About the LWML
The LWML is the official women's auxiliary of The Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod (LCMS).
It has at its "mission heart" thousands of volunteers who are daily dedicating their lives to making a difference in the world.
It is also known as "Lutheran Women in Mission," the "doing business as" name, adopted by the Board of Directors in January 1998.
It is women who are finding avenues to use their God-given talents as they meet the challenge to share the Gospel message.
It is composed of individual women and women's groups within congregations of the LCMS, on campuses, in resident homes, or in other settings.
The LWML seeks to develop and maintain a greater mission consciousness among the women of the Synod through education, inspiration, and service.
A major emphasis is the support of missions and ministry throughout the world by means of mite box offerings. These mite box offerings have funded tens of millions of dollars in mission grants since the organization's inception in 1942.
The LWML Pledge
In fervent gratitude for the Savior's dying love and His blood-bought gift of redemption, we dedicate ourselves to Him with all that we are and have; and in obedience to His call for workers in the harvest fields, we pledge Him our willing service wherever and whenever He has need of us. We consecrate to our Savior our hands to work for Him, our feet to go on His errands, our voice to sing His praises, our lips to proclaim His redeeming love, our silver and our gold to extend His Kingdom, our will to do His will, and every power of our life to the great task of bringing the lost and the erring into eternal fellowship with Him. Amen.
LWML Mission Statement
The mission of the Lutheran Women's Missionary League is to assist each woman of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod in affirming her relationship with the Triune God so that she is enabled to use her gifts in ministry to the people of the world.
Mite Box History
Perhaps inspired by the various "cent" or "mite" societies of the early 1800's, the Woman's Mission to Women (Baptist) urged members in its first circular letter in 1871 to use their new mite box to raise funds. The entire family was encouraged to contribute. The garnet-colored paper box had an opening on the top and the words, Woman's Mission to Women," in gold letters on the side.
Over the years many Lutheran Ladies Aide societies used a box to gather funds in support of local and synod ministries.
Under the original 1928 Lutheran Women's Missionary Endeavor organizational plan, each woman in every congregation would receive a Mite Box if she participated in the Ladies Aid.
In 1930, receipts from the 92 Ladies Aid societies totaled $6,651.31.
The LWML formally recognized by the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod in 1942, required by the newly-adopted constitution and bylaws, that 25% of all missionary contributions be given to the national LWML organization, shared from the districts.
The first official LWML mission project (1943-1945) was $15,000 and went to Christ Church for the Deaf in Cleveland, Ohio.
At the 1953 convention, delegates reaffirmed the policy of raising funds only through voluntary offerings.
At the 2003 national LWML Convention in Oklahoma City, President Virginia Von Seggern announced that the LWML had received a registered trademark for the Mite Box--a first for LWML.
Mite boxes have changed in color and design over the years, but what has never changed is the dedication of freely given offerings for the purpose of reaching out to others with the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Districts still retain 75% of mite offerings for the work of the LWML at that level.
Mite box contributions have supported Christian outreach in 42 countries on 5 continents.
By 2005, International LWML mission grants totaled more than $18,500,000!
Adding the 75% in-district grants and over $2,000,000 distributed from bequests and anniversary thank offerings, the LWML has given more than $76,000,000 for the Lord's service!
The Mite Box Today
Based on the Biblical account of the widow's mite (Luke 21:1-4), the mite box is intended for regular contributions of "mites" -- offerings above and beyond the support given to the congregation and the Synod.
Mite Box contributions amount to millions of dollars that fund district and national mission grants and implement the LWML program.
Mite Boxes, available from the District Treasurer, are distributed to every woman in a society, and often to each member of the congregation. Recipients should be encouraged to place the mite boxes in a prominent place where they will be reminded to contribute to the regularly.
Mite box offerings should be gathered at LWML meetings, preferable with prayer or a mite box devotion. Please refer to the LWML catalog to order copies of prepared devotions, songs, poems, etc.
Some congregations place a large version of the mite box in a prominent place so those who do not attend LWML functions may contribute their mite box offerings.
All the information from this page is from the LWML (national) Web: www.LWML.org.