Lutheran women to gather in Winnipeg

WINNIPEG – Lutheran women from across Canada will gather in Winnipeg July 5-8, 2018 to celebrate the 25^th anniversary of the founding of Lutheran Women’s Missionary League–Canada (LWMLC). The Lutheran Church–Canada auxiliary organization encourages and equips Lutheran women to “grow in God’s Word; share God’s Son; and serve God’s people.” Gathering around the theme “One in Spirit, One in Purpose” the 10^th National Convention includes activities and presentations geared toward fulfilling the organization’s mission statement. Known for collecting loose change to support mission projects in Canada and around the world, LWMLC has collected and distributed more than $760,000 in its 25-year history.

At the Winnipeg convention 33 voting delegates will decide on a major restructuring proposal. Under the reorganization the current four districts, which duplicated many of the national functions, are dissolved allowing for greater grassroots representation on a new national Board of Directors.

LWMLC president Iris Barta, who completes her final term this year, noted that like many other organizations growing out of an LCMS/US base, LWMLC adopted a similar structure in 1993 to its St. Louis-based parent LWML. “We’ve tinkered with our governance over the years, but it was time for a serious rethink about how we can efficiently fulfil our mission as an organization,” she explained.

Beyond the business, which will also include elections of a new president and executive, keynote speaker Tara Lyn Hart, recording artist, mother, and pastor’s wife, will talk about how God’s plan was worked out in her life—including many exciting twists: teaching voice and drama, writing music, fostering and adopting, moving to Australia for almost four years, and the blessing of a child with Down syndrome. Tara will also lead one of four interest sessions.

Other breakouts will address medical assistance in dying, presented by Dr. Leah Koetting Block; a report about an LWMLC educational mission trip to Nicaragua in December 2016 from Iris Barta, Renate Bishopp, Pauline Huth, Christine Pollex and Barb Jurgens; and Rev. Assefa Aredo and Yeshi Olkeba from Winnipeg’s Oromo community will share their experiences as refugees and how they dealt with integrating into the Winnipeg and Lutheran communities.

“This is an opportunity for all women in Lutheran Church–Canada to gather for mutual encouragement and spiritual enrichment through Bible study, fellowship and informative presentations,” noted President Iris. “You don’t have to belong to an LWMLC group to grow in your faith at our convention.

Convention information and registrations forms are available at www.LutheranWomen.ca .

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