Journey of Hope

LaWiMeLu

2010-05-02T10:10:00.000-07:00

On Saturday night, Convention Goers were treated to a simulated mission experience called LaWiMeLu. It was an evening of fun and learning.

Visitors to LaWiMeLu were first initiated into the mock mission field. They were issued passports and given specific instructions on how to operate in the mission field, how to assimilate to a new culture, how to witness their faith to the residents of LaWiMeLu, and how to treat their water before drinking to avoid illness. They were then sent to the "medical officer" to receive vitamins and vaccinations and eventually into the mission field with a series of tasks to complete. They encountered many unique and colorful characters, many of which were less than ethical and all of which spoke frequent and rapid LaWiMeLu-ese. Their final stop before being allowed to return to their home country was at the palace of the Queen. The rold of Queen was played by National LWML President, Janice Wendorf. Missionaries were required to follow a specific set of palace rules for conduct, were served the Queen's finest bev-er-age, and grilled on their beliefs in rapid LaWiMeLu-ese by the Queen before they were allowed to leave.

LaWiMeLu was an awesome experience and, should you wish to recreate this mission experience at home, the srcipt is available thtough LWML (try ordering it at their website www.lwml.org)!

The Results Are In!

2010-05-01T14:03:00.000-07:00

The results are in!

The following mission grants were approved for the 2010-2012 biennium:
Open Arms Institute Daycare and Early Childhood $5,000
Education Facility
Gospel Ministry to Latino People $3,000
Blind-Friendly Gospel Track on Compact Disc $4,000
Student Tuition Assistance Matching Grant $4,000
St. John’s Lutheran Church Sudanese Ministry $5,000

Our newly elected officers are:
Office of President: Betty Reimann
Office of Vice President of Human Care: Cindy Wilson
Office of Vice President of Christian Life: Nancy Brune
Office of Treasurer: Kathy Bayn

Congratulations!

Woman to Woman

2010-05-01T13:28:00.000-07:00

This afternoon, the convention heard from Phyllis Wallace, host of "Woman to Woman," which is a radio program from Lutheran Hour Ministries. The program is "talk you can trust" for women. Phyllis' speech today was funny and moving, but you can listen to her regularly on the radio. None of your local radio stations carry "Woman to Woman?" Advocate for it and see if you can get a station to run the program! This is a wonderful show and having a secular station carrying it in your area is not only good for you because you get to listen, but is also good for your area because it increases the amount of quality, Christian radio airplay, thereby providing a most excellent witness opportunity. If you can't get "Woman to Woman" on a local radio station in your area, you can always listen online at: http://www.womantowomanradio.com/.

Lunch with the YWRs

2010-05-01T13:26:00.000-07:00

I had the awesome opportunity to have lunch with the YWRs and Carly Stevens today. Carly told her story, which was fascinating! If you get the chance to sit down and talk with any of these amazing women, please do so. Seek them out and get to know them!

MOST Ministries Connects with the Women of the Utah-Idaho District!

2010-05-01T13:01:00.001-07:00

Carly Stevens addressed the assembly after lunch on Saturday. She explained that MOST Ministries is a program which organizes short termm missions. They have about 20 different current missions and are looking for people to support these missions in a variety of ways.

The mission of MOST Ministries reads: Mission Opportunities Short Term is committed to impacting the world for Jesus Christ through short term missions by "Empowering the Found in Reaching the Lost."

MOST Ministries seeks to provide people with the opportunity to participate in one or more of the seven mission responses:
1.Pray
2.Give
3.Tell
4.Send
5.Go
6.Celebrate
7.Learn

Because different people have different talents and interests, MOST seeks to provide an opportunity to participate in whichever form appeals to an individual. Carly Stevens encourages all to find the most appealing way to participate.

Carly reported on several current MOST projects. For more information on MOST programs, please visit their website at: www.mostministries.org

The Business Session Opens

2010-05-01T09:07:00.000-07:00

This morning, the Utah-Idaho District's 2010 Convention opened their business meeting.

After the Kathy Bohlken opened with prayer, the assembly was led in the Pledge of Alleigance by Dallas Ulrich of LHM and then led in the LWML Pledge by the lovely YWRs.

Rev. Robert Cutler provided the opening Bible study which was a line by line analysis of I Peter 1:3-7. He reccommended the book, The Long Walk and encouraged those in attendance to pray for strengthened faith while warning them that this prayer is very effective but often has unexpected results! He also reminded those assembled that our hope is a living hope based in the promise of salvation through Jesus Christ and, as such, can surpass all challenges we may face.

National LWML President Janice Wendorf addressed the assembly with a wonderful presentation full of information about all of the things going on at National level. She repeatedly encouraged convention-goers and all LWMLers to regularly visit the National website at: http://www.lwml.org.

Andrew Fitzgerald, of Lutheran Hour Ministries International, gave a presentation about their ministries around the world. He also encouraged LWMLers to visit LHM International's website at http://www.lhmint.org.

We took care of some basic business, introduced the District Executive committee, heard about and voted on our new Biennium Mission Grants.

President Melody presented information on "Gifts of Love," LWML's Gift Planning program. Information on Gifts of Love is available through www.lwml.org.

Vice President of Communications, Julie Plocher, gave a presentation showing the changes that have been made to the website and how to use the site best.

Utah Zone President Ashley Willoughby offered a prayer before we recessed for lunch. More reports to follow! Stay tuned!

Happy 60th Birthday, Utah-Idaho

2010-05-01T07:15:00.000-07:00

After the opening service, LWMLers and Lutheran Hour Ministries were invited to attend a 60th birthday party hosted by Grace Lutheran Church. Cake and punch were served.

Beth Foreman read a list of past presidents and introduced those that were in attendance. She also introduced us to Meldoy Rosenwinkel, our current district president as well as Janice Wendorf, current president of National LWML.

Vice President of Servant Resources, Sherrie Rumpeltes, introduced our six YWRs and the past presidents pinned these wonderful young ladies.

What a wonderful birthday party this was! Special thanks to Grace Lutheran for hosting this wonderful evening!

"Hope Overflowing" a Powerful Message

2010-05-01T05:51:00.000-07:00

Ribbons and feathers fluttered in the breeze as LWMLers dressed for the occasion arrived at Grace Lutheran Church in Pocatello. The opening service was hosted by Grace Lutheran and it was a beautifully crafted event. Ladies had rummaged through closets, called friends, and shopped antique and thrift stores to find treasures from the fifties to wear to this special event. Hats and gloves, poodle skirts and ponytails were everywhere.

President Meldoy Rosenwinkel called to order the 32nd Biennial Convention of the Utah-Idaho District of the Lutheran Women's Missionary League.

Music was provided by the Grace Lutheran Handbell Choir, the Grace Gospel Quartet, the Grace Sanctuary Choir, and a brass ensemble. A moving performance was given by the Grace Lutheran Stick Ministry.

Rev. David Schneider gave the sermon, "Hope Overflowing." He asked the congregation to consider the stories of Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah, King David, the prophet Isaiah, Martha, Saul, Priscilla, and Dorcas. He challenged those in the sanctuary last night to determine what in each of these stories we could identify with-- what characteristics of these biblical figures (good and bad) we could see in ourselves. He reminded us that, in each of these stories, we are given examples of the hope that is found in the promise of salvation through Christ. He told the congregation that this hope is so enormous and feeds on itself in such a manner that it should be overflowing. He noted that this overflowing hope will give even shy Lutherans the courage neccessary to share the Word of the Lord with people who may never have even heard it before!

This service was a beautiful and fittin beginning to "Journey of Hope-- Share Your Story," the 2010 Utah-Idaho Convention. Praise be to God!

Fair Trade Fair Means Fair Wage for Artisans Around the World

2010-04-30T20:28:00.000-07:00

One of the interesting activities being provided at our convention this year is the Fair Trade Fair. Lutheran World Relief and SERRV International (a nonprofit organization) have teamed up to organize this program. Western Zone president Kathy Bohlken has brought this unique project to our convention.

Between the hours or 3PM and 6PM on Friday and the hours of 3PM and 9PM on Saturday, convention attendees may visit the "Fair Trade Fair" store, located just off the lobby of the hotel. The Fair Trade Fair is a store full of handmade items crafted by highly skilled artisans from around the world. The goal of the Fair Trade Fair is to provice these artisans, who mostly live in developing areas of the world, with a fair and dependable wage so that they can feed their families and send their children to school.

Ninety-two point five percent of all sales go directly back to the atrisans themselves. Seven poin five percent goes to Lutheran World Mission projects around the globe. Zero percent goes to SERRV International, the company who makes all of the arrangements on behalf of the artisans.

This afternoon, I sat down and talked with Kathy Bohlken and her assistant, Sandy Reeder. The store had only been open for an hour and a half, but they had already sold $406 worth of merchandise. Kathy told me that they had sold mostlly coffee, scraves, chocolate, and jewelery. They also stock beauticul teacups and teapots, coffee cups, birdhouses, and wind chimes, as well as many other beautiful items.

So, if you are at convention, stop in and say hello. You may find a special treasure or gift. And if you're looking for a fun activity to host back home, consider hosting a Fair Trade Fair.

We Have Arrived!

2010-04-30T11:31:00.000-07:00

Set up for the 2010 Utaho-Idaho District Convention is underway! We can't wait to see everyone this afternoon. Stay tuned to the Journey of Hope blog for all of your 2010 Convention news and updates!