The women of the NJ District Lutheran Women's Missionary League held their 19^th biennial convention at the Somerset Ramada Inn on May 2-3. The scripture for the theme was from Hebrews 12:1-2 and the theme was “We Are a Great Cloud of Witnesses.”  Modeling our convention after those held on a national level, we dedicated Friday morning to ‘servant activities' which included rolling bandages for Global Health Ministries, making comfort pillows for breast cancer patients and assembling snack packs for the graduating seniors at Concordia University, Bronxville. As a gift from the hearts of all the New Jersey District women, we collected nearly $1800 in gift cards for the seminary students.

Friday afternoon and Saturday were filled with bible studies, mission presentations and singing. Rev. Klettke (left, with Susan Donnelly) brought greetings from the NJ LC-MS. Janis McDaniels from Greensboro, North Carolina was our national representative. Janis serves as Vice President of Gospel Outreach at the national level. For the entertainment at the Friday night banquet we were thrilled to have the singing group “On Holy Ground” from Concordia, Bronxville.

Susan Donnelly, President of the New Jersey District LWML presided over her first convention as president. This year the entire convention was presented via a power point presentation created by Suzanne Wirtz, President of the Northeast Zone and host zone for the convention.  The voting delegates set a mission goal of $25,000 for the next biennium with most of the grants going to New Jersey projects.

Newly elected officers include Arlene Price as Vice President of Gospel Outreach, Joan Ziegler as Secretary and Grace Schumann as Treasurer. Elected to the nominating committee were Dolly Ketter, Gay VanEtten, Marilyn Meeks, Evelyn Mills and Sue Kiiffner.  Pastor Roy Minnix was appointed district Pastoral Counselor. Continuing on the executive committee for two more years are Susan Donnelly as President, Jennifer Russell as Vice President of Christian Life and Servant Resources and Ginger Starrett as Vice President of Human Care.  Everyone had an uplifting and spirit-filled two days.