Pastor Kory’s Page for May 11, 2025

What is the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML)?

On this weekend of Mother’s Day, we thank the Lord for the gift of our mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and all the loving women He has graciously placed in our lives, homes, and churches. In this Easter season, we’ve also remembered how the Lord chose Mary Magdalene and other women as the first witnesses of Jesus’ empty tomb.

As we give thanks for faithful women both in Bible times, among us today, and throughout the church’s history, I’d like to share a little about a women’s organization in our church body. The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) is an auxiliary ministry of The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS). The LWML was organized in 1942 and has been integral to the LCMS on both a local and national level ever since. 

To borrow a summary from their website, “the LWML has focused on affirming each woman’s relationship with Christ, encouraging and equipping women to live out their Christian lives in active mission ministries and to support global missions.” (Speaking of the LWML website, I’d encourage you to check it out yourself at lwml.org.)

I’ve been around LWML folks and activities for most of my life as both my mom and grandmother served in the LWML. Through my Lutheran education (5th grade – seminary), I received support, books, and scholarships from LWML groups on multiple occasions. As a pastor, I also worked with LWML groups in my previous congregations. Last year, I was elected to serve as a pastoral counselor to our Mid-South District LWML. In this capacity, I’ll be traveling to the national LWML convention next month in Omaha, NE. 

Next month we’ll also have an opportunity to learn more about the LWML here at St. Matthew. On Sunday, June 8 following the service, we’ll be joined by representatives from nearby LWML groups in our sister congregations. They’ll share about their experiences in the LWML and describe the process for St. Matthew’s women to potentially form a new LWML group. I encourage women of all ages in the congregation to stay and learn more about this possibility.

Generally, women in the LWML meet for regular Bible study and fellowship with their local group. Each LWML group also raises funds to support mission projects, missionaries, our seminaries, non-profit organizations, and more. A local recipient of a recent grant from our Mid-South LWML is the City of Hope Outreach (CoHO) here in Conway. Each LWML District also has regional retreats and workshops, giving women the opportunity to gather with those from sister congregations in the area. (Other nearby congregations with LWML groups include Peace Lutheran in Conway, Hope Lutheran in Jacksonville, and Our Savior Lutheran in Cabot.) You can learn more about the mission grants provided by our Mid-South LWML and other happenings in our region at their website, midsouthlwml.org.

In closing, I’d simply like to share a primary Scripture verse that inspires the women of the LWML: “Serve the Lord with gladness” (Psalm 100:2).  May that verse describe all of us as Christ’s faithful people!

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Kory Janneke