Dear Sisters in Christ,

     I know everyone has a favorite Bible story – one that makes them smile and nod their heads whenever they hear it. One of my favorite stories comes from Luke 21, verses 1 through 4. It is often referenced as the story of the widow’s mite. “Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.’ ”

     These few verses tell the quintessential story about giving. It is true that the rich gave large amounts of money as an offering, yet they only gave a fraction from their wealth. They hardly missed the donation since they had so much money to enjoy. The widow gave only two copper coins, yet it was all she had to live on. That last sentence of the story always touches my heart and my conscious. Although she was poor and had no husband to support her, the widow gave everything she had to God. She had such love, such trust, such devotion to her Lord that she gave her entire means of survival, knowing that God would take care of her. She gave back to God her first (and only) fruits without questioning how she would live. She knew her life was safe in God’s hands.

     The widow knew her God, and she had faith in her God. As I read or hear this story, I always ask myself if I could give all that I had as an offering to God. I pray that each one of us has that same trusting devotion to our Lord. I pray that we would give our first fruits with that same complete faith that assures us that God will care for us - always!

     Our Ohio District LWML mite goal for the 2008-2010 biennium is $209,450.00. Our National LWML recently approved a $1.8 million mite goal for the 2009-2011 biennium. Only through the faithfulness of God and our willingness to give as the widow gave, will we be able to meet those mite goals.

     Please continue to support the LWML Northeast Zone in all our activities. Join in fellowship and friendship with your sisters in Christ. Be sure to be a part of our spirit of change, and register early for our Fall Retreat on Saturday, September 26. Together we can work to SERVE THE LORD WITH GLADNESS.

Blessings to all of you,

Jeanne

Jeanne Schimmelmann

Northeast Zone President

In His Service
Rev. Donald P. Beaumont
Joshua 24:15

Debbie Krainz of Trinity, Willoughby, is seeking news from the zone for the next issue of the Nor'easter. If you have news or pictures that you would like to include, please contact Debbie.

Pictures from the convention will be added as time allows.  If you have pictures you wish to share send them in reduced size to blelle@roadrunner.com (subject line LWML).  Also check the LWML Ohio District site for more pictures.