The mission statement of the LWML is: "to assist each woman of The 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."
LWML, therefore, is involved in missions, reaching out to people and helping them. The goal is to help in any way possible to assist and support missions both in the USA and abroad. The president of the Wyoming District LWML , Gerry Neeriemer, writes: "The purpose of the organization is to help each member draw closer to the Lord, encourage and equip women to use their God-given talents in sharing God's love, provide opportunities for service within the congregation and for outreach to the community and world."
While established LWML's around the district and the country move forward on well oiled wheels, meeting regularly and completing project after project, we at Christ Our Savior are only just beginning. We are officially making a start with the humble Mite Box.
The The Mite Box is a little cardboard box that has a slit in the top through which coins can be dropped - a collection box! Each lady has received a mite box and we have made our first contribution to the LWML district in October 2007!
Click here to see what the humble mite boxes are doing! Yes, those are pretty impressive figures! The Mite Box gives the saying "every penny counts" a whole new jaw-dropping perspective!
Christ Our Savior, itself a fledgling mission and recipient of a mission grant in 2006 which was funded by mite boxes, is now in turn gladly willing to help other missions through the mighty mite box. That's our way to "Serve the Lord with Gladness."
Unofficially, ladies from Christ Our Savior have been "gladly serving the Lord" for a number of years, completing various projects destined for various missions. They have asked ladies from the community to help with the projects which has been done with enthusiasm.
On Sunday, October 28, 2007, the ladies of Christ Our Savior have decided to officially organize into an LWML society. We praise God for that. We continue as we have before, the only difference being, that whatever we do now, we do under the banner of LWML.
Projects:
1. Turning Point, Afton: We collect personal hygiene items and pajamas for women and children of all ages who seek shelter at Turning Point's new "safe house" in Afton.
Women's Care packages include: *toothpaste / toothbrushes, *shampoo, + conditioners, *body lotions, *soaps, *deodorants, *razors, *wash cloth, *womens pajamas, bible
Kids' Kits include: *pajamas, *toothpaste / toothbrushes, *soap, *wash cloth
They also need the following: *comfort toys (teddy bears / stuffed animals), *nursing bras, *blankets (baby, receiving, twin - new or used but clean), coloring books and crayons...
*high chair, *toaster, *staples, *coffee, *hot chocolate, *sugar, *flour, *Easy Meals like: Mac+Cheese, Ramen Noodles etc etc *Cleaning / Laundry supplies, *bleach
We encourage everyone to support us in this project. Please call the church for more information.
2. Food Banks in Star Valley: We continue to collect non-perishable food items for the food banks in Afton, Thayne and Alpine. At Thanksgiving we have a special collection.
3. The Mother Bear Project is a fun project that has been ongoing for a number of years. Bears are knitted, sent to the coordinator in Minnesota and sent out to aids orphans and kids recovering from abuse all over the world. Three or four ladies in our church group churn out a bunch of bears on a regular basis. A box of bears is shipped out just about every month. (See the Mother Bear website link below.) The bears are quick and easy to make. For a pattern and yarn color information, please contact the church.
4. "Operation Christmas Child" is an annual project by "Samaritan's Purse" we support. Shoe boxes are covered with Christmas paper and filled with items suitable for boys and girls of three different age categories. In 2007 we managed to do 31, in 2008 over 40 and in 2009 we put together 42 shoe boxes! Praise the Lord!
If you're interested in supporting any of our projects, please contact the church office.
Past Projects:
1. Helmet Liner Project: As an outreach to our troops stationed around the world, helmet liners were knitted / crocheted with love, prayers and appreciation. The helmet liners were collected in Star Valley and forwarded to the coordinator in South Carolina who attached a tag to each cap - the tag depicts a soldier in a helmet and has the inscription "To a treasured troop from a grateful American." They were then taken to nearby military bases to be sent to our troops.
2. Operation Afghanistan: While Pastor Magruder was stationed in Afghanistan as Chaplain, we put together care packages at Thanksgiving, Christmas and Valentines for him to use for himself and/or to hand out to other troops and/or locals as he saw fit.
