GC Women's Ministries Newsletter                        August 2000

Headlines:  Joy in the Journey |  Director & Associate Director re-elected  |  Church Manual Inclusion  |  GC Session in Retrospect  |  Associate Director in Papua New Guinea

EDITORIAL  |  NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF. . .  |  Archives  |  About WM Newsletter | Home  |      Adobe Acrobat.pdf

Joy in the Journey :  Women's Ministries at  GC Session 2000 

"Challenges of the Journey" is presented by Marion Shields of Australia.

Joy in the Journey was the theme at the Women's Ministries meetings at the 57th GC Session 2000 in Toronto, Canada. With more than 3,500 women and men in attendance at the Monday through Thursday morning meetings, the ambiance was high spirited and joyful. Sermons on the light, challenges, strength, and hope for the journey were given by Heather-Dawn Small of Trinidad, Marion Shields of Australia, Karen Ritchey of Canada, and Eastern Africa Division director, Priscilla Handia Ben.

The special music by Reinette Boshoff, Laura Ortiz, ProActive Kids, Linda Mercer, and Valerie Fidelia was beautiful, and music by division soloists and groups was an added bonus.

A special feature, Women of Spirit, honored women who have made a difference in each division.  These video reports and personal testimonies given by the division directors were informative and inspiring. The audience, eager to hear news of the activities and programs in the divisions, listened intently.

Seminars in English, French, and Spanish were held on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons with well over 2,000 women attending. Quilts, illustrating our theme, were displayed in the meeting hall. They were made by Brigitte Brenda-Lehrl of Germany.

Reinette Boshoff gives special music

Woman of Spirit Rebekah Liu gives a  personal testimony as Mary Wong,  Northern Division Director, looks on.

Kari Paulsen, wife of re-elected GC  President Jan Paulsen, gives greetings.

Our Women's Ministries exhibit booth was open 9 am - 7 pm daily. Women could browse through the resources, get free brochures and information, or talk to the volunteers from various divisions there. Even some of the division directors volunteered and enjoyed talking with the women from around the world and passing out freebies they had brought.

Yes, there was joy in the journey for all who attended the 57th GC Session 2000. Our hearts were touched, our minds filled, and our bodies re-energized to carry God's message to all the world.

Click here for more pictures from the Women's Ministries meetings.  

by Iris Stovall  (back to headlines)

Great News!

Re-elected :  Ardis Stenbakken, Director of GC Women's Ministries, and Lynnetta Hamstra, Associate Director, were both re-elected for five year terms.

Church Manual :  It was voted by session delegates that Women's Ministries be included in the Church Manual. The WM leader is also to be on the list of church officers who should be included on the church board membership. In a future issue of our newsletter we will provide the text of what will go into the new Church Manual regarding Women's Ministries.

(back to headlines)

GC Session in Retrospect

Seasoned Thoughts  by Louise Driver

I was excited about GC Toronto 2000. I always enjoy the meetings, seeing old friends, making new ones. However, this was the first time I went to work. That's a whole new meaning! Many prayers accompanied each day.  There was much to do getting the meeting room set up with the backdrop, quilts displayed, and readying our booth. It was rewarding to see the expressions on the ladies' faces and hear their comments after each morning meeting. We were so blessed with wonderful music, good speakers and inspiring reports from the various divisions. (That was the highlight for me.) The globe at our booth with the dolls inside, (made by the ladies in Madagascar), was a "hit" and was fascinating to all ages. It was wonderful meeting (in person) ladies I only knew by name!		Woman pray with Dr. Ruth Lennox of Canada at the  conclusion of a WM morning meeting.
Having the opportunity to tell people what Women's Ministries is all about was satisfying. Yes, I survived working GC Toronto 2000! But most of all, I was challenged and blessed by the experience.

Fresh Insight  by Iris L. Stovall

This was my first GC session. I wasn't looking forward to flying on a small airplane, working long hours, rubbing shoulders with 60,000+ people, and being away from home for 8 days. I had been forewarned that our small WM staff would be quite busy. Upon checking into the hotel, a "call Louise ASAP" message awaited me. My GC 2000 experience had begun! During the week I interacted with GC employees that I'd never worked with and found a spirit of comradery care. It was nice to see everything come together after months of prayer, planning, and preparation. I don't know what was more exciting meeting the platform participants and seminar presenters; seeing women from all over the world; watching the women joyfully sing, pray and listen to sermons, reports and special music at the morning meetings; or conversing with the women as they dropped by our exhibit booth.   (back to headlines)

The Globe at the WM exhibit booth holds dolls made by women in Madagascar over five years ago.  Below:  close-up of the dolls Scores of women (and men) told me they were pleased with the WM programs and also spoke of the blessings they received. Many shared how the devotional books have inspired them and others. I realized then, more than ever, that having a part in bringing this GC 2000 experience to thousands made it all worthwhile for me. And I, too, had been blessed.

Associate Director in Papua New Guinea

In March, Lynnetta Hamstra, Associate Director at GC, and Barbara Grolimund, WM Director for Papua New Guinea Union Mission, visited PNG and met with the many women who were involved in Women's Ministries.

The trip took them first to Port Moresby where they conducted meetings and met with the women and visitors at the Korobosea SDA Church. Here they also conducted a "Question & Answer" session with church members, elders, and leaders to clear up the various questions and uncertainties regarding Women's Ministries and what it is all about. They had a huge turnout of people and many went away with a better understanding of the work of WM. "We need to clear the misconceptions and state the facts before we can begin to get more support for our work," says Lynnetta Hamstra. It was evident that many, especially those among the men folk, did not fully understand the purpose and the mission statement of this department and therefore were not willing to support all facets of the work. The meetings held in Port Moresby were also attended by representatives from the PNG National Council of Women who were interested and supportive in the work that the SDA church was doing with their women.

Interestingly, at each of the other places Hamstra and Grolimund visited, they went through the same type of "Question & Answer" sessions over and over again. The trip took them to Madang, Goroka and finally ended in Lae where the PNG Union Mission is located.

(back to headlines)