These are just a few of the women's page articles from the 2004 Faith & Fellowship magazine issues. They include a synopsis of the first Saturday annual convention of WMCLB, projects for the year, and more.

The panoramic view of mountain peaks provided a majestic backdrop to the cozy gathering of Colorado women, October 1-2. The smell of wood smoke in the air, the view of open spaces, and the white pristine church spire that could be seen from a distance was a contrast to the busy bustle of downtown Denver not that far away. Colorado not only looked like God’s Country, but God was at work in this part of the country.

When Chloe Koslowsky, Director of Women’s Ministries of the CLB, was invited to speak to this group of women, this also seemed like a good place for the National Women’s Ministry Team to have their fall meeting. So, women from New Jersey, Minnesota, South Dakota, California, Washington, Arizona, and Alberta were able to meet their sisters in Christ from Colorado, sharing with each other their hopes, dreams, and ideas for reaching out to women.

The buttery scent of popcorn wafted through the building as the Arvada, Colorado women arrived Friday evening, and the informal atmosphere prevailed as Chloe shared her heart for women’s ministries in this workshop setting. Interspersed with hot chocolate, bottled water, tea, coffee, and more munchies were many practical ideas. A women’s group in Arvada doesn’t have to look exactly like a women’s group in Brooklyn, or Seattle, or Fergus Falls. Bible study, having fun together, service to the church, mission emphasis, and fundraisers for national projects can all be possible components, but will likely look different in various localities.

After a drizzly Friday with clouds glowering overhead, Saturday dawned with mists rolled back to reveal snow-covered peaks behind the nearer dark mountainsides. And cars of women from Littleton, Aurora, and Fort Collins rolled into the parking lot and joined the Arvada group in a morning seminar setting that brought everyone closer together.

Presentations included Chloe Koslowsky’s enthusiastic training session laying out basics of women’s ministries, Janet Spencer’s talk about Bible studies, Cheryl Olsen’s sharing the importance of prayer, and Lori Christopherson’s motivational thoughts about starting women’s groups, using the gifts you have, planning, praying and “just doing it”. After a panel fielded questions from the audience ranging from theoretical to very personal, prayer continued to bring these sisters in Christ together.

A delightful lunch and conversation followed, and as women left, many were encouraged about what God would enable them to do in their own churches with His help.

The national women’s ministry team enjoyed worshipping with the Arvada congregation on Sunday, and spent the following day doing such things as editing the new Women’s Ministries Handbook, evaluating one-year and three-year goals, and making plans for the next Women’s Ministries Convention, June 11, 2005. As the team left Colorado, the sky overhead was filled with tremendous billowing clouds, golden shafts of sunlight sifting through from time to time. God had brought women together. They would eagerly anticipate their next time together, and would remain connected through prayer for each other…and maybe email!

How have we been “Women Reaching Women” this year? One goal of our Thrivent-funded “Women Reaching Women” program these past 18 months has been to involve more people in our local women’s ministries. One way to reach out is to plan events that will attract and involve women of all age groups. This month we feature two of these successful events.

On the eighth of May, nearly ten dozen women of all ages were transported out of their everyday lives for a few hours. We gathered at Ebenezer Lutheran Brethren Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, for an “English Tea”. Each table was decorated differently with china teacups, teapots and fresh flowers. The men of the church put on their black bowties and served us salad and tiered trays of delicate ribbon sandwiches, cucumber sandwiches, chocolate-dipped strawberries and scones with lemon curd and strawberry jam.

With satisfied appetites, we turned to our speaker, Mary Pierce, who brought us tears and laughter and contemplation. She showed us, with her stories and lively power point visuals, how we lose our joy and how we get it back. If we let God change our minds, leaving behind things like resentment, entitlement and limitations, he will change our lives, bringing forgiveness, rest, and joy.

One of the women rated this event “110%”. As it came to an end, one granddaughter sadly proclaimed, “The magic is gone”. But, judging by the smiles on all the faces, we all had some ideas for transformation brewing in our minds as we headed back out to the real world.

The Fireside Room filled with Judy Torkelson’s homemade quilts warmly welcomed nearly 100 women to an evening of inspiration and reflection. It was the 2004 fall kick-off of the Bethel Women’s Ministries Fellowship in Fergus Falls. Though this gathering of 30-50 women has met monthly for years, sometimes the group has gone unnoticed by many in their congregation of hundreds of people.

This fall was different. In addition to an eye-catching bulletin board, and notices in everyone’s mailboxes, the church was papered with flyers announcing the event – even on the bathroom mirrors! Women from neighboring churches were also encouraged to come for the evening.

The resulting blend was rich – a mixture of twenty-something and seventy-something voices praising God, a young seminary wife’s prayer requests for a former seminarian friend now serving a church, a mature grandmother’s prayer, and a baby quilt given to the soon-to-be-mom with the nearest due date – all tasty hors d’oeuvres before the main course, Judy Torkelson. Judy, a local farmer’s wife, master quilter, and Christian Women’s Club speaker, fed the minds and hearts of all, as she taught life lessons from Jesus using the quilts surrounding her. The dessert was the camaraderie of young and old around tables set with sewing themes – and, oh yes, apple crisp and ice cream.

Are you ready to begin the next set of Women’s Ministry national projects? You gave generously last year (May 2003-April 2004) and we are eager to tell you what we hope to accomplish together this year as we partner with women in churches from coast to coast.

Meet Potifar Souina and his family. Potifar spent the past school year in Fergus Falls, attending the Lutheran Brethren Seminary, away from his family who remained in Chad. He will be attending an evangelical seminary in the Central Africa Republic this coming year, to continue his education in preparation for leadership in the Lutheran Brethren Church in Chad. What a benefit it will be for his wife Odile to also attend classes to help her minister to women in Africa! Our project is to raise $3,500 to enable Potifar’s wife Odile and their children to accompany him.

We want to support women who are studying God’s Word, especially those in preparation for service in His Kingdom. Our project for Lutheran Brethren Schools this year is to raise $3,500 to educate women at the Seminary. First, to enable seminary wives to audit courses with their husbands, we will provide funds for child care for those who need it. Secondly, as funds permit, we will provide scholarships for women who wish to further their education at the Seminary to be of service to other women in our churches in the U.S. and Canada.

For the second year in a row, we will support Elizabeth Barton, a young woman who works as part-time staff for Youth Ministries and in training youth to serve our churches. Isn’t it an encouragement when we see our young people growing up to serve the Lord? Pray for her as she also works to complete her college education in the Phoenix Arizona area. Our support goal for her is $3,500.

It is also an encouragement to hear the stories of God’s faithfulness in our home congregations. In celebration of 50 years of church planting, the Home Missions department has asked all of us to share our stories of God at work in our churches. Some of these testimonies were printed as a “draft copy” and distributed during the 2004 CLB Annual Convention. The final edition will be printed for the 2005 convention. Our support of $3,500 will make this possible. Let’s share our stories as well as our funds!

We also have a $5,000 Women’s Ministries Project. This year we are focusing on coming alongside our current Pastor’s wives, and providing them with retreats where they can be refreshed, encouraged, and provided with training in a retreat setting. Plans are underway in the Eastern District already. This year we hope to provide help for Pastor’s wives in at least three of our six districts. Will you pray for the planning of these events, and the funding of them as well?

Last year’s Women’s Ministries Project focused on Seminary wives. We have $1,000 remaining in that fund that will be used throughout this year in continuing the mentoring relationship between sem wives and current pastor’s wives, providing gift certificates, and a spring luncheon.

Anticipation was growing. How many women would come? Would this new venture of meeting on Saturday succeed? Anxiety mounted as well. Was the former pattern of a Tuesday meeting during the CLB convention too ingrained for women to try something new? Unavoidable conflicts were recognized. Was the centennial celebration at Bethel LBC in Grand Forks Saturday night going to prevent many from coming? Would the Moorhead Triumph women be too tired from a week of VBS to even think of coming the next day? With only 79 pre-registered three weeks before the big event of the national convention of Women’s Ministries of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren (WMCLB), we began to pray, and God answered. 130 women gathered for a full day of camaraderie, business, inspiration, fellowship (and food!) and training.

Praise and worship lifted our hearts at the beginning of the morning, and we appreciated the music interspersed throughout the day by a Triumph women’s praise team; Cathie Scheid, Kim Bedoe, Deb Hesse, and Sharon Jons. We also enjoyed gathering in the spacious sanctuary which was decorated with a multitude of banners sewn by sisters in Christ from across the land.

One of the reasons for gathering with representation from coast to coast, from the

U.S.

and

Canada

is to share what God has done among us during the year, and to make plans for the future. This is accomplished through our morning business session.

Cindi McMenamin, a pastor’s wife from California and author of several books, inspired us, challenged us, and set our eyes on Jesus. With “Be Fruitful and Multiply – Women Reaching Women” as the theme, she offered several ways that might be effective in drawing someone’s heart to the Lord, including support groups, special events, etc. But she emphasized that the best way to draw another to Him is our own deep love for God. “You are the advertisement – the sales pitch – of what Jesus Christ can do for someone.” She let us know that we can “draw them in, or drive them out” based on what they see in us.

She asked, “Do you truly have a love relationship with God?” Some of us may have walked with the Lord for many years, yet we often grow complacent, we get busy, we lose the “magic”. We’re “on cruise control” in our relationship with Him, rather than in love with the God who has pursued our heart.

We joined together in partnership to support several projects. These were highlighted verbally during the convention, a display board in the narthex used many photos to detail their progress, and a Power Point presentation during our offering also visually portrayed what God has done through our gifts. Here is an update for you: The well project which we supported January – May 2003 was not yet completed at our 2003 convention, but it is now! Pictures emailed by the Szobody family arrived in the World Missions office the week of our convention, were printed and displayed for us to see. “There’s water in the camp!” was a joyful phrase expressed by seminarians and their families in

Chad

. This was made possible, in part, by your contributions!

A 2003-04 project was the S.W.E.E.T. project (Seminary Wives Encouraging, Equipping, and Training), which included a fall retreat planned by the National Ministry Team at Inspiration Point Bible Camp. During the year, current pastor’s wives were matched with senior seminary wives as prayer partners, and phone cards were provided to the seminary wives to contact their prayer partners. A spring luncheon with an emphasis on hospitality was given also, along with a gift of money for each of the wives. Several seminary wives attended our WMCLB convention, shared a song with us and were introduced, sharing their thanks even tearfully, for what this has meant in their lives.

We also contributed to four projects for CLB ministries. In the World Missions area, we gave funds for women’s retreats in

Chad

and

Cameroon

. At present, the

Cameroon

women have had one retreat which they felt was a real blessing, and are planning another. The

Chad

retreat is in the planning stages. Our project for Youth Ministries was supporting Ronda Erickson and Elizabeth Barton in their work for the Youth Ministries department. For Hillcrest Academy, we contributed towards the replacement of a sign on the front lawn, in a landscaped setting of shrubs and perennials. They hope to finalize plans and begin the project over the summer. The Home Missions project was to help equip the Mt. Calvary Mission preschool as it was to be built in Apache Junction, AZ. However the building project has been held up by a number of construction related issues, with bids significantly higher than projected. Let us join them in prayer that in God’s timing, the project will be completed so that families will hear of Christ through this unique ministry. (They will hold our funds until the project occurs, or ask for reallocation of those funds.)

Chloe Koslowsky, our Director of Women’s Ministries, is on her second round of training visits to each of our districts, funded through our “Women Reaching Women” grant from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Her first year focused on teaching networking with a focus on being Women of the Word, and this second year emphasizing partnering as churches and districts to help minister to women in our churches, and in our communities. With the District Presidents now part of the National Ministry Team, they are being trained and are helping to train people in their districts. Much of the training material is being collected and printed as a Women’s Ministry Handbook in a 3-ring binder format which will be able to be updated, and should be available to each church as Chloe makes her visits this fall. Our goals are to have 75% of all of our active women’s groups attend at least one training event, and to have one new women’s group start in each district by this fall. Will you help us reach that goal?

This year, along with introducing the members of the National Women’s Ministry Team (NWMT) that has been working this year, we paid tribute to Kay Lundgren, our national secretary whose unexpected death in January saddened us all. She was a special woman, and we will miss her laughter and joy among us. God provided the willing skills of Linda Simonson, who was part of the NWMT as a transition member this year, to be acting secretary until this convention.

Leadership is important in our local churches, our districts, and our national organization. This year Elaine Hansen completed four years of leading our national team. She served three of those years as President of National Women’s Missionary Fellowship (NWMF), and this year as Chairman of WMCLB. We thank God for her leadership, and for the provision of Janet Spencer, Hillside LBC, Succasunna, NJ, who was elected as our new Chairman. We also welcome newly elected secretary, Verna Rogness, from Blom Prairie LBC, Toronto, SD.

There were no current missionaries at the convention, but several letters were read from these women who serve abroad.

Five new projects for 2004-05 were presented, which will be highlighted on this page next month.

They were fabulous! The afternoon found women learning, sharing, and drinking in ideas to bring home. From the intimate “Passing the Peach Pie” instructional workshop for transitioning leadership, to the larger “How to” Bible study and “Pear-ing” mentorship workshops, and all those in between, women gave immensely positive feedback. Many wanted to see some of the same ones repeated next year. We’re already planning to include some of their material in the Handbook which will be available in the fall.

I was at my daughter’s track meet today. Despite the warm spring sunshine, I shivered a little, sitting on a calico comforter on the dampish grass, as a brisk wind blew across the freshly plowed farm field next to the exposed track. I concentrated on my daughter’s lanky body poised to run across the rubberized surface in measured steps before hurling herself upwards in an arching leap over the high jump bar. “Lord, help her to make it!” I breathed. He did, and she did!

The next jumper wasn’t on her team. I tried not to say, “Lord, don’t let her make it,” but I still wished it.

Jump after jump, girl after girl was eliminated from the group, as the bar clattered to the ground. Although I really knew it wasn’t very nice to secretly think “Don’t make it!” the thought kept entering my head. Especially if the girls were on an opposing team. Of course it was natural to want my daughter to do well, but probably not at the expense of others – not that my wishing could do anything! Still, I was a little surprised at my attitude.

No, Rachel wasn’t the winner at this meet. She didn’t even place in the top six this time. She’s only a sophomore, after all. But I was intrigued by Rachel’s response to her rivals in contrast to mine. I was equally interested in her teammates’ responses.

Track is a team sport, and the team wins as a whole entity, competing against other teams, but it’s also a very competitive individual sport. Each individual competes against others on her own team, as well as those on other teams, for the winning jump, the winning throw, the winning sprint time, to be the best in each event.

Yet, Rachel was cheering for her teammates at every try. “Nice jump!” “Good form! You just caught the bar with your foot – you’ll get it next time!” They checked with each other for tips on what they’d done wrong (since they couldn’t see themselves!), genuinely spurring each other on.

Finally, there was only one of their teammates left. Still, I heard, “Wow! Great jump!” “Oh, good, she made it!” for the girl in blue, as well as for their own maroon and gold teammate as they vied for first place. Then maroon missed. Yet, maroon still cheered loudly as blue sailed over the bar!

We are each individuals, in many cases struggling to follow the path Christ has laid out for our lives. We are trying for our “personal best,” jumping as high as we can. We learn lessons as He coaches us, only to have the bar raised, and find that we have more to learn. But sometimes we take our eyes off the bar He has raised for us, and instead, measure our progress against those around us, and compete against them, instead of cheering for them.

We are team members in our local churches. As women, many of you meet together regularly, perhaps in Bible study, a monthly fellowship meeting, or at periodic outreach events. Organized as a Women’s Ministries group or not, simply by virtue of your being a woman, you have an effect on other women. Are you secretly wishing that they wouldn’t be as talented, as gracious, as pretty, or even as used of God, as you? Or are you cheering them on to be all they can be in Christ? When a woman expresses giftedness, or an interest in an activity that is not “traditionally” seen or used in the church, how do you, personally, or as a group, react? I was intrigued as I learned that the small rural community of Clearbrook, Minnesota has a part of their re-structured women’s ministries focusing on political activism. They keep the other women informed about current issues, writing to congressmen and representatives, helping the team assist worthy causes.

Did you know that you can cheer for the other teams that are near you? District events give this opportunity. Here, a small team with specialized gifts can shine and we can learn from them. Here, a large team can share its wealth of information, personnel, and depth of resources with others who have less. Connect, here, with others to share Sunday School ideas, loan or borrow VBS scenery, costumes, video or audio tapes, and Women’s Ministries resources.

Lastly, we are all members of a larger team of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren, and a subset of Women’s Ministries of the CLB. How can you cheer for this larger team? Pray for each other! Come to national events to meet, network, and partner with one another. Meet us Saturday, June 12, at Triumph in Moorhead, MN!

Over 100 ladies gathered at Camp Berachah in Auburn, Washington to fellowship around the theme: “My Heart Christ’s Home.” Our speaker was Beverly Sallee, a gifted international business woman and speaker with a Master’s degree in music, and a marketing background. She shared her life experiences as related to God’s Word, with both seriousness and humor.

The theme for the weekend was centered around a booklet written by Robert Boyd Munger, My Heart – Christ’s Home. The key verse from Ephesians 3:16 says, “That Christ may settle down and be at home in your hearts by faith.”

Christ will live in any human heart that welcomes him. Rev. 3:20 reminds us that Christ is knocking at the door of our heart and is waiting for us to simply open the door, ask him to come in and be our Lord and Savior.

The booklet looks at seven rooms where Christ can be involved in our lives. First is the Study, or library, which is the control center for our thoughts. Here we are to be aware of Christ’s presence, purity and power. Next is the Dining Room where our appetites and desires for food are satisfied. For food that satisfies, do the will of your Heavenly Father. Then comes the Living Room which is a secluded, quiet room where good talks and fellowship occur.

The fourth room is the important Workroom where you can answer the question, “What are you producing with your life for the Kingdom of God?” John 15:5 reminds us that “apart from me you can do nothing.” Let God’s Spirit work through you and remember His availability is important, not your ability.

The Rec Room is the fifth room where your joy may be full and fellowship may be found. Then comes the Bedroom where relationships of love in marriage unite and two truly become one.

The last room Beverly talked about was the private, secluded Hall Closet where things may be hidden. Christ wants the key to this room also. No matter what pain or sin is in your closet, Jesus is ready to forgive and heal what has been hidden.

The Word was also shared through times of Praise and Worship. Kedra Larsen who has been working with Lutheran Bible Translators in the field of ethnomusicology, also shared how she translates the Word into tribal music. Kedra is originally from Maple Park Lutheran Brethren Church in Lynnwood.

A goal to raise $1,500 for the Venbergs, missionaries to Africa, for the purchase of a Satellite Phone system was met and surpassed. The ladies from the churches diligently made crafts and baked goods that were sold and raised $1,824.25. Pam Nielson from Hope Lutheran Brethren Church in Everett, WA created a colorful, floral quilt which raised over $400 for the cause.

The money raised for the missionaries was sent with $1,270 that was gathered by VBS children at Hope LB this summer. According to Lori Christopherson, Retreat Chairman, $1,390 was sent for the African Wall project and $1,880 was sent for the Satellite Phone System for the Venbergs for a total of $3,270. All who attended the retreat were blessed and pleased to be able to share with our African missionaries and friends.

Saturday afternoon provided free time with an opportunity to learn a new craft while fellowshipping with ladies from the district. Ladies from Hope LB church offered these classes: Hardanger Heart Embroidery – Pam Neilson, Embellished Votive Holders – Dianne Sunde, decoupage enhancing decorative plates and glass etching – Julie Sanborn and Audrey Hibbard, English Paper Piecing with Grandma’s Flower Garden pattern – Brenda Thorsen.

The Pacific Northwest District WMCLB looks forward to meeting Feb. 7, 2004 for a luncheon hosted by Peace LB Church, Olympia, Washington.

The Fall 2004 Women’s Retreat will be coordinated by the ladies at Maple Park Lutheran Brethren Church. Come join us!