THANK YOU to our BOLD WOMEN FLCW SERVING GROUP LEADER MISSION TEAM: Evie Nelson; Maxine Loerch; Ellie Schneibel; Deb Kourajian; Joyce Lillemon; Dianne Susag; Joleen Swang
Mission Statement - Women of the ELCA To Mobilize women to act boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ.
Summer Greetings, Dear Girlfriends in Christ,
THE POWER OF POSITIVITY
Following the June “Living Generously” theme of wellness, I decided to expand the theme to include mental health, which is also going to be the benefactor of the fundraising efforts through the “CHIP IN FOR MENTAL HEALTH” Golf event that is being sponsored by First Lutheran on July 9th at the Peaceful Valley Gold Course. KUDOES TO FIRST LUTHERAN for stepping up and bringing attention to this vastly misunderstood condition so many people suffer from in complete silence and isolation.
One can find positive thinking everywhere: from inspirational Pinterest boards to feel-good phrases emblazoned on home décor. However, while it might seem like everyone is interested in positive thinking, many of us spend much of our time mired in negativity, worry, and self-doubt.
Healthy positivity does not mean that you should never feel sad or have an off day. Instead, it refers to approaching the challenges in our lives in a healthier, more productive way. Positive thinking is an emotional and mental attitude that focuses on the goodness of life. It is about managing expectations and working toward outcomes that will benefit us with health, happiness, and success, rather than anticipating the worst.
Why does positivity matter? Researchers continue to explore the effects of positive thinking and optimism on health, and some of the benefits are very clear:
⸎ An increased life ⸎ Lower rates of depression ⸎ Lower levels of distress and pain Greater resistance to illness ⸎ Better psychological and physical well-being ⸎ Improved heart health and less risk of cardiovascular disease ⸎ Reduced cancer rates ⸎ Improved respiratory function ⸎ Better ability to cope during hardship and stress
Optimistic people are healthier and happier. A positive mindset is something that we can cultivate and share with the people whom we love the most. We have worth and status in God’s eyes.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14
FLCW UPDATE: We had our last meeting on May 7th, taking a bit of a break from meetings in June and July, and doing our Fall Kick-Off in August with the Annual Picnic and Bible Conversations. For the most part, the Executive Committee will be able to make decisions regarding FLCW, if need be.
► THANK YOU to the women from First Lutheran who attended the Lonetree Cluster Spring Gathering in Bowdon in April. The reported that they had a wonderful and inspirational day.
► FLCW sent $442.78 in Thankofferings to the Churchwide Women of the ELCA, a gift that they use toward churchwide missions. Keep working on your THANKOFFERING JARS, and filling them with your small change until our annual collection again in February of 2024.
► The Lonetree Cluster sent 55 QUILTS to HEART RIVER BRIDGES OF HOPE, an outreach and re-entry ministry on behalf of the ELCA and the whole church. As an expression of God’s grace and love, this ministry provides youth with opportunities for community worship, mentorship, wellness, and mutually enriching relationships. Trusting and believing that God heals and creates new life, the intent is to accompany and empower youth toward a future with hope. They work to build ecumenical, faith-based relationships with youth released from the Youth Correctional Center and congregations from across the state of North Dakota. Each individual whom the Bridges of Hope works with receives a “quilt of comfort”, lovingly made by quilters throughout North Dakota. OUR FIRST LUTHERAN QUILTERS contributed to the 55 that the Lonetree Cluster sent. THANK YOU so much First Lutheran Quilters, not only for this contribution, but also the many, many other donations that you make with your talent and generosity.
► PLANT POTLUCK, Sunday, June 4th. Bring a slip of a plant, labeled with care instructions, in a non-returnable container. BRING ONE; TAKE ONE. Just a fun little activity for you to get some variety in your garden and flowers.
► SUMMER CHURCH CLEANING for the women will take place after Bible School. We will be taking responsibility for the kitchen, Fellowship Hall and the lounge, so it will be very manageable and easy for us to quickly complete that task.
► THANK YOU so much to the quilters for the quilts that they lovingly labor over for our graduating seniors, who were recognized in church on Sunday, May 21st. THANK YOU to SHEENA SCHNEIBEL for making the presentations during the service. CONGRATULATIONS to our graduates Brynn Lesmeister, Emma Dockter, and Keenan Davis.
► THANK YOU to JOYCE PESTAL who delivered MOTHER’S DAY BOUQUETS to our members who are residents of the Nursing Home. THANK YOU to COURTNEY LEMER and GAIL WANGEN who helped spread some good cheer for Mother’s Day to some of our elderly and shut-in FLCW members with MOTHER’S DAY BOUQUETS. Visitation of that nature is probably something that we should do more of.
NEVER STOP PRAYING 1 Thessalonians 5:17
EVERYONE HAVE A GREAT AND RELAXING SUMMER!
In His Service, Kathy Muscha President, First Lutheran Church Women
First Lutheran Church Women's Officers 2022-2023 President: Kathy Muscha Vice-President: Heather Mayer Secretary: Joyce Pestal Treasurer: Evie Nelson
PLANT POTLUCK - Sunday, June 4th
BRING A PLANT or TAKE A PLANT or BOTH
Bring a slip/slips of a plant/plants from your collections of plants/flowers for members of the church to take home and transplant. Bring them in containers that do not need to be returned. Please label what the plant is and any necessary instructions that the plant needs regarding planting, watering, light requirements (full sun/part sun/shade), and any other special care.
This is just a fun little project that the First Lutheran Church Women are promoting to help us expand our plants/flowers with no cost to anyone.
"For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness to sprout up before all the nations." Isaiah 61:11
Women’s Day Out at Metigoshe Ministries
All women are invited to Women’s Day Out at Metigoshe Ministries from 9:30 – 3:00 on Tuesday, July 25th. We will worship, explore the Metigrowshe garden, get creative with a group project, enjoy tasty food, and relax in God’s great creation. There will be a freewill offering to cover expenses. Childcare will be provided for children ages 3 – 10. Please feel free to invite friends who are not members of our congregation. We will make arrangements to ride together. For further information or to RSVP please contact Joyce Pestal, 324-4440. REGISTRATIONS ARE DUE BY JULY 13th. We hope to see you there!
Ladies, it’s time to get your reservations in for the Women’s Retreat at Camp Metigoshe. Treat yourself to theme decorated rooms, great food and a wonderful Bible study led by Pastor Shirley Teske. The dates are June 12-14. The cost is $142.00 and includes all meals plus two nights in the theme rooms. For further information or to register contact Ellie Schneibel at 324-4540.
The quilters are in need of sheets, sheet blankets, or lightweight blankets to use for liners in the quilts they make for Lutheran World Relief. They don’t need to be in really good shape. It’s all right if they have stains or small holes. If you have any to donate, please take them to the quilting room in the basement or leave them on the pew just inside the office door entrance. Thank you!
Sewers Needed – The quilters are looking for people to sew tops at home. Fabric that is already cut into squares or strips would be provided to you, and you could sew whenever you feel like doing so. There is no deadline. Anyone willing to do this should contact Norma Tureson at 218-340-9511.
Bible Conversations - All women are welcome!
Bible Conversations will meet at 10:30 a.m. in the church lounge on Wednesday, June 10th. It has been decided to skip the May lesson and get back to doing the lesson for the current month. June - August: “Salvation Now” is the title of the study, and the June session is “Promised Salvation Now: Jesus brings wellness”. It lays the groundwork for the idea that Jesus is active in every present moment. The writer of these lessons is the Rev. Dr. Anna Madsen, a freelance theologian.
“gather@elca.org” is the internet site listing upcoming lessons and other information on devotions, books, etc. In past months various leaders have led lessons on the internet.