The Voice of Service

Transcription

1 The Voice of Service Volume 47, Issue 4 Lutheran Women s Missionary League, Oklahoma District Winter 2014 Serve the Lord with Gladness Ps.100:2 Inside this issue: SONshine from Susan 2 Pastoral Insights 3 Leader Development 4 LWML Convention Update 6 Fall Fest Recap Mission Grants 10 Christian Life Conference, Saturday, March 14, 2015 Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Edmond, Oklahoma Planning is underway for a Christian Life conference for women of all ages to be held on March 14, 2015, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Edmond, OK. Registration will open at 8 a.m. A Time to Grow is based on I Peter 2:2, Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation (NIV). The Christian Life Committee is planning a day of Bible study, presentations by special guest Elaine Bickel, activities, and worship to encourage and energize each woman in her Christian walk of faith. Child care will be free, but please pre-register. A block of rooms at a nearby hotel will be reserved on Friday evening for anyone who wants to come early. This will be a time for fun, fellowship, and a sweet treat. More details will be forthcoming, but enter it into your calendar now. We are looking forward to a great day. Invite a friend to come with you. Everyone can use a break from a busy schedule to relax and refuel. Elaine Bickel, inspirational speaker, humorist, and Christian author, will be our guest speaker. Submitted by Pam Wiederkehr, Vice President of Christian Life

2 The Voice of Service SONshine from Susan Page 2. Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven (Matthew 5:16). Do you know my favorite time of winter? That time to enjoy a big steaming cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows piled on top! A friend shared this acrostic with me and it helps me focus on Christ, my Savior. C CHRIST This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:18). O ORNAMENTS Do not let your adorning be external the braiding of hair and putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear-but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit (1 Peter 3:3-4). C CHEERFULLY CELEBRATE THE SEASON May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope (Romans 15:13). O OVERJOYED, not OVERWHELMED When they saw the star, they were overjoyed (Matthew 2:10, NIV). A ABUNDANCE I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly (John 10:10b). Please join me for a cup of hot chocolate and pray with me. Dear Lord, thank You for giving us the gift of Your Son. Please help us not get so caught up in the earthly celebrations of Christmas that we forget to celebrate all we have in Jesus Christ. Amen. Shine On! Susan Brunkow, President God s blessings, President Susan Brunkow, oklwmlpres@gmail.com How Mite You Respond? With Gratitude and Thanks! The LWML women of Oklahoma are truly amazing and generous servants of our Lord! In August, we learned from the national treasurer that $108,000 was needed to complete mission grant requests. How Mite You Respond? was launched with the suggestion that if each LWML group would donate an additional $50 in support of the national mite goal, more grants could be funded. Many more people would receive God s message of love and grace! AND SO YOU DID! In response to this Call, LWML President Kay Kreklau wrote recently in a note to LWML District Presidents, Thank you for your mite offerings! A special thank you to the Oklahoma District for sharing their extra mites with national! Our Lord continues to bless the LWML through each one of you and each mite given! During these days of November and the days leading up to Thanksgiving Day, please spend extra time in prayer thanking our Lord for all He has done! Also, remember our mission grant recipients and our missionaries. Additional mite offerings for the national LWML Grants may be sent to Oklahoma District Fianancial Secretary, Leola Thiemann at P.O. Box 2326, Stillwater, OK Please note it is for national mites. Thank you for your dedication to Serve the Lord with Gladness. Your love and generosity are evident as you bless others with your gifts. Submitted by Delia Hansen, Vice President of Gospel Outreach 2016 Nominating Committee Elected Eight women were elected at their zone Fall Fests to comprise the 2016 LWML Oklahoma District Nominating Committee. These women will compile a slate of candidates for the District offices of President, Vice President of Special Focus Ministries, Vice President of Organizational Resources, Corresponding Secretary and Financial Secretary as well as Pastoral Counselor. Members of the Committee are: Debbie Tabisz, Tulsa Zone, Co-Chairman Barb Schneider, Lawton Zone, Co-Chairman Judy Roggow, Enid Zone Sharon Bomhoff, Kingfisher Zone Suzet Roggow, Oklahoma City Zone Anita Gard, Miami Zone Debbie Hooper, Ponca City Zone June Wadley, Panhandle Zone Submitted by Susan Brunkow, President

3 Volume 47, Issue 3 Page 3 Special Gifts Fund The time in NOW! As we are draw closer to the Advent season, we think of the birth of Our Lord and Savior and the many blessings He has bestowed on us, His children. We look for ways to give back to Him and give glory to God. He has given us loved ones and we want to show them that they, too, are loved and blessed. Through contributions to the Special Gifts Fund our loved ones can be honored on special occasions or for special accomplishments. The gift will be acknowledged and they will know the gift is being used for the mission and ministry of the LWML. This is also true of gifts given in memory of a deceased person as the gift is acknowledged to the next of kin. The Special Gifts Fund was set up to also receive gifts in the form of a devise or bequest under Will or Trust Instrument, and gifts or proceeds or portions of proceeds of insurance, annuity, or endowment policies or contracts. There is a charitable giving option called a Give it Twice Trust which allows a person to transfer value to your children over a number of years through regularly scheduled payments and give a gift to ministry. A typical estate plan will transfer a portion of the estate outright to the children. Then other assets, such as an IRA can be transferred to a charitable remainder unitrust. Since the unitrust is tax exempt, no income tax is paid when the IRA is distributed to the trust. If this is a plan you would want to know more about, the LWML has a Gift Planning Counselor, Linda Gage. She would be able to help you and your attorney with the planning of your estate. During recent months memorials were received for Kathryn Wuerflein, Nada Thoden, Ann Reinkemeyer, Susan Bieber, Jewell Fitzgerald and Audrey Voss. Also received were gifts in honor of the birthdays of Bev England, Doris Schmall, and Betty Reichert. Additional funds were received through the Recycling Fund in the amount of $ Contributions are to be sent the Oklahoma District Financial Secretary, P. O Stillwater, OK Questions may be directed to Krystine Gibson, Chairman, OKLWMLsg@gmail.com. Submitted by Krystine Gibson, Special Gifts Chairman Food for the Soul And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6, NIV). Think about those descriptions of Jesus. Wonderful Counselor He's not a mediocre or inexperienced counselor; He's Wonderful. We can trust His guidance. Mighty God He is all powerful. We can be certain He will protect and defend us. Everlasting Father He will love, provide, and care for us forever! Prince of Peace His peace, which passes all understanding, calms all our fears. No matter what each day brings, we can face it with confidence knowing Jesus is everything we need! Submitted by Pam Wiederkehr, Vice President of Christian Life Pastoral Insights Our congregation recently finished a Bible study on the book of Revelation. I am struck by how well John s conclusion fits in the season of Advent. The Spirit and the Bride [the Church] both cry, Come. Let the thirsty come and drink of the waters of life. That is the mission of the Church in these latter days. We call out to the world, Come, and receive the salvation that Christ has won for you. This call to return to the Lord echoes the Old Testament prophets and even Christ who says, Come unto me you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28). But we in the Church, who call the world to repent and drink freely from the well of salvation, also are drawn there ourselves by the same cry of the Church. For we still need to be refreshed in the baptismal flood that drowns the Old Adam and gives life to the New Man within. Especially in Advent, as we remember the coming of our God in the flesh, we also give thanks for His coming to us in Word and Sacrament, to refresh, renew and restore us as co-heirs with Christ of an eternal Kingdom that will never fade. And so we call the world and ourselves to come again to Christ. But there is another coming mentioned by John in Revelation. The final cry to come is not addressed to the lost, or to the Church, but to Christ Himself. He who testifies to these things says, Surely I am coming soon. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! (Revelation 22:20) In Advent we look back in thanksgiving for Christ s coming in the flesh and we are filled with joy. We look toward the font, pulpit, and altar and marvel that Christ comes to us now, and we are strengthened. But we also look forward with eagerness for the consummation of what was begun at Bethlehem and continues today. For Christ has made full atonement for our sin on the cross, but the salvation He has already won will not be fully revealed until the last day. That is why the Church cries for the world to come to Christ and for Christ to come again in glory to the world. Rev. Ned Moerbe, Junior Pastoral Counselor

4 The Voice of Service Page 4 Women Discover Their Leadership Strengths Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them. Romans 12:6a Each biennium the LWML Oklahoma District Leader Development Team presents a training event to develop leaders within the district. Saturday, November 8, 49 women and two pastors met at Lutheran Church of Our Savior, Bethany, for Bible study and discovery of the leadership strengths with which God has blessed them. This biennium s training encompassed LWML s current campaign The Time is Now, urging each attendee to Discover Your Strengths for the Time is Now! Pastor Moerbe leads the group in a study on Esther. Pastor Ned Moerbe, Junior Counselor from Blackwell, offered Bible study on Esther highlighting the call to serve for such a time as this (Esther 4:14). Esther and Mordecai used their God-given strengths to save the exiled remnant of Israel from destruction, ensuring that God s plan of salvation would be accomplished in Jesus. What do we learn from Esther? Pastor Moerbe asked. Responses included that we can learn from history, approach those in authority with humility, and listen. President Susan Brunkow introduces the topic and special speakers. For such a time as this Esther 4:14 workshop were encouraged to sit together and continue discussing mission goals, servant activities, Bible studies, and meeting the task of bringing the lost and erring into eternal fellowship with Him. Shirley Graumann, Marilyn Groh, and Eloise Jones, all of St. John s, Moore, and Sharon Bomhoff, St. John s, Okarche, discuss each other s strengths. Kristen Brunkow, Strengths Coach, spoke to the group about accomplishing tasks, goals, and projects by using the strengths each participant learned about through the Gallup StrengthsFinder Assessment. The Assessment was completed after registration for the workshop, and each participant received specific information about five top strengths. Kristen urged investing time in those strengths rather than spending time to improve weaknesses. Kristen Brunkow, Strengths Coach, leads group in finding their strengths. President Susan Brunkow, shared video on speaking skills by Past National President Linda Reiser as an additional tool for our District leaders. Ladies of Our Savior served lunch, and members of the zones represented at the Zanna Walpus, Shari Stepanek, and Kay McDaniel, Our Savior, Bethany, reflect on God s gifts for leadership. At right: Rev. Dwayne Schroeder, Our Savior, Bethany, Jac-E Ersland, St. John s, Okarche, and Kristen Brunkow, Prince of Peace, Topeka, KS, prepare prior to the training. Submitted by Katie Schroeder, Leader Development Committee

5 Volume 47, Issue 3 Page 5 Fall Fests Yield Abundant Gifts from the Heart Gifts from the Heart from Fall Fests yielded many items for area and international missions. In addition to Lutheran World Relief (LWR) and Orphan Grain Train (OGT), recipients of the gatherings included a local community food pantry and a local community shelter. Kingfisher and Lawton Zones donated eyeglasses and made eyeglass cases for MOST Ministries. Laurnell Lenz, St. John s Lamplighters, Okarche, made 75 eyeglass cases for MOST Ministries. Since April, the Panhandle Zone has sent to OGT boxes of clothing, medical supplies, hospital scrubs and supplies, bedding, miscellaneous goods and 251 quilts. Trinity Piecemakers, Guymon, made a total of 500 quilts, which were divided between OGT and LWR. Items collected for LWR included: Quilts Blankets - 28 Personal Care Kits School Kits Fabric Kits - 76 Baby Care Kits - 55 Soap pounds Shining Around the District Laurnell Lenz, St. John s, Okarche, sews eyeglass cases for overseas missions We have amazing women in LWML Oklahoma District who Serve the Lord with Gladness. To God be the Glory! Submitted by Sharon Bomhoff, Mission Servants Chairman Annual Turkey Dinner Yields Mission Support LWML, St. John, Lawton, hosted its 18th Annual Turkey Dinner on October 31. A total of 532 meals were served bringing a total of $4, All proceeds are used to support monthly mission projects throughout the year. Good Shepherd, Midwest City, Observes LWML Sunday LWML Sunday at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Midwest City was observed October 5, The LWML Sunday service was used. Marguerite Christman read the scriptures in the 8 a.m. service, and Marilyn Alsip read in the 10:30 a.m. service. Each bulletin had an insert with both LWML National and Oklahoma District Mission Grants. The mission grant video was shown during the Sunday school hour. At each seat was an LWML book mark and a Mite box. Several of the tables in the Fellowship Hall had displays depicting projects of each group of the Ruth Guild-Mary Circle. Groups represented were Christian Growth, Hospitality, Martha Group, World Friendship, and the Mary Circle, whose members sew quilts, gather items for LWR, and conduct Bible studies. Submitted by Marilyn Alsip, LWML Oklahoma District Archivist/Historian Three generation LWML celebration Among the attendees at the district leadership training seminar held November 8 were three generations of Roggow women. Special thanks to Serenity Payne, St. John s, Moore, who made sure Mommy Keah Payne and Grandma Suzet Roggow made it that morning. With congregational support, St. John LWML collected eyeglasses during the month of October. A total of 117 pairs of eyeglasses were collected and will be sent to MOST Ministries. Additionally, 37 witness bracelets were made and will be included with the glasses. Submitted by Teresa Heater, St. John LWML President, Lawton Announcing the online edition of the LWML Starter Kit: A Guide for Beginning a New Group! Find it at

6 The Voice of Service Page 6 District Plans Underway for 36th Biennial Convention The Bus Is The Way To Go! "To go where?" you may ask. "To Des Moines in June 2015!" is the answer. Kincaid Coach of El Reno has reserved a 54- passenger bus for Oklahoma's delegates, officers, and guests. The ride will begin at Messiah Lutheran Church, OKC, at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, June 24. At 10 a.m., a stop will be made at Good Shepherd, Tulsa. After stops for lunch and short breaks, riders will arrive in Des Moines late in the afternoon. The courteous driver will take everyone back and forth to the Convention site Thursday through Saturday. On Sunday morning, June 28, he will drop everyone off for the final sessions and will be ready to start the return trip after the closing worship. Passengers are asked to purchase a box lunch before boarding, and a stop will be made for a quick supper. Anticipated Tulsa arrival time is 9:30 p.m. and Oklahoma City arrival will be around 11:30 p.m. Passengers who have a long drive home might wish to book a hotel room after the Sunday drive. The cost to ride the bus is $150 per person, and the first payment will be due in February. That figure does not include Convention registration, housing, meals, or the traditional gift to the bus driver. Twelve ladies have already requested seats, many of whom have ridden to previous conventions. They know about the fun, friendship, and fellowship that happens as the miles fly by. For more information, contact Bus Chairman Myrna Lou Meyer at or mlmlwml@gmail.com. Submitted by Myrna Lou Meyer, 2015 Bus Chairman TEENS NEEDED for DES MOINES CONVENTION A $2000 district mission grant is designated to help cover the expense of sending four teens to the Des Moines Convention. What a fantastic worship and mission opportunity for any teen group to attend with their sponsor, or an opportunity for a mother or grandmother to invite a daughter or granddaughter! Any teen interested needs to contact Dianna Just, Vice President of Special Focus Ministries at oklwmlvpofspfm@gmail.com by January 10, Submitted by Dianna Just, Vice President of Special Focus Ministries While the Oklahoma winter wind howls, the women of the LWML Oklahoma District should get ready to register early for the LWML Convention in Des Moines, Iowa. Those who register between February 2 and March 14, 2015, will receive a discounted rate on their registration fee. Registration forms will be available in the Winter issue of Lutheran Woman s Quarterly. So sign up now to gather under our theme Bountiful! Sow Nourish Reap. The women of the Host Committee are eager to welcome you to Iowa. Don t forget important convention items like the official convention shirt and SONshine Bear, LWML s official bear of the 36th Biennium Convention. Order forms for convention shirts are available at Young Woman Representative Application Online Women ages years who are members of the LCMS and have not served previously as a Young Woman Representative to the LWML Convention are invited to apply for this position. Two YWRs will be chosen by the Oklahoma District Board of Directors to attend the convention in Des Moines. Find the application online at and submit it by January 1, 2015, to Tish Mindemann, OKLWMLywr1@gmail.com. Expenses for the trip to Des Moines will be paid by the district. YWRs agree to serve the following two years on the district level. Questions about the YWR program, including details of district service, can be directed to Tish Mindemann, OKLWMLywr1@gmail.com. Submitted by Karen Karner, TVOS Editor

7 Volume 47, Issue 3 Page 7 Remember Your 85 Dimes? Look what You Did! Special Gifts Funds were used to help finance a float trip down the Illinois River in Tahlequah for young women and to purchase prayer books for the Oklahoma Pastor s Wives Retreat. The September float trip was organized and sponsored by the Committee on Young Women. The festivities began with a hot dog roast and some delicious S Mores, followed by a Donna Pyle Bible study and then games late into the night. In the morning, it was off to the very chilly river. The temperature was 50 degrees when the women started out, but they did not let that deter them. With kayaks and a raft they set out on a three hour tour. Even when the crafts were stuck on the rocks, they were loosed through teamwork and the journey continued. Tish Mindemann, Chairmen of the Committee on Young Women stated, It was a great team building exercise. It really allowed us to get to know each other better. Books entitled A Woman s Praying Heart were given to the 31 women who attended the Oklahoma District LCMS Pastors Wives Retreat in Woodward, Oklahoma. This purse-sized prayer book created by the LWML is intended to help women face the challenges of church, family, friends, and community. Thank you to everyone who donated to the 85 Dimes project at the 2014 Oklahoma District Convention. You made these two special projects possible. Submitted by Susan Brunkow, President, LWML Oklahoma District From the Pastors Wives Hi, Susan Just wanted to thank you and the LWML for the devotion/ prayer booklets that you provided for each pastor s/vicar s wife at this year s retreat in Woodward. Your kind generosity was again very much appreciated. Blessings to you and all who work so hard in the LWML! Thanks so much, Edie Cottrell Women of Purple are a Witness around the World! Recently at our BOD meeting and the LWML Leader Conference, we were reminded of just how much our shirts, jackets, membership pins and other LWML products give us opportunities to witness and to let others know about the LWML mission. Herein is an from one of our missionary wives who is a true supporter of the LWML and has her own mission as well in assisting God's people in Hong Kong. She had a thought regarding the purple she was wearing that day and shared it with me by . I, in turn, would like to share it with all of you! God bless you women of the purple cloth! Submitted by Bev England, Blitz Team Coordinator Dear Bev, It is good to hear from you. Thank you for your prayers. We are so blessed to be connected to you and Grace Tulsa through our Savior and the gracious gift of prayer that he gives us. I was thinking especially about you and other women of the LWML when I wore my purple LWML shirt this week. What a wonderful way to be reminded of our shared work in His mission. Just in time for Christmas The LWML is reducing shipping, handling, and storage of many products and resources by having a sale. For information, call or lwml@lwml.org. Many items up to 50% off. All items offered on a first-come, first-serve basis, while supplies last. Normal postage rates apply. All sales orders require a minimum of $25 before tax and shipping. Sale prices are good until February 1, 2015, or until the inventory is depleted. Once inventory is reduced, or with the exception of discontinued items, original prices will return. From LWML Christian Life Committee

8 The Voice of Service Page 8 Fall Fest Recap Tulsa Zone Tulsa Zone: The bus is the way to go. Front: Lori Coleman. Left to right in the bus: Randy Coleman, Chelsea Nightengale, Lindsey Barber, and Tonie Watson. The LWML Fall Fest for the Tulsa Zone was held at Grace Lutheran Church, Tulsa, on Saturday, September 27. Sixty -one LWML members and six pastors attended. The morning included making witness bracelets for MOST Ministries, worship with Communion, and Bible study. Laura Price, District Vice President of Communication, delivered the District President s report to the group. The business meeting followed with the election of officers. Elected were Sharon Schmidt, President; Lanece Young, Vice President; Claudette Brown, Secretary; Katie Michaels-Johnson, Delegate; Loretta Cox, Alternate Delegate; and Debbie Tabiz, Nominating Committee. Dianna Just served as mission speaker giving highlights on her mission work this past summer in Alaska and Jamaica. Women of Grace Lutheran presented a skit inviting everyone to attend the Des Moines Convention by riding the bus. The mission grants video was watched during lunch followed by a blessing of the ingathering items for LWR and installation of officers. The day closed with devotions. Submitted by Sharon Schmidt, Tulsa Zone President The Oklahoma City Zone Fall Fest was held at Holy Trinity, Edmond, and attendance was 100, including 8 pastors, 2 vicars, and 3 Directors of Christian Education. The group divided for Bible study led by five of the women. Bible study leaders met with Pastor Ron Simpson in advance to prepare their presentations, and they also shared their personal study thoughts with each other before Fall Fest. Mission speakers were Karen Karner and Al Cardwell, Moore, reporting on progress made in the Moore community since the Moore tornado and on Lutheran Emergency Response Training (LERT), a congregation-level training to prepare for potential disaster in a community. Those in attendance had the chance to see the newly-delivered LERT trailer as delivered for the morning to the church parking lot. Special Oklahoma City Zone Oklahoma City Zone: Mission Speaker Karen Karner with Surprise Guest Rufus Comfort Dog surprise guests were Rufus Comfort Dog and his handler, Koey Keylon, St. Mark, Edmond. The Mission Grant video was viewed during lunch and Pastor Blaise Marin, a native Haitian now serving at St. John s, Moore, told why the grants in Haiti are especially meaningful to him having personally experienced the fruits of those grants in his hometown. Officers elected were: Myrna Lou Meyer, President; Laura Schaulat, Vice President; Judy Pendley, Treasurer; Laura Schaulat and Vivian Bingman, Delegates to the 2015 Convention; Shirley Henschel, Alternate Delegate, and Suzet Roggow, District Nominating Committee. Joel Bieber volunteered his truck and trailer to deliver the Lutheran World Relief gifts to Wichita. He carried over one ton of boxes from three zones, Oklahoma City, Kingfisher, and Lawton. Submitted by Myrna Lou Meyer, Oklahoma City Zone President Panhandle Zone (at left): Pastor Mark Wescoatt, Trinity, Guymon, installs officers during Fall Fest. From left to right: Teresa Mueller, Secretary; Debbie Bohlmann, Vice President; and Kasey Meyer, President.

9 Volume 47, Issue 3 Page 9 P O N C A C I T Y Z O N E Ponca City Zone: President Susan gives Rev. Ned Moerbe, Junior Pastoral Counselor, his official LWML pin. The Ponca City Zone Fall Fest gathered on October 5 in Newkirk at St. John s Lutheran Church. Thirty-five members, three pastors, and four children were in attendance. Gifts from the Heart were collected to support The Dearing House in Ponca City. Items contributed to Lutheran World Relief included 204 quilts, 7 blankets, 117 personal care kits, 194 school kits, 7 sewing kits, 3 layettes, and 65 pounds of soap. The mission speaker was Rufus Comfort Dog, and his handler, Koey Keylon, St. Mark s, Edmond. Newly elected zone officers are: Esther Bersche, President; Arlene Riemer, Vice President; Peggy Haxton, Secretary; Debbie Hooper, District Nominating Committee Member; Arlene Riemer, Delegate to the 2015 Convention; Peggy Haxton, Alternate Delegate to the 2015 Convention; and Rev. W.R. Rains, Zone Pastoral Counselor. The Ponca City Zone recognized Audrey Eggers as our Unsung Hero for Submitted by Elizabeth Whitfield, Past Ponca City Zone PR Representative King of Kings Holds 8 th Annual Live Nativity December 13 & 14, at 6 and 7:30 p.m. each evening. The presentation will take place in an open field on 151 st Street South and east of Hwy 75. Live animals will be a part of the presentation, and everyone is invited to remain following the presentation for hot chocolate and to pet the animals. Bring blankets to make bleacher seating more comfortable. More information is at or call (Presentation supported by Thrivent) Submitted by Pat Bartley, King of Kings, Glenpool L A W T O N Z O N E Lawton Zone: Tish Mindemann and Teresa Heater discuss the campaign Be the Match at Fall Fest. Lawton Zone met September 27 at St. John, Lawton, for their Fall Fest. Rev. Nordeen and Mrs. Meryem Bennai were mission speakers who shared heartfelt stories of their journey to becoming Christians and witnessing to Muslims. President Susan Brunkow reported on district news and encouraged everyone to make plans to attend the Des Moines Convention. Joan Auwen was elected Lawton Zone President and National delegate. Submitted by Alison Ross, Lawton Zone PR Representative E N I D Z O N E Enid Zone: Diana Wallace introduces Mission Speaker Dianna Just at the Enid Zone Fall Fest. The Enid Zone held their Fall Fest on September 20 at the Bread of Life Center, Garber, with 37 members, 3 pastors, and 2 guests in attendance. The group shared Bible study, held zone elections, and listened to Dianna Just, Vice President of Special Focus Ministries, report on her most recent mission trips: Alaska Mission for Christ, Ninilchik, Alaska, and the Water Project, Bois Content, Jamaica. Ms. Just encouraged the group to consider taking a mission trip. Elected to office were Joyce Von Dielingen, President; Denise Morris, First Vice President; and Judy Roggow, District Nominating Committee. Lettie Cheeseman, St. John s, Covington, was honored as the zone s unsung hero. Gifts from the Heart included monetary donations to mites and the Disaster Relief Response Fund and food for the Garber Food Pantry. Submitted by Jane Brown, Enid Zone Secretary

10 The Voice of Service Oklahoma District Mission Grants for Thank you for your dedication towards filling your Mite boxes. Through your generosity, we are able to spread the Gospel of saving grace to those who have not yet heard the Word of God. God gives us a multitude of gifts every day. We praise and honor Him by returning those gifts to Him for the good of all His people. FRUITFULNESS! This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God s wonderful grace. (Colossians 1:6) Submitted by Delia Hansen, Vice President of Gospel Outreach Mission Grant Amount PAID 1. Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) of Oklahoma Trailer and Equipment $9,000 $4, Trinity/Hope Lutheran School, Lunch Program Haiti $5, Concordia Seminary Food Coop - Fort Wayne, Indiana $5, Oklahoma District Professional Church Worker Scholarship $12,000 $6, All Nations Hope Ministries Outreach to Muslim People in Oklahoma $5,000 $5, Oklahoma District Ministerial Students - Christmas Gift $6,000 $3, Camp Lutherhoma Utility Vehicle Tahlequah, OK $6,500 $6, Lutheran Braille Workers, Inc Tulsa, OK $4, Bibles for Orphans and Destitute- Orphan Grain Train $5,000 $2, Mend Medical Clinic and Pregnancy Resource Center Tulsa, OK $5,000 $2, Boat Ministry in Southeast Alaska $5, International Graduate Student Support, Concordia Seminary St. Louis, MO $10,000 $1, Bridge Park Ministry Lawton, OK $5,000 $2, Supplies for Lutheran Seminary Students Shiabongahabong, Indonesia $3000 $3, MOST Ministries Eyeglass Mission Team Support $5,000 $2, Faith Alive: Spanish Bible with Small Catechism $3, Mighty Fortress Mercy House Lima, Peru $3, Deaconess Ministry in the Mission Field $3, Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch Chapel Minot, ND $1,200 $1,200 Total $101,200 $40,200 Mission Statement The mission of the Lutheran Women s Missionary League is to assist each woman of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod in affirming her relationship with the Triune God so that she is enabled to use her gifts in ministry to the people of the world. Page 10 District Board Oklahoma District President Susan Brunkow VP of Organizational Resources Sherrie Schroeder VP of Christian Life Pam Wiederkehr VP of Gospel Outreach Delia Hansen VP of Communication Laura Price VP of Special Focus Ministries Dianna Just Recording Secretary Brenda Nivens Corresponding Secretary Teresa Heater Treasurer Katie Michaels-Johnson Financial Secretary Leola Thiemann Senior Pastoral Counselor Rev. Ron Simpson Junior Pastoral Counselor Rev. Ned A. Moerbe Public Relations Chairmen Bev England Patti Ross District Editor Karen Karner Meeting Manager/Recycling Marguerite Christman Archivist-Historian Marilyn Alsip Webservant Sarah Ross Structure Chairman Mary Fischaber Parliamentarian Betty Reichert Special Gifts Chairman Krystine Gibson Mission Servants Chairman Sharon Bomhoff Heart to Heart Coordinator Nelly Castaneda Young Women Chairmen Tish Mindemann Shawna Roggow Teen LWML Coordinator Dianna Just Planning Facilitator Sue Avis