Comforter Ministry - News, Notes and Newsletters
OCTOBER - 2018
You may notice a lot of pink during the month of October. That is because October has been named "Breast Cancer Awareness" month and has been for more than 20 years. If you scroll down to "Words to Share" I have passed along some interesting and informative breast cancer points to consider either for yourself or someone you may know. There is so much information available these days that sometimes we feel a bit of overload and maybe don't pay as close attention as we should to the good information that is all around us. I hope you will find the information useful :)
GOD'S SAFEKEEPING BIBLE VERSE -
"Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." Psalm 43:5
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.
**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?
FOLLOW-UP
Saturday, September 22 I served as presenter for the LWMS Lake Superior Circuit Fall Rally in Daggett, MI. I was able to give my Comforter Ministry Power Point Presentation to over 100 women who attended. The Comforter Ministry Display was also set up for the event. CM materials were available for all, as well. A very generous donation to CM was an added blessing, to be sure! Nancy H hosted me overnight at her home. Nancy has been a CM supporter for many years so it was a blessing to get to spend time with her and get to know her better.
THANK YOU, EVERYONE!
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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 - Autumn 2018
Enjoy the latest Comforter Ministry Newsletter - Summer 2018 which is now available. Click 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
Trinity Quilters - Trinity Lutheran-Minocqua, WI
Carolyn J and Faith-In-Action Quilters - Rochester, MN
Judy A - Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Check out these amazing quilts in the Photo Gallery!
Words to Share...
October is considered Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Here are a few interesting and helpful points to know and/or pass along to someone you know who may fit the profile:
*Get risk assessed at age 30. What that means is talking to your doctor to figure out your risk of developing breast cancer. The goal of doing this check-in at 30 is to catch women who are high risk but don't know it and to reassure others...If you're over 30 and haven't discussed your potential breast cancer risk factors with your physician or gynecologist, bring it up at your next checkup.
**Most experts say get a mammogram at 40. Although the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force advises women who have an average breast cancer risk to wait until age 50, many groups recommend starting at 40, including the National Cancer Institute and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. 'One out of six breast cancers occurs in people in their 40s,'
***Getting called back is not uncommon. 'Please don't panic, because it probably won't turn out to be cancer.' 'For every 1,000 women, about 100 will have to come back for additional image.' 'You might have a new cyst-a little sac of fluid-or a dense area.' Calcifications-calcium deposits that are quite common and not necessarily a sign of cancer-might also need a closer look.
****About 40 percent of women getting mammograms have dense breasts. You should know if you have dense beasts. The only way to tell is via a mammogram. The letter you get after your mammogram may say, but if it doesn't ask you doctor or the technologist at the testing center. There are four categories of density: fatty (not at all dense), scattered fibroglandular density (not dense), heterogeneously dense (fairly dense), and extremely dense. If you do have dense breasts, it can be harder to spot abnormalities on a mammogram, and you have an increased risk of cancer...Having dense breasts can affect how often you get screened and whether you'll get an ultrasound or MRI along with a mammogram...density tends to decrease with age.
*****BRCA isn't the only genetic mutation. Although BRCA1 and BRCA2 are the most common mutations that may raise your breast cancer risk, there are nine others. 'In the past, the cost of genetic testing and our knowledge of other genes' impact on cancer risk limited our ability to test beyond BRCA1 and 2. Today most clinicians offer testing that includes BRCA1 and 2 as well as other genes'...You might consider genetic testing if you have a family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer. Positive results don't mean you'll develop cancer, but you'll likely need additional screenings.
*A new screening is coming soon. Scientists are working on developing a contrast-enhanced mammogram. 'Its like an easier MRI. You're getting a mammogram, but also injecting dye to get a closer look for abnormalities'...That makes the test more sensitive than a regular mammogram. And because the technology uses mammogram machines, it would be fairly affordable.*
The above information was gleaned from an article "Screening For Breast Cancer" BH&G October 2018.
Sharing a Need...
********** Very soon it will be necessary to order another 100 Comforter Ministry Journals. The cost of printing runs approximately $6 per journal. If you have been considering a donation of any size to CM, would you please consider doing so now? Thank You!
FYI - I welcome help in underwriting several ongoing CM printing projects at any time :)
FOLLOW-UP -
Thank you! Thank you! Several of you came through with donations earmarked for the printing of Comforter Ministry Journals. I will be ordering 100 journals this month because of your generous spirit...Carne, Carla, Norma, Phyllis, Bill and Jean! Thank you!
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; Jenny - Hartland, WI; Marsha - Conyers, GA; Daniel - Wauwatosa, WI; Jan - Anderson, IN; Janet - Oklahoma City, OK; Betty - Upper Marlboro, MD; Tammy - Dallas, TX; Vicki - Conyers, GA; Lois - Farmington, MI; Faye - Newborn, GA; Nancy - Peshtigo, WI; Paige - Seattle WA; Barbara - West Allis, WI; Suzanne - Wauwatosa, WI; Joan - Covington, GA; Sherri - Peshtigo, WI; Michelle - Caddo Mills, TX
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.