Local Lutheran ladies attend convention

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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. This was the second year the children have been collecting money at their local Sunday schools, grade schools, etc., and this year $40,000 was raised for "Mission to the Children." An additional $25,000 more was given to this mission as a grant.

The mission of LWMS is to increase interest in, and support for, the mission endeavors of WELS through prayers, offerings and project support.

The 46th annual LWMS convention has already been scheduled for 2009. It will take place in Denver, Colo. June 25-28, and will be hosted by the Rocky Mountain Circuit. The theme is "Missions with an Altitude."