Eleven Mission Grants Still to be Funded

As men and women respond to all God has given to His children, and as a result of faithful prayer and mite* giving, the Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML) was pleased to partially fund two more Mission Grants for the 2013-2015 biennium. As the fiscal close of the biennium draws near, the LWML asks for prayers as eleven Mission Grants still require full or partial funding.

The women of the LWML have each made a personal commitment to funding and praying for the mission grants chosen on both the district and national levels of this organization. They are aware that mission organizations are relying on these funds to reach out to thousands in the name of Jesus. After the announcement of the mites shortfall at the January 2015 LWML Board of Directors’ meeting in St. Louis, several districts responded with additional gifts, and single donors are also responding with gifts. All praise to our Lord, Jesus Christ, for gracious giving!

If any other districts would consider offering extra gifts to make the biennium’s national Mission Goal, they are urged do so before March 31, 2015, which is the end of the fiscal biennium.

These two Mission Grants for the 2013-2015 biennium received partial funding in January:

Another installment of $25,000 for I CAN – Serving At-Risk Children With Learning Needs. This grant will help to bring the love of Christ to children who are at-risk and have special learning needs through Lutheran Special Education Ministries’ after-school and summer programs. An additional $29,000 is still needed to complete this grant.

Another installment of $10,000 for Support for Lutheran Public Radio. This grant will help allow the director of business operations to devote more time to development, so that the radio and Internet show, “Issues, Etc.,” can continue to proclaim the Gospel and provide a better understanding of contemporary social issues in a Christian context. An additional $5,000 remains to be funded to complete this grant.

By God’s grace, your mite offerings, along with the contributions of other LWML supporters, can help meet this national mission goal of $1.83 million. You may donate online here and checks or money orders may be designated as missions and mailed to Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 3558 S Jefferson Ave, St. Louis, MO 63118.

*What are mites? Based on the Biblical account of the widow's mite (Luke 21:1-4), mites are monetary gifts placed in the Mite Box, sacrificially given by supporters of the LWML. These gifts are offerings above and beyond the support given to our congregations and The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. You may read more about this here and order your own Mite Box here.

LWML Archivist-Historian Emeritus Gladys Grovender Called Home

Gladys Grovender, Archivist-Historian Emeritus of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML), passed from this world to her heavenly home on Sunday, March 1, 2015, at the age of 93. Gladys served as LWML Archivist-Historian from 1979-1999. She also served in this position for the LWML Minnesota South District.

Current LWML Archivist-Historian Barbara Huggins remembers Gladys fondly, “The first project Gladys asked me to help with was to separate photographs from other documents. While we sorted the photographs sometimes we would both begin speaking at the same time, using the exact same words. That is when we realized we would work well together. We were like two peas in the same pod. We had so much fun working together at the Concordia Historical Institute (CHI), sharing laughs and LWML stories. The staff at CHI treated Gladys as a fellow staff member. She was loved and respected.” Barbara considers Gladys a mentor and values the knowledge she shared.

Darleen Harens, Past LWML Minnesota South District President, worked closely with Mrs. Grovender. Darleen remembers, “When Gladys began her work as LWML Archivist-Historian, there was no set system for cataloging the boxes and boxes of material collected. She developed a system (I believe with the assistance of her son, John) and she would coordinate her volunteer work at CHI with other meetings to save on mileage. I remember her praising the seminarians wives who assisted her in sorting and cataloging. I enjoyed many great learning experiences during my time with Gladys.”

LWML President Kay Kreklau stated, “Many women of the LWML remember Gladys and the tireless hours she gave to the LWML. I loved traveling with her. She was gifted with a heart for LWML and for all of God’s people. I treasure the time we spent together.”

Gladys L. Grovender, of Burnsville, Minnesota, was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Harold. Her family, including 4 children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, will miss her deeply and prayers for the surviving members of her family are appreciated as they go through the difficult days ahead.

Her funeral and the celebration of her life will be held March 6, 2015, at Messiah Lutheran Church, 16725 Highview Avenue, Lakeville, Minnesota. For more information and condolences, visit www.whitefuneralhomes.com