Yes, There are Rooms in Des Moines!

https://unite-production.s3.amazonaws.com/tenants/lwml/pictures/24323/ConventionBountiful.pngMen and women of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) from across the nation are registering for the 36th Biennial Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) Convention to be held June 25-28, 2015, at the Iowa Events Center, in Des Moines, Iowa. Rooms are filling up and rumors have circulated that all hotels are full. This is not true! Extra hotel blocks have been added to the LWML list and, while these are not shown in the 2014 winter issue of the Lutheran Woman’s Quarterly, many rooms are still available. Find additional hotel information on the LWML website. When making your reservation, identify yourself as desiring to make a reservation for the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League Convention in Des Moines in June. Ask for the LWML block of rooms and the LWML rate.

The theme for this convention, “Bountiful! Sow ž Nourish ž Reap,” is based on 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV). Register, reserve your hotel room, and be prepared to sow, be nourished, and reap!

More information is available on the LWML website.

Convention Programming Offers Activities for All

As delegates prepare for the 36th Biennial Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) Convention, many are making this event a family affair. Families may come early or stay late to experience Des Moines and other areas of Iowa by enjoying full and half day tours planned just for convention goers. From the Bridges of Madison County to a Mississippi River cruise, there’s something for everyone. Find a list of available tours on the LWML website. 

All golfers can join past LWML Presidents Gloria Edwards and Linda Reiser for a golf outing Wednesday, June 24, 2015, beginning at 8 a.m., at Copper Creek Golf Club, Pleasant Hill. This championship course is nestled between mature trees, Iowa’s rolling hills, and the beautiful homes of Copper Creek. All net proceeds will be given to mites for the 2015–2017 LWML Biennium. Go to www.lwml.org/conventions to access your entry form, or contact Rachel at teeup4mites@lwml.org.

“Camp Insta Friends” childcare is ready to welcome children. All child/youth activities will be held Friday, June 26, and Saturday, June 27 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Children, whose parents or other adults are attending the convention, may attend one of four age group activities: 6 months–4 years, ages 5–8, and ages 9–12, and ages 13–17. To find out more about the activities planned for each age group, go to conventions on the LWML website.

The whole family can participate in the Mission in Motion Pledge Walk along the beautiful banks of the Des Moines River on Friday, from 5-6 p.m. Enjoy outdoor exercise while supporting the mission program of the LWML and providing the opportunity to witness to the Des Moines community. Find more information here.

There will be dancing and laughter at the Bountiful Bash Block Party!

The Friday Night Bountiful Bash Block Party is a party with a purpose — to explore mission opportunities, to share ideas, to make an impact on other generations, and to get excited about sharing LWML stories! Come casual; come with family and friends; come and participate — all exhibits are interactive. Family and friends are welcome, even if they are not registered for the convention. They need only fill out an Acknowledgement Release Form at the door. A mite donation is also encouraged. Will there be crowds Friday night? Absolutely! Will it be noisy? Most certainly. It’s a Bountiful Bash — a Party with a Purpose!

LWML Will Live Stream Convention

Once again, everyone across the nation will be able to join in the worship services and programing of the 36th Biennial Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) Convention to be held June 25-28, 2015, in Des Moines, Iowa. LWML will offer high quality, real-time video streaming of all events taking place in the main convention hall. Those not able to travel to Des Moines will be able to participate via their own computer, tablet or smartphone, and even display it on a large screen television in their church or home. Groups are encouraged to host any or all LWML programing events via live streaming as they occur in real-time in Des Moines.

Sometime in May, the LWML will place a link on the LWML website to a video featuring all 33 Mission Grant proposals placed on the convention ballot and delegates may view the video and prayerfully make a more informed decision. This video will be available for all interested in these missions.

A Convention Highlights video, and a video of the newly selected 2015-2017 Mission Grants, will be available via a link on the LWML website several weeks after the close of convention. This tool will be valuable to anyone wanting to share their convention experience with those in their churches and communities. More information will be shared on this exciting technology in the coming months.

New LWML Today’s Light® Devotional Bible

Introducing the NEW LWML Outreach Bible! This new LWML Today’s Light® Devotional Bible was specifically designed as an outreach Bible. "Our prayer is that it will be purchased specifically to give to someone, sharing with them our love for God's Word and the gift of His redeeming love for all people." LWML President Kay Kreklau declared.

On the back cover, these words reach out to those who need Jesus: You hold in your hands God’s Word, and a most wonderful guide to help you in your daily walk with the Lord.

On the inside cover of this Bible users will find a brief order for worship they may choose to use as they spend time with the Lord. Luther’s Morning and Evening Prayers and the Lord’s Prayer are printed on the back cover for further comfort and guidance.

This Bible may be purchased from the LWML Store.

More Convention Highlights

Rev. Michael Mattil, Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church, Denison, Texas
Jan Struck
Dr. Dina Vendetti

Bible studies are a big part of LWML gatherings. Rev. Michael Mattil, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Denison, Texas, will speak on two parts of the Convention theme – SOW and NOURISH. Rev. Mattil served as LWML Pastoral Counselor from 2007-2011.

Jan Struck, featured on the cover of the spring issue of the Lutheran Woman’s Quarterly, and Dr. Dina Vendetti, principal, and choir and bell choir director at St. John’s Lutheran Church and School in Dover, Delaware, have agreed to keep the crowd entertained on Saturday evening. It promises to be witty, wacky, and entertaining!

Friday noon gatherings will include:

  • Clergy Luncheon (led by LWML Counselors)
  • First Timers Luncheon
  • Gifts of Love Luncheon
  • Heart to Heart Sisters Reunion
  • Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) Luncheon
  • Lunch with My Friends
  • Men’s Network (Lutheran Hour Ministries) Luncheon
  • Social Media Information Luncheon
  • The Time is NOW Interactive Luncheon
  • Thrivent Informative Luncheon
  • Young Women Representative Reunion

Saturday luncheons will inspire and inform:

  • Carly Hatcher, MOST Ministries
  • Rev. Dr. James Lamb, Lutherans for Life
  • LCMS Missionaries
  • Rev. Dr. Tilahun Mendedo, Concordia, Selma, Alabama
  • Rev. Gregory Seltz, Lutheran Hour Speaker
  • Jan Struck and Dr. Dina Vendetti
  • Gary Thies, Mission Central

Find more information on all these activities online or in the winter Lutheran Woman’s Quarterly.