Lutheran Women's Missionary League North Dakota District

Dear Sisters in the LWML,

Have you heard of Project 24 – a venture of our ND District and Minnesota North District LCMS with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Kenya to build 24 orphanage rescue centers in Kenya? Each rescue center is built next to a church and a school as the three work in cooperation for the physical and spiritual benefit of the children.

Some exciting news – The ND Branch of the Orphan Grain Train has made plans to ship a container to Kenya in May or June from our Bottineau warehouse. We have Bibles, educational materials and many other items. We are asking for your help to fill the container with these personal items!

This is a project that could be done by your LWML society, an individual, a family, Sunday school children, youth, etc. Challenge your congregation to get involved! Let’s fill the container with the needed supplies!!

Click here for more information and a list of what is in each kit.

Nicole Rowene “Nicci” Henke, 69, Devils Lake, died Wednesday(3-13-13) in her home under the loving care of family and hospice.
The memorial service will be 2 p.m. Sunday(3-17-13) at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Devils Lake.
Arrangements by Gilbertson Funeral Home in Devils Lake.

Nicci Served as District Recording Secretary from 1998 to 2002. She was a quiet, gentle soul who loved her Lord. She will be missed.

Click here to read her Obituary

CURRENT LWML NEWS
In His Service
Helen Gienapp, ninth President of the LWML died on Thursday, February 28, 2013, in Berkley, Michigan, at the age of 91. Helen served as LWML President from 1979-1983. Helen is survived by her five children, Karen Soeken, Roger Gienapp, David Gienapp, Marcia Gienapp, and Richard Gienapp; 12 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Doris Spyker, Alice Schutt, and Eleanor Finger. Cards may be sent to: Helen Gienapp Family, 371 Channing Street, Ferndale,MI. 48220. The family requests that memorials be designated for the LWML Mites, MOST Ministries, or Ascension of Christ Lutheran Church.

LWML Societies Disband
Regretfully, Immanuel, Stirum, and St. John’s Belford LWML societies have disbanded. It is important to be aware that any LCMS woman member is welcome to attend and join any local congregational, zone, district or national LWML event, so you can continue to experience the friendships, service to our Lord and Savior, and the continuing studies of scriptures available with an LWML association.

Vacancy Filled
The North Dakota LWML Board of Directors appointed Delores Pavicic of Grace Lutheran in Fargo to serve as the LWML Vice President of Communications. The Communications Committee includes: Marie Johnson, webmaster, Hazen; Darci Wolff, newsletter editor, Forbes; and Debbie Larson, database producer, Bismarck.

DON’T MISS THIS ONE!
THE FALL RETREAT: September 20-22, 2013, at the Chieftain Motel in Carrington.
Scripture: John 1:14
Theme: More Mutual Ministry – Serving the Lord Together
The 2012 Fall Retreat was so amazing and so successful, that the presenters have been persuaded to come back and give a second opportunity for former and new attendees. Dr. Mary Hilgendorf is returning as the presenter and Senior Counselor Rev. Dave Suelzle is the Bible Study Leader. Registration is $68.00.
Find out more on the Retreat page!

Preparations at in full swing for the LWML Convention being held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, June 27-30, 2013. The convention is centered on the theme, “Quenched! by the Water,” and is based on the Scripture passage,

[Jesus said:] ” … but whoever drinks of the water that I give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:14).

The four designated recipients selected by the LWML Board of Directors for the convention offerings collected in Pittsburgh are:

• Convention Offering #1 – LWML Mission Goal 2013-2015 Biennium
• Convention Offering #2 – Camp Bethesda, Bethesda Lutheran Communities, Cypress, Texas and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Lutheran Center for the Blind
• Convention Offering #3 – LCMS Disaster Response – Hurricane Sandy Relief
• Convention Offering #4 – LWML Heart to Heart Sister Program

Go to www.lwml.org/conventions where all the details about the convention are available at “Convention Central” including the latest convention news and instructions on how to register for the convention online. All the registration information can also be found in the Winter 2012 issue of the Lutheran Woman’s Quarterly convention insert. Simply fill out the required information, enclose your check or credit card number, and mail to the address indicated. Hurry! Early discounted registration is offered for registration entered online, or postmarked by March 14, 2013.
Attendees will want to be there for the Opening Worship Service to hear the proclaimer, the Rev. Dr. Dien Taylor on Thursday night, until the Sunday morning Worship Service led by the Rev. Dr. Victor Belton, as well as all the wonderful events in between. The LWML Neighborhood Block Party on Friday evening, after the Mission Pledge Walk, will be a great time to take in all the activities and for visiting with friends.
Updates on the convention will be available at www.lwml.org/conventions. Please check this site frequently for new posts on the convention.

The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League has been greatly blessed by the gifts that it has received over the past two years from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans through the Thrivent Choice Program — $51,674 through February 2013! We are excited that this program will continue in 2013 and that Thrivent members will once again be able to direct their Choice Dollars to an organization of their choice.

Many members have graciously chosen the LWML as their ministry organization to support and in the past have set up a recurring direction of dollars to LWML each time they are available. Going forward, the recurring direction of Choice Dollars is no longer available, which means that members need to manually direct their Choice Dollars to LWML or an organization of their choice.

This can be done very simply with a phone call to (800) 847-4836, or if you have access to the Internet, at www.thrivent.com. The Internet option gives you full access to your balances, all available recipient organizations, and a simple way to direct your dollars at any time that you would like. Don’t forget, you may still have 2012 Choice Dollars to direct up until March 31, 2013. Use either the phone or Internet method to make sure you don’t miss out on a giving opportunity to support LWML – Lutheran Women in Mission!

Thanks for remembering LWML with Thrivent Choice! Your choice is a huge blessing as we partner together in ministry to share God’s Word and grow His kingdom!

Please join LWML President Kay Kreklau in a 30 minute devotional tea party each Saturday morning in March, starting at 9:a.m. CST on our facebook.com/TheLWML page! While visiting our Facebook page each Saturday morning, you will see a series of discussion questions posted on a particular Bible Study topic for you to comment on as you enjoy your cup of tea.
A special flavor of tea for each Saturday morning (all flavors are included in a single box of Bigalow “Six Assorted Teas”), along with the discussion topic and FREE Bible study materials that you can download and print to follow along with the discussions. No need to RSVP. Just fill your cup with tea (or your favorite morning coffee or hot chocolate) and have your Bible handy as you visit our Facebook page to enjoy this fun “virtual” fellowship with your sisters-in-Christ around the globe! The flavor of tea for each week can also be found online and can be purchased at most at most major retailers.
For more information go to http://lwml.org/events/cup-with-kay/index.php. The free download Bible study materials for each Saturday session are listed by the date.

KFUO Radio has invited the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) to be a guest on the “His Time” program on Thursday, January 3, 2013, from 8:35-9:00 a.m. (Central Time.) The show will be hosted by the Rev. Randy Asburry on the topic of the wonderful milestone the LWML reached of $100 million in mites that have help fund mission grants around the world.
Due to her scheduling and travel, President Kay requested that LWML Public Relations Director Edie Norris join the Rev. Asburry for the discussion of the great blessing the Lord provided through the mites and the work of the LWML The program will be streamed live at www.kfuoam.org, or may be accessed later through in the archives under the “On Demand Program ” by selecting “His Time.”
Please share this with your LWML family and friends.
Edie Norris
LWML Public Relations Director
Sent at the request of LWML President Kay Kreklau

The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) is pleased to announce that LWML President Kay Kreklau will be one of those riding on The Lutheran Hour float in the Tournament of Roses Parade, New Year’s Day, January 1, 2013. The Lutheran Hour float is the longest-running (and currently the only) religious float in the Tournament of Roses parade, appearing since 1951.
President Kreklau remarked, “It is an honor and privilege to participate beside brothers and sisters in Christ of Lutheran Hour Ministries as the message of Jesus Christ is shared with millions who will view the Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year’s Day. The Lutheran Hour float theme, ‘Jesus … the Way to Heaven.’ certainly reflects the Good News of Christ, our Lord and Savior.”
Along with LWML, the International Lutheran Laymen’s League (Int’l LLL)/Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM) is currently recognized as an official auxiliary of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). Petal Pushers,® a program of the Southern California Int’l LLL District, is a group of more than 4,000 volunteers who decorate The Lutheran Hour float and other floats for the Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year’s Day. Each year, these volunteers travel to Pasadena, California, from across the nation. Over the years many LWML women have joined with other Petal Pushers, who range in age from 13 to 85, to work on the beautiful floats. Individuals, church groups, families, senior citizens, and Girl Scout troops are a sample of the groups that participate each year. Many volunteers “urban camp” on floors of local Lutheran churches. Volunteers not only decorate The Lutheran Hour float, but other floats as well, to raise enough money to pay for The Lutheran Hour float entry fees and supplies.
The Tournament of Roses parade may be seen commercial free on HGTV. Check your local listing for channel and time, or visit their website at www.HGTV.com.

The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) is pleased to offer a new Bible study written by LWML Pastoral Counselor, Rev. Kris Whitby. In the Bible study, At Table with Jesus, Rev. Whitby takes a closer look at some of the significant things that happened during mealtimes in Jesus’ earthly life. This study invites participants to journey into the Scriptures and take a seat around the meal table where Jesus dines. Is Jesus talking to those with whom He is eating, or might He be talking to those gathered outside the doorway? Could He be talking to people 2,000 years later?
LWML women are inspired for mission through the study of God’s Word. Rev. Whitby shares, “May the Holy Spirit use this study to deepen our understanding of the grace our Savior extends to those who are privileged to dine with Him, and how He continues to set a place for us to be nurtured by Him.”
This study consists of seven lessons with a study guide and leader’s guide, each available for $6.50. It can be ordered as a download from Shop LWML or as a printed copy from the LWML office.

Downloads
Official Press Release
Promotional Flyer