Dear fellow servants in the Kingdom,
Welcome to the 62nd convention of the LCMS Atlantic District. We pray blessings on your time here and that you feel the Lord’s presence these two days.
As you may know, the mission of the LCMS Foundation is to care for and grow God’s gifts so that ministries flourish. Every year, we share the results of our work fulfilling the gift plans established by LCMS members years ago. This year, however, we were truly awed! We had the privilege of distributing a record $62.3 million to LCMS ministries across the Synod, including congregations, schools, and RSOs within the Atlantic District. These funds – these tens of millions of dollars – were gifts set up by donors years ago, entrusted to us to be distributed to the cherished ministries named in their plans.
We praise God that we can be an instrument of these gifts. But how do we express our gratitude to donors who established gifts decades ago? Quite simply, we often can’t. Most have already been called home. But we can express gratitude by rejoicing with the donors making similar gift plans today. For we know that, years from now, our successors serving at the LCMS Foundation will have the honor of distributing those gifts to ministry as well.
Looking at the plans made last year by our newest donors, the word “gratitude” again seems most appropriate. Over the course of last year, new donors crafted gift plans totaling nearly $145 million. Praise God, for these are gifts that will serve the needs of the Church in years to come. To all our donors, from the Atlantic District or elsewhere, thank you! God has truly blessed you to be a blessing to his Kingdom here on earth.
And we’d be remiss if we did not also express gratitude to the Atlantic District ministries who trust us to be their investment partner. We rejoice that we’re able to provide world-class investment services for your ministries, helping you grow God’s gifts and to flourish.
Thank you again for your contributions to this convention. May our Lord richly bless your time here and keep you safe during your time away from home.
In Christ's service,
David Fiedler President
