General Conference Women's Ministries Newsletter : March 1999 |
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I want to take this opportunity to thank Robert and Anita Folkenberg for their support of Women's Ministries. As I have traveled the world I have always said that Women's Ministries receives great support from the General Conference leadership, and Bob Folkenberg has been a factor in that support. It was shortly after he took office that he recommended to the Annual Council that the GC Office of Women's Ministries be established for the purpose of "fostering ministry by women to women in the world church." Rose Otis was elected and she reported directly to President Folkenberg. In 1995, Women's Ministries became a full church department with his endorsement. Anita Folkenberg has also been a great supporter of Women's Ministries even though it has been more behind the scenes. She has given advice and encouragement; she served on the first departmental advisory committee and boosted Women's Ministries in other ways. I have greatly appreciated her backing. Elder and Mrs. Folkenberg, you have set a good example and precedent. The leaders and supporters of Women's Ministries thank you. We will continue to keep the vision alive. End The Rio Grande do Sul Conference director, Ofelia Moroz, organized a preaching course: 250 women attended. She also reports Bible classes for children, literacy programs, and health projects. She says that Women's Ministries took an interest in a very sick woman, visiting and praying for her and reading her the Bible. She began to get better, started eating properly, got out of bed, and today is baptized, giving praise to God. A university teacher helping in one of the health projects was also baptized. SAUC: The South African Union Conference produced 1300 pages of resource material for its WM leaders last year. They continue with strong programs in literacy, prayer, prison ministries, Bible conferences, and evangelism. Denise Newton has a weekly broadcast called "Women of Spirit" targeted to "Mums at home." She and guests discuss a variety of issues important to these women.
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News from the world of... NAD: About fifty women attended the first annual Hispanic retreat held in the Kansas-Nebraska Conference. The women of the Yorktown, Saskatchewan, Canada, church planned a "Day for Women" and invited the women of the town. Yorktown has a small church but they had a lovely program and had an excellent turnout. Almost two-thirds of those attending were non-church members! SPD: Carole Ferch-Johnson reports wonderful things happening with women's retreats in Australia and New Zealand. The largest retreat in Australia is in South Queensland with 500-700 women in attendance each year. Robyn Stanley leads a capable team there, visiting local churches and providing leadership training. Small group ministry, evangelism, the "Welcome Baby" program and play groups are resulting in baptisms. In Victoria, the ethnic churches began Women's Ministries under Danijela Trajkov. This past year the conference appointed Susanna Weber to give further leadership and she has had a very successful retreat in Warburton. Carole reports that the "resort was overflowing and billets had to be found in the town to cater for all who attended." SSD: Marilou de los Santos, Lily Zuņiga and Gerlie Zuņiga were the speakers for a recent Women's Ministries series of evangelistic meetings in the North Philippines. There were 29 persons baptized. SAD: From the South Parana Conference, Brazil, Edit Fonseca reports many activities this past year: commemoration of WM 100 years, Friendship/missionary teas, Bible classes, congresses, prayer chains, Recommitment Day, WM Results and Thanksgiving Day, Day of Prayer "Come Here, Mother" programs for non-church member mothers, and B=B (Bible = Baptism) programs. Over 1300 women attended these functions and these programs resulted in 457 baptisms. |
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