Local members of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary recently traveled to the 45th annual LWMS Convention in Tucsan, Ariz. In front are Gail Maxwell, left, and Joan Daniels. Standing, from left, are Mary Ann Thorsen, Jan Baker and Bea Dittrich. Baker and Thorsen attend Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Escanaba. Dittrich attends St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, Hyde. Daniels and Maxwell attend Grace Lutheran Church, Powers. (Courtesy photo)

ESCANABA — A group of local women joined over 1,000 others (260 of whom were first-time attendees) at the of the 45th annual Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society (LWMS) Convention in Tucsan, Ariz. Members representing more than 900 Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) and Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS) congregations get together annually to experience mission support, spiritual renewal, motivation and fellowship. The weekend convention, June 26-29, was themed “Tell the Glory of His Kingdom.” It provided oportunities to meet missionaries and hear first-hand about the work being done in Nigeria, Mexico, Apache Land and Spanish outreach in Arizona. Other highlights of the convention included Bible studies, the presentation of over $71,000 to WELS Home and World Mission projects and a variety of mission displays. An added feature is Kids Care, a mission totally geared to children of the WELS church bodies.