Comforter Ministry - News, Notes and Newsletters
JULY - 2020
Throughout 2020, 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.
Red, white, and blue immediately come to mind when you think of July, don't they? Thought this quilt looked the part and was a good representative of a Fourth of July Quilt. Thank you Quilter Patsy G from Algoma, WI. Patsy has been a faithful quilter for CM for many years and was part of the St Paul Quilters-Algoma, WI for even more years until recently when she moved to another part of the state. She also organized a quilting group during her winter months in Sebring, FL. Thank you, friend, for your continued support!
GOD'S SAFEKEEPING BIBLE VERSE -
"Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you"
(Psalm 9:10).
PRAYER FOR THE NATION -
Heavenly Father, Ruler of nations, I thank You for the countless undeserved blessings that You have showered on our country. Individually and as a nation we have sinned often and grievously, and I pray You, mercifully forgive our many sins. Endow the leaders of our country with wisdom from on high. Cause them to rule in Your fear and according to Your will, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honestly and that our nation and its people may prosper both spiritually and temporally.
Hold Your protecting hand over our nation, over me and mine, and over all Your children. Preserve our priceless religious liberty, and keep all believers faithful to You. Bring a great salvation to pass, and turn the hearts of multitudes of unbelievers to accept the peace and comfort that only faith in their Savior Jesus Christ can bring them.
Give us faith instead of unbelief, courage instead of fear, love instead of hate, peace instead of quarrels and war, and righteousness instead of sin everywhere and in everything. We have indeed deserved nothing but punishment for our sins, but in Your great mercy be gracious to us, bless us, and hear our prayer for Jesus' sake. Amen.
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 2019 and 2020. 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.
*Currently, I am working on a new presentation called, "Comfort & Joy - For 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. Lord willing, I can also expand this beautiful and meaningful theme to not just a presentation but include a 30 minute Bible study to accompany the presentation. Excited! Look for more information in the upcoming months!
HOMESCHOOL FAMILIES AND LGP LEADERS
Check out the articles in the 2018 and 2019 Autumn issues of the Comforter Ministry Newsletter for 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 - SUMMER 2020
Enjoy the latest Comforter Ministry Newsletter - Summer 2020 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
Carolyn J and Faith In Action Quilters - Rochester, MN
Kathryn F - Eau Claire, WI
*Mary S - Spartanburg, SC Welcome!
Phyllis F - Mukwonago, WI
* Denotes CM New Quilter(s)
Check out these amazing quilts in the Photo Gallery!
Words to Share...
A note from me to all of you, dear CM supporters!
Recently, I was diagnosed with a rare vascular disease, fibromuscular dysplasia. There is no cure and there are several risk factors involved that I will have against me. I am working with Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, one of a few throughout the United States that is involved at some level with FMD. I have every intention of continuing this wonderful ministry/mission BUT please allow me to also take care of myself as I determine as necessary. At this point, I am not even sure what that may actually involve.
I tell you this in order to not only make you aware but also to ASK FOR YOUR PRAYERS. I would be honored if you would add me to Prayer Groups you may participate in yourself or ones you may be familiar with in your church. THANK YOU, FRIENDS!
Thank you to all who responded to this news, sending me cards and notes of encouragement, emails and calls of concern, asking for my specific prayer request(s), and, in general, an outpouring of love. I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciate your love and concern, dear friends :) Please check the 2020 Summer Issue of the Comforter Ministry Newsletter for an update.
As I looked at the assorted fabrics in this quilt, I saw bright happy colors and some dark, almost dreary ones. It is much like the days of our lives (I'm writing this in the midst of the COVID 19 pandemic) My prayer is that whatever kind of day you encounter, you'll remember you are wrapped in the love of the best comforter ever - Jesus. Judy A (From Greetings from the Quilter page in CM Journal)
THANK YOU, JUDY!
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 2019/20 Comforter Ministry recipients -
Jana - Germantown, WI; Nancy - Maplewood, MN; Beth - Dripping Springs, TX; Marlys - Apple Valley, MN; Patty - Louisville, KY; Sandy - Clara City, MN; Amanda - North Mankato, MN; Teresa - Jasper, GA; Lesly - Burnsville, NC; Vicki - Thornton, CO; Tammy - New Berlin, WI; Brittany - Milwaukee, WI; Mary - Garland, TX; Linda - Plano, TX; Gwen - Waupaca, WI; Lucy - Green Bay, WI; Kari - Bloomington, MN; Connie - Gardner, KS; Cindy - Whiting, NJ; Susan - Wauwatosa, WI; Delores - Manitowoc, WI; Joann - Hermantown, MN; Sheila - Kaukauna, WI; Ellen - Covington, GA; Jean - New Ulm, MN; Rebecca - Carrollton, TX; Sharon - Algoma, WI; Melissa - Plano, TX; Robin - Marenisco, MI; Vivian - Louisville, KY; Nila - Amherst, WI; Jan - Weyauwega, WI; Anna - Marana, AZ; Stephanie - Amherst, WI; Linda - West Bend, WI; Mona - Waupaca, WI; Andrea - Rochester, MN; Nancy - Springfield, MO; Nancy - Winter Springs, FL; Yvonne - Kronenwetter, WI; Carol - Summerfield, FL; Connie - Gardner, KS; Gloria - Algoma, WI; Lynn - New Brighton, MN; Monika - Coral Springs, FL; Amy - Dallas, TX; Caroline - Shafer, MN; Courtney - Galloway, OH; Lisa - St. Paul, MN; Gloria - OshKosh, WI; Nancy - Bloomington, MN; Maria - Oak Creek, WI; Walt - Minocqua, WI; Anonymous Recipient; Mary - Egerton, WI; Debbie - Duluth, MN; Angie - Beaverton, MI; Tina - Bloomington, MN; Iris - Marshalltown, IA; JoAnn - Neenah, WI; Sue - The Woodlands, TX; Lana - Burnesville, MN; DeNae - Florence, AZ; Brenda - Rochester Hills, MI; Pamela - Tucson, AZ; Vicki - Manitowoc, WI; Jan - Watertown, WI; Andy - Tomahawk, WI; Kathy - Presque Isle, WI; Danielle - Almond, WI; Linda - North Port, FL; Li Li - China; Donna - Lexington, KY; Lori - Neenah, WI; Holly - Auburn, WA; Isabela - Valders, WI; Alesia - Kent, NY; Dave - Corinth, TX; Sharon - Waunakee, WI; Lisa - Inver Grove Heights, MN; Marcia - Wisconsin Rapids, WI; Sarah - Manitowish Waters, WI; Di - Manitowish Waters, WI; Linda - Norfolk, NE; Bobbie - Wausau, WI; Kathy - Plainfield, WI; Pat - Winner, SD; Dennis - Woodman, WI; Tracy - Brighton, MI; Sherrie - Wausau, WI; Karen - Winner, SD; Terri - Palestine, TX; Nikki - Hustisford, WI; Natalie - Bemidji, MN; Melissa - Fate, TX; Kristi - Eau Claire, WI; Michelle - Germantown, WI; LouAnn - Algoma, WI; Jodi - Wausau, WI; Alice - Zumbrota, MN; 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
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.