Comforter Ministry - News, Notes and Newsletters
JULY/AUGUST - 2018
I hope Summer 2018 has been a blessing to you. Maybe you have celebrated or will be celebrating a wedding, birth of a baby, graduation, anniversary, or family get together - happy times!
My summer has included all of the above except for a wedding celebration. Grandson's high school graduation, parents 72nd wedding anniversary, good friends first grandchild, and visits to/visits from family and friends have made for a happy summer, indeed.
Summer 2018 may have it's share of struggle and sadness, too. Maybe you have experienced or are even currently in the midst of suffering and sickness. Cancer doesn't take a summer vacation. Comforter Ministry still gets requests that I send a CM quilt and journal to people's loved ones and friends...one of the latest being a one-year old, Mollie.
PRAYER shouldn't take a vacation in our lives, either. PLEASE continue your personal prayers, dear ones, even through the summer months. So many NEED our prayers.
Let's enjoy the blessing of summer and also enjoy the blessing of praying for one another throughout the summer and ALL year.
GOD'S SAFEKEEPING BIBLE VERSE -
"'Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,' says the Lord, who has compassion on you" (Isaiah 54:10).
DO YOU have a top made that you would love to donate to CM, but it needs to be long armed?
Heidi Bork has offered to long arm up to two (2) quilts per month on a first come, first served basis. As the top maker, you would be responsible for making the top, providing a back that is 4" larger than the top in all directions and shipping to Heidi in Neenah, WI. She will provide the batting, long arm quilting, and return shipping to you. If interested contact her at: Quilterazzi@gmail.com or call 920.205.7213.
A COMFORTER MINISTRY WOMAN WITH A PRAYING HEART -
If you read my Comforter Ministry Newsletter - Winter 2017-18 issue you will remember I have a special focus for 2018, one that has been on my heart for some time. If you are a woman with a praying heart you may wish to participate. I am asking you to set aside a few minutes each day or some regular time of your choosing in order to pray for Comforter Ministry Recipients, CM women who have been diagnosed with cancer.
The CM Prayer List and Prayer are found right here on this page. Simply continue scrolling down and you will find a list of names for 2017 and 2018. There are many more names but I have chosen to share names from just the past year and current year. You are encouraged to pray not only for the specific names listed here but also in a more general reference as simply "CM Recipients" and "all those who have been diagnosed with cancer."
Please prayerfully consider being a Comforter Ministry Woman with a Praying Heart.
LWMS 2018 CONVENTION - FOLLOW UP
The Comforter Ministry Display was a participant in the LWMS Convention Display Area this past month. The LWMS 2018 Convention was held in Green Bay, WI and was attended by just under 1500 attendees. Thank you, all who came by the CM display to learn more about CM and what this unique ministry/mission has to offer in reaching out to women diagnosed with cancer AND those who simply stopped by to introduce themselves to me and chat :) It was a blessing to reach so many within the three days the displays were open at the convention. I probably connected with more people in three days than I have over the last three years. I cannot begin to express how truly thankful I am for the opportunity to be so visible to so many.
**COMFORTER MINISTRY PRESENTATION OPPORTUNITIES**
I would appreciate the opportunity to share my recently produced Comforter Ministry Power Point Presentation with you. The presentation could also include a Comforter Ministry Prayer Gathering/Prayer Bible Study. I would also encourage invitations to various events in order to share the Comforter Ministry Display.
These opportunities might include ministry/mission themed events within our WELS, women's retreats, women's groups, quilting workshops, college campus groups, high schools, Lutheran Pioneers (LGP), upper grades of Christian Day School and Sunday School, home schoolers, etc.
You are encouraged to contact me and we can determine if date, time, and place can be arranged. My hope and prayer? To search for ways to get the word out about the Comforter Ministry and the blessing it offers women of all ages. To date, 1 years old has been the youngest CM recipient diagnosed with cancer.
WILL YOU HELP ME?
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PLEASE!!! QUILTS NEEDED - Can you help? I can always use more quilts so...
Please consider making and donating quilts for Comforter Ministry, Inc. All you need to know can be found under "How the Ministry Works" and click the appropriate choice for further criteria. You may contact me, as well, if you have questions or need a Comforter Ministry journal when your quilt is complete and before sending to me (as pointed out in the criteria). Please take note of checking the CM criteria for making and donating a quilt as some recently have been on the "too small" side and others have had no CM journal. Thank you!
If you know of someone who may wish to participate in this ministry, please pass along this information to them. THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
It is not as though I cannot purchase quilts as I have money set aside from a special gift of money for doing so should the need occur but I want to use that avenue as a last resort. I think all would agree that a beautiful part of this ministry is the opportunity it provides for others to participate and share their love, compassion, and gift(s) with those in need...just wanted you to understand my continual plea for quilts :)
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COMFORTER MINISTRY NEWSLETTER - Summer 2018
Enjoy the latest Comforter Ministry Newsletter - Summer 2018 which is now available. Click cmn-summer2018.pdf here or scroll down to the bottom area of this page, click and read/print. I encourage you to print and share with others. YOU are my PR Department :) Thank you!
New Comforter Ministry Quilts
Thanks to the following quilters who have made and donated comforters for CM recently - Check out the Photo Gallery :)
*New Comforter Ministry Quilter/Quilt Group
Cheryl D - Algoma, WI
Kathy D - Shawano, WI
Faith-In-Action Quilters - Rochester, MN
Barb S and St. Michaels Mission Quilters - Bloomington, MN
Patsy G and New Life Quilters - Sebring, FL
Lois A - Bancroft, MI
Phyllis F - Mukwonago, WI
Betty P - Athelstane, WI
Check out these amazing quilts in the Photo Gallery!
Words to Share...
I was so excited to receive this garden lady fabric. It makes me smile just looking at it. I hope you will also be cheered by it. The triangles were a gift from a friend who shares my love of warm colors. The imperfect pinwheels remind us that this world and our bodies are not perfect, but we can look forward to eternal perfection with Jesus in heaven. I pray the Lord will comfort you in every way.
Thank you to Carolyn J for giving me permission to use her words from "Greetings from the Quilter" page in the Comforter Ministry journal!
This particular quilt was one of 4 she and the Faith-In-Action Quilters of Faith Lutheran Church in Rochester, MN have made and donated to CM JUST SINCE JUNE 1...I am so thankful for their continued support - THANK YOU, LADIES!
Gifts of Friendship for the special friendships that mean so much:
* A book from your personal library with your notes in the margins.
* A family heirloom from your family to hers with a note explaining it.
* Something to add to her collection or something to start a new one.
* Personalized stationery you may have even made yourself.
* Something that made you laugh when you saw it in the store or catalog.
* Supplies for a hobby she wants to try.
* A pastel or oil portrait made from a photo of the two of you.
* A T-shirt with your pictures on it.
* A mug, a tea bag, and a phone card: "Let's have tea together over the phone."
* Something she just loved but reluctantly put down when you went shopping together.
* A Monogrammed Bible, hymnal, or prayer book.
* A chain of encouraging cards and notes when she is going through a difficult time.
* A personalized calendar featuring pictures of you, her, and your friends or families.
* A rosebush or tree planted in her honor in your yard or a public place.
* A manicure, pedicure, or massage.
* A surprise visit (when you live in different towns/states)
*Free-baby-sitting (offer to let all the kids stay with you overnight!)
* Dinner for her family complete with centerpiece, lighted candles, and you as waitress.
Sharing a Need...
COMFORTER MINISTRY POSTERS AND BROCHURES
Can you help? If you would be willing to display a Comforter Ministry poster at your church, school, etc. please contact me. Comforter Ministry brochures are also available if you have a tract rack, a women's meeting, group, retreat, etc. for distributing. Thank you in advance for helping to promote CM to those around you :) THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO HAVE CONTACTED
ME AND REQUESTED THEM!
Prayer Notes
Please add to your personal prayer list the following 2017/18 Comforter Ministry recipients -
Laura - Milwaukee, WI; Sue - Jackson, WI; Lindsay - Geneva, IL; Jihan - Geneva, IL; Cheryl - Anchorage, AK; Linda - Manitowoc, WI; Beth - Marietta, GA; Annette - Tomahawk, WI; Mrs. Martinez - Oak Creek, WI; Pat - Green Bay, WI; Becky - LaCrescent, MN; Connie - Mt. Vernon, TX; Lorraine - Kewaskum, WI; Carol - Waupaca, WI; Mary - Wilmar, MN; JoAnn - Van Dyne, WI; Amy - Anchorage, AK; Donna - Appleton, WI; Jolene - Orleans, ON, Canada; Cathy - Green Bay, WI; Joan - OshKosh, WI; Janet - Algoma, WI; Bernita - Bruce Crossing, MI; Donna - Warsaw, IN; Dorothy - Mosinee, WI; Evelyn - Pinehurst, TX; Kathryn - Bloomington, MN; Gail - Menomonee, MI; Jena - Manitowoc, WI; Jarret - Cumming, GA; Tracy - Lake Stevens, WA; Christine - Gurney, IL; Kim - Rockwall, TX; Cindy - Lone Oak, TX; Marilyn - Willmar, MN; Fran - Eden Prairie, MN; Kristy - Wauwatosa, WI; Shar - Two Rivers, WI; Rachel - Janesville, WI; Amanda - Montgomery, IL; Juanita Kaye - Greer, SC; Karen - White Settlement, TX; Lois - Zumbrota, MN; Clara - Cocoa Beach, FL; Karen - Manitowoc, WI; Joy - Oklahoma City, OK; Kathy - Stevens Point, WI; Marilyn - Forestville, WI; Annette - Hales Corners, WI; Sandy - Rhinelander, WI; Judy - Menasha, WI; Debbie - South Milwaukee, WI; Krysta - Austin, TX; Ann - Oklahoma City, OK; Melissa - Magnolia, TX; Nancy - Maquoketa, IA; Heather - Manassas, VA; Diane - Jackson, WI; Pam - Shakopee, MN; Susana - Arlington, TX; Elizabeth - Eau Claire, WI; Sue - San Jose, CA; Jessica - Appleton, WI; Laura - Columbus, WI; Julia - Manitowoc, WI; Margie - Indianapolis, IN; Karen - Forest Lake, MN; Kim - Mishicot, WI; Jean - River Falls, WI; Melissa - Jordan, MN; Sandy - Lincoln, NE; Amy - Yorba Linda, CA; Marlyn - Erie, CO; Carol - Waupaca, WI; Lisa - Watertown, WI; Lori - Manawa, WI; Nancy - Shawano, WI; Melody - Appleton, WI; Audrey - Afton, MN; Dorothy - Eau Claire, WI; Carolanne - Hoyt Lake, MN; Lorraine - Oakfield, WI; Marlene - Black Creek, WI; Julie - Brownsville, WI; Traci - Heath, TX; Dixie - Tomahawk, WI; Phyllis - Jackson, WI; Gretchen - Hobart, WI; Lisa - New Ulm, MN; Gloria - Minneapolis, MN; Clarice - Brookfield, WI; Shanna - Brookfield, WI; Julia and parents Chris and Jessica - Nashotah, WI; Nancy - Chippewa Falls, WI; Sue - LaCrosse, WI; Sheila - Tomahawk, WI; Anita - Wauwatosa, WI; April - Terrell, TX; Pam - Georgetown, TX; Janie - Somerset, KY; Barbara - Milwaukee, WI; Julie - Grand Prairie, TX; Peggy - Solon, IA; JoAnn - Neenah, WI; Julie - Rockwall, TX; Beth - New Berlin, WI; Joan - Kalamazoo, MI; Katie - Switzerland; Luella - Katy, TX; Robert - Ft. Worth, TX; Jill - McKinney, TX; Carolee - Franklin, WI; Gail - Two Rivers, WI; Mollie - Bowling Green, KY; Melisa - Pflugerville, TX; Jacqueline - Whiteriver, AZ; Rosie - Kenosha, WI; Debra - Choctaw, OK; Marla - Zumbrota, MN; Jeannine - Sturgeon Bay, WI; Sue - Rockwall, TX; Annette - Madison, GA; Dee - Milwaukee, WI; Judith - Grand Rapids, MI; Kelli - LaQuinta, CA; Paula - Spring Branch, TX; Tammy - Oklahoma City, OK; Jane - Oak Creek, WI
Holy Comforter, Bring peace of heart and mind to these women. Their earthly tribulations are at a high point during these most difficult days. They need Your presence and peace to comfort and sustain them. Through Your Word You promise to strengthen and comfort all who believe in Jesus as their Savior. Through Your grace may they experience your holy comfort and, if it be Your will, grant them complete healing. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
REMEMBER - IF YOU KNOW OF A WOMAN DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER AND WOULD LIKE A COMFORTER MINISTRY QUILT AND JOURNAL SENT TO THEM, PLEASE CONTACT ME.