One of the best bosses I ever worked with said “God gave you one mouth and two ears, so we should listen twice as much as we speak.” Very good advice, especially in our daily lives as Christian leaders.

James 1:19 says, “let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger”. When we are in a leadership role, it is often easy to get caught up in our own agenda and not really listen to others. We rarely pause long enough to truly absorb the words of those around us. Our minds leap ahead, anticipating objections, crafting arguments, or simply wandering to the next task.

To create a strong team, we must create an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust. Trying to understand or at least listen to another opinion or way of doing something and working together to come to a mutual agreement is how you start building that trust.

Romans 10:17 states: “So faith comes from hearing and hearing through the word of Christ.” Keeping our focus on Christ is the only way to truly build trust. We are blessed to be loved by the greatest listener, Christ Himself. When we come to Him in prayer, we know he listens to us. In return, we must be willing to listen to what His response is and obey.

The LWML Website has many resources including Refine Your Listening Skills under Leadership Tips. It states in this article: “Great leaders learn and forge consensus among their constituents by listening and by encouraging all group members to listen skillfully and with care to one another. To listen — really listen — is hard.” (From Servant Leadership … Setting Leaders Free, by Dr. Jane Fryar, © 2001 Concordia Publishing House (cph.org). Used with permission.)

God isn’t finished with any of us yet. Let’s keep praying and growing as Christ would have us do — using our two ears to listen.
Blessings on your month,
Roxan Schwab

LWML CNH is encouraging Zones to work together to create events which will draw women together from other areas. The LWML CNH Executive Committee and Board of Directors have allocated funds which are now available for gatherings planned in your region!

Two Regional events are scheduled thus far:

• Region V – Experience the Joy – Then Share It! – Saturday, September 20, 2025, in Fallon, NV
• Region III – Tea-rrific – Saturday, October 4, 2025, at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, Milpitas, CA

If you are interested in planning a regional event, please contact your Zone President.

Guidelines for your Regional Event

• All women in the Region are welcome at each event
• Each Region is allocated funds to help cover expenses
• Available funds are to be used before the April 2026 District Convention
• Events must occur before April 2026

Current LWML CNH Regions:
Region I: Zones 12, 13, 14
Region II: Zones 4, 6, 19
Region III: Zones 1, 2, 7, 8, 18
Region IV: Zones 3, 5, 9, 15, 16
Region V: Zone 10
Region VI: Zone 11

Our Savior Lutheran Church in Sparks, NV, hosted a successful Ice Cream Social and Bingo event on June 21, 2025, organized by LWML and church members Sally and Erik Hurd. The event raised $500 to support OSLC students attending the summer National Youth Gathering in New Orleans and featured donated Bingo prizes, homemade brownies by LWML Vice-President Beckie Lasa, and ever-popular root beer floats. Thrivent also provided support.

In July, the women of St. Luke’s LWML (Santa Rosa, Zone 14) gathered for a joyful day of service—assembling School Kits for Lutheran World Relief (LWR). These kits, filled with essential supplies like notebooks, pencils, crayons, and rulers, help children in challenging circumstances continue their education. For many students, a School Kit is their first step toward a brighter future and a reminder that they are not forgotten.

Working together, our group organized, packed, and prepared the kits to be sent where they are needed most around the world. The process was simple but meaningful—each kit a tangible expression of Christ’s love in action.

As part of our ongoing commitment to LWR, our group has pledged to support their mission quarterly for the next 12 months—either by creating kits like these or by providing other forms of support, such as purchasing animals for farming families, supplying clean water tablets, or contributing to other life-changing projects.
This gathering was filled with fellowship, laughter, and the joy of serving together, all while knowing that our work will touch lives far beyond our own community. We are thankful for the opportunity to put our faith into action and invite others to join us in future projects.

September to Remember Giving Day is now Mission Possible Day — a day when we come together, in faith and action, to make an impact through the mission grants we support. Thanks to a generous donor, Mission Possible Day donations will be matched, up to a total of $10,000 in matching funds!

“Proclaiming Christ”, the theme for LWML Sunday 2025, honors the dedicated service, gospel outreach, and mission support of Lutheran Women in Mission.

LWML CNH Region III is hosting a Tea event on October 4 at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Milpitas, inviting all women for fellowship, food, and a program showcasing women’s talents and mission work. This event is part of regional efforts supported by the LWML CNH Board to welcome women from multiple zones for an inspirational gathering. Region III (Zones 1, 2, 7, 8, and 18) will host the Tea. All women are invited…even from other zones! Please see more information below and plan to join us!

The District Retreat held at the San Juan Bautista Retreat Center August 1-3, 2025, drew many joyful women. More details to come in next month’s newsletter.