Advent greetings in Christ Jesus!
“For nothing will be impossible with God.”
Luke 1:37 (ESV)
As the angel, Gabriel shared these words with the Blessed Virgin Mary, we, in great thanksgiving, see how Mary was one who was atrevida enough to receive the Word of God: Jesus. Let us continue to echo her response, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord.” ¡Atrévete en Cristo!
What a joy it is to hear and see the excitement of in-person fellowship events centered around the focus of the mission into which our Lord has called us, to serve the Lord with gladness and to be atrevidas en Cristo, “daring in Christ.”
Thank you for your willingness to serve and to be present at events and gatherings as we reassess, reimagine and revitalize local groups, zones, and the LWML Atlantic District.
Zone Events:
We thank God for a new local group in The Bronx Westchester Zone– Trinity SALT (Spirit Assembled Ladies of Trinity) of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in The Bronx. We are encouraged and excited to serve with Trinity SALT as we “serve the Lord with gladness!”
During these few months, we were blessed to have four Fall Zone events conducted. Several members and nonmembers of the LWML Atlantic District participated in the District-wide “Miles for Mites” fundraiser. Eighteen Atlantic District congregations and twenty local groups conducted an LWML Sunday.
Miles for Mites 2022 was held on October 30-31. Thank you to all who participated and donated towards Mission Grant #5- “Hope for the Hopeless.” Several “Deaconess Points” were awarded for the participation of Pastors!
Elections of new officers were held by Bronx Westchester, Mid Hudson, Queens, and Triune Zones.
Congratulations to the newly elected officers:
Bronx Westchester Zone: Zone President Jeanette Coulthurst from Redeemer, The Bronx, Zone Vice President Christine Di Leo from Trinity, Hawthrone, Zone Recording Secretary Kenisha Barrett from Redeemer, The Bronx, and Zone Treasurer Phyllis Rochester from Redeemer, The Bronx.
Mid Hudson Zone: Zone President Nancy Graf Peters from Our Saviour Fishkill, Zone Vice President Nina Muller from Christ the King, Pawling, Zone Recording Secretary Anita Dykeman from Christ the King, Pawling, and Zone Treasurer Linda Knueppel from All Saints, Billings.
Queens Zone: Zone President Gillian Thompson from Grace, Jamaica, and Zone Treasurer Flora Holmes from Trinity Locus Manor.
Triune Zone: Zone President June Deebrah from St. Matthews, Manhattan, Zone Recording Secretary Ileana Rosario from St. Peter’s Brooklyn, and Zone Treasurer Atlantic District Lay Deacon Carmen Sewer from St. Paul’s Brooklyn.
Channels of Peace- The LWML Atlantic District Fall Retreat met in-person at Tuscarora Inn and Conference Center for the first time in 2 years with the theme, “Channels of Peace.” We give thanks to God for His servants Cantor Jean Boehler who organized and solidified the plans for this retreat. We also give thanks to God for The Rev. Justin and Neina Vetrano (Pastor, The Life Lutheran Church, Old Westbury) for their ongoing service and leadership as they were the presenters for this retreat and as they serve the recipient of the retreat mission offerings, “Life for Ukraine.”
Vice President for Leader Development Twila Evanson, Vice President for Mission Outreach Jeanette Coulthurst, YWR Kenisha Barrett, and Junior Pastor Counselor Pastor William Wrede joined me on the Adventure in Equipping Leaders- Assembly of Leaders event in St. Louis. This conference met for four days focusing on tools and resources that can be used to enrich our groups, leaders, and communities. The LWML Atlantic District was represented well, and we give thanks to our Lord for this team as they continue this adventure with us in the Atlantic District.
LCMS Atlantic District Events:
On September 18, 2022, an LWML Atlantic District welcome packet was given to The Rev. David Santos and Holy Trinity, Middle Island at his ordination and installation as their new pastor. On September 25, 2022, an LWML Atlantic District welcome packet was given to The Rev. Dr. Joshua Hollmann and True Light, China Town at his installation as their new pastor.
Past LWML Atlantic District President Linda Guteres, Corresponding Secretary Deaconess Phyllis Yee, and Vice President for Spiritual Life Cantor Jean Boehler of the Board of Directors represented the LWML Atlantic District at the LCMS Atlantic District Witness in the Public Square in October of 2022.
The LWML Atlantic District has been blessed with the support, the recognition and the blessings from our Pastors in the LCMS Atlantic District, especially as Bishop Taylor has been an advocate for and participant in the LWML for decades. We continue to communicate the resources that are available through us in the LWML Atlantic District and through LWML, with the focus of reassessing, reimaging, and revitalizing so that we shall continue as together we are “Making Disciples for Life” by “Engaging the World with the Gospel of Hope.”
Thanks be to God for the generosity of The Rev. Dr. John Hannah, Circuit Visitor for Circuit Five–The Bronx, Manhattan and Westchester. Pastor Hannah has blessed us with a gift to the LWML Atlantic District of a hand-crafted case for the carrying of the sacred vessels used for the Holy Eucharist. He also refinished those vessels for us.
“For nothing will be impossible with God.” We press forward, gather mites, connect with those who are missing and encourage people to be present and attend LWML Atlantic District events.
During this Advent season of waiting, we wait; at the same time, we dare to try new things while “Making Disciples for Life” by “Engaging the World with the Gospel of Hope”–¡Atrévete en Cristo!
May our Lord continue to bless you as you “serve the Lord with Gladness!”
Grace, mercy, and peace,
Deaconess Raquel A. Rojas
LWML Atlantic District President