GC Women's Ministries Newsletter                                                      April 2000

But the time approaches, indeed it is already here, when those who are real worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. John 4:23, NEB.

In November 1999, I went for a spiritual retreat in a neighboring country, here in West Africa.  During a break in the meetings a lady approached me and requested that I speak to the general assembly about my views on an issue that for a long time had plagued the local churches: should or shouldn't women cover their heads with a foulard* in church or during prayers?

The controversy arose years ago when some members interpreted quite literally the biblical passage of 1Corinthians 11, in which Paul declares that women should wear veils.

This issue had troubled me for quite some time because I view it as yet another obstacle that we put for women to worship God freely. However, it also made me want to know what God expected when it came to things like respect and adoration. Did God expect us to worship Him in a certain style of clothing? Would He be concerned with our exterior forms and apparels?

At the request of the woman I presented my thoughts before the people. How could God hear the prayers of men, who did not wear any head gear or veil, yet not hear the prayers of women? I asked. There was silence. Wouldn't God be more concerned with our hearts and thoughts and intentions?

What God has always wished for is that we bring to Him our troubles and sufferings, raw as they are, unembellished, not by either words or attire. He gives us the freedom to choose the consequences of our actions, the result of either worshiping God or rejecting Him. It is this same freedom that allows us to choose the way we worship, with a veil, or without one. The only requirement that God sets is that we worship in a way that is voluntary, spontaneous, and honest. 

I imagine you know who is the one who does not respect our choices and likes to impose on us to act his way or to serve him by fear. Yes, it is the devil. Remember that there is danger in acting as someone else's conscience and God does not approve it.

May God help us to adore Him willingly and to rejoice ourselves in serving Him because He is our Creator, our Father and our Redeemer.

* A sort of scarf that women in Africa wear to cover their heads that matches the dress beautifully.

News from the World of, cont. . .

Trans-European Division: Thirteen women from five churches joined together for a retreat in Wales last October. Peggy Mason reports that "Encouragement was the key word, both in our individual sharing and in all our work sessions together. Heather Haworth (British Union WM Director) and Karen and Bernie Holford were excellent guides; they led our discussions rather than dominated them. Indeed, they sometimes had difficulty in getting a word in once they'd started the ball rolling." She comments, "We sensed God's presence among us, and making new friends was an extra blessing."

Southern Asia Division: Hepzibah Kore, the division WM director reports that she has just finished a two week itinerary in the Central India Union. Ninety percent of the women who attended the WM training meetings were first time attendees and some reported that it was an eye-opener. They said they "never knew women could do so much!" They pledged to begin Women's Ministries as soon as they got back to their respective churches.

Inter-American Division: Ardis Stenbakken was the weekend guest speaker for the International Women's Day of Prayer in Jamaica. Women's Ministries in Jamaica is under the direction of Iris Henry who also is responsible for the Education Department. Stenbakken spoke Friday evening in Spanish Town and Sabbath morning in the Kencot Church in Kingston. Saturday night Women's Ministries sponsored "A Tea with A Difference" at the Northern Caribbean University campus.  This was a fun evening to raise money for Women's Ministries at the university. Sunday 2000 women from all over Jamaica came to the campus for a day-long convention featuring Stenbakken and Dr. Verna Brooks-McKenzie, an obstetrician/gynecologist; and Dr. Althea McMillan, Provost at NCU. "I was so impressed with the caliber of the speakers and leaders, " Stenbakken reports.  "Wonderful things are happening in Jamaica."

South Asia Pacific Division: Three women, eight islands, ten days and 15 presentations only partly describe a whirlwind itinerary in the Guam-Micronesia mission. The three women were Dr. Linda Koh, the Division Director for Women's, Family and Children's Ministries; Nellie Joy Roberts, the GMM Director for Family Ministries; and Patty Hyland, GMM WM Director. The women experienced miracle after miracle as they flew stand-by to the various islands. The trip gave many women in isolated places a new vision of what Women's Ministries is about and what their contributions can be as they use their God-given gifts.

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