More than 3,200 people attended the convention, held in Portland, Oregon, June 25–28, under the theme “Look to the Hills … God Reigns,” based on Psalm 121:1-2 and Isaiah 52:7. The LWML is the women’s auxiliary of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, the second-largest Lutheran denomination in North America. The funds raised by the organization’s 250,000 members nationwide over the next two years will be used to support the following mission grants:
- Defray Costs of Shipping Quilts by Lutheran World Relief – $80,000
- Concordia Seminary, St. Louis Food Bank Relocation – $50,000
- The Carpenter’s Hands – Youth Refurbish Homes in Florida – $26,000
- Psalm 69:14 Project – Emergency Disaster Aid in Texas, Oklahoma, & Louisiana – $50,000
- Digitize Classes for Specific Ministry Pastor Program, Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana – $36,000
- 10 Chapels, Transportation, and Pastoral Training in Tanzania – $88,000
- Body and Soul Care for Children in India – $50,000
- LCMS Prison Ministry Provides Devotional Materials – $50,000
- Lutheran Braille Workers Provide English Braille Bibles – Africa – $100,000
- Kyrgyzstan Locals Trained for Evangelism - $100,000
- The Hope Center for Refugees and Immigrants – Ohio – $90,000
- Human Care & Pastoral Ministries Developed in Latvia & Lithuania – $87,500
- Mission Support to Disabled Children – Dominican Republic – $50,000
- Native Leadership Scholarships for Students Enrolled in Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology – $100,000
- Humanitarian Care Outreach in Kazakhstan – $90,000
- International Student Ministry Provides Bibles & Christ-Oriented Resources – $30,000
- Earthquake Relief Aid & Church Plants in Peru – $100,000
- Light of Christ Chinese Lutheran Mission – St. Louis – $75,000
- Humanitarian Aid Opens Mission Field in North Korea – $82,482
In his sermon during the convention’s opening worship service, Rev. Dr. Warren Schumacher spoke about God’s reign and the rain garden on the rooftop of the Oregon Convention Center that captures nine acres of falling water. “God does rain on us abundantly, but here it is usually softly, slowly, and tenderly. … Turn your umbrella upside down and catch the blessings.”
In her president’s report, LWML President Janice Wendorf of Grafton, Wisconsin, challenged the attendees to make a commitment to be “In the Word, honoring a daily appointment with the Father and His Word; Of the Word, made over by the Holy Spirit, forgiven, and restored; Walking with the Lord, totally confident of Christ’s presence in serving and living.”
Bible study leader Dr. Mary Hilgendorf, Professor of Education at Concordia University Wisconsin, encouraged participants to look at women of the Bible with new eyes and shared her background as a pastor’s daughter in Chester, Illinois.
In her keynote address, Ruth N. Koch invited convention attendees to join her on a virtual hike up the “Mountain of Change.” She illustrated the importance of trying something new to welcome all women into the LWML.
The 601 delegates also elected new officers to help lead the organization over the next four years. Elected for four-year terms were:
• Patti Ross of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Vice President of Christian Life;
• Linda Arnold of Woodridge, Illinois, Vice President of Communication;
• Marilyn McClure of Tucson, Arizona, Vice President of Gospel Outreach;
• Judy Carlson of Paola, Kansas, Recording Secretary;
• Rev. Kristopher Whitby of Arlington Heights, Illinois, Pastoral Counselor.
Newly-elected members of the Nominating Committee are Dianne Diekmann of Yankton, South Dakota, who will serve as chairman; Lois Ford of Eustis, Florida; Pam Kercher of Billings, Montana; Melody Rosenwinkel of Irwin, Idaho; and Marcia Wittenburg of Baker, Louisiana.
The convention also featured processions with banners from all 40 LWML districts and the flags of 38 of the 50 countries where the LCMS has missionaries; activities for children and youth; a “Mission in Motion” pledge walk and exercise; inspiration from speaker Heidi Floyd, of the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer; presentations by Lutheran missionaries; and performances by singer Lauren Randall and the Pride of Portland.
The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) is the official women’s auxiliary of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. For over 65 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.
For more information about the convention or the LWML, visit the Web site www.lwml.org.