The 31st Biennial Convention
of the Florida-Georgia District Lutheran Women’s Missionary League was held in Orlando, Florida, September 26-28, 2008. The theme Beautiful Feet...Beautiful Mission was based on Isaiah 52, verse 7: “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
Over 350 pairs of Beautiful Feet attended the Convention and were encouraged to always be on the Beautiful Mission of sharing the Good News that Our God reigns. We were honored to have LWML President Jan Wendorf with us, as well as Rev. Dr. Robert Roegner, Executive Director of the LCMS Board for Mission Services, and Melissa Salomon, Director of Lutheran Hour Ministries - Mexico.
The three sessions were "Beautiful Feet...Ablaze Around the World!;" "Beautiful Feet...Around the LWML!" and "Beautiful Feet...Around our District!"
The colorful Convention Logo in orange, yellow, blue and black brought to mind our LWML Pledge in that the cross reminds of the redeeming gifts Christ bestowed upon us on the cross. With His Word as our guide and in “gratitude for His dying love…we consecrate to our Savior or hands to work for Him, or feet to go on His errands……….to the great task of bringing the lost and the erring into eternal fellowship with Him.” That is our Beautiful Mission! God is working through each member of the LWML to use her gifts as a joyful witness. To quote the Convention Manual, “Each of us have beautiful feet when we overcome the “mountains” of this world and dedicate our lives as a colorful reflection of the Light of Christ’s love as we proclaim to all that Our God reigns!"
This 31st biennial convention was a 60 year commemorative celebration. Ladies who have served the LWML for 30+ years were recognized. Saturday evening's entertainment was provided by the Board of Directions in the form of 6 skits depicting each decade - plus one for the future.
During this year's Presidential election process, we have heard so much about "Change." Our Treasurer, Bunnie Koelsch, challenged those in attendance at the convention to focus on the real meaning of the word "change."
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I would like to challenge you. In this time of financial instability in our country, we know things can be tight or even every difficult. Political candidates are talking of change. Well, the change that we want in LWML is this change (change for MITE box). The change that can and will make a “change” in other people’s lives. Accept this goal, accept this challenge. And make a change."
Here is a listing of the convention receipts:
Offering #1--District mission grants, $2,127
Offering #2--Lutheran World Mission/Ablaze!, $1,945
Offering #3--Servants for the Future Endowment Fund, $1,897
Waverly, Iowa, flood relief--$1,490 (before Thrivent match)
Gifts from the Heart--Lutheran Services Florida, $480 (plus supplies received)
Click here for Thank you letter from LSF
Sunday Mission Walk for District mission grants, $3,519 (as of October 21; monies still arriving)
President Jan's purple $5 Podium Mite challenge and Dale Clark's CD sales donation, $444
