2003 LWML Convention Highlights

Oklahoma City, OK

June 19-22, 2003

At most conventions not many conventioneers come with blankets, sheets or towels for people they don't know. Or spend a morning making blankets for babies in India, or give the gift of life (blood donation) or do Braille transcription, make bird houses, knit, or crochet hats for cancer patients, sew pillows for heart-surgery patients- that is what makes LWML different since those attending are motivated by the love of Christ to spread His Word and help those in need.

5000 women, men and children filled the Cox Convention Center as registered guests. There were cheers when Recording Secretary announced that there were 5 delegates under the age of 30. 80 children came with their moms and spent their days at "Camp Hope"- day care provided by the LWML. On Saturday morning the children took part in the procession- as did the 800 volunteers from Oklahoma, Arkansas and Tennessee it took to make this happen. We sang, prayed, worshipped, voted, chose mission projects, were inspired by mission speakers, visited and ate- what a wonderful experience with my sisters in Christ.

President Virginia Von Seggern greeted us and the call to worship was shared in Chickasaw, English, Spanish, and American Sign Language.

Delegates adopted a mission goal for the 2003-2005 biennium for $1,575,000 and chose 14 projects to fund with their mites. Two of the projects are $75,000 to allow international expansion for the Lutheran Adoption Network, and $100,000 for the mission to southeast Alaska for VBS and Bible studies in remote areas. The new goal is nearly $100,000 more than the amount contributed by LWML members over the past two years.

The Myriad Botanical Gardens Walk provided a change of pace for almost 1000 members who took part in the Garden Gallop (each walk around the Garden is one mile). Many who walked had pledges to help fund the 14 newly-selected mission projects and $58,000 was earned. (The offering at the opening service was $34,360.82 which is also being applied to the new mite goal.)

The voting body elected Linda Reiser as President for the next four years. One of the national officers is from Wisconsin - Marlys Taege Moberg.

Our Young Women "reps" are wonderful ladies and it was my privilege to get to know our North Wisconsin representatives Ann Hartman (a former Camp Luther counselor known as "Drano" at camp) and Eve Sherpa. Each District had two young women reps who took vacation from their home responsibilities and turned their children over to husbands and grandmas and came to Oklahoma City. Their enthusiasm is contagious.

Thank you to my LWML Sisters in Zone 7 for electing me as their delegate. It was a privilege and wonderful experience to serve in this way.

Sandra Bratz