On March 29, 2008 the LWML Guild of First St. John hosted the spring rally for congregations of the Northwest Circuit / Zone. Sixty members and guests from the Zone and two other zones were in attendance. Even though 10 who had registered were unable to attend this was one of the best attended rallies in many years.

The rally opened at 9:30 am with registration and fellowship over coffee, muffins, and Danish tea rings in the Parish Hall. Opening devotions, at 10 am, were led by Rev. Rick Rostek of Norton. After devotions the men and women split into their own groups for business meetings. The ladies remained in the Parish Hall and the men retired to the Parish Activities Center.

Clarice Howard, zone president from Norton, reported on Kansas District projects informing those in attendance that all goals for 2008 have been reached. One of particular interest was one providing $38,000 in financial aid to 38 students preparing for full time church work. Clarice reminded the ladies of the District convention being held in Topeka on April 11-13. Kathy Holthus modeled the sweatshirt with the convention theme and reported on the process of becoming registered to attend. Clarice also reminded the group that this convention would be the final official act for our own Pastor Dave as counselor of the District LWML as his term comes to an end.

The ladies were reminded of these future events: August 8-10, 2008, Lutheran Family Retreat and September 5-6, 2008, Kansas Assembly Of Leaders (KAOL) both held at Webster Conference Center, Salina. Clarice also suggested that plans should be started so as many as possible could attend the National LWML convention in Portland, Oregon, June 25-28, 2009.

Bud Hesterman, zone chairman of the LLL reported on National and District activities. One program of special interest is one to revive the interest of men of the LCMS in becoming spiritual leaders of their families, their congregations and their communities. Elmer Kellner challenged the Ambassadors to do a better job of telling the story of Lutheran Hour Ministries in their congregations. Jerry Kaempfe of Hays reported on the District LLL convention being held in Hays October 10-12, 2008. He urged all to make plans to attend and asked for volunteers to assist him in planning and operating the convention.

At the conclusion of the business meeting the men rejoined the ladies in the Parish Hall to enjoy a delicious lunch of vegetable or chicken noodle soup, a roast beef sandwich and a piece of pie with many kinds from which to choose.

After lunch Rev. Tom Harmon and wife Arleta of Wichita presented a very interesting program on the Muslim religion and its relationship to our own Christian religion. They are well qualified to speak on this subject in that they serve Risen Savior Lutheran Church in Wichita located about a block from a large Muslim mosque. Space does not permit a full report but suffice it to say they opened a lot of eyes and created an interest in how we as individual Lutheran Christians might be called on to witness to our own faith if called out by one of the Muslim belief.

An event of this nature is impossible without the work of many individuals and a word of thanks goes to the following who furnished food and assisted in serving the meal: Ada Gaines, Elsie Fiene, Alice Rietzke, Goldie Brunow and Sharleen Allen; Ruth Levin, El Dean Holthus, Matrisha Forell, Madeline and Jackie Reneberg who served food and drinks and Cheryl Synoground who furnished food. I pray, praise and give thanks for each of you.

Our local guild meets the first Wednesday of each month except July. The mornings are spent in Christian fellowship and service activities such as tying quilts for Lutheran World Relief and preparation of health kits for the Orphan Grain Train. We have lunch together followed by a short business meeting which ends with our mite box donations for World Missions. At 2 pm we share in Bible study, usually from the LWML Quarterly.
Here are some of the projects we are involved in:
For LWML, we have our Mite Boxes; we make Blankets for World Relief or Orphan Train; and we make Health Kits and School Packets for overseas children.

For Guild, we do:

Quilting
bought 9 round tables for Parish Hall
got 2 Tables and 8 chairs for Activity Center.
Bought dishes and silverware for 120
Bought Sand Table for Pre-School
Make Blankets for each new child in Pre-School.
Donation to Bethesda Home, Lutheran Hour, Good Shepherd Mission, and Medical Missonary.
Give a Memorial for each church member that passes away to the Lutheran Hour.

Many of the ladies meet all other Wednesdays, from 9-4, for traditional quilting. These handmade quilts provide the primary source of income for the purchase of congregational needs such as: lounge pillows, tables and chairs for the Parish Activity Center, dishes and silverware for the Parish Hall and an additional communion tray.

There is a need for the involvement of younger females, including teenagers, to form a Young Women's group. This group would have the freedom to select service projects other than quilting. Please join us.