2026 District Convention "Let His Joy Be Your Joy"

LWML MN North District 32nd Biennial Convention June 22-24, 2026

THEME & VERSE: Let His Joy be Your Joy!

These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. (John 15:11)

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Rev. Kris Whitby
Serves as Assistant to the the President-Mission and Ministry for the Northern Illinois District. He was a parish pastor for 24 yrs, hosted a radio talk show "Faith Talks," and has written many resources for the LWML including Mustard Seed Devotions, Prayers services and the "At Table with Jesus" Bible Study.

 

BIBLE STUDY LEADER: Rev. Dr. Patrick Lovejoy Pastor at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Grand Rapids, MN

Along with being the Arrowhead Regional LWML Pastoral Counselor, Rev. Lovejoy has served First Lutheran in Grand Rapids for over five years now. Before that he was a pastor in NW Washington State for twelve years. His a graduate of Concordia Seminary St. Louis as well as Denver Seminary, Littleton, CO. He has four children, two girls and two boys. He has been married to his wife Sarah for seventeen years and loves being in the Minnesota North District.

ENTERTAINMENT: Great River Resonance The premier community handbell ensemble located in the greater St. Cloud, MN area.

LOCATION: The Park Event Center, Waite Park, MN

HOSTED BY: Arrowhead II Region

2026 Convention Registration

The Minnesota North District Convention will be held at The Park Event Center in Waite Park, MN on June 22-24, 2026. Registrations is now open and needs to be completed by May 15. You are responsible for your own housing arrangements.

Two hotels are adjacent to the convention site; the Residence Inn® by Marriott and the Hilton Garden Inn®. Instructions and a full list of all hotels for convention are located on the Hotel Lodging Sheet included in the Spring Packet and on this web page. Room blocks will only be held until May 21, 2026 For more information or question, please contact the Convention Registrar Janice Carlson at (763) 631-0399.

2026 Convention Registration

 2026 Convention Registration
Contains the 2026 Convention Registration Form. Fill out this registration form and included check, make sure your checks are payable to: LWML MN North District

Mail the Registration Form and check to:
Janice Carlson, Convention Registrar
408 3rd Ave S
Princeton, MN 55371

Registration Resources

 Hotel Lodging Sheet
Contains lodging instructions and a list of additional hotels for convention. Please Note: Room blocks will only be held until May 21. For more information or question, please contact the Convention Registrar Janice Carlson at (763) 631-0399.

 Registration FAQs Sheet
Contains a list of Frequently Asked Questions to help you, as you register your rooms and select your meal plans.

 2026 Convention News Releases
 2026 Convention News Releases
Post these News Releases on your church bulletin and in your church newsletter.

2026 Convention Schedule – Monday, June 22 – Day 1

2024 Convention Servant Events and Ingatherings

The Servant Events will begin June 3, 2024, Monday morning at 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

Servant Events and Ingatherings

Items can be found in the spring Minnesota Northern Light newsletter. CLICK HERE

2026 Convention Ingatherings

Items can be found in the spring Minnesota Northern Light newsletter. CLICK HERE

2026 Convention Breakout Sessions – 1:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Breakout Sessions will be offered on Monday, June 3, 2024. Sessions begin at 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. Each session is one hour in length and will be presented twice. On the front page, please indicate your your first and second choice.

SESSION A "LWML Today and the Vision for the Future"
Presented by Eden Keefe, LWML President Together, we will look at the current organization and identify strengths and opportunities. Standing on the solid foundation of Christ, we look to the future and the impact Lutheran Women in Mission will continue to have in the world, by God's grace..

Eden Keefe serves as the national LWML President and, with the Board of Directors, has done strategic planning. The sessions have affirmed the LWML mission statement and helped leadership set goals for the future of the organization.

SESSION B "Fearfully and Wonderfully Made"
Lutherans for Life Presented by Michele Hartshorn God has a plan for you. Before you were born, He knew you. We should walk in his ways. He loves all of us as we are Fearfully and Wonderfully Made. Join us as we share the work of Lutherans For Life with a focus on the gift of life, and how human choices need to be founded on God's Word and His plan for each of us.

Michele Hartshorn is the Director of Volunteer Relations at Lutherans For Life. She works with the Frontline volunteers across the nation assisting them in starting and maintaining a vibrant life ministry within their congregations and communities. Before joining Lutherans For Life, Michele was the Center Administrator at Amnion Pregnancy Center in Burnsville, MN for eight years. Prior to that, she served as Communication Coordinator at Messiah Lutheran Church, LCMS, in Lakeville, MN. Throughout Michele's career, she has served in ministry and non-profit organizations overseeing administration, communications, fundraising, special events, and volunteer management.

SESSION C "Expanding the Spanish Footprint"
Presented by Rev. David Mommens, Melrose, MN Rev. David Mommens spent five weeks in the Dominican Republic (DR) in a new program called Expanding the Spanish Footprint. The program immerses LCMS pastors and seminarians in the Spanish language and Latino culture to equip them to better minister to the Hispanic population in the United States.

Rev. David Mommens actively worked with the LCMS office of international missions on starting a program to teach pastors in the United States Spanish. He spent six weeks in the Dominican Republic learning theological Spanish as well as the difference in culture between rural Minnesotans and Latinos. Currently his congregation is trying several things for outreach into the Latino community trusting that God will guide the whole process.

Opening Worship 7:00 PM

All are invited to worship service at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, June 22, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, St. Cloud, MN. (Communion Service).

2024 Convention Schedule – Tuesday, June 23 – Day 2

Bible Study with Rev. Dr. Patrick Lovejoy

Where's the Joy? - Session One
From wildfires, to crippling winter storms, from chaos in our cities and vitriol division in our government, from the victimization of our children through drugs and sex trafficking to the helplessness of a midnight hospital waiting room, where is the joy that Jesus speaks about in John 15:11? This Bible Study will explore what is meant by true joy, and how even in the worst of times God's eternal joy in Christ lifts us from moments of despair to the eternal blessedness of being His.

Mission Grants Presentation
Join us for a presentation of the Mission Grants that were selected for the 2024-2026 biennium.

Keynote Speaker - Rev. Kris Whitby

The Joy of Doing Likewise

In our world today, there are numerous challenges in being joyful followers of Jesus. Yet, we hear our Savior graciously call His followers to "go and do likewise" through His Good Samaritan parable. In his address, Pastor Kris will lead us through the joy found in this story of Jesus that shapes us to be like our Savior in the joyful task of bringing others His gift of grace.

Mites in Action Speakers

• Rev. Mark Moss, Lutheran Heritage Foundation
• Candice Bicondoa, Lutheran Educator
• Maddux Neilitz, Scholarship Recipient
• Rev. Benjamin Hollingsead, DOXOLOGY

Tuesday Evening Entertainment

You are invited to join us at 7:30 p.m. for an evening of entertainment by the Great River Resonance. The premier community handbell ensemble located in the greater St. Cloud, MN area. No cost.

2024 Convention Schedule – Wednesday, June 5 – Day 3

"Joyfully Walking with Jesus" Mite Walk
Early risers can enjoy an joyful walk to help raise mites for our misison projects.

Opening Devotions
Lead by the Young Women Committee

Bible Study with Rev. Dr. Patrick Lovejoy

His Light Our Faces - Session Two
We continue to explore what is meant by true joy, and how even in the worst of times God's eternal joy in Christ lifts us from moments of despair to the eternal blessedness of being His.

Balloting Results

Mites in Action Speakers

Closing Worship and Installation of New Officers

2026 Convention Officer Nominations

Nominations are still needed, as we will be holding elections for LWML MNN Board positions for the 2026-2028 Biennium. A list of nominees are listed in the 2026 Spring Convention Issue of the Minnesota Northern Light. CLICK HERE.

The following positions are up for election:

• LWML District President (2 year term)
• Executive Vice President (4 year term)
• VP of Communications (4 year term)
• Recording Secretary (4 year term)
• Financial Secretary (4 year term)
• Arrowhead II (4 year term)
• Lakeland II (4 year term)
• Park I (2 year term)
• Park II (4 year term)
• Lakeland Pastoral Counselor (6 year term)

Please prayerfully consider serving this wonderful organization as an officer. For further information, contact Beth Dinger, Nominating Committee Chairman, at 612-963-5586.

Nominating Committee: Beth Dinger, Karena Lapolice, Carole Borchers, Brenda Petersen, Sandy Phillips, Tessa Giru

 LWML MN North District Bylaws (Rev 2024)

A description of officer duties are listed in the LWML MNN Bylaws. We encourage you to download this important resource. These bylaws were revised at the 2024 LWML District Convention.