Comforter Ministry - News, Notes and Newsletters
JANUARY - 2021
Throughout 2020 and now into 2021, I thought this might be a good place to showcase some CM quilts that depict different ways quilters have chosen to add the suggested "heart" that is part of my CM criteria for making and donating a quilt to CM. I don't want to hurt anyone's feeling if I don't showcase a quilt heart YOU may have sent, dear ones, so please do not feel badly if I have overlooked yours. These will be quilts I just happened to notice throughout the years and took pictures.
Winter hues of blue make up the color scheme of this quilt of hearts made by Quilter Sandra P of Eau Claire, WI. Sandra is a more recent quilter that has supported CM with her beautiful labors of love. Thank you, Sandra, for using your gift of sewing for CM and the women with cancer this special ministry/mission serves :)
GOD'S SAFEKEEPING BIBLE VERSE -
"I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance" (Philippians 1:18,19).
HELP US, O LORD, FOR NOW WE ENTER
Help us, O Lord, for now we enter Upon another year today.
In you our hopes and thoughts now center; Renew our courage for the way.
New life, new strength, new happiness We ask of you - oh, hear and bless.
May every plan and undertaking Begin this year, O Lord, with you;
When I am sleeping or am waking, Help me, dear Lord, your will to do.
In you alone, my God, I live; You only can my sins forgive.
And may this year to me be holy; Your grace so fill my every thought
That all my life be pure and lowly And truthful as a Christian ought.
So make me while I'm living here Your faithful servant through the year.
Jesus, be with me and direct me; Jesus, my plans and hopes inspire;
Jesus, from tempting thoughts protect me; Jesus, be all my heart's desire;
Jesus, be in my thoughts all day And never let me fall away.
And grant, Lord, when the year is over, That it for me in peace may close.
In all things care for me and cover My head in time of fear and woes.
So may I, when my life is done, Appear with joy before your throne. Amen.
(Christian Worship #70, verses 1-5)
HAPPY NEW YEAR, DEAR FRIENDS OF COMFORTER MINISTRY!
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!
Currently, my Quilt Cupboard is full, and I am ready, willing, and able to send quilts and journals to women who can be comforted by them and the love of the Comforter! Please use this ministry/mission, dear ones! Cancer is still alive and well during these days of coronavirus!
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.
I understand there have been several quilters that have taken Heidi up on her offer - WONDERFUL! Thank you, Heidi!
A COMFORTER MINISTRY WOMAN WITH A PRAYING HEART -
You might remember that a year ago I encouraged you, dear readers, to include CM recipients in your regular prayers. I would like to continue the encouragement and emphasis on prayer. So, if you are a woman with a praying heart, 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 2020 and 2021. 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. Please consider a Comforter Ministry Prayer Gathering in the future and contact me :)
IF YOU AND/OR OTHERS YOU MAY KNOW WOULD BE INTERESTED IN FORMING OR ARE ALREADY PARTICIPATING IN A PRAYER GROUP, WOULD YOU PLEASE CONSIDER INCLUDING CM IN YOUR PRAYERS? CM PRAYERS ARE ALREADY WRITTEN (4 of them) AND CAN BE FOUND ON THE CM WEB SITE, www.comforterministry.com, UNDER "MORE" AND CLICK "PRAYER GATHERING" OR USE THE PRAYER BELOW UNDER THE PRAYER LIST FOUND RIGHT HERE ON THIS PAGE :)
PLEASE NOTE:
If you are a quilter or know of someone who quilts, please pass along information concerning the Comforter Ministry and the continued need for quilts. Most information can be found on the CM Web site or I can send printed materials by post if needed. THANK YOU!
**COMFORTER MINISTRY PRESENTATION OPPORTUNITIES**
I would appreciate the opportunity to share my 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 more 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.
NEWS TO SHARE -
*I have completed a NEW Power Point Presentation called, "Comfort & Joy In All Seasons." In the past, I have hosted several "Comfort & Joy" Retreats at my cabin for close friends. These retreats have been held in December, staying with a Christmas vibe. I have been pondering for some time the thought of "comfort" and "joy" as blessings from God which certainly are meant to be experienced throughout the year - in ALL seasons - not just at Christmas.
I have finished a NEW Bible Study entitled, "Comfort and Joy In All Seasons". The study takes approximately 30 minutes and is now available. The study has been reviewed for doctrinal accuracy by Professor Joel Otto, Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary-Mequon, WI. My hope is that when invited to give the presentation I will be invited to facilitate the accompanying Bible study, as well.
The NEW presentation and Bible study can be presented to women in various settings and venues where a topic of this type would be appropriate (retreats, workshops, speaker, etc) and can be expanded to included information regarding CM where applicable.
ALSO -
I have completed a NEW Advent by Candlelight service based on "God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen", entitled "Tidings of Comfort and Joy". Please keep this in mind when planning your 2021 Advent events :)
HOMESCHOOL FAMILIES AND LGP LEADERS
Comforter Ministry can share Ideas as to how you can help CM and how CM can help you! Contact me for further information and/or inspiration!
COMFORTER MINISTRY NEWSLETTER - WINTER 2020-21
Enjoy the latest Comforter Ministry Newsletter - Winter 2020-21 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
Mary D - Plover, WI
Phyllis F - Mukwonago, WI
Mary S - Spartanburg, SC
Carolyn J and Faith In Action Quilters - Rochester, MN
Kay J - King, WI
Kathy D - Shawano, WI
* Denotes CM New Quilter(s)
Check out these amazing quilts in the Photo Gallery!
Words to Share...
Although I don't know exactly what you are going through, I can relate as I am a 20 year cancer survivor. What helped me is knowing the comfort of my Savior and His promises. He promises to never send us into a situation alone. He goes BEFORE us! He STANDS beside us! He WALKS behind us! "Be strong and of good courage" Joshua 11:9 Mary D
Thank you, Quilter Mari from Plover, WI...Beautiful promises of comfort from our Savior!
(from Comforter Ministry Journal, "Greetings from the Quilter"page)
I would like to extend my personal appreciation to all the quilters who have used this current pandemic as a time to make and donate their labors of love to Comforter Ministry, Inc. I have heard from several how enjoyable and meaningful making a quilt for CM while needing to stay close to home has been for them. Although the pandemic has certainly brought with it many hardships, difficulties, and sometimes painful results, there have also been so many blessings (side-blessings, I call them). Many quilts for CM has been one of them, to be sure.
THANK YOU!
SU
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 2020/21 Comforter Ministry recipients -
Chris - Shawano, WI; Tracey - Minocqua, WI; Sherry - Rosholt, WI; Anastasia - Milwaukee, WI; Carol - Hernando, FL; Nicole - West Bend, WI; Diane - Hales Corners, WI; Kay - Grand Rapids, MI; Ramona - Hartland, WI; Claire - Cottage Grove, WI; MaryAnn - Marshall, TX; Judy - Windsor, WI; Jill - Manitowoc, WI; Nicole - Sturtevant, WI; Tim - Cloquet, MN; Cathy - Duluth, MN; Junel - Appleton, WI; Julie - Sauk Rapids, MN; Della - Hunter, ND; Ann - San Jose, CA; Liz - Hales Corners, WI; Suzanne - Plano, TX; Karen - Marshall, TX; Beckie - Lake Geneva, WI; Dick - Duluth, MN; Sheri - Forney, TX; Tara - Lexington, KY; RaeAnne - Rochester, MN; Eileen - Watertown, WI; Michelle - St. Louis, MO; Lynn - LaGrange, KY; Kreasha - Manank, TX; Valorie - Pearland, TX; Karen - Mercer, WI; Janine - Lombard, IL; Anita - DeKalb, IL; Holly - Franklin, WI; Alisa - Somerset, KY; Liz - Hartland, WI; Linda - Wisconsin Rapids, WI; Yolanda - Amarillo, TX; Kimberly - Albuquerque, NM; Rachel - West Bend, WI; Jean - Elkhorn, WI; Darci - Manitowoc, WI; Pat - Gilbert, AZ; Jenny - Mondovi, WI; Nancy - Rockwood, ON, Canada; Michelle - Waterloo, WI; Pam - Baldwin, WI; Orajean - Green Cove Springs, FL; Rachel; Leslie - Holt, MI; Sarah - Edmond, OK; Trish - Van Dyne, WI; Becky - Algoma, WI; Darci - Manitowoc, WI; Carol - Oklahoma City, OK; Dale - Bay City, MI; Helen - Scroggins, TX; Linda - Murphy, TX, Annelisa - Marietta, GA; Sherry - Lansing, MI; Diane - Ogdensburg, WI; Eunice - Delevan, WI; Sharon - Algoma, WI; Susan - Thornton, CO; Karen - Amberg, WI; MaryJean - Menominee, MI; Kristi - Stoughton, WI; Marisa - Rochester, MN; Heidi - Algoma, WI; Rebecca - Crivitz, WI; Margaret - Dallas, TX; Theresa - Chippewa Falls, WI; Tiffany - Winnetka, CA; Amy - Gettysburg, SD; Laura - Juneau, WI; Norma - Cibolo, TX; Jami - Manassass, VA; Angie - Wauwatosa, WI; Sue - Plymouth, MN; Peg - New Franken, WI; Gail - Boston, NY; Becky - Maple Grove, MN; Wendy - Fond du Lac, WI; Linda - Lusby, MD; Melissa - Stevens Point, WI; Christa - Excelsior, MN; Val - Eden Prairie, MN; Tina - Hurst, TX; Sarah - Pleasant Prairie, WI; Christine - Sun Prairie, WI; Rhoda - Linden, MI; Jim - Woodruff, WI; Melanie - Montrose, CO; Rabi - Chicago, IL; Jasmine - Crystal, MN
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.