Judy Anderson and Kay Kreklau at Trinity

“This little site is designed to help us to see how the body of Christ functions, communicates, works, struggles and cares up here, in this part of God’s creation. Up North, where you might see the Northern Lights, we are hoping to give glimpses of God’s light shining in our hearts as we “live together as Christ’s people”. We hope to hear from those people in the months and years ahead as paths “cross” and partnerships are formed and we witness, show mercy and share our “life together” in Christ.”  I keep going back to this statement that I wrote when we started this blog site in April.  There are so many things that churches are doing corporately to show the love of Christ in the world.  There are so many things that groups are doing to show the love of God in the world and so many things that individuals are doing too.  I am stunned at the programs and projects that the Board of International Missions looks at that take place all around the world.  I am completely amazed when I hear of the different projects that individuals are involved with.  We want to encourage all of that and at the same time focus on things that we can to together.

The Lutheran Womens Missionary League has always been a great source of inspiration and help to me in many ways.  There is a true partnership with the LWML at all levels from the congregational units to the District to the Synod.  At least there should be.  Kay Kreklau from Drayton North Dakota was recently elected to be the President of the national LWML at Peoria.  She was installed and commissioned but we had a little ceremony of blessing and “sending” at Trinity on Sunday July 10th.  Judy Anderson is the President of the Northeast Zone of the North Dakota District and she gave Kay the flowers.

I served as the counselor for the LWML and can attest to the meticulous care that they take with their mites and figuring out how best to use these gifts to extend the work of “mission and mercy”.  I have participated in retreats and presentations with the LWML of the Minnesota North District and I continue to be impressed with their commitment to bring the lost and erring into fellowship with Christ and to strengthen the faith and prayer life of their members.  I am getting to know Cheryl Petersen who is the LWML President in Minnesota North.  Dorothy Abrahamson of MN North can tell you all about the length and breath of the projects that these women undertake.  Sue Corwin the President of the North Dakota District LWML is a quiet example of service and caring.  Joan Johnson my friend from Grand Rapids is an example of the LWML’s evangelical soul.   Kay will be a great servant leader for this organization and I look forward to all kinds of partnerships.

One last word of advice to the Pastors who may be reading this.  It is a mistake that many of us make to think of the LWML as the altar guild or the funeral lunch crowd.  They do those things and they do them willingly and carefully but they are and can be so much more.  My prayer is that every Pastor when he works with the LWML at any level can say what Paul said –

“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, 5 for your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now”.  Philippians 1:3-5