2024 Young Women Representatives
Pray Without Ceasing
It is time to concentrate on praying that the younger ones of us become more involved and interested in being Lutheran Women in Mission. Next summer is our LWML MN South District Convention. Our Committee on Young Women is hoping and praying that you will invite and support the young women in and around your groups. Ask them to apply to be your Zone Young Woman Representatives (YWRs). It is up to the Zones to decide who will be their Zone YWR, how much to support them, and how many YWRs to send. Our Committee on Young Women is available to guide you on how to choose representatives and what you might ask of your YWRs. Share the application with a young woman who might be interested in joining us at the 2024 Convention, "Walk in Love", and reach out to us with questions at coyw@mnslwml.org.
Join us in praying for Zone YWRs now!
2023 MN South District National Young Women Representatives
Becky Lewis (L) and Rebekah Schoenfeld (R) with President Lisa
My Empowering Experience as a Young Women Rep at the 2023 LWML National Convention
As a Young Women Representative (YWR) attending the 2023 LWML National Convention, I was blessed with an unforgettable experience that left a profound impact on my faith and sense of community. The convention brought together a diverse group of women, united by our shared love for God and the mission to spread His love across the world.
From the moment I arrived, I felt an overwhelming sense of belonging as I met countless inspiring women who shared their stories of faith and dedication. Worshiping together with these women, singing hymns, and praying as one congregation, strengthened our bond and reaffirmed the power of our faith.
One of the most rewarding aspects of the convention was meeting young women representatives like myself from various districts. We quickly discovered that despite our different backgrounds and upbringings, we had so much in common. This camaraderie fostered an atmosphere of support and encouragement, which laid the foundation for lifelong friendships.
During the convention, I had the privilege of rooming with my sister in Christ, Rebekah. Together, we navigated the numerous events and activities, including exploring the fascinating exhibits in the exhibit hall. It was heartwarming to see how some districts, like our Minnesota South District, showcased their unity by wearing MN-shaped medallions, making it easy for us to identify each other.
The LWML convention not only provided an opportunity for fellowship but also allowed us to learn about various missions and the impact they had on different communities. It was awe-inspiring to witness the power of collective action as the LWML delegates voted on mission grants, enabling us to see God's hand at work through these ministries.
Several missions stood out to me, particularly the outreach to the Hmong, Chinese, Ukrainian, and Canadian communities. Among these, the LAMP pilot program, which focused on serving northern Canada, touched my heart deeply. Hearing about the transformative impact these missions had on individuals and communities left me feeling inspired and motivated to do more for those in need.
The convention was a perfect blend of spiritual growth and fun-filled activities. Events with fellow YWRs and the general convention attendees were both enjoyable and enriching. Friday night's “fun fair” games and karaoke brought laughter and joy!
As part of the YWR team, I also had the opportunity to volunteer at our exhibit booth and help pack donations for the heartwarming Gifts From the Heart initiatives. Engaging in these activities allowed me to witness firsthand the compassion and generosity of LWML members, which was truly humbling.
The beautiful historic Hilton in Milwaukee provided our special YWR meeting room, creating an atmosphere of reverence and appreciation for the tradition and legacy of the LWML. In this sacred space, we were able to have meaningful discussions, share insights, and forge deeper connections with each other.
My experience as a YWR at the 2023 LWML National Convention was nothing short of transformative. Meeting devoted women of faith, engaging in impactful mission work, and building strong bonds with fellow representatives all left an indelible mark on my heart. I returned home with a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper commitment to serving God's mission in my community and beyond. The LWML convention was a testament to the power of collective action and the unwavering strength of sisterhood in Christ. I am immensely grateful for the grant that made this unforgettable experience possible, and I eagerly look forward to future opportunities to continue serving alongside my LWML family.
Becky Lewis
To me, the National Convention was an experience of what thriving looks like in a fallen broken world with so much darkness. This is through the big impact we have through the unity we share. Jesus takes us from a life of survival (living in the dark) to thriving (growing in the light in the midst of the dark). Amid life's struggles we all face I was reminded how women alongside other women and men get to grow and endure in Jesus.
How amazing it is we got to learn alongside one another more about our heavenly Father while rejoicing in how God uses us for His glory. How encouraging it is for so many women to be uplifted while serving God alongside one another with gladness in what we each have in the here and now. What joy I could feel in the atmosphere that we get to spread the love of Jesus to the world!
It is clear that through His grace by faith, God calls each of us to do something but we are not always sure what that something is. At times we may feel like we do not have a lot to give or a lot we can do, especially on our own. But each in our unique differences by His grace we are called to use whatever resources (time, effort, money, talents, gifts, and/etc) God gives us with all of our heart. We are to not rely on our strength and motivation but His. How powerful it was to hear millions of dollars were raised to share Jesus with others across the world!
Whether we have little of ourselves to give or a lot He uses it all. It is clear God is the one who turns the little we have to give (whether offering or something else) into enough to spread His name to the nations. As Lutheran Women in Mission we have such a huge impact in the unity we share!
This is thriving! We could not do it by ourselves, but with God and others who also love Jesus the family of believers continues to grow. In all of this, we get to continue to grow so much more in joy through faith. We get to do this right where we are in the midst of our struggles. Together we are motivated and inspired by our Heavenly Father each in uniquely different ways for His glory. We have so much to live for in serving and proclaiming Him in our day-to-day lives with gladness.
We are not stuck just existing or in other words surviving through our day-to-day struggles but rather pressing through in the hope that we have in the midst of them because in the hope that we have He has victory over it all! If it was not for Him we would be stuck in survival mode because it is God that makes us thrive through trials with perseverance, character, and hope. For Romans 5:3-5 says,” Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
It is God that gives us the strength to endure, walk and not grow faint. As Isaiah 40:31 says, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Yes, we may not feel like we are thriving in ourselves because of our weakness but in Jesus we are! Together as Lutheran Women in Mission with Him on our side we are! How we have so much to proclaim Him for and rejoice in Him in all that He has done and continues to do through us even in our weakness! God has so much in store for each of us as individuals and as a whole for us to grow in Him in His strength. How joyful it is that we get to be a light to those in the world around us!
Rebekah Schoenfeld
2022 MN South District Young Women Representatives
L to R: Renee B., Northwest Suburban Zone; Maria K., Lake Minnetonka Zone; Rebecca K., Faribault Zone; Becky L., Winona Zone; Julie O., Lake Minnetonka Zone; Mary P., Worthington Zone; Rachel S., Worthington Zone; Rebekah S., St. Croix River Zone
