Women’s Ministry Speakers
Marilyn Miller has served as the Chairman of the Women’s Ministry Executive team since 2008. She is serving as a Staff Minister in Houston, Texas at Abiding Word Lutheran Church.
Marilyn has given presentations at two of our Women’s Ministry Conferences; she spoke on Leadership and Managing Conflict. She writes and lead Bible studies and has spoken at many women’s retreats on a variety of topics.
You can reach her through the Women’s Ministry Committee
at: [email protected]
Kathie Wendland
Kathie Wendland grew up on a farm in Wisconsin. She is a registered nurse, and has served in various capacities in three countries on two continents, ranging from secular positions such as US Navy Officer (Nurse Corp), Frontier Nursing Service in Hyden, KY, ICU nurse at Milwaukee County General Hospital, night administrator of nursing at a large hospital in Milwaukee, home health nurse in Milwaukee, in a nurse practitioner role (without the degree and before a degree was required) at both the Canadian High Commission and American Embassy in Lusaka, Zambia, to serving in WELS ecclesiastical positions such as Central Africa Medical Mission assistant “sister in charge” with the Salima Lutheran Mobile Clinic in Salima, Malawi, Africa, relief nurse at Mwembezhi Lutheran Rural Health Centre, Zambia, nurse recruiter and advisor on the WELS Central Africa Medical Mission Committee, and currently as parish nurse for her home congregation in Mishicot, WI. Presently Kathie is employed taking care of little calves, about 60 – 80 of them, on a dairy farm. She’s been privileged to lead women’s Bible studies for over 20 years.
Kathie’s husband, Ernst, served as a missionary in Zambia for 21 years and she with him for 5 of those years. They were married just short of 25 years when the Lord took Ernst to heaven. Of the above activities only the medical mission nursing in Malawi was part of “her plan” for her life and that only sort of. The Lord opened doors and shoved her through them. Some days were great days but most were filled with challenges of some sort. Many days ended in tears and some started that way.
You can reach her through the Women’s Ministry Committee at:
[email protected]
Dawn Schulz
Dawn Schulz lives in Mississauga, ON, Canada. Her husband serves as pastor for a congregation whose ministry runs out of their home. She has three beautiful children: Jonah, Elijah and Moira. She teaches 40 students in her home-based piano studio. Although her ministry experiences have varied over the years, a door God has opened in recent history has been serving women with the truth of the gospel. Over the last 10 years Dawn has taught women’s bible studies, hosted retreats, counseled women through crisis situations, mentored young Christian women and shared the love of Jesus at Christmas with the 100+ women who attend Advent by Candlelight each year. Seeing God work through his Word to heal broken marriages, save wayward children, bring hope to those left by a spouse, and defeat the imprisoning effects of depression is truly one of the greatest joys in her life.
You can reach her through the Women’s Ministry Committee at:
[email protected]
Naomi Schmidt
Naomi Schmidt is a life-time student of the Word. Growing and learning more about her Savior equips her as a wife, mother, grandmother, and servant. With a zeal for Scripture’s truth and power, her greatest passion is sharing the Word of God with others. With a full cup of grace, she has joyfully spilled over to her daughters, grandchildren and countless friends whom the Lord has put in her path. She has been richly blessed with spiritual leaders, exceptional teachers and many opportunities to dig in the Word over a cup of coffee.
She serves on the WELS Women’s Ministry Executive Team, teaches women’s bible studies, writes, loves worship and music, and speaks at women’s events. She and her husband have been blessed with 4 beautiful daughters and 7 adorable grandchildren.
You can reach her through the Women’s Ministry Committee at:
[email protected]
Jill Schultz
Jill was raised on a dairy farm near Baraboo, Wisconsin, and by God’s grace has known the gift of being mentored, and the honor of mentoring her faith, throughout her life. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and worked as a reporter and editor for United Press International, as a legislative policy analyst for the Minnesota Senate, and for the last 23 years as an employee in God’s business which he had her found, JMS Communications & Research.
Jill met seminarian John Maasch at a wedding, and although they were very different, they fell in love and got married. They served in Osceola, Wisconsin, for 16 years and have served in Bradenton, Florida, for the past 15 years. The Lord called them to Lima, Peru, in 1991 to adopt their oldest son, Christian, and to La Paz, Bolivia, in 1993 to adopt their youngest, Jonathan. Jill began writing contemporary Christian music at Wisconsin Lutheran Chapel in the 1970s, and today writes and arranges hymns for her congregation and its worship team which includes guitars, keyboards and a range of fun instruments.
Paula Sulzle
Paula Sulzle is helpmeet to her pastor-husband, Pete, in Redwood Falls, MN, where the two are busy and blessed raising 6 children – Camden, Hope, Alana, Noah, Gabriel and Josiah. Early in her pastor’s wife role, Paula developed a passion for supporting pastors’ wives in their important callings. God used this desire to guide her in organizing and presenting at WELS Pastors’ Wives’ Renewals, leading Bible studies and supporting women of all walks of life. Since 2012, Paula has served as the WELS Women’s Ministry Materials Coordinator, preparing items to post on the website. She also has the privilege of mentoring Martin Luther College women students through the Women’s Ministry on Campus program. Through her own personal experiences, God has given Paula a unique perspective that helps her relate to women, sharing with them the hope and comfort we have in Jesus. She enjoys seeing how God uses us to connect with each other and connect each other to Jesus!
You can reach her through the Women’s Ministry Committee at:
[email protected]
Sally Valleskey
Sally Valleskey has had the privilege of being active in women’s ministry for many years as presenter, Bible study leader, and serving on various committees. She has worked closely with others in leadership to develop women’s ministry both in her own congregation as well as serving as a mentor to women in congregational leadership across the country. Sally is a member of the WELS Women’s Ministry Committee since 2008, serving as chair of the Congregational Ministries Team the first four years, and now as Ministry Mentor through the Talk on Tuesday program. She is eager to connect with women who are looking for information on how to start/revive women’s ministry in their congregation. She loves the one on one conversation and brainstorming that allows insight and sharing. She is passionate about this type of congregational assist to make sure all women are being reached and encouraged in their response to the gospel message of God’s grace!
Sally is a graduate of the University of Minnesota with a degree in art education. After teaching a number of years, she is recently retired from 25 years as administrative assistant at Abiding Word Lutheran Church, in Houston, Texas. She served from 2002-2006 on the Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society (LWMS) board of directors. Her husband, Stephen Valleskey, is also newly retired from pastoral ministry, with world mission experience and most recently as pastor at Abiding Word, Houston for the past 33 years. Sally and her husband have four grown children and seven grandchildren.
You can reach her through the Women’s Ministry Committee at:
[email protected]
Rachel Fritz
Rachel Fritz is blessed to serve on WELS Women’s Ministry Committee as the coordinator for our volunteer writers. She attends Redemption Lutheran Church in Milwaukee and enjoys playing piano, working with choirs, vocalists, and instrumentalists for worship. As COO at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music she collaborates with over 100 faculty and staff and directs the internship program.
You can reach her through the Women’s Ministry Committee at:
[email protected]
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