LWML

2019-2021 Primary Targets

Nurturing Faith in Christ. We are committed to helping every woman find personal opportunities in her daily life and in her congregation to be nurtured in faith in Jesus Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit to discover her unique gifts and value in God's family.

Making Our Mission Meaningful. We challenge and equip women of all ages, stages, ethnicities, and experiences to make a meaningful difference in the lives of hurting, helpless, and unbelieving people at home and throughout the world.

Sharing Encouragement. We believe that women value the friendship, support, and encouragement from other women and strive to offer warm, welcoming opportunities for women to grow in faith and relationships as sisters in Christ.

Mite Explanation and History

Based on the Biblical account of the widow's mite (Luke 21:1-4), the mite box is intended for regular contributions of "mites" - offerings above and beyond the support given to congregations and the LCMS. Mite Box contributions amount to millions of dollars that fund district and national mission grants and implement the LWML program.

Mite Boxes, available from the district, zone or LWML office, are distributed to every woman in a society, and often to each member of the congregation. Local groups submit mite box offerings to the appointed district officer.

The Widow's Mite

Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth, but she, out of her poverty, put in everything - all she had to live on" (Mark 12:41-43).

Basic Facts of the Lutheran Women's Missionary League

• The Lutheran Women's Missionary League is the official women's auxiliary of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS).

• It has as its "mission heart" thousands of volunteers who are daily dedicating their lives to making a difference in this world.

• "Lutheran Women in Mission" describes in spoken and written form who we are and what we do.

• It is women who are finding avenues to use their God-given talents as they meet the challenges to share the Gospel message.

• It is composed of individual women and women's groups within congregations of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, on campuses, in resident homes, or in other settings.

• Individual membership is available to women in LCMS congregations with or without a society affiliated with the LWML. Women may have an interest in the mission and ministry of the LWML - and wish to be a part of the organization; but cannot for a variety of reasons belong to a local group.

• The LWML seeks to develop and maintain a greater mission consciousness among women of the LCMS through education, inspiration, and service.

• A major emphasis is the support of mission and ministry throughout the world by means of mite box offerings. These mite box offerings have funded tens of millions of dollars in mission grants since the organization's inception in 1942.

• What's a biennium? It's a two-year period; plural is biennia, adjective is biennial. LWML conventions mark the end of one biennium and the beginning of the next. Ex. The 2013-2015 biennium began at the 2013 Pittsburgh convention and will conclude at the 2015 Des Moines convention.