Several years ago, my husband and I attended storm spotter training. The training familiarized us with cloud formations and how to identify tornadic clouds. During the presentation, a slide with the letters “S-L-C” appeared and my mind shifted from listening to wondering what S-L-C could mean. After several more slides, my mind shifted back to the speaker as he said, “Scary looking clouds.” Then, I was able to make the connection that “S-L-C” stood for scary looking clouds, but in the meantime, I had missed several important points of the presentation. I am also sure my face displayed my own S-L-C in Subtle Look of Confusion!

Lutheran Women in Mission events can often have their own S-L-C moments and can be intimidating to a guest or a new member as they navigate through many unfamiliar terms, abbreviations, and acronyms. It takes time to become familiar with the Lutheran Women in Mission lingo. Repetition and patience can be helpful, especially when trying to encourage new member attendance.

At Lutheran Women in Mission events, take time to explain abbreviations and unfamiliar terms. When you communicate in bulletins or in-person, always communicate as though you are talking to a new member to avoid any S-L-C, Subtle Look of Confusion, moments.

If you have found yourself with your own S-L-C moments, visit the Lutheran Women in Mission Website Glossary for term definitions. And always be reminded that the greatest confusion solver is our Savior Jesus and turn to Him every time confusion arises.

2023–2025 Group Development Committee
Julie Hatesohl,
Cinda Poppe,
Jennifer Gierke, Chairman
Arlene Naasz, Vice President of Organizational Resources

Do you remember using the old card catalog at the library? The card catalog once filled with a million index cards has been replaced by a computer with programs to sort information by author, subject, or title in just seconds. Less time spent searching and more time to read. 

Many years ago, in order to receive Lutheran Women in Mission materials, we would reference a list, send in an order form and payment, and then wait for its ‘snail mail’ arrival. Within a month, the ordered materials would arrive, only to discover the materials didn’t meet the need. Today, we have free downloadable resources available in seconds. You can read an entire devotion, or two or three, and then download and print the one that fits your needs. 

To find resources on the Lutheran Women in Mission website, use the “card catalog” — the search bar found in the top right corner on the Homepage and named “Search this site.” Type what you are looking for in the search bar. The search might be for something specific like John 3:16, or broader topics such as Spring resources, Summer resources, Winter resources, Lent, Easter, Advent, or Christmas. Within one of the topics, you will find the resources organized by Bible studies, devotions, litanies, sketches, crafts and printables, and service project. These resources are available for you to read and review before downloading and printing to meet all your programing needs.

Such easy access to Lutheran Women in Mission resources means you can spend less time searching and more time serving the Lord with gladness!

2023–2025 Group Development Committee
Julie Hatesohl,
Cinda Poppe,
Jennifer Gierke, Chairman
Arlene Naasz, Vice President of Organizational Resources

Dear Lutheran Women in Mission,

Ah, summer. We all look forward to those warm lazy days of sunshine and freedom. School’s out, vacation days are near, and schedules are light. It is not uncommon for Lutheran Women in Mission groups to take a break from their regular meetings in the summer. The time to recharge from the busyness of life and serving is often very much needed.

Summer can be a good time to just do something fun with your group. Plan to meet at a botanical garden nearby. Enjoy a time of devotion together before you take in the beauty of God’s creation. The devotion, Bloom and Grow, is available on the LWML website.

Ice cream is the iconic dessert for summer days. If your town has a favorite ice cream shop, pick a day and time to meet up for a treat. Do you have some shut-ins in your congregation? See if they would like to go for a drive and then go out for ice cream. The simple gesture will mean the world to them, and you will all have a great time sharing stories and ice cream.

Remember: The long summer days of sunshine are wonderful for restoring your body, but they can also be a wonderful time to restore your soul. Spend time taking in the beauty of nature. Spend time in fellowship with others. And spend time with God, thanking Him for all He has done for you. Refreshed by His love, you can again Serve the LORD with gladness! (Psalm 100:2).

Brought to you by the 2023–2025 LWML Group Development Committee
Julie Hatesohl; Cinda Poppe; Jennifer Gierke, Chairman; 
and Arlene Naasz, Vice President of Organizational Resources, Advisory

Dear LWML Leaders,

Below is a Tip for Group Development.

Energize Membership

The very best method to encourage women to join Lutheran Women in Mission is to personally care about each woman in the congregation as Jesus cares for her. Get to know her, be interested in her, share with her, be enthusiastic about LWML, and encourage her to become involved in some aspect of Lutheran Women in Mission with you.

Your positive words and attitudes about LWML energize others!

Some ideas to energize membership include:

New Brides — Have a recipe shower at a meeting. Visit the new bride and give her the recipes and an encouraging Bible verse for the new bride.

Mothers of New Babies — Present mothers with Dear Mother: Devotions for New Mothers

Small Bible Study Groups — Care and share around the Word

• Confirmand Parents Study — for parents during time of students’ confirmation class
• Young Mothers — Provide babysitter for a morning out study
• Working Women — 1/2-hour Bible study at noon — provide drinks
• Prayer and Praise — 7:00–7:30 a.m. for working women

Visitors Packet — Packet of LWML materials given to welcome each visitor at an LWML meeting. The packet could be a file folder, a decorated manila envelope, or a zipper top bag. Contents could include:

• LWML Brochure
• Mustard Seed Devotion
• Group Program Booklet
• List of national and district mission grants
• Lutheran Woman’s Quarterly
• District Publication
• Handwritten note of thanks for being a guest
• Small LWML memento (Examples — Pen, Pencil, Candy, Post-it Notes)
   

Remember, each woman in the congregation will not be involved in every aspect of the Lutheran Women in Mission. Accept her where she is — but continue to challenge and share with her the various areas of LWML.

Be all you can be — an energized Lutheran Woman in Mission serving the Lord with gladness!

Brought to you by the 2023–2025 LWML Group Development Committee
Julie Hatesohl; Cinda Poppe; Jennifer Gierke, Chairman; 
and Arlene Naasz, Vice President of Organizational Resources, Advisory

Dear LWML Leaders,

Welcome back to Leadership Tips with the Dear Lucy Leader advice column!

Juggling Roles in Life

Dear Lucy, 

I am honored and privileged to serve the Lord through the LWML. How do our leaders juggle all their roles as an officer, wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, worker, friend, and neighbor? I understand that God gives me strength and all that I need, but some days I just need some practical advice and the comfort of someone who has mastered it.

Thank you for helping us all to be better leaders.

Karla

Dear Karla, 

You ask a very good question. Sometimes it may feel like you are trying to juggle too many things at one time. It seems like there is never enough time to finish what you start. LWML has the resource for you! Time Management: Manage Yourself, not Your Time will help you rate the importance of a task, and then it will show you six simple steps to manage yourself. So, set aside a little chunk of time to read this document. You won’t be disappointed!

Time is a most precious resource. Each of us has been given the same amount of time, and you have chosen to use much of your time in serving as a leader in the LWML. We thank God for you! 

Be realistic with what you can achieve in the time allotted. This will help you feel positive about your accomplishments. Prioritize your day. Make a list of activities in order from most important to least important. Focus first on the #1 task on your priority list as you begin your day. Include things you enjoy as well as necessary tasks. Examine your daily routine to discover if you are wasting time with an activity. For instance, are you checking social media more often than you feel you should? Wise leaders know when to say “no” and when to set their tasks aside to listen or help someone in need.

Most importantly, make time in the Word a priority. Take time to go to the Lord in prayer. He will bless your use of the time He has given you.

Lucy Servant Leader

God's Blessings,

2021–2023 Group and Leader Development Committee Members
Christina Bean
Elaine Engelman
Jennifer Gierke
Brianne Stahlecker, Chairman
Marie Chow, Vice President of Organizational Resources, advisory

Dear LWML Leaders,

Welcome back to Leadership Tips with the Dear Lucy Leader advice column!

Spanish Resources

Dear Lucy Leader, 

Our church has a Spanish service to reach the people of our community who do not speak English fluently. Our LWML group is now entering a phase where we need more bilingual resources and would love to provide them. Are there any Spanish resources on the LWML website?

Thank you,

Evangelistic Evelyn

Dear Evangelistic Evelyn,

Congratulations on the expansion of your church and group to include the Spanish-speaking community in your area! Language barriers can always be tricky when trying to communicate with and learn from others as they become a part of the family of Christ. As always, go to the Lord in prayer to guide you in this endeavor. Also, there is a section of LWML resources in Spanish at lwml.org/espanol. I hope these resources aid your congregation and group to continue this outreach.

May God guide you in your endeavors!

Lucy Leader

God's Blessings,

2021–2023 Group and Leader Development Committee Members
Christina Bean
Elaine Engelman
Jennifer Gierke
Brianne Stahlecker, Chairman
Marie Chow, Vice President of Organizational Resources, advisory

Dear LWML Leaders,

Welcome back to Leadership Tips with the Dear Lucy Leader advice column!

Team Building

Dear Lucy Leader, 

I am the current president of our zone. Our zone is blessed to have women in leadership who come from many groups within the zone. However, there is some division between groups in our zone and this division is keeping us from functioning efficiently as a team. Are there any resources on the LWML website to address this issue?

Thanks,

Frustrated Fiona

Dear Frustrated Fiona,

As always, my first recommendation is to go to the Lord in prayer, both privately and in your gatherings with your zone. He will guide your zone in their endeavors and bring the focus back to Him. In times of strife, He will guide you all on your path. There is a team building section on the website at lwml.org/posts/leadership/team-building-activities that may be helpful. Doing some of these exercises together may help to heal some of the divisions and get you all working as a team. 

May God guide you in your endeavors!

Lucy Leader

2021–2023 Group and Leader Development Committee Members
Christina Bean
Elaine Engelman
Jennifer Gierke
Brianne Stahlecker, Chairman
Marie Chow, Vice President of Organizational Resources, advisory