Bountiful Blessings
Des Moines LWML Convention ~ June 25-28, 2015 ~ Iowa East & Iowa West Districts ~ Volume 1 Issue 2 ~ September 2014
A Minute with Marilyn Imagine a Sea of Purple Here we are planning for the return of a national LWML Con- vention to Iowa – only 30 years later. Some of us, I know for a fact, helped plan the LWML Con- vention that was held in Ames. There was excitement then and today new excitement builds as each and every day brings us one day closer to June 25-28, 2015! Can you believe it? That’s only nine months away! Are we ready or will we be ready? That’s probably the common question at this time. The answer is ‘of course, we’ll be ready.’ God is right here with each one of The Iowa Events Center and downtown Des Moines can be quiet and peace- us – guiding and directing. After all it truly is His con- ful. Imagine this same location in less than a year when thousands of LWML vention. Committees are diligently at work in prep- women gather for convention to “Sow Nourish Reap” aration for the several thousand individuals who will join us at the 36th biennial LWML Convention in Des Moines. What joy that will be! Convention Theme One way all of us can help ensure that we are The convention theme truly ready for this convention – a once in a life- is based on the follow- time opportunity — is to focus on recruitment of ing Scripture passage: our friends, family and our church family and ask And God is able to them to participate with us in some way during the make all grace abound convention. There’s a task for absolutely everyone to you, so that in all who wishes to help, even a request for a sitting things at all times, hav- assignment, if necessary. All that’s needed is a ing all that you need, completed Call for Workers form. This form is you will abound in every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV). available at each of the host districts’ website (www./idwlcms.org/lwmlnews.php and www.lwml Convention Goal Statement -ied.org) or from a Host Committee member. For Through Christ’s bountiful love and blessings of Word and Sac- agreeing to work two 4-hour shifts during the con- raments, I am equipped by the Holy Spirit to work in my Fa- vention, workers will receive a discount on their ther’s harvest field. full registration. Simply complete the form and return it. Assignments will be made starting in Convention Objectives April 2015. Convention attendees will be: Don’t let this wonderful opportunity to serve • Fed by God’s Word and Sacrament the Lord with gladness pass you by. The Host • Nurtured through worship and fellowship Committee needs you, come join us! • Equipped to sow, nourish, and reap in the Father’s field
Inside this Issue: Prayer Partners, page 3 Guest Services Department, page 4 Clergy Corner, page 3 Rachel Remembers, page 5 Meet Alice Hoffmeier, page 2 Host Committee Coordinators, page 4 Call for Workers, page 5 Iowa Trivia, page 2
Here Am I, Send Me Iowa Trivia: Can you recall what you’ve done for the past 28 years Did You Know? during the last week of July? Alice Hoffmeier, 78, of Ce- dar Rapids can. She has been riding RAGBRAI The name Iowa is derived from (Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa). This the Ioway Indians who lived in July marked her 28th consecutive ride. the area. Iowa became the 29th Alice is a member of Trinity Lutheran in Cedar Rapids state on December 28, 1846. and has served the LWML in several capacities, including The state flower is the Wild Society President (1978-1979 and 2004-2005), Zone Pres- Rose. The state bird is the ident (2004-2006) and District Vice President of Mission Eastern Goldfinch. The state Education (2000-2004). tree is the Oak. She and her husband, Norvin, partnered on RAGBRAI Iowa is #1 in egg production. together for several of their 39 years of marriage, Alice Iowa ranks first in soybean, riding her bike and Norvin driving the support vehicle. hog, and corn production. When Norvin passed away in 2003, Paul Golke, former Iowa hosts the first-in-the- director of Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca, had the idea to do a nation presidential caucuses. memory ride for Norvin and collect pledges for that Alice, right, met Kristie Camp. Norvin had been the volunteer treasurer of Camp Spotts of Buena Vista Uni- RAGBRAI, Register's Annual Io-Dis-E-Ca from 1972-2002. Alice has been collecting versity on RAGBRAI 2014. Great Bicycle Ride Across Io- pledges, riding RAGBRAI, and donating those pledges to wa, is the oldest, longest, and Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca ever since. She raised $972 this year alone. largest touring bicycle event in “I have IO-DIS-E-CA on my bike and people bike by and the world. ask, ‘Where is that in California?’ And then I can tell them the Iowa is the only state name whole story. Two different gentlemen at different times during that starts with two vowels. the week each gave me $20,” she said. Alice is humbled and Five Nobel Prize winners hail grateful for those individuals, families, and organizations who from Iowa. offer a donation or pledge during RAGBRAI for Camp Io-Dis-E The Amana Colonies are com- -Ca. prised of seven villages listed But training for and riding on RAGBRAI aren’t the only as National Historic Land- things keeping Alice busy. Since 2003, she also has gone on 17 marks. mission trips to New York City, Alaska, Honduras, South Afri- ca, Chile, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Paraguay, and Philadelphia. Effigy Mounds National Monu- Alice’s sign on her “My first was with Apple of His Eye in New York reaching ment preserves more than 200 bike gets a lot of prehistoric mounds built by attention. out to the Jews. I was in Alaska five different summers teaching Vacation Bible School. I was in Honduras five times working Native Americans. It is located with World Gospel Mission. In South Africa, I volunteered in the library at the Lutheran near Marquette. Seminary in Pretoria. In Chile, I served with MOST Ministries teaching English to stu- “American Gothic” house, dents there and sharing the love of Jesus. In Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Paraguay I was painted by Grant Wood, is in with MOST Ministries again. When we were in Philadelphia, I was with Jews for Jesus,” Eldon, Iowa. Alice said. And her enthusiasm for sharing the love of Jesus has been nurtured by her involve- ment in the LWML at Trinity since 1970. Alice attended the LWML Convention in Ames Warehouse Needed in 1985, and remembers how thrilled and blessed she felt to be among so many LWML Do you have, or know of, a facil- women, pastors, husbands, and friends. Since then she has attended conventions in Cleve- ity/warehouse in the Des Moines land, Kansas City, Oklahoma City, Tampa, Sioux Falls, Portland, and Pittsburgh. She has area that could be used for storing also presented stories about her mission trips and her RAGBRAI fundraising for Camp Io- items for the convention? The Dis-E-Ca to numerous societies and zones, both in Iowa East and Iowa West districts, space should be accessible for re- including Zion Lutheran in Manning, where Alice was baptized, confirmed, and married. ceiving shipments during normal Alice is serving on the Child Care Committee for the 2015 Convention in Des Moines. business hours (8-5, Monday- She has been praying for and working on the plans for the 13-17 year olds. “Lord willing, Friday). If the space does not have we will have all things ready for those young people by convention time,” Alice said. a receiving dock, the door open- Alice is not planning any international mission trips, but is instead focusing on the ings should be wide enough to re- mission field right in her own community at the Crossroads Mission in Cedar Rapids. It is ceive pallets (48”x40”). A forklift an ecumenical mission that reaches out to the homeless and those people without jobs would also be quite helpful. If you who can come and receive a bag of groceries and clothes – and the Word of the Lord. can help, please contact conven- Alice’s family includes her daughter, Jean, who lives in Cedar Rapids with her family; tion chair, Marilyn Schroeder at and her son, Erich, who lives in Colorado with his two children. [email protected].
Bountiful Blessings Des Moines LWML Convention ~ June 25-28, 20152 2 Iowa East & Iowa West Districts
In Prayer for Clergy Corner One Another As we drive through the Mid- there is the west, especially Iowa, we are sur- bread that God Bountiful rounded by the abundance God has has given us. Blessings! I given us, as we see the seemingly The bread God love the title of endless fields of lush green crops. gives us is by our LWML Na- At different times of the year we His grace and for which we do not tional Conven- also see the large machinery plant- do any work. Jesus said “I am the tion Newsletter ing, tending and harvesting crops bread of life; whoever comes to me for 2015! Since allowing farmers to cover acres in a shall not hunger, and whoever be- the first issue, Karen Menz, lots of work has single day. While farming is still lieves in me shall never thirst” John Prayer Chairman been done and hard work, and one of the most 6:35 (ESV). This is the bread that is many blessings recognized through dangerous professions, modern ma- freely given, which no one can earn that work. One of my assignments chinery has multiplied the work a by the “sweat of your brow,” this is has been to pair up members of the single farmer can get done by many the bread that gives eternal life and Host Committee and their Directors times, though there is still a lot of when one partakes of this bread with a “Prayer Partner.” I am still labor involved in farming. This is a they will never hunger again. missing some information from far different situation than Adam Jesus said “I am the living bread some of the Directors to do that. and Eve found themselves in the that came down from heaven. If Even though some of your positions Garden of Eden. While they were anyone eats of this bread, he will won’t ramp up in earnest for several months, having a Prayer Partner is tasked with tending the Garden, live forever. And the bread that I such a blessing! Knowing that they only had to reach out and pick will give for the life of the world is someone out there thinks about you their food; they were surrounded by my flesh” John 6:51 (ESV). The daily, prays for you often, and walks good things to eat. Their only rule bread of life, eternal life is Jesus’ with God on the same road to Des was to not eat of one certain tree, a flesh, which is Jesus’ life. When Moines as we are walking is an en- rule they were to break. Jesus suffered and died on the couragement in itself! Thank you all With Adam and Eve’s disobedi- cross, He died for all sin, and then for the encouragement you are ence of God’s command, sin and rose from the grave as proof of His providing each other. death entered the world. “Because defeat of death. With the fall of “May the Lord you have listened to the voice of Adam and Eve, sin and death came make your love increase and over- your wife and have eaten of the tree into the world and bread became flow for each oth- of which I commanded you, ‘You the symbol of the fall. Jesus as the er” (1 Thessaloni- shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the new Adam is the bread of life, a ans 3:12). I love ground because of you; in pain you bread not of eventual death but of this verse! It is in- shall eat of it all the days of your eternal life. “For this is the will of deed the Lord who life; thorns and thistles it shall my Father, that everyone who looks works in us and bring forth for you; and you shall on the Son and believes in him through us to let us eat the plants of the field. By the should have eternal life, and I will LOVE others and sweat of your face you shall eat raise him up on the last day” John show that love. And what a blessing bread” Genesis 3:17–19a (ESV). 6:40 (ESV). All who repent and that gift of loving is ... God loving us and empowering us to love others. Gone was Paradise, where the food believe in Jesus as their Savior
was in easy reach. People now must have eaten of the bread of life and Prayer: Heavenly Father, loving work for their food, planting, weed- have received the “Bountiful” Lord, thank You for the blessing of ing, harvesting, grinding grain, bak- blessing of eternal life. Amen. Your amazing love. Help us to en- ing bread. Life has become more courage each other with honest, strenuous, bread has become the Rev. Roy Berquist sincere acts of love and earnest food of sin. But God in His mercy St. John Lutheran Church, Fairbank prayers for each other. In the name promises Adam and Eve a Savior. and Grace Lutheran Church, Jesup of Your greatest gift of love, Your There are two types of bread: 2015 Host Committee Pastoral Son Jesus, we pray. Amen. the bread that we work for and Counselor
Bountiful Blessings Des Moines LWML Convention ~ June 25-28, 20153 3 Iowa East & Iowa West Districts
Introducing Your Host Committee Host Committee Chairman: Marilyn Schroeder Properties Co-Chairman: Kim LWML Convention Programming Committee Chairman: Meyer, IWD Pat Reichert Ushers Chairman: LouAnn LWML Convention Manager: Marguerite Christman Knaak, IED LWML President: Kay Kreklau Worship Support Chairman: LWML Audio Visual Director: Rev. Bill Engfehr Janice Johnston, IED Host Committee Treasurer: Carole White GUEST SERVICES DEPARTMENT COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT Guest Services Coordinator: Judy Westergren, IED Communications Coordinator: Kathryn Sprecher, IWD Child/Youth Care Chairman: Nancy Medick, IWD Prayer Chairman: Karen Menz, IWD Food Services Chairman: Vicki Ozburn, IED Publicity Chairman: Deb Matasovsky, IWD Packet Materials/Registration Chairman: Helen Huedepohl, IED Secretary: Joanne Hartman, IED Tours Chairman: Linda Berghoefer, IED Staff Services Chairman: Nancy Goddard, IWD Transportation Chairman: Betty Borchardt, IED Newsletter Editor: Becky Wehrspann, IED PERSONNEL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT CREATIVE ENHANCEMENTS DEPARTMENT Personnel Resources Coordinator: Tracy Stetzel, IWD Creative Enhancements Coordinator: Laura Woebbeking, IED Personnel Data Management Chairman: Janice Steffen, Activities Chairman: Diane Rabe, IED IWD Decorations Chairman: Denita Krause, IED Hospitality Chairman: Jane Shever, IWD Music Chairman: Julia Dlouhy, IED Special Dress Chairman: Barbara Huseman, IWD Pastoral Counselor: Rev. Roy Berquist, Iowa East FACILITY MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT Pastoral Counselor: Rev. Dr. Steven Turner, Iowa West Facility Management Coordinator: Sharon Andresen, IED Iowa East District President: Joan Berquist Properties Co-Chairman: Martha Hartwig, IED Iowa West District President: Ann Carrick Guest Services Department Embraces Many Workers What a joy to Food Services Committee charter buses. She will be scheduling have the opportunity Chairman Vickie Ozburn will be hostesses where needed. Her VIP to serve the LWML working with the Convention Manag- chairman will handle drivers for spe- and our Lord by er and her Directors to see that host- cial guests and presenters as directed hosting the 2015 esses are available at all food func- by the Convention Manager. LWML Convention! tions and that those who have special Tours Committee Chairman LWML Iowa East meal requests will be handled appro- Linda Berghoefer has been very Judy and Iowa West dis- Westergren, priately. busy contacting tour companies and tricts are excited Guest Packet Materials/Registration working to provide pre- and post- about the opportuni- Services Committee Chairman Helen convention tours that will interest ty to be a part of Coordinator Huedepohl and her Directors are those who come to convention. Linda hosting a conven- already recruiting volunteers to help is working with the Convention Man- tion, and now we are striving to do with the packet assembling. She will ager to assure those who wish to see our best to make this convention run be working closely with the Conven- more of what Iowa has to offer will smoothly and be enjoyable for all tion Manager and LWML Conven- find interesting and worthwhile trips. who attend. tion Registrar regarding the registra- I praise the Lord for all those in The Child/Youth Care Chair- tion process. She is responsible for Iowa East and Iowa West districts man Nancy Medick and her Direc- scheduling adequate personnel to as- who are so willing to serve in respon- tors are planning field trips for ages 5 sist with the registration process. sible host positions. Please pray with and up, servant activities for the teens Transportation Committee me that the Lord will bless all who and all other aspects required in Chairman Betty Borchardt is are working to host this convention providing child care. Local and state working with her Directors and the and they will be strengthened in their requirements will be followed, and Convention Manager to work with all faith as they serve the Lord in this those participating will experience aspects of transportation to and from way. We look forward to hosting the much of what Des Moines has to of- the convention. The most recent task 2015 LWML Convention and serving fer. is to inform districts regarding district you, our Sisters in Christ.
Bountiful Blessings Des Moines LWML Convention ~ June 25-28, 20154 4 Iowa East & Iowa West Districts
Rachel Remembers ... Call for Rachel Taylor was the Iowa West Workers District President in 1985 when that district hosted the 21st biennial con- Please volunteer to help at vention in Ames. These are some of the upcoming LWML Conven- her thoughts and memories she tion in Des Moines! We will shared of that special time. need the assistance of more The color GREEN. I still than 600 willing workers have my Ames “uniform” in (women, men and youth) during my closet. I have not been the convention. You will be able to give it away or throw contacted by April 15, 2015, it away. If I am able to attend with details as to your role. the convention in 2015, I Thank you for your willingness would wear it for a day. to serve. The Host Committee meet- ings closing with the Post Communion Canticle, “Thank the Lord and sing his Special Notes for Workers: praise.” Every time I sing it I am reminded of Iowa West. 1. All workers must complete the I still have my crocheted corn-shaped pot holder hanging in a prominent Call for Workers form, which is place in my kitchen. These were given to all registrants to the convention. available for download at the Many attendees used the ISU dormitories for housing – and it worked great! Iowa East and Iowa West web- Every time I see a basketball game televised from Ames (Hilton Coliseum), I sites. visualize what that floor looked like when the LWML convention was held 2. Workers must serve at least two there. 4-hour sessions at convention to So far, that convention had the largest attendance in the history of the organi- receive a registration discount. zation, and it was successful because of the many wonderful women of the 3. If you serve as a delegate, you district being the best hosts for the event. cannot serve as a worker at There were many highlights of the convention itself but the one memory I love convention. is the Roger Williams concert and how he would be playing a wonderful song, and he would work in the tune to “Jesus Loves Me This I Know.” 4. DO NOT REGISTER for the convention until you receive It was a blessing to the Iowa District West as the workers made new friend- ships and old friendships were reinforced as we worked together. We were your worker coupon. A sepa- always reminded that the reason for this gathering was to GIVE PRAISE AND rate registration form will be GLORY TO OUR LORD and what a joy it was. used by Host Committee mem- bers and convention workers. Personally, I am humbled to have been the District President at that time and God blessed me in more ways than I could imagine. I like to look in my “rear view mirror of life” and see how God used me, led me, and blessed me. My years in Order Your Iowa West were the best. Thank you Lord. Thank you Iowa West LWML. Rachel Taylor Shirt Today! Share the Bountiful News! With your Zone — at Rallies and Board Meetings ... With your Society — encourage your Sisters in Christ to attend convention in our own state ... … as we prepare to be Bountiful! in Des Moines! www.idwlcms.org/lwmlnews.php Convention polo shirts are now avail- www.lwml-ied.org able for purchase. Complete a shirt order form (found on each District Watch for your LWML Winter Quarterly, which will website) and you’ll have a comforta- include all the details for our 2015 Des Moines Con- ble, stylish shirt to wear now to pro- vention! mote our Des Moines Convention.
Bountiful Blessings Des Moines LWML Convention ~ June 25-28, 20155 5 Iowa East & Iowa West Districts