Have a Walking Buddy?

Transcription

1 QUARTERLY ECHO Lutheran Women s Missionary League Volume 44, No. 3 Fall 2018 Nebraska South District Have a Walking Buddy? One of my favorite things about fall is going for a walk and enjoying the fall colors. I can usually find a walking partner. At school I get to go for walks in gym class with my students. At home my husband will come along. And if nothing else I can take a dog for a walk. But sometimes I want to be alone with Jesus on my walk. Just the two of us. I tell Him my sorrows and my celebrations. I work through frustrations at work or share my concerns for my family. Sometimes I have to talk through LWML convention details with the Lord. Other times I pray for friends and family who are suffering on their own walk through life. Our LWML Nebraska South District is on a walk of sorts as well. As we end the journey known as the biennium as Partakers of Grace, we are thankful for the Lord s guidance that He has given us through our executive committee and board of directors. What a blessing to have been on this walk together with our Lord. And now, some servants will find new ways to serve in our district and others will take their place in step with us as we travel through the next biennium as Daughters of the King Sisters in Christ." I encourage you to find a buddy to walk with this fall. Okay, maybe not an actual exercise type walking buddy; however, that is a great idea too. What I mean is take a walk through the Word with a friend. Find someone in your church or zone that you can walk through the Word with in the coming months. Find a Bible study that you can work through together either in person or through s, phone calls or even text messages. Perhaps reading a Psalm each day or sharing the CPH Portals of Prayer is more your style. Share the opportunity to be in the Word and take a walk with our Lord. Let us ever walk with Jesus, Follow His example pure, Through a world that would deceive us, And to sin our spirits lure. Onward in His footsteps treading, Pilgrims here, our home above, Full of faith and hope and love, Let us do the Father s bidding, Faithful Lord, with me abide: I shall follow where Your guide. (LSB 685 v.1) Katy Gifford (Home) or (Cell) blessings@sentco.net District s 39 th Biennial Convention The Nebraska South District LWML will meet in convention at the Younes Conference Center in Kearney, September 14-15, 2018 under the theme "Daughters of the King-Sisters in Christ." According to Article V, Section 2 of the District Bylaws, "the voting body of the convention shall be two (2) certified delegates from each society, elected district officers, zone presidents and past district presidents who are currently members of the Nebraska South District LWML." The credentials of the delegates shall be in the hands of the Recording Secretary at least two weeks prior to convention. If you have questions, contact Jennifer Wolff, convention committee chair; President Katy Gifford or Recording Secretary Denise Hummel. Page 1

2 Royal Festivities So, I must confess, I didn t get up early on May 19 to watch the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Megan Markle, though I did watch some of the replays as my wife and daughter did watch the nuptials live and were watching the TV when I got up that morning. What is it that makes us so interested in royalty? Maybe as Americans it s the fascination with a past that we left behind in our own form of government. Certainly, there is a little bit of romance and intrigue, especially with all the movies and stories of a commoner marrying a prince, like Cinderella and its various retellings, as well as countless Hallmark movies too numerous to mention. I ll willingly admit to watching quite a few of those myself. As we gather for the Nebraska South LWML Convention this fall under the theme "Daughters of the King Sisters in Christ," a perfectly royal title for some perfectly royal women who will gather together in Kearney. I am sure we will be hearing much about this theme. But I want to simply remind you that your fascination with royalty shouldn t be based on some dreamy possibility of becoming royalty by a long-lost blood line or a romance with a disguised prince charming. No, our royalty is much more solid and certain. You do have a royal groom, as does all the Church, our Lord Jesus has bestowed undeserved royalty upon us all and therefore you are truly, Daughters of the King (and a few Sons will be in attendance too)! So, prepare to celebrate your royal status come September, my dear Sisters in Christ, and of course, Daughters of the King! See you in Kearney! In the love of Jesus, Rev. Rob Kuefner Junior Counselor Mission Grant Highlights I have been working on the presentation of grant applications, which will be shown at the District convention. It is amazing to put faces with the words on the papers from the applications. God has given us a great task to reach out with His love and grace to people in our communities and all over the world with what we do and what we do through others with our mites. Several national grants still need to be funded, including "Nursing Students Serving with Mercy Medical Team." These are nursing students in the Concordia University System who participate in a short-term mission to Madagascar. The students work with medical professionals in providing medical and/or spiritual care. Another grant is "Y4Life" which seeks to equip young people to be the voice for life in a culture that glorifies the choice of death of an unborn child of God. The grant funds will go towards expanding the initiative to include Lutheran high schools. Eileen Zentner VP Gospel Outreach/Mission Grants Memorials and Joy/Thankofferings April 1 - June 30, 2018 Memorials In Honor of: Marilyn Avey Wendel Krueger Marlene Behm Marion Oellermann Dorothy Bredthauer Vernon Ricker Ronald Cook Elda Riekenberg Ardis Epke Ardith Roebke Alice Eickhoff Helen Schildt Dot Haack Joe Anne Staehr LaDonna Heider Brenda Zabokrtsky Fay Hinze Memorials - given to District Mites: Dorothy Bauer Phyllis Heath Wilma Debban Winafred Reiners Memorial - given to Special Gifts Fund: Marlene Behm Joy/Thankofferings in Honor of: Karen Brasee Harlan and Irene Klein Irene Heider Harold and Delores Longenheder Joy, Memorial, Thankoffering gifts are given to Dormitories in Togo through Mission Central Adoption Agreement with Gary Thies Prayer Service offerings are given to KNGN Enhancement and Upkeep Project (convention mission grant request not filled) Page 2

3 DISTRICT CALENDAR September 14, 2018 Younes Convention Center, Kearney BOD Meeting September 14-15, 2018 Younes Convention Center, Kearney District Convention October 27, 2018 St. Peter, Deshler Transition/EC Meeting February 9, 2019 Peace, Grand Island BOD Meeting April 13, 2019 St. Paul's, Central City EC Meeting June 8, 2019 Zion, St. Libory (Worms) BOD Meeting June 20-23, 2019 Mobile, Alabama National LWML Convention September 6-7, 2019 Camp Covenant Cedars Bible Camp, Hordville District Retreat September 18-19, 2020 Younes Convention Center, Kearney District Convention June 24-27, 2021 Lexington, Kentucky National LWML Convention Be sure to check out the new user-friendly website for Nebraska South District LWML. Go to Zones Plan for Fall Rallies Zone: Date: Site: Theme (with Guest Speaker): Seward Sunday, September 30 Immanuel, Seward "We Sing! We Praise! We Worship! We Learn! We Share!" Hastings Sunday, September 30 Zion, Hastings TBA McCook Saturday, October 6 St. John, McCook TBA Beatrice Saturday, October 13 Trinity, Jansen Rev. Brent Smith with Mission Central Falls City Saturday, October 13 Pawnee City TBA Grand Island Saturday, October 13 St. John's, Palmer Ogallala Saturday, October 13 Shepherd of the Hills, Hyannis "A Light to Lighten the Gentiles" with Mary Ann Niemoth Deshler Sunday, October 14 St. Peter, Deshler "Here Am I, Send Me" Lincoln Sunday, October 14 Holy Savior, Lincoln "The Joy of God's Love" York Sunday, October 14 St. Peter, Hampton TBA "Praise the LORD, all nations" with Bruce Wall, Camp Luther Holdrege Sunday, October 21 Cambridge "Hats for Christ" with Vicki Bantam Kearney Sunday, October 21 Zion, Kearney 42 More "Sharing the Light of Christ" with Pastor Dale Kaster, Missionary to Ghana Please CONTINUE making memory blankets as an individual or as a a society mission project 42 blankets are needed BEFORE District Convention! See page 4 of summer issue for more details! Thank you! Blankets can be sent to Katy Gifford, 2311 Stone, Falls City, NE Page 3

4 Nebraska South District Scholarship Recipients For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness (Romans 12:4-8 ESV) Adam Baumann Seward Pastor - Fort Wayne Hannah Birtell Holdrege DCE - Seward Abigail Deloach Kearney Aaron Ferguson Hyannis Jacob Garrison Malcolm Pre-Sem - Seward Anne Gifford Falls City Teacher - St Paul Amy Guenther Lincoln Abigail Huggins Grand Island Abigail Jeppesen Pleasant Dale Andrew Johnson Kearney Pastor - St Louis Jonathan Kisker Lincoln Benjamin Kuefner Lexington Sarah Niemeier St. Libory Caleb Staehr Grand Island Zachary Staehr Grand Island Pastor - Seward Christopher Warneke Hastings Pastor - Seward Leah Werner Davenport Taylor Zehendner Pleasanton Heavenly Father, we thank you for these students who are preparing to work fulltime for You in the Church. Grant them wisdom, bless them as they study and give them a willingness to serve wherever You call. We thank you also for women with hearts willing to share what they have with others so Your work can be done. We ask that You make us all willing to serve You with gladness. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen Page 4

5 Count Down to Convention - September 14-15, 2018 Tentative Schedule Friday, September 14 1:00 pm Servant Events (Supper is on your own) 6:00 pm Break-out Session with Kaye Wolff, Pastor Brent Smith or Elaine Bickel or Choir Rehearsal 7:00 pm Break-out Session with Kaye Wolff, Pastor Brent Smith or Elaine Bickel 8:00 pm Closing Devotion 8:30 pm President s Reception Saturday, September 15 8:00 am Singing 8:30 am Opening Processional Opening Worship with Offering #1 Introduction of Candidates, Bylaw changes, and Mission Grants Keynote Address: Katie Schuermann Voting 12:00 pm Lunch Recess (with Exhibits Open) 1:15 pm Singing Greetings from LWML Nebraska North District and LLL Bible Study with President Brian Friedrich Singing and Offering #2 Albuquerque YWR Report 2019 LWML Convention Invitation LWML Representative Kaye Wolff 2019 Retreat Invitation Voting Results Gifts from the Heart Dedication Installation of Officers Adjourn 6:30 pm Banquet Speaker: Elaine Bickel Keynote Speakers Biographical Info Other Friendly Reminders 1. "Gifts from the Heart" Ingathering For complete "kit" details, refer to The ECHO (spring issue, page 6): a) Mercy/Health Kits b) New underwear and socks for men, women and children. c) Quilts - any size d) School Supplies e) Shampoo/conditioner (regular and travel size) Ingathering for Host Zone Agencies include: 2. Zones - remember your Gift Basket Silent Auction! paper towels, toilet paper, small boxes of facial tissue, trash bags, dish soap, baby diapers and baby wipes 3. Summaries of the proposed Mission Grants, which convention delegates and YWRs will vote for, were included on pages 9 and 10 of the summer issue of The ECHO! 4. Bring your travel mug for coffee and a sweater! Katie Schuermann is the author of the Anthem of Zion series about a small-town church choir director and the quirky congregation she serves. She will be our keynote speaker. Elaine Bickel has written curriculum for CPH and Bible studies and articles for the Lutheran Women's Quarterly. She is a frequent humorous and inspirational speaker for our District. Kaye Wolff will be our national LWML representative and serves as VP of Special Focus Ministries. She oversees the Committee on Young Women and is excited about refreshing the Teen LWML program. Kaye would love to see three and four generations of women attending conventions together. The Rev. Brian Friedrich is president of Concordia University-Nebraska in Seward and will lead us in Bible study. Karen Reynolds grew up in Nebraska--grown from the farmland of central Nebraska. She is from Cotesfield and will serve as our Music Leader. Suzanne Phillipi of Central City will be the Convention Choir Director (no photo available). Offering Designations and Mite Goal At the District Executive Committee's April meeting, the following Convention items were approved: Offering #1 will go towards the new biennium mite goal; and Offering #2 will go to Mission Central Mission Grant Goal will be: $105, Page 5

6 Change in Nominees for 2018 Convention Ballot There is a change in the candidates for Vice President of Christian Life. Due to a serious health concern, Sandy Eickhoff needed to withdraw her name from the ballot. The Nominating Committee has filled that spot on the ballot. Please read the biographies for the two candidates for Vice President of Christian Life below: Carol Spiehs Grand Island Zone Zion, St. Libory (Worms) VICE PRESIDENT OF CHRISTIAN LIFE CANDIDATES Vicky Van Velson Ogallala Zone Beautiful Savior, North Platte Local: Current society president, past Treasurer and Human Care; assistant Sunday school superintendent, assist with offering counting and recording Zone: Current Co-chairman Christian Life; past Treasurer District: Attended District conventions Community Activities: Zion (Worms) delegate for Heartland Lutheran; platelet and blood donor Employment/Education interests: Principal Financial Group (32 years) LWML Mission Vision: To support and encourage women to be in the Word and use their individual gifts in missions. Local: LWML President, President-Elect, Secretary (current), appointed offices, choir member, past Praise Team member Zone: President, President-Elect, Assistant Leader Development (current), Secretary, Treasurer, Historian, Board member, appointed offices District: Financial Secretary, Special Gifts Committee, Treasurer, Nominating Committee, convention committee, retreat committee National: Attended 3 national conventions (once as delegate) Community Activities: LCEF Nebraska Committee member, past member of Heartland Singers, performed in stage productions at the community playhouse Employment/Education interests: Administrative Assistant at Van Velson Law Office LWML Mission Vision: The LWML offers the women of the LCMS the opportunity to accomplish what God has set out for them to do. Volunteers Needed at District Convention So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God ( I Corinthians 10:31 ESV). Volunteers are needed at District Convention for the LWML Store. If you would like to volunteer, you may sign up at our website: click on the District Convention 2018 tab, and go to volunteering then click on Christian Life Booth button. The time slots are listed and we definitely need your help. Fill out the information required and then submit. We will then contact you. If you do not have access to a computer, please call Carolyn Nelson at and leave your name, phone number and short message. I will call you back to get the information needed. Seeing that this is my last article I write as VP of Christian Life for The ECHO, it has been an honor and a blessing to serve you through the Lord s guidance. The past four years have been rewarding: I made more friends, strengthened my faith, shared my faith with others, gave encouragement to many people, traveled throughout Nebraska and attended the National Convention in Des Moines, IA, and was able to do it all to the glory of God. Knowing that God my Savior was always present gave me the strength in everything I did, and knowing that He died for me (and you), has been a great blessing. I am sad to leave the position, yet ready to see what God has in store for me in the months to come. I will continue to serve on the 2019 Retreat Committee. Praise to God for the opportunity to serve as VP of Christian Life, praise to God for my successor, and most of all praise to God for the LWML organization and all that we do for His glory. God s blessings to all. Carolyn Nelson VP of Christian Life Dear YWR and Teen Sisters in Christ We are very much looking forward to our upcoming district convention. We have lots planned for our young women and youth, including fun activities, as well as a couple of servant events. The young women will also have the opportunity to learn more about the business side of voting and meeting processes by sitting with their Zone Presidents and having lunch with President Katy and VP Kaye. Brianne Stahlecker and Rebecca Mau, Leader Development Committee Members brianne.lwml@gmail.com and haymaufam@gmail.com Page 6

7 Daughters and Sisters, It s Time! Our LWML NE South District Convention is just around the corner and we hope you intend to join us at the Younes Convention Center in Kearney! On Friday, September 14, at 1:00 p.m., work with your sisters in Christ through servant events, visit exhibits to learn more about what our District and Church are doing to share the Gospel and resources available to help, and renew and build new friendships as we Serve the Lord with Gladness. After supper on your own, spend time with Kaye Wolff, Katie Schuermann, and Pastor Brent Smith in sectionals. Blend your voice with members of our convention choir directed by Suzanne Phillipi, as they practice for worship on Saturday. Finish the evening with closing devotions and President Katy s reception. This will also be your time to meet and visit with the candidates on the ballot for the next biennium. Saturday, September 15, begins with praise and receiving God s forgiveness and blessing through Communion Worship led by Pastor Brian Francik and Pastor Robert Kuefner. Pastor Brian Friedrichs, president of Concordia University-Seward, will lead us in Bible study. The day will be packed with encouragement, challenges, thanksgiving, and opportunities for us to continue growing through God s grace as we serve Him. See the convention schedule on page 5 of this issue. Our offerings for the day will help fund our District s mission grants and the work of Mission Central. Look for our silent auction baskets. Proceeds will all go to mites! Spend time with exhibitors. Katie Schuermann will be signing copies of her books. Elaine Bickel will pop in with interruptions and be our Saturday evening entertainer. Karen Reynolds will again lead us in joyful songs of praise. Saturday lunch and supper buffets were available via the registration form. It s not too late to register! Look for your registration form in the summer issue of The ECHO or online at See you in September! Jen Wolff, 2018 Convention Chairman or jlwmdw@sutv.com LWML Convention June 20-23, 2019 Mobile, Alabama Make plans now to join other LWML women In Praise to the LORD at the 2019 LWML Convention. The convention will be held at the beautiful Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center located on the picturesque Mobile River and adjacent to refreshing Mobile Bay. Get mobile to Mobile - Nebraska South will be taking a charter bus to convention. Arrive in time to enjoy servant events on Thursday and participate in the choir! Cost will be approximately $300 per person (includes bus transportation and hotel costs to and from Mobile, depending on the number of riders; this cost does not include convention registration, meals, and motel costs while at convention). Tentative Itinerary will be: Tuesday, June 18 Depart for Mobile (pick-up stops at Grand Island, York, and Hebron) Overnight stay in Conway, Arkansas (motel rooms priced with double occupancy) Wednesday, June 19 Arrive in Mobile Thursday to Sunday, June Participate in Convention; Bus will transport each morning and evening Sunday, June 23 Depart at noon for Nebraska Overnight stay again in Conway, Arkansas Monday, June 24 Arrive back in Nebraska! Questions? Please contact me and more information will be available at District convention in September and in the winter issue of The ECHO will be sign up information. Sherry Burger, Bus Contact Person VP of Servant Resources sherrysue56@gmail.com Page 7

8 Mission Grants "Take my silver and my gold, not a mite would I withhold." (Grants in bold uppercase means paid in full) Amount PAID SHIPMENTS TO BALTICS-OGT 10,000 10,000 Scholarships 30,000 20,750 MISSION CENTRAL 10,000 10,000 AT EASE-VETERANS, MILITARY 10,000 10,000 COMFORT DOG SATELLITE TRAINING 5,000 5,000 TRINITY/HOPE MEALS FOR HAITI 5,000 5,000 MERCY MEALS OF SW NEBRASKA 8,000 8,000 TUITION ASSISTANCE-WINNEBAGO PRESCHOOL 5,600 5,600 HIS KIDS CAMP/CAMP LUTHER 10,000 10,000 LUTHERAN BOOKS FOR CHILDREN OF UKRAINE 7,500 7,500 NE DISTRICT ELEMENTARY & SECONDARY TUITION ASSISTANCE 1,900 1, , ,000 95,000 90,000 85,000 80,000 75,000 70,000 65,000 60,000 55,000 50,000 45,000 40,000 35,000 30,000 25,000 20,000 15,000 10,000 5,000 0 YWR - LINCOLN LUTHERAN COMMUNITY OUTREACH 2,000 2, TOTAL MISSION GOAL $105,000 $95,750 Deadline for next ECHO November 1, 2018 Please send news from your society to: Linda Hammer 215 South St Staplehurst, NE echoeditor@lwmlnesouth.org Zones - Remember your Gift Basket for Silent Auction at Convention! CONTINUE making memory blankets as an individual or a society mission project 42 blankets needed BEFORE District Convention! See page 4 of summer issue for more details! Thank you! Blankets can be sent to Katy Gifford, 2311 Stone, Falls City, NE Bring your travel coffee mug and a sweater for District Convention - September 14-15! Be a Volunteer at District Convention On the District's Website (under Convention tab), you can sign up to be a volunteer at the Christian Life Booth or as a nurse! "Serve the Lord with Gladness!" Page 8