Women's Ministries in the local church should be designed so that your ministries meet the needs of your local group. Your programs may be totally different from any other, even a church just down the road. But very often, as leaders, we run out of ideas on what to do to meet those specific needs. Finding out what someone else is doing can be so helpful.

Following are several ideas of programs/ministries that are being carried on in Women's Ministries. It is our hope that these will give you some ideas. You can adapt these to meet the needs where you are. Then please share your ideas to help others.

- Sew or collect clothes for victims of rape to wear home from the hospital. Very often clothing is kept as evidence for criminal prosecution; sometimes they are torn or dirty. And most women just do not want the reminder. Something nice to wear home would be most appreciated.

*  The women in Lubumbashi, Zaire, several years ago held a play and took an offering. With that money they built a bakery to benefit the women of the city. The facility was used to teach baking skills and the oven was rented for a small fee.

*   No time for another evening meeting? The women of the Burnt Mills Church in Maryland meet for an annual women's breakfast in an area restaurant. No menu to plan and no dishes to wash!

*  Do you need help finding out what the needs of your group are but don't have a lot of time for a survey? Jean Parchment, director of Women's Ministries for the Canadian Union shares a wonderful and quick survey idea. Divide your group into small groups of five women each. Designate a secretary for each group.  Supply each woman with paper and pen. Ask the women to write for five minutes about the needs of women as they see it. Then ask each woman to prioritize her personal list. Then ask the secretary to record #1 from each list. From these, the group then decides together on #1 for the group. All lists are then collected as a resource for the leadership committee. These items are issues about which the women are concerned and from which the committee can develop an action plan for ministry

*   The women of the Port Huron Blue Water Church in Michigan, USA, held an "Off to Academy" shower and ice cream social for two girls in their church who had been baptized that summer.  They had a dedication prayer, practical gifts for use in the dorm and an ice cream social.

The Added Benefit of Volunteering

Looking for a way to sharpen your management skills? Consider volunteer work.

By serving on a nonprofit board, you can gain valuable experience in strategic planning, project management and presentation skills - and do some good for your community. Here's how:

- Go online. Check out http://servenet.org to find volunteer activities and organizations where your talents can be put to use.

- Gain expertise in a new area. If you don't have a background in finance, for example, you can gain a working knowledge by serving on a budgeting committee.

- Start small. Try a few small projects as you get to know the organization. For example, volunteer to chair an event. That way, you'll limit the length of your commitment. By the end of the project, you'll either know you've found a good match or have a graceful way to bow out.

- Tout your new skills. Current and future employees will be interested in your accomplishments, and will recognize them as an indication of the leadership skills you've developed.

Source: Points of Light Foundation, 1737 H Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20006 Communication Solutions, Charter Issue

Encouraging Thoughts. . .From those who have read or contributed to the Women's Ministries devotional books

Bless you for the beautiful books for women that give us so much encouragement.   Your Sister in Christ, Celia Parker - England

I find that copies of the women's devotional book make excellent gifts for my non-Adventist friends, and am glad that sales have helped 200 students with their tuition in a variety of countries.  Yours in Him, Ursula M. Hedges - Australia

It has been a pleasure to have been included among your accepted writers....God bless you in your ministry for the women of the world. Sincerely yours, Ruth Watson - USA

I have bought the devotional book from the beginning...and have shared them with others. One friend...has been very, very ill ... and (I) have lent her many of my books, among them almost every issue of the devotional books.... She told me that of all the books, the devotionals were the greatest blessing and help to her. She just loves them....   God bless the work you and your staff are doing. Keep up the good work. With Christian love, Anna Johansen - Denmark

Your book is truly a blessing to the residents in our retirement complex, as it is to my husband and me. We appreciate all the untiring effort you put into this project. They (the books) have been our Christmas gifts to many of our relatives. Most sincerely, Lorraine Hudgins - USA

My husband and I read the women's devotional book along with the other devotional books each morning and always receive a spiritual uplift. Also, we make sure the short biography is read.  God bless you and your staff as you...bring encouragement and hope.... Yours in Christ, Joy Dustow - Australia

May I take this opportunity to say how much your devotional is appreciated by church members here in England. Keep up the good work. Your Sister in Christ, Judith Redman - England

It is gratifying to know that the proceeds from these books fund scholarships to women who may otherwise be prevented from achieving their goals. Keep up the good work. Blessings to you as you have devoted your talents to God and the ministry of women in the church. With Christian regards, Lawreen McIver - Australia

Thank you for the experience of writing for this project. It warms my heart to know I have had a small part in helping other women get the education I never had. Sincerely, Betty R. Burnett - USA

I am thrilled to know that one of my submissions was selected...I am hereby submitting three other articles...May our loving Lord bless you and your team as you continue to minister to the women of our church and the world. Sincerely, Gloria Gregory - West Indies

I have enjoyed reading the women's devotional and being inspired by the experiences of other Christian women. I never thought to submit an article until I read the biographical sketches....They were ordinary women just like me. Sincerely yours in Christ, Charlotte Verrett, M.D. - USA

What a beautiful job was done for the 1999 women's devotional book, This Quiet Place. Many lives are being blessed...I am enclosing my submission for the book coming out for the year 2001... Lillian Musgrave - USA

A Report on How Women in Africa are Quilting to Raise Revenue and Spread God's Message.

While I was in Nanga Eboko, Cameroon, helping to establish a new university I met women from all over Cameroon and some other African countries. Many of their husbands were theology majors at the new Adventist University Cosendai; others were teachers at the academy or elementary school.

In Nanga, the women grow and harvest their family's food and cook over collected wood in the outdoor kitchen. Water frequently has to be carried from far down the road. Sabbath preparation includes gathering hot coals for the iron. They also have to find the time to attend up to five church meetings a week.

I began to feel impressed that quilts might be a source of revenue for the local churches that do not have any hymnals or Sabbath School materials for the children. The women were very receptive. Thus began "Stitching to Sow the Word." I guided them through each step until we had all the blocks hand-sewn together. The women raised money for the cotton filling by pressing palm nuts and selling the oil.

My time was running out, so I showed the women how to quilt the pieces and I returned to the States. Can you imagine sitting on a concrete floor, under a heavy cotton quilt, in 90 degree weather for hours at a time?

When I approached my new church home with my story and three unfinished quilts, the women at church helped finish the quilts and donated materials.

The quilts are currently on display at the two ABC bookstores in Atlanta, GA, and the Campus Book Store at Andrews University. You can also see the quilts at the Duluth, GA, SDA Church's website: www.duluthsda.org. An on-line auction of the quilts will be held October 1, 1999. The proceeds will return to Africa to help these churches buy Bibles, hymnals and Sabbath School materials.

I love the idea of taking lots of little insignificant pieces of material, mixing them with some imagination, hard work, and prayers to get support for churches that have no other easily visible means for raising funds. I think this touches my heart because I too often feel insignificant and powerless. I forget that when two or more gather in His name, He and His strength are there.

The next time you visit your church, look around at the carpeting, Bibles, hymnals in the pews, the climate control, and the stained glass. Then after you praise God, ask Him what He has for YOU to do for someone in need. I am sure He has a small piece waiting for you to fill.

Deborah Kalume deborahkalume@hotmail.com

Deadline for Winter Scholarship Applications

Scholarship applications to be considered by the GCWM Scholarship Committee in January are due in the GCWM office by January 1, 2000.  Division directors, get them in to our office before leaving for the holidays and enjoy a stress-free holiday. 

To get a scholarship packet, contact your division director now.

Dates to Remember

*  2001 Devotional Book Notifications Sent Out: mid September 1999

*  Deadline for2002 Devotional Book Submissions: February 1, 2000  (but you can mail them before then.)

*  Women's International Day of Prayer : March 4, 2000