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Kari Tucker from Nemo, South Dakota, shares her insights after attending her first LWMS convention, which

was hosted by the Black Hills Circuit in Rapid City, June 25-28, 2015.

The convention theme, “Lift High the Cross in the Hills,” carries a special meaning for her since she lives in the midst of God’s beautiful creation of the Black Hills. She lifts the cross of Jesus by serving the Lord, while serving others. Kari is a busy mother of four, a middle school music teacher, choir director, and caretaker of Twin Peaks Ranch Hospitality Ministry for WELS/ELS called workers. She shares her perspective on life, “I am a mission-minded servant of Christ, who has a passion for life and can’t wait to see God’s plans for me on this journey.”

While feeling excited to attend as a Send One Sister, Kari also felt nervous because she was directing the convention choir. Her personal highlights include directing the choir, worshiping with fellow believers, and enjoying fellowship with new and old friends in faith.

Kari loved hearing missionaries from our battlefield for Christ, learning about their daily struggles and seeing how worship differs in various mission settings. Her most meaningful moments included listening to a doctor and his wife tell about the horrible persecution Christians are enduring in a third world country, and directing the benediction at the close of convention.

Kari finds that Christ’s strength sustains her, and she wants to show her joy in his grace and love throughout life. She explains, “I want to visibly lift my cross high for all to see!”

According to Kari, “The LWMS convention is a very open and friendly place. All ages and walks of women are represented. There is truly something for everyone.”

Regarding future conventions she says, “I would love to continue to attend—to be reaffirmed in my journey of faith and rejuvenated to continue serving my Lord.” Kari freely shares her convention experience and invites friends to take a road trip to Illinois in 2016!

Lifting High the Cross in the Hills

L W M S

• 1,074registeredattendees

• 55outof60circuitsrepresented

• OpeningService:1,214

• ClosingService:1,205

• FirstTimeAttendees:223

• SendOneSister(SOS)Challenge:21

• FormerBoardMembers:29

• kidsc.a.r.e.Offerings:$54,762.96

$39,762.96-Children’sMinistryAssistance

$15,000-RussiaProjects(AntiochFoundationmatchingfunds)

• MissionOfferings:$76,698.38

$38,349.19 - World Missions Project #WM-2014-16 Asia Lutheran Seminary Projects

$38,349.19 - Home Missions Project #HM-2014-04 Tools for Outreach

• WorshipServiceOfferings:$46,858.27

$23,429.14 - World Missions Project #WM-2014-01 International Missionary Wives Conference

$23,429.13 - Home Missions Project ##HM-2014-01 ~ First Public Service Assistance

2015 Convention Notes

Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society (LWMS) is women dedicated to serving Jesus by increasing awareness of, interest in, and support of the mission outreach

of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS).

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Pa g e 2 L u t h e r a n w o m e n ’ s m i s s i o n a r y s o c i e t y

BoardofDirectors

Board of Directors & Committee Members

What A Blessing!

Past PresidentJeanne Martin

PresidentKaren Fischer ~ president@lwms.orgPresident-elect Emily Kom ~ presidentelect@lwms.orgVice President Hali Dessecker ~ vicepresident@lwms.orgSecretaryMelinda Sims ~ secretary@lwms.orgTreasurerRobin Christopher ~ treasurer@lwms.org

Spiritual Growth~Mission Awareness CoordinatorRuth Schmitzer ~ bam@lwms.orgCommunications CoordinatorJoyce Schultz ~ cc@lwms.orgPastoral AdvisorsRev. Paul Lindhorst ~ pastor1@lwms.org Rev. Wayne Shevey ~ pastor2@lwms.orgCentral OfficeBeth Taticek, administrator ~ centraloffice@lwms.org Lois Miller, assistant ~ lois@lwms.orgVicki Behringer, assistant ~ vicki@lwms.org

Bylaws Committee (Standing)Mary Fischer, chair ~ fischwm69@gmail.comRuth Schaller ~ spahnruth@cflash.netJill Doering ~ mjdoering42@hotmail.com

Communications Committee (Standing)Trisha Babler ~ trishbabler@gmail.comTiffany Rivera ~ tiffany.rivera@hotmail.comKristen Smith ~ kristenkaysmith1@gmail.comWendy Wright ~ wrighters@sbcglobal.netLWMS Board of Directors Communications Coordinator serves as chair of the Communications Committee.

HistorianLinda Klein ~ historian@lwms.org

LWMS Awareness Committee (Ad hoc)Gloria Knoll, chair ~ gjknoll@att.netElisabeth Wagner ~ elisabethswagner@hotmail.comJennifer Vik ~ jenvik@gmail.comKaren Goetzinger ~ quiltopia@sympatico.caLWMS Board of Directors President-elect serves as a member of the LWMS Awareness Committee.

Quilt CoordinatorBambi Tuttle ~ quilts@lwms.org

When planning the 52nd Annual LWMS Convention in Rapid City, we wondered if it was possible that a thousand people would attend. What a blessing it was when we had 1,074 attendees! What a blessing that our opening service was able to be livestreamed around the world for those unable to travel to Rapid City! What a blessing for attendees to hear speakers from around the world and North America who are not only working as missionaries, but are the recipients of God’s blessings!

One of the comments heard most often was how friendly and helpful everyone was in Rapid City. This com-ment did not refer just to those dedicated and hardworking volunteers who hosted the convention, but also to those with whom they came into contact around the city.

Now it’s time to say farewell. It truly has been a blessing for me to serve as your president these past two years. I have had the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people while serving on the board of directors. Meeting missionaries from near and far and hearing about their challenges, struggles, and successes has truly made me appreciate all that I have been given in my life. I am thankful for all of you whom I’ve met at conventions and circuit visits and those who have taken the time to send me cards and notes.

I thank the Lord for the opportunity and the wonderful memories. Thank you, and with all sincerity I say, “What a blessing!”

Standing

Com

mittees

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You’re InvIted! Cometothe53rdAnnualLutheranWomen’s

MissionarySocietyConvention,June23-26,2016,inSt.Charles,Illinois.

“Christ Alone, Our Cornerstone”—ourfoundationandinspirationforreachingouttoGod’schildrenathomeandincountries

aroundtheworld.

Convention website open in October!

Wish You Were Here!Rapid City 2015

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Pa g e 4 L u t h e r a n w o m e n ’ s m i s s i o n a r y s o c i e t y

From suggestions provided by the WELS Missions Office, the LWMS Board of Directors selects two home mission and two world mission projects to be voted on by LWMS member congregations each spring. The

projects are selected from the 2014-2015 Home & World Missions Projects booklet. The two projects chosen by ballot will share 25 percent of the circuit offerings gathered during the 2015-2016 year. Those projects not

selected divide the offerings from the 2016 convention opening and closing worship services.

Mission Projects Ballot 2016

Home missions

#HM-2014-11: Summer Student Assistants

In this ten-week program, seminary students gain valuable experience while mission congregations receive needed assistance. Interest in this program has grown as more students and mission congregations realize the benefits of students serving in summer ministry. With increased participation, more funds are needed as this pro-gram is funded solely through special gifts.

#HM-2014-20: Outreach to Asians

Approximately 28 percent of the Home Missions bud-get is currently used for cross-cultural ministries. By God’s grace, men of various ethnic groups, including Korean, Vietnamese, and Hmong are either currently serving or are preparing to serve as pastors to their own people. They are now ready to work in the mission fields of their relatives, friends, and neighbors and to build congregations. In order to maintain existing Asian ministries and to start new ones, additional funds are needed to complement the dollars bud-geted for cross-cultural ministries.

World missions

#WM-2014-26: Apache Leadership and Maintenance Project

In our oldest world mission field, Apache men and wom-

en are taking on more and more leadership roles as pastors, evangelists, teachers, and aid workers. They serve on boards and committees, lead humanitarian aid efforts, and repre-sent their people on Apache Tribal Councils. But with 80 to 90 percent unemployment on the reservations, the Apache Lutherans face significant challenges. Trained evangelists work at menial jobs to support their families, and volunteer their efforts to reach the souls of the Apache people. These leaders with solid ministry training and burning zeal to do the Lord’s work cannot do so effectively without our help.

#WM-2014-32: Television Broadcast for Muslim World and Theological Seminars

The Lord has opened an amazing door for us to build up Christians in countries where persecution of Christians is not merely tolerated, but even encouraged. In one South Asian country, theological seminars are being conducted to increase the understanding and knowledge of God’s word, as well as to help Christians teach the truths of the Bible to others. In addition, we have an opportunity to use the most effective means of communication today—video broadcast-ing. Twice a week, a 30-minute television broadcast reaches all the way from Jakarta, Indonesia, to Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This program is also available on Magic Box in the United States where many speakers of Urdu, Hindi, Nepali, and Bangladeshi are happy to watch.

A beautiful testament to our support of missions, the 2016 LWMS Prayer Calendar bears witness to Christ’s influence in our missions at home and around the world. With personal notes from 12 mission fields, the calendar provides insight into the joys and challenges of mission work. Each month’s entry is guided by this year’s theme, “Christ Alone, Our Cornerstone.”

The calendar includes maps of Home and World Missions and addresses to assist in sending greetings to our missionaries. Use the prayer calendar to learn more about our missions, assist in prayer requests, or find a mission field or missionary to send a note of encouragement.

Each calendar is $10, plus shipping and handling. Order one for yourself and an extra one for your pastor, principal, friend, relative, or shut-in as a Christmas gift. Contact Central Office at (414) 321-6212 or lois@lwms.org to order.

2016 Prayer Calendar: Christ Alone, Our Cornerstone

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CAMM Orphan/ Infant Care Program

For many years God has used our kids c.a.r.e. projects to enable our children to support mission work at home and around the world.

The project for 2015-2016 focuses not only on spiritual life, but also on physical life itself. The Central Africa Medical Mission (CAMM) Orphan/Infant Care Program reaches those little ones whose very existence is at risk. In Malawi, mobile medical clinics provide supplements for malnourished infants and pregnant women, cooking classes, and extra food for families in need.

Of special concern are orphans or babies who are one of a set of twins or triplets because relatives who simply can’t feed the extra mouths might see abandonment as their only choice. With resources to aid these families, CAMM increases the chances of survival for many infants while also bringing them and their families the saving Word of Christ. What a wonderful way to feed both body and soul!

For more information, go to www.lwms.org and click on the kids c.a.r.e. link, or contact Central Office for a DVD containing the letter of introduction, remittance instructions, PowerPoint, poster, mission boxes, many resource items, and lesson plans for three age levels. “Look after orphans…in their distress.” (James 1:27)

idk s. . . .. . . .ca re. . . .

care about reaching everyone with the gospel

NewCongregation/Individual CityandState CircuitAmazing Love Frankfort, Illinois Chicago AreaSt. Matthew Spokane, Washington EvergreenTree of Life Cary, North Carolina HeritageSt. Marcus Milwaukee, Wisconsin Milwaukee Metro NorthMessiah Milwaukee, Wisconsin Milwaukee Metro SouthSt. Paul’s North Mankato, Minnesota Minnesota ValleyChrist Cornville, Arizona Grand Canyon-WestCrown of Life Pueblo West, Colorado Rocky MountainHope Hampton, Georgia Southern HillsMt. Olive Shakopee, Minnesota St. CroixPeace Eagle River, Alaska Non-CircuitSusan Rittierodt Tacoma, Washington IndividualDebra Ecklund Atkinson, Nebraska Individual

ReinstatedCongregations Living Hope Redmond, Washington EvergreenOpen Bible Whiteriver, Arizona Grand Canyon EastPeace Cottonwood, Arizona Grand Canyon WestZion Springfield, Missouri Missouri ValleySt. Paul’s Prescott, Wisconsin St. Croix

CongregationNameChange Christ the King (formerly Mt. Olive) Tulsa, Oklahoma Mid-America

The total membership stands at 865 member congregations and six individuals.

LWMS Membership Report(May 10, 2015-July 10, 2015)

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“Do not be afraid, little flock,” Jesus said while on earth (Luke 12:32). In Revelation 1:17-18, the victorious Jesus says, “Do not be afraid…I am the Living One.” We might feel like a small and helpless group of biblical Christians, but the Lord is working mightily through a blossoming WELS partnership with Ethiopians and Sudanese in Africa and North America.

In October 2014, a team of WELS men traveled to Africa to explore mission partnerships in Ethiopia. God blessed their meeting in Bishoftu with Rev. Kebede of the Lutheran Church of Ethiopia (LCE). LCE is working to join the Confessional Ev. Lutheran Conference (CELC), of which WELS is a member. Kebede and CELC are fostering collaboration between LCE and CELC churches and educational institutions.

LCE currently has 20 outreach centers. With support from WELS, LCE’s theological college began the accreditation process to enhance its ability to recruit and train students for Christian service. Kebede anticipates 40 graduates from various training programs in the near future and reports that through WELS prayers and financial support God has stabilized operations and enhanced outreach.

The WELS team also travelled to refugee camps in Gambella, Ethiopia, where members of the Nuer tribe have fled due to civil unrest. They met with South Sudanese pastors serving the refugees. Peter Bur, a Sudanese student of the Pastoral Studies Institute (PSI), reported that the Gambella church, which hosted meetings between WELS representatives and five Nuer congregations, has a membership of nearly 300 souls. This church remains the center for communication with Nuer pastors who want to learn more about biblical Lutheran doctrine. In turn, the Nuer pastors are providing instruction in the Lutheran faith to interested congregations in Ethiopia’s refugee

communities. Our Nuer Lutheran partners started a new mission in the village of Thoch, where more than 200 people are already gathering to hear the gospel.

Since many South Sudanese Lutherans have immigrated to North America, WELS is working to support ministry to the Nuer Christians in area congregations, as well as in Ethiopia. Good Shepherd, Omaha, Nebraska, held a special Sudanese worship service, where offerings were given for fellow Christians in Ethiopia’s refugee camps.

In June 2015, the South Sudanese spiritual leaders and partnering WELS pastors attended a “Toolkit Conference” at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary to coordinate mission support for the Nuer refugees. Pastor Peter Bur will work with the Nuer to develop a comprehensive plan for teaching, training, and mentoring pastors and church leaders in both North America and Africa.

If interested, you may encourage our fellow Sudanese Christians in refugee camps, who wait for peace to return to their homeland, by sending letters or cards to:

Good Shepherd Lutheran ChurchATTN: Sudanese Mission

5071 Center St.Omaha, NE 68106

Or email: church@gsomaha.com (Emails will be forwarded to our Sudanese leaders.)

A Little Flock Is God’s Big Outreach Tool

Dearest Jesus, What a gift that we live in freedom! Because of your love, we are now free from our enemies of sin, death, and Satan. You were willing to offer yourself as a sacrifice so that we would not have to suffer the consequences of our transgressions. As redeemed children of God, we pray that you will lead us to use our freedom to live to your glory and instill in us the zeal to share the gospel in order to bring more people

to the truth that true freedom comes only through faith in you! In your name we pray. Amen.

Mission Prayer

by Pastor Michael Ewart

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Dear Members of LWMS,

I thank God for the faithful efforts of LWMS. Your convention in Rapid City showed all involved the love and support you provide to our mission team and the ongoing work in the Lord’s Kingdom. Thank you for a convention well done! The gift of $38,349.19 provided for the work of Asia Lutheran Seminary will be a welcome boost to the efforts to reach the most populated country on the planet. The $23,429.13 for the International Missionary Wives’ Conference will provide the needed support to gather the women who are the closest mission supporters. This meeting will provide a venue for sisters to share the challenges and joys of working overseas in a peer setting that has never taken place before. We appreciate not only the generosity of these gifts but, even more, the faith and mission zeal that prompted them. May the Lord continue to bless LWMS in its purpose of supporting the work of sharing the message of a living Savior with a dying world. Your support means so much to all our mission workers. I can only pray that God allows our partnership to serve in ever growing ways for the support of our Lord’s Kingdom in the future!

God’s grace in Christ to you all,

Rev. Larry Schlomer, administrator WELS Board for World Missions

Dear Active Partners of Gospel Proclamation,

At the 52nd Annual LWMS Convention in Rapid City, it was there. While we enjoyed fellowship, ministry displays, and the attractions of the city; saw dear friends and made new friends, it was there. In devotions and worship, in presentations, moments with missionaries, reports, and workshops, what was present at the convention was the love of God’s people for lost souls. If a person with no religious affiliation attended the convention and listened closely, that person would certainly come away with the impression; “Those people are serious about reaching out and telling others about Jesus Christ. Those people want to tell many more around the world what Jesus did to save them from their sins.” Thank you for keeping this mission focus in each convention and throughout LWMS. Thank you for reminding convention attendees as well as our church body, it is all about telling more people about Jesus. And thank you for helping WELS missions reach more people with the gospel through your generous gifts. Please accept the thanks of Home Missions for:- The gift of $38,349.19 for Tools for Outreach that assists our missions to enhance outreach ministry. Earlier this summer when our missions heard of the special gift from LWMS, we received 12 requests and granted $27,300. Your gifts are being used and thus the gospel of Jesus Christ is reaching many more souls.-The gift of $23,429.13 for First Public Service Assistance. Thanks to God’s grace and his many blessings the past three years, our church body has been able to start 24 missions. The “grand opening” worship service is a key moment in the early life of a mission. Being able to enhance the advertisement and promotion of this first public service gives an extra boost to our missions. A total of $11,000 has been granted for four missions soon to have their “grand opening.”-The gift of $39,762.96 from kids c.a.r.e. designated for Children’s Ministry Assistance. As with the Tools for Outreach gift, missions have requested funds. Supporting “Mornings with Mommies” is one of the more popular programs being blessed with grants. I also want to share that Grace Lutheran in Minot, ND received a generous portion ($10,000) of this grant. (Pastor Nate Walther, pastor at Grace Lutheran was one of the mission speakers at the convention.) Overall this summer we have granted $26,000 from the kids c.a.r.e. gift. Thank you. May God bless the use of these gifts so Christ’s cross is lifted high and many more are led to believe in Him as their everlasting Savior.

With you, lifting high the cross of Christ,

Rev. Keith Free, administratorWELS Board for Home Missions

WorldMissionThanks

HomeMissionThanks

Lutheran women’s missionary society F A L L 2 0 1 5 – N e w s L e t t e r

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11200 W. Greenfield AvenueWest Allis, WI 53214-2240414.321.6212 Fax: 414.321.6258Email: centraloffice@lwms.orgWeb site: www.lwms.org

Attention Sisters! July began the “Reach Out” phase of our three-year Recharge, Reach Out, Rejoice! campaign. For the next year, the LWMS Awareness Committee will be sharing Reach Out ideas monthly in the LWMS Notes and in the Fall and Spring LWMS Newsletters.

ReachOutIdea: Fall brings with it the start of a new school year. Why not invite two or three mothers from your church over for a “Back to School Celebratory Brunch”? Find an opportunity to invite them to the fall rally—a day of fun and inspiration. This could become a yearly event!

Forms can be found in your handbook or at www.lwms.org.

CIRCUITOFFICERS ■Rally Report Form (Officers 59) Email Emily Kom (presidentelect@lwms.org), Central Office (lois@lwms.org), or

mail to Central Office within 30 days after Fall Rally

■Mission Offering Transmittal Form (Officers 58) Send to Central Office immediately following Fall Rally

CIRCUITREPORTERS(CR)/NON-CIRCUITREPORTERS(NCR)■Befriend A Mission Response Form (Officers 53, R-13) CR send to Circuit Vice President and NCR send to BAM

Coordinator Ruth Schmitzer by January 1, 2016

■Nominations for LWMS Board of Directors Email Emily Kom (presidentelect@lwms.org) or mail

to Central Office in care of President-elect Emily Kom by November 1, 2015 for Vice President, Secretary, Communications Coordinator, and Pastoral Advisor

■Mission Offerings CR send to Circuit Treasurer before Fall Rally and NCR send

to Central Office after fall offering has been collected

■Change of Name/Address for Reporter/Pastor Form (R-10) Send to Central Office (lois@lwms.org) as changes occur