Registration opens March 2 for the 33rd Biennial Convention of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML), set for June 25-28 in 
Portland, Ore. The theme of the upcoming convention is “Look to the Hills … God Reigns” from Ps. 121:1-2 and Is. 52:7.
The convention is held every other year to inspire and inform LWML members, who have opportunities to hear mission speakers and take part in worship services, Bible studies, elections of LWML leaders, selections of a mission goal and mission-grant recipients, and a “pledge walk.” Participants also are encouraged to bring “health kits” for distribution to area shelters and to take part in “servant activities” that benefit others.
The goals of the convention, according to the LWML Web site (www.lwml.org), are to provide opportunities for and to motivate attendees to:
Keynote speaker at the convention will be Ruth Koch, a mental health educator who specializes in everyday mental health issues that impact personal and family relations. She is a regular contributor to the Lutheran Woman’s Quarterly.
Leading opening and closing worship services, respectively, will be Dr. Warren Schumacher, president of the Synod’s Northwest District, and Rev. Carl Gnewuch, senior pastoral counselor for the LWML.
Bible studies will be led by Dr. Mary Hilgendorf, professor of education at Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon, and director of the Women’s Leadership Institute. Heidi Floyd, development ambassador for the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer, will be the inspirational speaker, and Jan Struck of Appleton, Wis., will provide humorous sketches. Dina Vendetti, principal of St. John Lutheran School, Dover, Del., will return as the convention song leader.
The convention will include a performance by the Pride of Portland Chorus, a 125-plus group that has placed in the top ten at Sweet Adelines International competititions.
“Camp Hood” activities for children are available for ages 6 months through 17 years at a cost of $40 to $45 per day.
Registration is $180 if postmarked by May 22 or $215 after that date. Meals and lodging are not included. Housing is available at various hotels at special convention rates — from $147 to $149 per night, one to four people per room.
Registration materials may be found in the winter 2008 issue of Lutheran Woman’s Quarterly or online at www.lwml.org.
For questions concerning the convention, e-mail the convention manager at fgrueter@aol.com or the convention registrar at lwmlregistration@comcast.net.
Posted January 15, 2009
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