LWML Iowa East District (IED) women have a pre-convention tradition of competitively collecting mite offerings to kick off a new biennium’s mission goal for mission grants. LWML zones compete against each other. The zone reporting the highest amount collected prior to the opening of convention has their name added to the LWML IED traveling plaque. Throughout the biennium, the winning zone passes the plaque from group to group.

The LWML IED theme for this year is “$80 for 80 Years.” Each local group, congregation, and/or individual is encouraged to raise $80. The ideas to promote this pre-convention campaign for receiving mite offerings are endless. Bakeless Bake Sales, Pies for Pi Day, and Special Collection Sundays highlighting a specific mission grant recipient are just a few.

An additional, unintentional benefit to planning, carrying out, and sharing these activities is the stories of times past from long-time members. It’s good to record these memories for future generations of Lutheran Women in Mission as they Serve the Lord with gladness! (Psalm 100:2).

Margaret Kistler
LWML Iowa East District President