The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) of the North Dakota District held their 42nd Biennial Convention on June 26-28, 2026, at Lake Region State College in Devils Lake. The convention theme was “We Are Fed by Living Water” from Jeremiah 17:7-8. Over 100 delegates, officers and guests from across the District gathered to spend time in God’s Word, hear from guest speakers, and vote on mission grants for the upcoming biennium. The amount of funds pledged for upcoming grants is $85,000. In the last biennium, all mission grant pledges were completely fulfilled, thanks be to God! Click the button below to see the list of mission grants that were selected for 2026-28.

The keynote speaker for the weekend was Leslie Colligan, National LWML Meeting Manager, who shared about the rich history of the LWML and proudly displayed a 21-foot-long scroll listing all 528 mission grants totaling in $34,535,639 since the start of LWML in 1942.

In addition to the selection of new mission grants, new officers were also elected for the upcoming biennium: Cindy Viken, VP of Christian Life; Hannah Douglass Worral, VP of Servant Events; Miki Peterson, Recording Secretary; Becky Filipek, Financial Secretary; Rev. Vince Otto, Junior Pastoral Counselor; and on the Nominating Committee, LuAnn Goter (Central Circuit), Sharon Kroeplin (Eastern, committee chair), Elonda Nord (Northeast), Jean Brandt (Northwest), Diana Hermes (Southeast), Karen Berg (Southwest). Participants also heard presentations from three mission speakers:  Caleb Hoverson, Director of SOLA Campus Ministry at Minot State; Wanda Pritzel, Director of Ministry Advancement at Lutheran Family Service; and Rachel Potts, Director of Ministry Relations at Lutheran Braille Workers. The Young Women’s Representatives, Moria Awuku, Ellamarie Jacobson, Alyssa Gangelhoff and Marissa Smith, gave a recap of their experience at the 2025 National LWML Convention and Estelle Arndt and Rev. Vince Otto brought greetings on behalf of the ND District Lutheran Youth Fellowship. The convention attendees also collected an impressive ingathering of 556 baby items to be donated to the Women’s Care Center of Devils Lake, and 6697 hygiene items that were assembled into 296 personal care kits for Orphan Grain Train. Mark your calendars for the LWML ND District fall retreat in Jamestown on September 19 - click the button below for more details!