The Voice of Service Volume 53, Issue 2 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League Oklahoma District Summer 2020

LWML Oklahoma District Elects New Officers, Mission Grants Virtually

When the LWML Oklahoma District Convention Planning Committee chose the convention theme, “Fix Our Eyes on Jesus,” members envisioned delegates gathered collectively for prayer and electronic voting in the meeting hall of the Hilton Garden Inn, Edmond. Coronavirus, however, forced the cancellation of the convention. Still fixing their eyes on Jesus, delegates prayed and voted virtually during the original dates of the convention for officers, a new mission goal

“Serve the Lord with Gladness” and recipients of mission grants. Ps.100:2 Congratulations to Pam Wiederkehr, St. Paul’s, Enid, who was elected as Oklahoma District President.

Congratulations also to Joan Anderson, Redeemer, Inside this issue: Claremore, elected Vice President of Organizational Resources; Caroline Honeycutt, Redeemer, Claremore, President’s Message 2 elected Vice President of Special Focus Ministries; Teresa Heater, St. John, Lawton, elected Financial Secretary; Pastoral Insights 3 Myrna Lou Meyer, Holy Trinity, Edmond, elected Corresponding Secretary; and Rev. John Wackler, Zion, Stillwater, elected Junior Pastoral Counselor. Cookies for Courage 4 Pam Wiederkehr, President District business included voting on changes to bylaws Response to Covid-19 5 Bringing Christ to Kenya 6 LWML News to Use 7 District Mission Grants 8

www.oklwml.org

Above left to right: Joan Anderson, VP of Organizational Resources; Caroline Honeycutt, VP of Special Focus Submit news items and Ministries; Teresa Heater, Financial Secretary; Myrna Lou pictures for TVOS to: Meyer, Corresponding Secretary [email protected] At left: Rev. John Wackler, Zion, Stillwater, Junior Pastoral Counselor

and the funding of 20 mission grants totaling $115,060. LWML Vice President of Special Focus Ministries Deaconess Betty Knapp attended the Zoom meeting elections.

Members of the LWML Oklahoma District are asked to pray for these new members of the Board of Directors and our new mission grant recipients.

The Voice of Service Page 2 In Joyful Service

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:9 ESV).

Well, here we are! Where is that, exactly?

One thing I know for sure is we are in the mission field. It’s all around us. Of course, we are always witnesses by our words and our actions, but Covid-19 has prompted us to think of new ways to witness. We’re using technology to lead Bible studies, teach confirmation class, livestream worship services, even elect LWML officers and choose mission grants for this new biennium. (Remember, keep those mites coming!) Just think Pam Wiederkehr, of all the people whose lives have been and will be touched with God’s Word who might never President set foot inside a church. God gives us new and exciting opportunities every day to be witnesses of His love, mercy, forgiveness, and hope!

Our world today holds many unknowns, but let’s remember Who is in control. I recently heard a song by J.J. Heller on Christian radio that includes the lyrics, “You hold my tomorrow, and all tomorrow holds You already know.” What peace we have knowing His ways are higher than our ways.

My prayer for the LWML Oklahoma District, as an organization and as individuals, is that we look higher to God’s Word so that we are always ready to serve Him by caring for others.

President Pam Wiederkehr

FOOD FOR THE SOUL Oklahoma District Confident to Share names Editor Liaison

Mark 8:2-3 (The Passion Translation): My heart goes out to this crowd, for To my brothers and sisters of the they’ve already been here with me for three days with nothing to eat. I’m LWML Oklahoma District: concerned that if I send them home hungry, they’ll be exhausted along the way, for some of them have come a long, long way just to be with me. I have enjoyed serving as your District Editor these past eight years. I have Jesus is concerned about a crowd of people, individuals who traveled a long enjoyed my quarterly task of gathering way desiring to be with Him. Jesus knows that they have no food. In articles, pictures and your news to edit compassion, He doesn’t want to send them home physically hungry. It is in and publish in The Voice of Service. this setting that Jesus makes the statements of Mark 8:2-3 to His disciples. It’s time for me to move on to what Jesus makes no demand or request. He simply waits for His disciples to else God has in store for me. respond. The disciples see only the lack of supplies and money. They focus Join me in recognizing Sharon on what they don’t have to share, resources that aren’t apparent to them. Greene, Redeemer, Claremore, and Jesus asks them, in essence, “What is available? What do you have to solve most recently Corresponding this problem?” Secretary for our district, as your After the disciples show Jesus seven loaves of bread, He takes the loaves district’s Editor Liaison. She will and gives thanks for the small offering. He then gives pieces of the loaves receive and edit all material to be back to the disciples, and they distribute the bread until the entire crowd is fed. published in the newsletter.

As followers of Jesus today, we often face the same dilemma the disciples did The email for contributions to the so long ago. When children or women or teens come a “long way” to Sunday newsletter will remain the same: school, a youth Bible study or a women’s event, we often focus on our limited [email protected]. Continue resources or skills. But they are there to be with Jesus, and our Lord has to contribute your group’s or zone’s compassion on them. He doesn’t want them to return home spiritually hungry news and photos to Sharon Greene. but instead full and satisfied with His Word, His presence and His love. I pray continued blessings and If you are in charge of providing the “meal,” of feeding those who attend your support for all of our district’s class or meeting, don’t focus on what you lack. Bring what little you know to endeavors.

Jesus. Jesus is thankful for your offering. Let Him bless you and your gifts. Go about teaching and serving confidently. Know that through His Spirit, His love Your sister in Christ, and His compassion, Jesus will not allow anyone who comes to be with Him to Karen Karner leave hungry…not even you! Peggy Grunow, Vice President of Christian Life Volume 53, Issue 2 Page 3 Pastoral Insights

I suppose most of you have seen TV shows and movies set in Boston, Massachusetts. You've probably seen wide shots of the skyline, the waterfront, the harbor islands, Fenway Park, the old Boston Garden, and the Charles River with all the sailboats.

By the Esplanade, near downtown Boston, sit the docks and moorings of Community Boating, Inc. (CBI). These are the sailboats that you see in movies and TV shows on the Charles River Basin. During my time studying at Berklee College of Music, from 1983-1986, I was a member of CBI. It was open April through October, the busiest months being June through August. CBI's main boat was the Cape Cod Mercury, a 15-foot sloop rigged dinghy. I spent most of my time sailing the Mercury. I took many people sailing during those years.

CBI also had the Barnegat 20, a keelboat, along with the Cape Dory Typhoon 19, also a keelboat. I loved the Typhoon. It had beautiful, classic lines, stood up to a breeze nicely, and sailed very well. Keelboats have heavy lead keels beneath the waterline which provide ballast. On the dinghy, your body is the ballast, and you move your body in or out on the boat as wind conditions dictate. Rev. John Wackler, On this particular day, the Typhoon was not available, so my friend and I took the Barnegat. It Pastoral Counselor was not a hot day, and the wind was probably 10-12 mph. We sailed all over the basin, all the way up to the Mass Avenue Bridge, basically up by MIT.

We noticed a motorboat drifting powerlessly in the water a ways off near the bridge. When we got closer, we saw that the pilot was sitting on the stern of the boat with his legs around the motor. The cover was off the motor, and he was working on it. My concern grew deep. I sailed nearby and asked if he wanted us to tow him to the dock. There is one dock on the southern shore near the Mass Ave. Bridge. You can see this dock on a satellite view. By the way, the Esplanade is a great place for watching fireworks on July 4th.

The guy was quite surprised at our offer of a tow, but, pretty quickly, he agreed. We sailed slowly by, and he tossed us his bowline. My crew belayed it to our starboard aft cleat, and we were towing a motorboat with a sailboat. How about that. We got him close, let the line loose, and he floated on up to the dock. He thanked us for the help, and we sailed on.

Job exclaimed at 26:2, How you have helped him who has no power! How you have saved the arm that has no strength! When you are out on the water in a broken motorboat, you don't expect to be helped by two guys in a sailboat. How does God help us?

I know we want Him to help. Like King David said at Psalm 38:22, Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation! Most sailboats are not as fast as motorboats, usually. And sailboats can't go in a straight line towards the goal all the time. But, they will get you to the goal.

God sends His help in ways that are unpredictable. We might be so focused on fixing a motor, we don't think to raise our eyes to see what help might be available to us. But, then a shout comes. “Hey, do you want a tow?” And that turns out to be the best thing.

For many years, the LWML has been looking to throw a lifeline to many people. The lifeline that you throw takes many forms. In each and every case, you assist God's people in their task of serving those less fortunate and those who have not yet heard the saving message of Christ crucified for the sins of the world.

I am tickled to be a part of this excellent organization along with Rev. Heckmann. I look forward to serving you as you serve others.

I leave you with this verse: Hebrews 4:16, Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Blessings to all, Pastor Wackler

A Special Offer from the LWML Store

With many LWML district conventions being canceled for the safety of our members, many are unable to see and purchase new LWML products. As a special compensation, LWML is offering free shipping on any order of more than $75. This offer applies to both old and new products, extending to individuals and districts. Please keep in mind that shipping is less if it is delivered to a church rather than to a household. This offer is good through May and June of 2020. View all products available here (https://www.cph.org/c- 2482-lwml.aspx?REName=lwml). Please note: Shipping costs still apply on free items such as Mite Boxes, mission grant bookmarks, PR brochures, etc. The Voice of Service Page 4 Around the District Fourth Annual Young Women’s Cookies for Courage brings Sweets to First Responders Thank you to everyone who attended our fourth annual Cookies for Courage event led by the young women of the LWML Oklahoma District. This annual project continues to be meaningful to those in attendance as we offer a small token of appreciation to our police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel who protect and serve us daily. Lutheran Church of Our Savior, Bethany, was the setting for this year’s event. Singing, food and a devotion from the book of Jeremiah were some of the activities enjoyed, along with laugher and cookie decorating. A huge thank you to Suzet Roggow, who every year graciously prepares her family recipe for frosting in honor of her mother, Nancy Holbert, and her grandmother, Valta Diekmann. We are blessed to share a tradition that we hope Karen Karner (YWR ‘93) and Jennifer Karner continues for many more years. Thanks to the women of Lutheran (YWR ‘17), St. John’s, Moore, deliver cookies to an Church of Our Savior for hosting. Oklahoma City Fire Department.

Submitted by Shari Stepanek, Young Women Chairman

Neva Lockett, Our Savior, Bethany, Tish Mindemann (YWR ‘13), delivers cookies to an Oklahoma City Cookies for Courage founder, Hannah Michael (YWR ‘19) and her grandmother Fire Department. Trinity, McAlester, and Shawna Gloria Michael, Our Savior, Bethany, deliver cook- Duwald (YWR ‘13), St. John’s, ies to a Bethany Fire Department. Moore, enjoy fourth annual event.

Above: Chris Rushton and Grace Shelly Michael, Elizabeth Michael Rohwer, Our Savior, Bethany, decorate (YWR ‘19), Abi Michael, Hannah cookies together. Michael (YWR ’19), and Milty Brasher, Our Savior, Bethany, Suzet Roggow, St, At right: Rosalie Seebeck and Ruthie enjoy the evening of fellowship. John’s, Moore, mixes Gable, Our Savior, Bethany, enjoy the frosting for cookies each fellowship of the event. year. Volume 53, Issue 2 Page 5 Around the Zones LWML Members “Sew” Busy in the Midst of Pandemic

Lawton—St. John LWML continued serving in the midst of pandemic by sewing masks for their local Comanche County Memorial Hospital. The hospital had requested face masks, needed for patients and people coming with them to the emergency room. The Dorcas Guild responded. Marki Payne and Lois Courtright remained busy at their sewing machines. To date, the group has delivered 125 masks and will continue to do so. The group asks everyone to join them in prayer for all those who use these masks for their protection and health, and prayers of thanksgiving for the time and talent of these ladies serving. Daphnee Bryan and Barb Sprunger, Christ the Redeemer, Tulsa, sew masks and quilt tops from their home.

In addition to sewing quilts, Daphnee Bryan has made over 350 masks for truck drivers, pharmacists, doctors, oil and gas engineers, agriculture engineers, grocery store workers, and others. Her masks have gone to Texas, Kansas and all over Oklahoma.

When her neighbors realized what she was doing, they donated fabric. “I’m not sure how many fat quarters I received,” she reported. “One lady ordered five yards of fabric and had it Lois Courtright (left) and Marki Payne (right), St. John, Lawton, shipped to me!” Part of the sew masks from their homes for Comanche County Memorial donation will be used for a fabric Hospital. kit, the rest sewn into a quilt for LWR because, said Bryan, “If I’m not making masks, I’m making Tulsa—LWML members of Christ the Redeemer spent quilt tops for LWR. Barry, my Teresa Nightengale cuts quarantine time sewing masks for local agencies, as well husband, will be glad when we as sewing quilts for Lutheran World Relief. Members of fabric for kits to be sewn can eat at the table again!” by members from home. Sew and Sow sewed quilt tops in their homes, brought them to the church where Lynn Kollock and Carol Tulsa—LWML, Our Savior Fruehling, among others, assembled the quilts. Members Lutheran, received a request for masks, and members came to sew the edges, trim wasted no time sewing and delivering 50 masks to the and turn, and ready the quilts facility. While in quarantine, members continued their for tying. Teresa Nightengale business as usual by holding their April meeting via email. continued to cut squares The agenda and directions clarifying their online process forming kits that members got were sent prior to the April 19th meeting. The group’s each time they brought a continued virtual presence has allowed for important completed quilt top. Says business such as presenting a slate of candidates for Daphnee Bryan, “We are all offices, the sending of greeting cards, and the collecting of mites on Mite Box Sunday to continue. still working together to make quilts, just in our own homes. Submitted by Daphnee Bryan, Christ the Redeemer, Tulsa, Darcy Cline, It's been difficult not being St. John, Lawton, and Claudette Brown, Our Savior, Tulsa together, but we are making it Lutheran World Relief issues face mask work.” challenge: Pledge to sew masks at https://lwr.org/masks. Directions available. Looking for a pattern to sew masks? Carol Fruehling, appropriately Go to: https://buttoncounter.com/2018/01/14/facemask-a- masked, works at Christ the picture-tutorial/ Redeemer assembling quilts. The Voice of Service Page 6 Around the Mission Field Bringing Christ to Kenya

By Lori Steele, Tulsa Zone President

With the benefit of a grant from the LWML Oklahoma District, I had the privilege of traveling to Africa in January 2020 with Medical Mission Teams, Tallahassee, Florida. Our medical clinic was located just outside of Point of Grace Lutheran Academy, Kisumu, Kenya. During our week-long clinic, we saw from 100 to 230 patients a day, ranging in age from 6 months to 70 years. We confirmed over 160 cases of malaria that week. We also saw such conditions as severe skin rashes and infections, upper respiratory infections, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). All patients that were seen were provided multivitamins as many were chronically malnourished. On the last day of clinic, we filled over 600 prescriptions for various ailments.

Residents of Kisumu, Kenya, wait near the clinic to see medical missionaries who tend to their medical and spiritual needs. After completing our work in the clinic for the week, we visited the school. We helped serve the Saturday dinner and then worshipped with the staff and students on Sunday morning. They had no Above (left to right): Lori Steele, P.A., BA Oklahoma; hymnals. All hymns were sung Scarlet Holcombe, PharmD, Tallahasse, Fla; Kasem Khan, and by memory, as were spoken Salman Hasham, Pharmacy students, Atlanta, Georgia the confession of sins, creeds, and prayers!

The school typically has 700 Our guest house, located just outside the students. Approximately 400 walls of the school, sat on a hill live at the school during the overlooking Lake Victoria. We were school year, and 100 students offered spectacular sunrises every are orphans who live at the morning. In the evenings, we heard the school year round. During our Above and below: Kisumu children at the school laughing and time there, four more orphans residents (Note the t-shirt.) singing as they played and washed their were accepted to the school, laundry. Our hosts, Rev. Dennis and despite the fact that the dormitories were Deaconess Lorna Meeker have served at already at capacity. Point of Grace since its founding in 2011. Point of Grace student The school educates children from elementary school through high school. It is supported by a United States-based mission, 4KenyasKids.org. The cost to house and educate each student is approximately $1300 per year. Individuals or congregations may sponsor a student on an annual or ongoing basis. Anyone interested in learning more about this mission should go to YouTube to view a ten-minute video called “Point of Grace Academy” by Cheryl Brockmann. Her video details much better than I can what a wonderful mission this is. I encourage all to view it. Thank you, LWML Oklahoma District, for supporting me as I worked to “serve the Lord with gladness” in Kisumu, Kenya. Volunteers of the mission serve Saturday evening meals to the children of Point of Grace. Submitted by Lori Steele, Tulsa Zone President Volume 53, Issue 2 Page 7 Around LWML

Facebook Live Bible Study Begins with 771 Participating

Donna Snow and 771 LWML friends from around the world united together in Bible study on Facebook Live Tuesday evening, April 28, 2020. Donna continues this Bible study each Tuesday night on the LWML Facebook page at 8 p.m. Central Daylight Time, leading us through her Overflowing Abundance Bible study based on Jesus feeding the five thousand as found in Matthew 14:13-21. During each episode, LWML President Debbie Larson, Vice President of Christian Life Susan Brunkow, and Pastoral Counselors Rev. Mitchel Schuessler and Rev. Brian Noack are online answering questions and taking prayer requests in the comments. The study guide is available as a free download at lwml.org. To learn more and to invite your friends, check out the Lutheran Women in Mission Facebook event page.

From LWML eNews Issue #288 – April 29, 2020

Share Your Church Worker Time to Submit Partnership Story! Mission Grant

The LWML Church Worker in Mission Committee wants to Proposals hear how the Lutheran Women in Mission group in your congregation is intentionally building relationships with your The LWML Convention in church’s pastors or staff members who lead youth, older Lexington, Kentucky, is not adult, or Christian education groups. These stories could until 2021, but the deadline for inspire others to connect in similar ways. mission grant proposals is

Examples of these partnerships could be: approaching. Electronic submission is requested by August 15, 2020, and the final Financial support — how a local LWML group was hard copy submission is to be postmarked by September able to financially support their congregation’s 30, 2020. Find out more in the Mission Grant Guidelines by ministry program, service trip, or building project; clicking here or go to https://www.lwml.org/mission-grant- Prayer support — how a local LWML group actively proposals.

prays for their congregation and its ministry or From LWML eNews Issue #291 – May 20, 2020 intentionally supports staff members and their work through prayer; or

Service opportunities — how a local LWML group works with church staff to serve their community or congregation.

You are invited to write a few paragraphs (150-300 words) explaining how your local group works as a team with staff, how you’ve been supportive, or if you are planning to collaborate on a project.

Email your stories to Christie Steffens, Chairman of the Church Workers in Mission Committee The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League invites all at [email protected]. Use the subject line women and men to the 39th Biennial Convention “Partners in Mission Story.” The deadline to submit your Thursday, June 24–Sunday, June 27, 2021, Rupp Arena story is June 1, 2020. The committee plans to publish some at Central Bank Center, Lexington, Kentucky. Bible of these stories regularly on the LWML website and studies, a mission walk, special interest lunches, and Facebook Page. networking with missionaries from round the world draw

From LWML Church Workers in Mission Committee participants from across the nation. Don’t forget your Kentucky derby (hat). For more convention information, go to lwml.org/ 21-convention. The Voice of Service Page 8 District Board District Mission Oklahoma District President Grants for 2020-2022 Pam Wiederkehr VP of Organizational Resources Grant AMOUNT PAID Joan Anderson 1 Oklahoma District Ministerial Students, OK District $12,000 VP of Christian Life Peggy Grunow 2 Bringing Christ's Light to Those Living in Darkness, $5,000 VP of Gospel Outreach Lutheran Braille Workers, Inc. Beverly Bahr 3 AED Devices for Camp Lutherhoma, Tahlequah, OK $4,690 VP of Communication Kasey Meyer 4 Oklahoma District Professional Church Workers $12,000 VP of Special Focus Ministries Scholarships, OK District Caroline Honeycutt 5 Financial Assistance for Concordia Theological $5,000 Recording Secretary Seminary, Fort Wayne (CTSFW) Food and Clothing Sarah Yauk Co-op, Fort Wayne, IN Corresponding Secretary 6 King of Kings Lutheran Church Charities Comfort Dog $5,000 Myrna Lou Meyer Ministry, Glenpool, OK Treasurer 7 Pregnancy Resource Center of Southwest Oklahoma, $5,010 Jonith Grundmann Lawton, OK Financial Secretary 8 MOST Ministries Water Filters, Ann Arbor, MI $7,050 Teresa Heater Senior Pastoral Counselor 9 Assistance to LWML Members Team Mission Trip, OK $6,000 District Rev. Joel Heckmann Junior Pastoral Counselor 10 Good Samaritan Fund at Concordia Life Care $5,000 Rev. John Wackler Community, Oklahoma City, OK Public Relations Chairman 11 Tools for Oaks Indian Mission, Oaks, OK $3,500 Bev England 12 Pastors, Vicars and Lay Ministers Wives Retreat, OK $4,000 District Editor District Karen Karner Meeting Manager/Recycling 13 Healing Spaces--Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, $5,000 Minot, ND Marguerite Christman Archivist-Historian 14 At Just The Right Time, Mission Central, Mapleton, IA $10,000 Vacant 15 God Speaks Today--A Lutheran Voice, $10,020 Webservant Quetzaltenango, Guatemala Audrey House 16 Equipping People with Intellectual and Developmental $5,000 Structure Chairman Disabilities to Share the Gospel, Bethesda Lutheran Mary Fischaber Communities, Watertown, WI Parliamentarian 17 Tablet Technology for St. John's Lutheran School, $5,700 Betty Reichert Moore, OK Special Gifts Chairman 18 Worker Wellness for Chaplain Families, LCMS, $3,000 Sherrie Schroeder St. Louis, MO Mission Servants Chairman 19 Summer Heights Day Camp, Immanuel Lutheran $2,000 Sally Korstad Church, Oklahoma City, OK Heart to Heart Coordinator 20 Training Leaders to BOLDLY Declare Y'shua as $90 Vacant Messiah, Israel Young Women Chairman Shari Stepanek TOTAL $115,060 Teen LWML Coordinator Shawna Duwald Mission Statement Planning Facilitator The mission of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League is to assist each woman of The Delia Collard Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in affirming her relationship with the Triune God so that she is enabled to use her gifts in ministry to the people of the world.