the kitchen cleaning this year).

 
The LWMLer was from St. Paul's, Brown Deer. She then shared that their monthly society meeting begins with refreshments at 7 p.m., followed by the speaker or program at 7:30. The business meeting concludes the evening, and women who do not wish to remain for the business portion may leave after the program.

 
"If the LWML in my church did that, I'd join!" said the woman.

 
NOTE: Another option used by some societies is to empower the Executive Committee to make all but the most major decisions, thus eliminating the need for a business session at most meetings. Minutes and treasurer's reports can be printed and handed out, so they don't have to be read. If your church has mailboxes for each family, reports can be distributed via the mailboxes shortly after each regular and/or Executive committee meeting. 

Do Your Business Last!

 

 At a recent retreat sponsored by the SWD, a woman shared with an LWMLer why she had never joined the LWML - after working all day in a responsible job, she didn't want to spend her evening at a meeting that focussed mostly on business (especially long debates on whether to buy a refrigerator for the kitchen or what should be done during the kitchen cleaning this year).

 
The LWMLer was from St. Paul's, Brown Deer. She then shared that their monthly society meeting begins with refreshments at 7 p.m., followed by the speaker or program at 7:30. The business meeting concludes the evening, and women who do not wish to remain for the business portion may leave after the program.

 
"If the LWML in my church did that, I'd join!" said the woman.

 
NOTE: Another option used by some societies is to empower the Executive Committee to make all but the most major decisions, thus eliminating the need for a business session at most meetings. Minutes and treasurer's reports can be printed and handed out, so they don't have to be read. If your church has mailboxes for each family, reports can be distributed via the mailboxes shortly after each regular and/or Executive committee meeting. 

 

MOST Ministry is in need of tote bags, quilts and eyeglass cases to help spread the love of Christ during short-term mission trips.  Consider adopting a project as a Society or participate individually.  Instructions for all three projects follow. 

 

Printable version

Tote bags

• Fabric for tote bags should be sturdy fabric, denim, decorator or drapery fabric.
• Approximately 32" of 44" wide fabric will make one tote bag.
• Bag - cut fabric piece (on fold) 18" h x 16 1/2" w.
• Pocket - cut one fabric piece 12" square.
• Handle straps - cut (2) fabric pieces 30" x 4".

Instructions:

1. Bag piece - at folded bottom edge cutout at each outer edge a section 1 1/2" h x 2" w for forming & sewing bottom corners.
2. Hem top of pocket and sew on right side of bag. 
3. Sew bag side seams and bottom corners - zigzag or serge to reinforce.
4. Form & sew straps - then sew to top of bag while hemming and topstitching bag - two rows of topstitch help reinforce.

Quilts 

• Finished quilt approximately 64 x 84.
• Quilts can be made from squares or strips or mixture of fabrics. 10" sq. works well ( 7 rows of 9 makes a great size quilt).
• Back of quilt can be piece of fabric or sheets work well.

Back of quilt can be piece of fabric. Sheets work well. Filler is not needed unless quilt is of very lightweight fabrics. If filler is needed keep it lightweight - use a sheet or some flannel or cotton fabric - NO batting. Most quilts go to very warm climate areas. Each quilt is "one of a kind", with a beauty all its own, made as a gift of love by caring people, given for warmth and hope to those in need. God’s way to tie HIS people together!

Eyeglass cases

• Fabric that can be used: felt, upholstery (soft yet sturdy kinds), denim

Instructions:
Cut fabric piece 14 1/2" x 4 1/2" - hem top edges, fold in half and sew both long side seams, turn inside out unless felt is used or you zigzag or serge the side seams.

~OR~

Cut fabric piece 7 1/2" square - hem one top edge, then fold in half, sew side and bottom seam. Turn inside out unless felt is used or you zigzag or serge the side seams.

 

 

Please send your completed project to:
MOST Ministries c/o Michigan District 3773 Geddes Rd. Ann Arbor, MI 48105

 

MOST Ministry is in need of tote bags, quilts and eyeglass cases to help spread the love of Christ during short-term mission trips.  Consider adopting a project as a Society or participate individually.  Instructions for all three projects follow. 

 

Printable version

Tote bags

• Fabric for tote bags should be sturdy fabric, denim, decorator or drapery fabric.
• Approximately 32" of 44" wide fabric will make one tote bag.
• Bag - cut fabric piece (on fold) 18" h x 16 1/2" w.
• Pocket - cut one fabric piece 12" square.
• Handle straps - cut (2) fabric pieces 30" x 4".

Instructions:

1. Bag piece - at folded bottom edge cutout at each outer edge a section 1 1/2" h x 2" w for forming & sewing bottom corners.
2. Hem top of pocket and sew on right side of bag. 
3. Sew bag side seams and bottom corners - zigzag or serge to reinforce.
4. Form & sew straps - then sew to top of bag while hemming and topstitching bag - two rows of topstitch help reinforce.

Quilts 

• Finished quilt approximately 64 x 84.
• Quilts can be made from squares or strips or mixture of fabrics. 10" sq. works well ( 7 rows of 9 makes a great size quilt).
• Back of quilt can be piece of fabric or sheets work well.

Back of quilt can be piece of fabric. Sheets work well. Filler is not needed unless quilt is of very lightweight fabrics. If filler is needed keep it lightweight - use a sheet or some flannel or cotton fabric - NO batting. Most quilts go to very warm climate areas. Each quilt is "one of a kind", with a beauty all its own, made as a gift of love by caring people, given for warmth and hope to those in need. God’s way to tie HIS people together!

Eyeglass cases

• Fabric that can be used: felt, upholstery (soft yet sturdy kinds), denim

Instructions:
Cut fabric piece 14 1/2" x 4 1/2" - hem top edges, fold in half and sew both long side seams, turn inside out unless felt is used or you zigzag or serge the side seams.

~OR~

Cut fabric piece 7 1/2" square - hem one top edge, then fold in half, sew side and bottom seam. Turn inside out unless felt is used or you zigzag or serge the side seams.

 

 

Please send your completed project to:
MOST Ministries c/o Michigan District 3773 Geddes Rd. Ann Arbor, MI 48105