New England District

Lutheran Women's Missionary League

Special Focus Ministries

Vice President, Nancy Stinnett – SpecialFocus@lwml-ned.org

The Special Focus Ministries encourages sensitivity in women toward those who are hurting and in need.  We provide resources and encouragement to enable knowledgeable and Biblical comfort to themselves and others.

The Special Focus Ministries Committee alerts members to the opportunities and challenges for mission service in the congregation, zone, district and community; it also encourages active participation in and provide materials and suggestions for a mission service program. We work with the LCMS-NED based missionaries with regard to maintaining a list and status. If needed, render courtesy service to incoming and outgoing missionaries and their families.

 

TLC For Wives of Deployed Chaplains

 Coordinated by the Military Project at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne

TLC For Wives of Deployed Chaplains

Is your society looking for ideas for a mission servant activity?  The CTSFW Military Project has a new service project: TLC For Wives of Deployed Chaplains.  Director of the Military Project, Deaconess Carolyn Brinkley, states, “One of the hardest and most challenging aspects of deployment for a chaplain and his family are the months of separation.  TLC For Wives of Deployed Chaplains is designed to bring Christ’s mercy to the dear ladies who share their husbands around the world as chaplains for the Armed Forces.  This service project is an opportunity to send cards, notes, and small gifts to our sisters in Christ that will not only make them feel loved, but will also cheer their husband’s spirit knowing that their spouse is cared for.”  If your society would like to participate in this project, please click here for guidelines:  Final Guidelines TLC For Wives of Deployed Chaplains

Guidelines: Things to SendPicture2

1. Cards with Scripture, Notes, and Signatures This is the most important thing that you could send to the deployed chaplains’ wives. Receiving greetings from LCMS sisters from across the country will not only make these ladies feel loved and cared for, but will also cheer their husband’s spirits. Being separated from six months to a year or longer can be very difficult and challenging. Your concern and care will make a difference! Many thanks for your willingness to do this work of mercy.

2. Care Package Suggestions (approx. 1-3 items) • Something your area is known for (e.g., Vera Bradley bags and DeBrand’s Chocolates in Fort Wayne; J.W. Renfroe Pecan Co. in Pensacola) • Items specific to the church year or season • Mug, coffee, and tea • Treats and snacks • CDs of sacred music • Books • Handmade soap • Specialty handcrafted gift made by someone in your group or church • Something to cheer the heart

3. Please contact me for current names and addresses approximately a month before mailing cards or care packages.

4. Please keep these dear ladies, their chaplain husbands, and their families in your prayers.

5. If you have any questions, just let me know and I’ll be happy to help you.

Again, thank you!

The Lord Jesus be with you and bless you,

Deaconess Carolyn Brinkley Military Project Director

Concordia Theological Seminary

6600 North Clinton

Fort Wayne, IN 46825

(260) 452-2140

militaryproject@ctsfw.ed

 

Young Women Committee: Sage Veino

The Young Women Committee’s purpose is to encourage young women to join and participate in the LWML-NED. Click on the link for news and information especially for the young women of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League.

 

The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) of the New England District (NED) is now accepting applications for Young Woman Representatives (YWRs) to the LWML 81st National Biennial Convention in Omaha, NE, from June 26-29, 2025,

Be on the lookout for young ladies who may enjoy this opportunity to learn more about the LWML and encourage them to apply.

Please click on the links below for more detailed information and the application form.

 QUALIFICATIONS
  • A mature young woman who is preferably 22-35 years of age
  • A member of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
  • She shall have a deep love and devotion to her Lord Jesus Christ.
  • She shall be able to be away from home and/or work for the convention.
  • She shall be willing to attend all sessions of the convention, sitting in assigned seating, though she will not be able to vote.

She shall complete the application form and return it to the committee by November 15, 2024. (See application for name and email address to whom it is sent.)

 EXPECTATIONS

  •  She shall be asked to give a report of her impressions and account of experiences at a district, zone and/or society meeting.
  • She shall commit herself to be active in her LWML society and to encourage others to be a part of her excitement.
  • She may be invited to attend zone and society functions and be open to take part in the programs upon request.
  • The LWML District will cover the cost of registration for the convention, ½ a hotel room, and meals.

Help spread the word to young ladies who would be blessed by serving in this capacity in Omaha, NE, next June.

NationalConventionYWRepflyer

NationalYWRApplication_wFooter

 

 

 

Heart to Heart

Picture1The LWML New England District welcomes all women of the LCMS.   We intentionally seek out, invite, and include women of all cultures to participate in the life and work of the LWML.  Pray that God will guide you to women of other cultures in this effort.  Do you know a sister-in-Christ where English is not her first language?  Invite her to your next LWML meeting or rally and introduce her to other sisters-in-Christ.  Give her a preview of what to expect.  Sit next to her so you can help her feel welcome and answer any questions she might have. Thank her for coming and follow-up and ask her what she thought and invite her back!  She will undoubtedly have ideas to share and contributions to make that will enrich your group.

 

Spirit Warrior Ministry
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Dear Sisters in Christ:

Greetings from Spirit Warrior!  What a year it has been since LWML-NED Board member Sage Veino visited our facility, met the horses, and brought the LWML Mission Grant check.

Shortly after her visit, the weather began to get cold, wet, and muddy.  The horses were not fans, and neither were the humans.  We met with our Veterans until the temperatures dropped below 32 degrees (factor in the windchill), and then we closed the program until the warmer weather returned.

When it seemed that we were heading into warmer weather, we asked the Veterans to come back  to touch base with us and to interact with the horses after a long winter, but I slipped on the ice and face planted into the ground destroying my rotator cuff.  I lost all mobility in my dominant right arm and was not allowed to drive. My Veterans and Chris Hubbard were amazing in helping me.  As I entered physical therapy to train the muscles around the shoulder, we kept an eye on the weather and Chris worked with the Veterans. Hope for Healing sponsored a seminar on Positive Reinforcement training for the local community, and Penny was the star of the seminar, showing that she could listen and learn.

At the same time as my shoulder injury, I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer of the bone and lung.  This provided the opportunity to train the horses to recognize and work with individuals who might be carrying around an oxygen tank, or who is slow moving.  I have used this as an opportunity to learn how to encourage someone with limited mobility, breathing issues, and such as they work with the horses.  These horses are amazing!  They instantly recognize a situation and respond accordingly, but they also know when someone needs a little extra push and encouragement.  My own PT sessions were greatly enhanced when I started grooming and moving horses again.  I was able to translate exercises from my PT sessions to how to care for a horse.  This led to many discussions at PT as to my gains in mobility.

But life continues to change.  Chris Hubbard’s own life experienced changes, and it was felt that the horses were not getting the human interaction that they craved.  So, at the end of September, Emma and Penny were moved to a facility closer to Bangor that is only eight miles from me which means that I see them every day.  They are just finishing up quarantine and will be moved to the bigger, mutually shared pasture this week.  I have reached out to local Veteran organizations to let them know of the change.

Our Veterans in Hartland have been given the choice of meeting once a month in Hartland or coming to Bangor. They have done so well with the program that they have moved away from needing to be with the horses every week to an occasional visit to get their “horse fix”.  This is exactly what the program is for, and I am so proud of them.

Some of the money from the LWML grant was used to purchase a tractor, so that we (meaning I) could convert the old hay field behind my house to a working hay field.  A representative from the USDA came out and said that a few more cuts and over wintering should produce a fine hay field next year.  Hay is hard to come by this year, which led me to research ways to provide forage, which led to growing fodder, micro greens for horses.  Next month, I’ll begin the process of growing fodder and feeding it to Emma and Penny over the winter to see how they do.  Fodder allows us to stretch the hay, so it lasts longer.

Sometime this week, a logging road will be started on the property next door so that the loggers can harvest the tree lot this winter.  Two benefits to this process, the trees were sold to a timber company that will assist in creating a stand of trees that will produce income over the years, and a much-needed road will be in place to lead to where a new therapeutic center will be built.

The Board of Directors for Hope for Healing met online and discussed necessary changes to the Constitution and Bylaws.  Some were recommended by Deaconess Krans, head of the LCMS RSO department and others to refine how business is conducted.  The new Constitution and Bylaws were resubmitted to Deaconess Krans for RSO consideration and approval.  If anyone would be interested in serving on the Board of Directors, let me know!  I also worked with the IRS to change Hope for Healing’s tax status from Private Foundation to Public Charity.  I should know of the change next month.  This will make a difference in who can donate to the program.

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My 85 year old mom spoiling Emma and Penny with carrots and pats!

In Christ,

Deaconess Kim Slininger