MIGHTY MITES - You know those little purple and yellow mite boxes you have on your dresser or in your window sill? Would you believe that the offerings you and members from all over the country met and exceeded the Mite Goal of $l,625,000.00 set at the 2005 International Convention. The mite goal set for the Central Illinois District LWML for that same time was also met and exceeded. THANKS BE TO GOD! Incidentally, you don’t have to be a member of the Ladies Guild or the LWML to participate in this mission outreach - you don’t even have to be a female. Women, men, children - all are invited to participate. Just ask any Guild member for a mite box and bring it to Salem on the noted Sunday where it will be added to the mites of the Guild. Our fondest hope would be that especially most of the ladies of our congregation would participate in this program and realize how richly God has blessed this program of our church at large.

INTERNATIONAL LWML - The time has arrived for the 32nd biennial LWML convention in Sioux Falls, S.D. Connie Walker, Pastor and Judy Riemer will leave on the 21st of June to attend this event. A new president of the International LWML will be elected as well as the selection of the LWML Mission projects for the years 2007-2009. The convention theme ‘ROCK!” or Rest On Christ the King will provide the emphasis for our celebration. Keep Connie, Judy, and Fred in your prayers during this time. They will be looking forward to sharing this experience with you on their return.

GUEST NIGHT - Monday evening, July 16th, at 6:00 P.M. is Guest Night for the Guild. The executive board will serve as the hostesses that evening. Mark the date on your calendar and watch for more details.

The objectives of the Guild are:

A. To foster a spirit of Christian fellowship and mutual cooperation within the organization.

B. To promote fellowship within the local congregation and to aid in its work; and

C. To help build Christ's Kingdom at home and abroad.

The Guild is a member organization in the Central Illinois District of the Lutheran Women's Missionary League; as such, it cooperates with the larger body as opportunity offers itself.

All practices and policies of the Guild are to be carried on in a spirit of Christian love, done "decently and in order, to the glory of God", according to the position of the Lutheran Church as set forth in the principles of the Word of God, and in conformity with the provisions of the Constitution of the Congregation.

All women who are communicant members of Salem Lutheran Church of Jacksonville may become members of the Guild by affixing their signature to the constitution and by payment of annual dues. Membership shall be terminated by written notice of member, by non-payment of dues, or by transfer of member to another congregation.

The Guild shall conducts a regular meeting four times a year. Regular meetings of the Guild are held on the third Monday of January, April, July and October.

The annual meeting is held in October, at which time the election of officers is held.

Installation of officers is conducted after the caroling at the special gathering in December.

Special gatherings are also held, as needed, in the interim months.

LET ME INTRODUCE MYSELF

I’m called a MITE BOX. Now a mite isn’t generally something impressive or important, but would you be impressed if I told you that mite boxes have produced millions of dollars for missions? Chapels and school, TV programs and radio broadcasts, jeeps and planes for missionaries, hospitals and mission houses.

My very presence on the kitchen windowsill, by the telephone, dresser, or counter top can be a powerful daily reminder that you can be involved with mission and ministry everyday. A single coin and a single sincere prayer may not seem to have potential for anything momentous, but multiply that by all the supporters of the LWML and the picture changes.

I would love to have you adopt me, give me a bit of nourishment each day, empty me into the larger box at church when I get full, and know the joy of joining in the work Jesus asks us to do for Him.