Recently, Cathy Pauley was appointed Secretary to the President. What a privilege!

Let’s check in on her to see how things are going.

Cathy is talking to herself: “In order to do my job well, I will check the guidelines for my position. Let’s see…” (She pulls out the guidelines from her three-ring binder.)

Guidelines dated 06/2008:

• Meeting Reports–remind each Executive Committee member to prepare their report and bring 45 copies of that report to the meeting. “Forty-five copies? Sending them out online would be so much easier.”
• Elected officers have assigned colors to have them printed on. “Hm…we have email and flash drives, why and how do I supply multicolored paper for the officers?”
• Each report has its specific number printed in the upper right-hand corner. “Why?”
• All reports need to be given to the Secretary to the President at least a half-hour before the EC meeting on Friday so she can collate them in numerical sequence. “That’s why the number in the corner and the multicolored paper, but how would I have enough time to collate them before the meeting?”

Thankfully, this is not the case for Cathy today, and hopefully, it will not be the case for you either. Those guidelines have been updated to help save her from a pre-meeting collation nightmare.

To do our best work, each of us should review and update our group, zone, or committee guidelines so they stay current, clear, and useful. Technology has changed the way we function, and we want our guidelines to reflect that change. If you see something listed that is no longer relevant (like making 45 copies to be brought to a meeting), make the changes and update. Make your guidelines work for you to help make your job easier and more efficient.

Do you need help?

If you need help updating guidelines, the VP of Organizational Resources, Martha Dubke, and/or the committee members will be happy to work with you.

The LWML website also has helpful guidelines:

Once you have made the updates to your guidelines, file a copy for yourself, your group, and email a copy to the Vice President of Organizational Resources, Martha Dubke.

“Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”
Psalm 119:105

I am pleased to announce that Grant #5 has been funded: $6,975! Your mites will provide new Sleeping Cots for Room to Grow Childcare Center at St. John’s in Fallon, Nevada.

St. John’s has been providing high-quality Christian childcare and early education since 1993. They are currently upgrading their facilities to improve safety and replace the old, worn-out sleeping cots the children rest on. Your mites will help them purchase brand-new washable sleeping cots. This grant will also replace five security doors for improved safety. What a blessing to be part of this Gospel Outreach Mission in Fallon, Nevada!

We are now collecting mites for Grant #6: Bringing Light to Little Ones with Technology, Trinity Lutheran, Redding California, $5,190.

The ladies of St. Peter in Lodi, California, held their annual rummage sale during the first week of June 2026. Congregation members donated many items, and an LWML member listed larger pieces on Marketplace. The group raised more than $5,000 to support LWML Mites and local missions, including giving 10% of the proceeds back to their church. At their September meeting, members will vote on how to distribute the remaining funds. It is always a joy to share the message of salvation through giving!

Although the rummage sale took a lot of work, the rewards were wonderful: time spent in fellowship, witnessing the generosity of congregation members, and welcoming grateful neighbors who came to find great deals. On Saturday, shoppers could fill a bag for $1.00, and it was especially fun to watch children pack and repack their bags with treasures to take home.

Our LWML at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Pinole has enjoyed a busy and blessed season of fellowship, service, and heartfelt giving. For Mother’s Day, the children helped share flowers with all the mothers, offering a sweet reminder of love and appreciation. Not wanting the fathers to be forgotten, the ladies prepared clever shirt-shaped candy bags for Father’s Day and presented them to the men of the church. It is especially meaningful to see the children take part in sharing these gifts from the heart.

On July 11, we hosted a picnic with members and friends from Grace Lutheran in El Cerrito and Mt. Zion Lutheran in Richmond. Approximately 60 people from all three churches gathered to enjoy perfect weather, delicious food, and warm fellowship. It was a wonderful time together and a joyful celebration with our church family.

Join us this October 2-4, 2026—to be renewed in faith, strengthened through fellowship, and encouraged by God’s Word—all in the beauty of Hawaii.

Early registration (by August 25): $275

Regular registration (by September 12): $300

Saturday Only: $140

See a short video about the event.

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”
Galatians 6:9 NLT

On Friday, June 19, Redwood Gospel Mission (RGM) hosted a banquet entitled “Road to Real Change” at Friedman’s Center in Santa Rosa. The event served as a fundraiser for RGM’s New Life Program and welcomed members of Lutheran churches in Zone 14, along with their family members and friends.

Nearly 200 guests attended the banquet. The room included beautifully decorated tables, each set for eight guests and sponsors. St. Mark’s LWML (Lutheran Women’s Missionary League) was among the sponsors.

The evening opened with Todd Feliciano, an RGM Board Director, serving as emcee. Kevin O’Malley, Chairman of the RGM Board, offered the opening prayer. RGM also highlighted its culinary training opportunities, which help students build practical skills and prepare for meaningful careers. In recent years, graduates have found promising paths forward through the program.

RGM’s Chefs Paul Haddorff, Ernie Castaneda, and LaDonna Lane were on hand for the event. Paul operated the kitchen and oversaw the preparation and cooking. Ernie directed the male servers in the New Life Program (RGM catering program), and LaDonna directed the ladies. All were volunteers from the New Life Program and volunteers from our community. Dinner began with a beautifully presented salad, followed by a choice of three delicious entrées. Guests enjoyed their selections, and the meal concluded with bread pudding served with salted caramel sauce.

After dinner, Todd invited Jeff Gilman, Executive Director of RGM in Santa Rosa to the stage. Jeff introduced Gene Tucker, who is an alumnus of the 2024 graduating class. Ken Finley, Gene’s coach, interviewed him so guests could hear his inspirational story.

Gene spoke about the struggles he faced before coming to RGM and shared how the New Life Program is helping him turn his life around and build a better future for himself and his family. Each guest received a prayer card for an individual student participating in the New Life Program.

Redwood Gospel Baking Company, operates their own coffee shop at 2447 Summerfield Road in Santa Rosa. The shop is open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. every day except Saturday and Sunday. In addition to serving and selling excellent coffee, the shop offers morning pastries and lunch options, including salads and sandwiches.

“For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
Philippians 23:13

St. Matthew’s Lutheran Women in Mission (LWM) began the new year with a fresh vision—one that would unify our many service projects under a single, recognizable, and energizing banner. After lively discussion and prayerful consideration, we chose Hearts, Hands, and Hope (HHH) as the name for this new ministry focus.

By bringing together our quilting, sewing, knitting, crocheting, and other craft based mission efforts, we committed to meeting regularly on the same day and time. We had no idea how transformative that simple change would be.

We introduced HHH by hosting the Sunday hospitality table and setting up displays showcasing all our mission projects. The response was overwhelming—dozens of women (and men!) stopped by, and 17 new women joined LWM and HHH. Their enthusiasm, skills, and fresh energy have blessed our group beyond measure.

• Cooling Neck Scarves — Our SEW GOOD team expects to sew and distribute over 675 cooling scarves this summer to individuals at high risk of heat exposure, especially our local homeless community.
• Crocheted and Knitted Caps — Production has been so abundant that we’ve temporarily paused until fall. These caps serve preemies through teenagers in a local pediatric ward.
• Quilting Ministry — Our newly organized quilting group has already completed 18 quilts of various sizes for shut ins, babies, and others in need of warmth and comfort.
• Native American Christian Academy (NACA) — We joyfully committed to creating 30 bunk bed quilts for the Arizona academy. These quilts will be blessed in September and delivered by the church’s mission team.
• Lutheran World Relief— Although new to LWR’s global ministry, HHH embraced the challenge. We are now sewing quilts and assembling school kits and personal care kits, expanding our reach far beyond our local community. Beyond this, we have agreed to host one of LWR’s Ingathering events on October 16-17.

What began as a simple organizational shift has blossomed into a ministry overflowing with participation, creativity, and Christ centered service. The outcomes are abundant and each one reflects the heart, hands, and hope of women eager to serve in Jesus’ name.

We praise God for:

• Hearts of enthusiasm
• Hands of service
• Hope that brings comfort to those in need

When natural disasters strike or war forces families from their homes, many of us want to help but aren’t sure how. Lutheran World Relief* offers a hands-on way to share Christ’s love with neighbors in need around the world through a Quilt and Kit Ministry. Each quilt and kit brings comfort, dignity, and hope to people facing hardship.

Perhaps you’ve considered participating in LWR’s quilt and kit ministry before but weren’t sure how to ship your completed items or where to take them. This year, St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Rocklin will serve as an official Lutheran World Relief Ingathering Site, making it easy to donate your completed quilts and kits.

LWR Ingathering Site: St. Matthew Lutheran Church
3785 Placer Corporate Drive, Suite 600
Rocklin, CA 95765
Ingathering Dates: October 16 and 17, 2026, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm

Whether you’re an experienced quilter, a church group, a family, or someone looking for a meaningful service project, there’s a way for everyone to participate.

Begin by downloading the free LWR Quilt & Kit Ministry Guide (2026–2027). It provides an inspiring overview of this ministry, which began following World War II and today serves people around the world—including those affected by natural disasters in the United States. The Guide also includes complete, up-to-date instructions for the projects and step-by-step directions for assembling and packing each item so it can be distributed efficiently to those who need it most.

• School Kits: Help children continue their education by providing essential school supplies packed in a sturdy drawstring backpack.
• Personal Care Kits: Offer comfort and dignity with basic hygiene items neatly packed inside a bath towel for people living in disaster areas, refugee camps, or other emergency situations.
• Baby Care Kits: Provide parents with essential items to help keep babies and young children healthy. Supplies are wrapped inside a receiving blanket and secured with a diaper pin.
• Fabric Kits: Support individuals learning sewing skills that can provide a dependable source of income. These kits include specific cuts of fabric and thread.

• Donate fabric to groups making Mission Quilts.
• Make a quilt individually or with your quilting group.
• Assemble a kit by following LWR’s guidelines.
• Support shipping costs, which help deliver quilts and kits to people around the world.
• Pray for those who receive these gifts and for everyone who participates in this ministry.

Together, we can offer comfort, hope, and God’s love to those who need it most.

Questions? Contact Sharon Junge.

*To extend its mission outreach, education and social ministry, The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod works with independent Recognized Service Organizations (RSOs) that agree to ensure their programs are in harmony with the doctrine and practice of the LCMS. Lutheran World Relief (LWR) is NOT a Recognized Service Organization of the LCMS, accordingly as an official auxiliary LWML adheres to LCMS guidance & practices.

Through LWML Mites, convention learning becomes mission action, helping share Christ with Hindu neighbors in CNH communities and beyond.

On August 22, the LWML CNH District Executive Committee and leaders will gather for our annual planning meeting as we prepare for the coming year of ministry. We invite you to join us in prayer, asking God to grant wisdom, discernment, unity, and joyful hearts as decisions are made. May He guide every conversation and bless the work ahead, all for His glory.

Mission Possible Day is set for September 15, 2026. We come together, in faith and action, to make an eternal impact through the mission grants we support. Plan to join Lutheran Women in Mission across the globe as we transform lives and spread His love. Together, we can make a difference!

Lutheran Women in Mission Sunday is traditionally observed on the first Sunday in October, however, your group and congregation may celebrate whenever it works best. This year’s theme continues a four-year focus on the LWML Mission Statement—As Lutheran Women in Mission, we joyfully proclaim Christ, support missions, and equip women to honor God by serving others. For Lutheran Women in Mission Sunday 2026, the focus is Supporting Missions.

Share stories about your successful past events and plans for upcoming events. Share what inspires you. We welcome photos!