LWML Resources - Heart to Heart Sisters
The Lutheran Church––Missouri Synod is partnering with the LWML to fund the Heart to Heart Program at the 2013 Pittsburgh Convention. A grant of $7500 will help fund training for 14 H2H District Leaders and 24 Heart to Heart Sisters. We are excited to share in this opportunity to work together to extend God’s Kingdom to people of all races, ages and ethnicities.
The purpose of the Heart to Heart Sisters Committee is to motivate, equip, and ensure opportunities for women of diverse ethnic groups to serve the church and witness to the world.
The LWML has chosen “Valuing all Women” as one of its primary targets, recognizing that the Body of Christ grows and is strengthened when "women of all ages, stages of life, races, locations, and cultures are welcomed, mentored, and encouraged to be active partners in the shared mission of LWML."
The LWML recognizes that there are gifted ethnic women serving with joy and passion in many ethnic-specific ministries throughout the LCMS. Because of the nature of ethnic-specific ministry, many of these women leaders are unfamiliar with the culture of the LCMS and LWML.
The Heart to Heart Sisters Program, an intentional effort to include ethnic women in the life and work of the LWML, is now a standing committee. The first Heart to Heart Sisters participated in the 2003 Oklahoma City LWML Convention. Since that time, over 138 women from a variety of ethnic groups have taken part in the Heart to Heart Sisters Program at a national LWML convention.
The Heart to Heart Sisters Task Force hosted the first Heart to Heart Sisters District Leadership Training Program at the 2011 Peoria LWML Convention to support the creation of Heart to Heart Sisters programs in the districts. The LWML Heart to Heart Sisters program is committed to valuing the ministries of ethnic women throughout the LCMS.
Heart to Heart District Leaders will identify ethnic LCMS women in their districts and encourage them to become a member and participate in the work of the LWML. Their participation will enhance and enrich the ministry of the entire LWML, as well as model the character of the Body of Christ and the heavenly assembly where we will be a people “from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb” (Rev. 7:9b).
We are committed to assisting LWML Districts in establishing Heart to Heart Sisters programs so that ethnic women may mutually encourage one another, support each other, and work together, living out the beautiful diversity that is the Body of Christ. At the 2013 Pittsburgh LWML Convention, we will host our second training of district leaders who will spearhead district Heart to Heart Sisters programs. We are particularly excited about the opportunity to support, network, and encourage these women.
We are also committed to producing materials and resources that will support understanding and ensure the building of positive relationships in a multicultural world to effectively carry out the mission the Lord has given us on earth. We pray this will benefit and bless our entire church body as we live out the mission of the Church.
We stand ready to partner with you and assist in generating ideas for your unique region. Together we can explore the world of possibilities that exist to build your LWML ministry so that it not only reaches the mission of the world, but also reflects the rich diversity that is who we are as The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. To God be all glory!
Heart to Heart Sisters Committee – 2011-2013
Angelina Gomez, Chairman - angelina1944@sbcglobal.net
Saron Woldehaimanot – nardosey1@yahoo.com
Margo Dupre – mheathdupre81@yahoo.com
Hannah Loum – membelford@yahoo.com
Nancy Parra – nancy.parra05@gmail.com
Click here for a listing of Multicultural Resources Available from LWML.
Articles from the Lutheran Woman's Quarterly Featuring Heart to Heart Sisters
A Place at the Table, featuring Melissa Salomón, Winter 2007 (PDF, 301KB)
Painting the Portrait of the LWML: Anybody Missing?, by Marilyn McClure, Spring 2008, (PDF, 468KB)
From Daughter of the East to Missionary in the West: The Roads Cynthia Traveled, featuring Cynthia Khan, Spring 2009 (PDF, 283KB)
A Door No One Could Shut: Abeba’s Story, featuring Abeba Tzeggai, Winter 2009 (PDF, 223KB)