LWML Mite Boxes

Mite boxes are sometimes available at zone and district functions.  If you need to order some, please order from the LWML Store.   Mite boxes are FREE, but you must pay postage.

For instructions on sending in your Mite money, see “Submit Mites.”  You may contact Financial Secretary Barb Hamm with any questions.  barbhamm@frontier.com


Over the years, many Lutheran Ladies Aid societies used a box to gather funds in support of local and synod ministries. Under the original 1928 Lutheran Women's Missionary Endeavor organizational plan, each woman in every congregation would receive a Mite Box if she participated in the Ladies Aid. Receipts from the 92 Ladies Aid societies totaled $6651.31 in 1930.

The Lutheran Women's Missionary League, formally recognized by the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in 1942, required by the newly adopted constitution and bylaws, that 25% of all missionary contributions be given to the national organization, shared from the districts.

At the 1953 convention, delegates reaffirmed the policy of raising funds only through voluntary offerings. Instead of "mite boxes" some societies called their ingathering devices "blessing boxes" or "mission boxes" or "thank offering boxes." The first Mite Box design had space for districts to imprint local messages. In publications and speeches, Leaguers were reminded not to just tuck their Mite Box away out of sight and then on the day of the meeting take out a dollar bill, put it in an envelope and hand it to the secretary. Among the suggestions offered were:

• Put your pennies in the box at the end of each day
• Say "thank you" with an appropriate amount whenever calamity or misfortune has been averted
• Empty all your loose change from your kitchen coin bowl into the box on meeting day

Throughout the decades, Lutheran women have stepped out in faith, setting goals and trusting God to move the hearts of His people to give generously to LWML to proclaim the Gospel.

 

Times and Mite Boxes Change

Mite boxes have changed in color and design over the years, but what has never changed is the dedication of freely given offerings for the purpose of reaching out to others with the Good News of Jesus Christ. Districts still retain 75% of mite offerings for the work of the LWML at that level. National mites fund over $1 million in mission grants. See Mission Grants for the current grant recipients and payments.

For more History about Mites go to:  http://www.lwml.org/missions/mite-history.php




 

CHECK YOUR PURSE

Check your purse. Put a nickel in the mite box for each item listed below that you have in your purse.
Say a prayer of thanksgiving for all the blessings you have.

Manufacturer's coupon
Old shopping list
Medication (prescription or over the counter)
Make-up of any kind
Pen or pencil
Pad of paper
Anything that identifies you as a Christian
Safety pin
Band-aid
Sun glasses
Child's toy
Cash of any amount
Tissues

Check your purse for the oddest item you can find. Let the group vote on who has the most unusual item. Everyone but the winner put an extra 25 cents in the mite box.


HOW'S YOUR DIET?

As an incentive to eat a healthy diet and also feed your mite boxes check the list below and total up the amount of money to contribute. Say a prayer of thanksgiving for the abundance of food that God has given us. Say a prayer for all those who are starving. Make a donation to the local food pantry. Remember, God loves a cheerful giver!

If you ate breakfast put in 10 cents.
If you skipped breakfast put in 25 cents.
If you ate or drank something with vitamin C put in 10 cents.
If you did not consume something with vitamin C put in 25 cents.
If your lunch included fresh fruit or vegetables put in 10 cents.
If your lunch omitted fresh fruit or vegetables put in 25 cents.
If your dinner included something from all food groups listed below put in 10 cents.
(meat, vegetables - fruit, dairy, grains)
If your dinner omitted any of the food groups put in 25 cents.
If you skipped the dessert put in 10 cents.
If you indulged in dessert put in 25 cents.


MITE BOX CHALLENGE

Have some fun collecting mites at your next event. See how many points you can accumulate and put a penny for each point in the mite box.

10 points for naming one of the hymns you sang in church last Sunday.
10 points if you attended Bible Class on Sunday morning.
10 points if you read or plan to read your Bible today.
5 points if you can name the current LWML President.
5 points if you can name the current Indiana District LWML President.
10 points for each current District Mission Grant projects you can name.
5 points if you are wearing purple.
10 points if you are not wearing purple.
1 point for each button you have on your clothing.

Get into shape! Exercise your brain and eagerly contribute to the mite box by following the instructions listed below. For extra fun take turns reading them out loud and sharing your answer with the group.

Use the following at a meeting or event to encourage mite giving and collecting some "extra" mites. Cut out each instruction and place in a box or basket. Pass it around the room and let each person present draw one item from the basket and read aloud along with the answer. Then place the appropriate cash in the mite box.

1. A nickel for each chair around your kitchen table.
2. A dime for going to church last Sunday; a quarter if you didn't.
3. A nickel for each letter in your middle name.
4. A nickel for each room in your house.
5. A penny for the last two digits of the year you were married. 1965.
6. A penny for your shoe size, doubled.
7. A nickel for each brother and sister.
8. A quarter if you ate out sometime in the last 7 days.
9. A dime for each bed you made today. A quarter if you didn't make the bed.
10. A dime for each pet you own.
11. A dime if you wear glasses or contacts. A nickel if you don't.
12. A penny for each stair step in your house.
13. A dime for each child.
14. A penny for each inch of your waist measurement.
15. A dime for each TV in your home.

We are grateful for the privilege of living in the USA where we have the freedom to worship God along many other blessings we have as citizens of this land. How much to you know about your country. Contribute a dime to your mite box for every correct answer you can give and include a prayer for our country, its government and the service men and women who are serving to preserve it. Answers are on the reverse side. No fair peeking!

1. Who was the first president of the USA?
2. Who was the 16th president?
3. Name the National Anthem.
4. Who wrote the National Anthem?
5. What is the name of Washington's home?
6. What year did we declare our independence?
7. What is the name of the war that was fought to gain our independence from England?
8. Who was president during WW II? (Give his full name)
9. What is name of the building that houses the military offices
10. Who wrote "God Bless America"?

We all have moments of weakness. Have some fun making True Confessions to the items listed below and cheerfully put your fine in the Mite Box. Ask God for a forgiving heart and patience as we deal with our daily "crimes" and the slip-ups of those around us. Also pray for all missionaries and pastors as they reach out to others with God's Word.