Growing Our LWML Group

Over the past three years, our local LWML group at St. Lukes, Reno has grown from approximately 30 members (with 12-15 attending meetings) to 60 members (with 30-40 attending meetings). How was that possible? All praise to God who gives ideas and inspiration to those who ask Him!

The following are some specific things our group was inspired to do:

• Publish an annual member’s booklet which contains our bylaws, monthly meeting calendar of activities and events, and members’ contact information with birthdays (just month and date). Having this ‘bible’ in hand was the first step in knowing our members and encourages a ‘one of us’ belonging.
• We have a theme for the year. One year we used contemporary love songs with a reverential twist (You Are Always on My Mind’, ‘You Light Up My Life’, ‘I’ll Never Stop Loving You’, etc.). Last year, Philippians 2:15-16 set the theme: “Ye shine as lights in the world; holding forth the word of life.” Each month included a short devotion on light.
• We commissioned and printed 500 professional “postcards” entitled “What is LWML? What is Ruth Guild?” This proved to be a great way to share our mission. Each member was given cards to share, and they are available during fellowship hour.
• We began wearing Ruth Guild name badges: In church, hosting fellowship hour, greeting before services, serving at funeral receptions, serving at special events—a great way to identify and show us in service.
• We have fun events and activities for members such as pottery night, soap making lessons, volunteer day at the food bank, progressive dinner, and annual Christmas party.
• We make use of the church van for events like the Christmas party and caroling to shut-ins, which encourages more to join in the fun.
• We provide events for the entire congregation: The “Older but Wiser” luncheon held each December includes a full meal and holiday entertainment provided at no charge to our seniors.
• The annual Christmas Basket Bonanza, which is enthusiastically anticipated by the congregation, is our only fundraiser and provides funds to care for the altar and donations to charities.
• As our group grew, a ‘Getting to Know Us’ bio paragraph was included in our monthly email.  Members enjoyed learning where others were from, their profession (work history), and other details that were personally relatable and could initiate conversation.
• Although we do not meet in the summer, we provided a list of members by zip code to encourage neighborhood get-togethers. The same list provides car-pooling opportunities during the year for those members who don’t drive or prefer not to drive after dark.

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to growing an LWML group — just endless opportunities to build community, encourage service, and share Christ’s love. I hope these ideas have sparked inspiration for your own group to try something new, think outside the box, and find creative ways to engage and uplift one another. Whether big or small, every effort makes a difference. Trust that God will guide your journey…and have fun along the way!