The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food in due season.
You open Your hand, satisfying the desire of every living thing.
Psalm 145:15-16
May we keep our eyes on the Lord who provides for our every need. As we are reminded daily through the Holy Word and during the Liturgies that we are never alone, we continue to do all things in Christ (en Cristo). He will “satisfy the desire of every living thing.”
We give thanks to our Lord for the reassessing, reimagining, revitalizing that has been happening and for the excitement throughout the Atlantic District about LWML!
Rejoice with us as we see how the Lord is using us for His purpose.
LWML Atlantic District:
On September 9, 2023 the Board of Directors, along with local group members and officers gathered at Wartburg in Mount Vernon to hear and learn about that which the District is doing. At this meeting, we had the opportunity to write thank you cards to the LCMS Atlantic District staff, enjoy refreshments as we prepared for the upcoming Fall events and District retreat.
We gathered again on Saturday, September 30, 2023 with Lutheran Braille Workers and Martin Luther School in Maspeth, Queens for a District Servant Event. Together we assembled, pressed, and folded 18 devotional books and 300 large print sermons. We give thanks to God for Lutheran Braille Workers and Martin Luther School for joining us for this wonderful opportunity to serve.
During the month of October, the Church recognizes and gives thanks to God for Church Workers. Over 200 thank you cards were sent to Church Workers in Mission throughout the Atlantic District.
The LWML Atlantic District Fall Retreat was held on October 13-15, 2023 in Tuscarora, PA. We give thanks to God for Vice-President of Spiritual Life Cantor Boehler for her leadership in planning this retreat. Her committee and volunteers made this rainy weekend enjoyable for all. Ms Donna Snow blessed us with her words, laughter and wisdom as she spoke to us about the reality of perseverance–”Praying through Life’s Challenges.” We give thanks to our Lord for the twenty first- time attendees at this retreat, for our Pastoral Counselors, and for the gifts and support given to the retreat offering, “Made New Again” with Judith Schmidt.
Zones:
Fall Zone events were held throughout the Atlantic District. I was honored to bring greetings
and see many of the ladies throughout the District–Suffolk, Bronx Westchester, Queens, Trinue, Albany and Nassau. During these events, Gifts of the Heart (ingathering) were collected and connections were made by Zones and local groups to the church communities. I was also invited to speak at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Hyde Park for their annual women’s day on September 23, 2023. We give thanks to God for the newly elected Zone officers from in the following areas:
Suffolk Zone Fall Event
Suffolk Zone President Sue Zimmerman
Vice President Jean Klein
Secretary Lisa Rice
Treasurer Marilyn Mazeski
Pastoral Counselor Pastor Noack.
Triune Zone Fall Event:
Triune Zone President June Deebrah
Secretary Ileana Rosario
Treasurer Deacon Carmen Sewer
Spiritual Life Sherly Schulze
Pastoral Counselor Pastor Deebrah
Nassau Zone Fall Event:
Bronx Westchester Zone Fall Event:
Queens Zone Fall Event:
Albany Zone Fall Event:
LCMS Atlantic District:
LWML Atlantic District welcome packets were presented to Dr. Wil Stelzer (Head of School) and Mr. Raymond Knehnetsky (Director of Parish Music). Dr. Stelzer and Mr. Knehnetsky were installed at Our Savior Lutheran Church and Our Savior New American School in Centereach, NY on September 3, 2023.
On September 10, 2023 Deaconess Dr. Janine Bolling was installed as Deaconess, The Rev. Matthew Ryan Gonzalez was installed as Pastor, and the faculty of Our Saviour Lutheran School were installed at the Evangelical Lutheran Church and School of Our Saviour in The Bronx. Also installed during the same worship service was The Rev. Warren Lattimore as the Associate Pastor of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in The Bronx. Bronx Westchester Zone President Coulthrust, Vice President of Spiritual Life Boehler, and Corresponding Secretary Deaconess Yee represented the LWML Atlantic District Board of Directors and presented welcome packets to each Church Worker.
On September 23, 2023 the Rev. Mark Budenholzer was installed as Associate Pastor and Director of Youth and Family Ministries at Village Lutheran Church, Bronxville at which Bronx Westchester Zone President/ Vice-President of Mission Outreach Coulthurst represented the LWML Atlantic District Board of Directors and presented a welcome packet to Rev. Budenholzer.
On October 8, 2023 The Rev. Thomas Cusanelli was installed as Pastor of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Amityville, where Past LWML Atlantic District President Maureen Consiglio and both LWML Atlantic District Pastoral Counselors Pastor Vetrano and Pastor Noack represented the LWML Atlantic District Board of Directors and presented Rev. Cusanelli.
On October 22, 2023, The Rev.Henry Chanderdatt was ordained and installed as Associate Pastor of St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Brooklyn where he was presented with a welcome packet from the LWML Atlantic District.
We look forward to the days ahead for the many ordinations, and installations happening in the Atlantic District. Please watch take note of them in your emails and join in the celebration as we give thanks to God for those who are “Set Apart to Serve” as church workers.
The LWML Atlantic District gives thanks to our Lord for the celebration and support of the LCMS Atlantic District in the public square. On September 28, 2023 the LCMS Atlantic District honored many who have witnessed to the living Christ at The New York Athletic Club in Manhattan. We were thankful to share the LWML Atlantic District 2023 banner for this event. Past LWML President Gloria Edwards (1995-1999), Past LWML Atlantic District President Linda Guteres, Young Women Advocate Kenisha Barrett, and Vice-President of Spiritual Life Jean Boehler (not pictured) represented the LWML Atlantic District Board of Directors.
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever!
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
whom he has redeemed from trouble.
Psalm 107:1-2 (ESV)
On Saturday, April 27, 2024, the Queens Zone is excited to invite you to the 26th Biennial LWML Atlantic District Convention God is Good-Say So! Psalm 107:1-2 (ESV) at the Crowne Plaza, Suffern, NY. During this one-day convention, we shall rejoice to hear the new 2024-2026 Mission Grants, hear from our Keynote speaker, celebrate the newly elected district officers, gather for worship and fellowship, and much more. Please mark your calendars, invite your friends and family, and join us for this joyous event.
It continues to be an honor and a joy to pray for you and serve you. May our Lord continue to bless you as you “serve the Lord with gladness!” ¡Atrévete en Cristo! Dare in Christ!
Grace, mercy, and peace,
Deaconess Raquel A. Rojas
LWML Atlantic District President
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