Spring 2023
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom He has chosen as His heritage! The Lord looks down from heaven; He sees all the children of man (Psalm 33:12–13 ESV).
Celebrate the Lord of the Nations! What joy it has been during these months of anticipation and preparation finally to join together to Celebrate the Lord of the Nations, Jesus. We have been gearing up once again to come together in Christ and unpack how God's children can celebrate the means of grace given to us, through the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus. As we taste and see at the great thanksgiving of the Holy Eucharist how the Lord of the Nations gathers His “chosen heritage” at His Table where He gives Himself for us, we celebrate together with those from all around the world, and even those who have gone before us, as heaven comes to earth. We remember as we meet and gather with others this summer that we celebrate that Christ has died, Christ is risen, and Christ will come again. We recognize and respond that we are called in our baptisms to continue “Making Disciples for Life” by “Engaging the World with the Gospel of Hope.”
Zone Events:
We give thanks and praise to God for His grace and mercy, especially as many people of our Zones were able to meet in-person for Spring events, meet digitally for prayers, and work collaboratively.
The Albany Zone Spring Event was held on May 6, 2023 at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Glens Fall. We give thanks for Zone President LaNette Sagehorn and her ongoing leadership. The ladies from the Albany Zone and abroad join together for the first time since the pandemic. Pastor Wagner of Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Glens Fall led the Divine Service and the ladies unwrapped the 23rd Psalm as they journeyed through the Wrapping up in the Psalms Bible study.
The Bronx Westchester Zone gathered together on May 13, 2023 for encouragement, fellowship, direction and elections at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hawthorne. We give thanks to God for the encouragement of Zone President Jeanette Coulthurst and the executive committee. Zone Vice President Christine DiLeo and Secretary Kenisha Barrett were reelected to serve through 2023-2025. They were installed by Bishop Taylor who also brought greetings from the LCMS Atlantic District. The Gifts from the Heart (ingathering) for this event was highlighting the LWML convention Gift from the Heart of gift cards for A Place of Refuge. Zone President Coulthurst will bring these gifts to convention with her.
The Nassau Zone kicks off the season with a Spring Event held at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Hyde Park on April 29, 2023. Vice President of Mission Outreach Jeanette Coulthurst, Zone President Joni Mazer and Young Women Advocate Kenisha Barrett represented the LWML Board of Directors. What a gift and a blessing it was to have both Leah Lalljie and Kenisha Barrett to be present at this event as they prepare to represent the LWML Atlantic District at the LWML convention this June!
The Suffolk Zone also held its Spring Event on May 6, 2023. We give thanks to God for Zone President Sue Zimmerman for her leadership in planning not only the Spring event but also the Suffolk Zone Retreat- Wrapping up with the Psalms. We give thanks to God for Past President Linda Guteres for representing the LWML Atlantic District Board of Directors. What a gift it was to have Pastor Noack, the LWML Pastoral Counselor, present with us to celebrate and lead the Divine Service at the Suffolk Zone Retreat on May 13, 2023!
In preparation for the LWML Convention Celebrate Lord of the Nations, delegates gathered together online to touch base on the responsibilities as voting delegates online and at convention. Well done to all who Dare in Christ ¡Atrevete en Cristo! to represent the Atlantic District and their zones!
The Lord Jesus' servant Ms Kirstin Sandblom of Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church in The Bronx has designed and made the LWML Atlantic District Banner for the LWML Convention. It is marvelous! Every inch, every stitch, and every fabric used to make this banner thoughtfully and prayerfully communicate our faith. Kirstin is a member of Redeemer HEARTS (Here Eager And Ready To Serve) and that is just what she did. You may find the detailed banner work and design on the website.
Zone presidents had an opportunity to connect via zoom on May 1st especially as many were preparing for Spring events, convention, and the Mission Festival. They learned about all the wonderful opportunities to participate at the Mission Festival and to involve and encourage those in their zones.
LWML Atlantic District Pastoral Counselor Pastor Vetrano invited the LWML Atlantic District to worship at The LIFE online and in-person. We give thanks for all who were able to join us and look forward to more opportunities around the Atlantic District to worship together.
Young Women Representatives Ms Kenisha Barrett and Ms Leah Lalljie are excited and ready to attend the LWML Convention! Both, while in school and finishing up the semester, have been serving and leading in the Nassau Zone and Bronx Westchester Zone. We give thanks to God for these two amazing young ladies. May our Lord bless and keep them as they finish up their classes, papers, and projects…and graduate!
LCMS Atlantic District:
What a joy to see and experience the excitement at the LCMS Atlantic District Festival of Workshops. We had the honor of having a workshop for LWML. We give thanks to God for Vice President of Human Care, June Deebrah as she graciously and thoughtfully baked LWML cookies for all of the participants attending the LWML workshop.
¡Atrévete en Cristo! with the LWML Atlantic District Mission Priority 4
To “Dare in Christ” is the aim for reassessing, reimagining, and revitalizing in the LCMS and Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) Atlantic District congregations and neighborhoods. For over 80 years, the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League has embraced “the great task of bringing the lost and the erring into eternal fellowship with Him.” This workshop explores how the LWML Atlantic District encourages and leads in different ways that serve and share Christ Jesus in our homes, congregations, communities, and the world. “Serve the Lord with gladness” (Psalm 100:2).
Thank you for your ongoing service and prayers. By God’s amazing grace, we have paid 8 out of the 13 Mission Grants. We are looking forward to seeing all face to face as we encourage and meet together at the Mission Festival June 3rd. ¡Atrevete en Cristo! is on our lips and motivating us as we aim to raise $1000 at this event. Please join us!
It is a joy and an honor to serve alongside you as together we, the Lutheran Women in Mission of the Atlantic District, serve the Lord with gladness by “Making Disciples for Life” as we are “Engaging the World with the Gospel of Hope.”
Grace, mercy, and peace,
Deaconess Raquel A. Rojas
LWML Atlantic District President
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