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GC Women's Ministries Newsletter December 2000 EDITORIAL | NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF. . . | Archives | About WM Newsletter | Home |
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Gift Copy of Women's Ministries Devotional Book Makes an Impact Go For It! SDAWOW Does Just That Distribution of Resources and Other Materials Women in Ministry in Australia
News
from the World of Women's Ministries is Director
& Editor: Ardis Stenbakken You
may contact the editor by writing: Ph:
301-680-6672 |
Gift Copy of Women's Ministries Devotional Book Makes an Impact Evelyn Glass, one of the faithful writers for the devotional book project and Women's Ministries director for the Mid-America Union, shares a recent experience with the devotional book. The editor of our local newspaper came out to our house to do an interview with me for a feature they were running in the paper. We were talking about my work and speaking. I showed her the women's devotional book and then told her it was a gift for her. She liked it so well she asked to purchase another so she could give it as a gift to a friend. The editor went to get her tires changed at the local tire store which is owned and operated by a woman named Kathy. Kathy happened to look into the front seat of the truck and saw the women's devotional book, In God's Garden, lying on the seat. She asked the editor about it and when she looked at the book, she was impressed. I received a call later in the day from Kathy asking if I could get her a book too. I assured her I could. She has been enjoying it so much she called a few weeks ago and asked if I could get her a new one for next year. This I will do. I also wrote a devotional about a neighbor and friend, Diane. It has been published in Fabric of Faith,March 4. Diane was so excited to see her name in print in a published book! She was elated to think I thought enough of her to write about her and to include her story in the book. This morning I received a call from her and she shared how much she felt I have contributed to her life through the years. I was and still am amazed she feels that I have done so much for her, when in reality I feel I have done very little. We do not get together often but every couple of months she will call and we will talk for a couple of hours. (Sometimes I have not felt I have had the time but now I know how important it was to be there to listen and encourage her.) She lost her father when she was very young and got married at 16. She raised seven children, all attending a church in our town, and she also lost a couple of babies. Her story is interesting by itself. by Evelyn Glass Editors Note: We are always interested in and encouraged by stories of how the devotional books are making an impact in your life, or in the lives of those you have shared them with. Feel free to write us and let us know. Or send us your stories by e-mail (womensministries@gc.adventist.org) , fax: 301-680-6600, or snail mail. In spite of all the hype and fear for January 1, 2000, the new millennium does not technically start until January 1, 2001. So you have another opportunity to make the headlines, make a difference, make something happen for women and/or by women. Some ideas:
Whatever you do, make it Christ centered and full of "Hope" for a better future in Jesus. You can make a difference! Go for It! SDAWOW Does Just That! In July I heard about SDA Women of the Web (SDAWOW), a new site where SDA women and their friends can "fellowship with fun, spirit-filled women...share joys, triumphs, and sorrows...make friends and gather as sisters...and encourage each other in the Lord." The brainchild of Beverley Edwards-Miller of Toronto, Canada, she asked Lina Wawondatu-Cantwell of Toledo, Ohio (USA), to assist in creating this site. Curious, I logged on and browsed in the public area. There were beautiful graphics and interesting sections, and a personal invitation to join. Before the day was out I was a member, and the rest, as they say, is history. My SDAWOW friends have filled my days with joy, encouragement, and support. Even though I'm busy with family and church, I've made time so that every morning and evening I log on and post and read messages from the board: personal family thoughts, challenges, joys, triumphs, Bible texts, prayer requests. Additionally, there are other sections of interest on the site: a Celebration Page to acknowledgeanniversaries and birthdays, an Attention Page for prayer requests, Library, Writers Guild-Programming Resources, Members Directory, and more. And—there's even a monthly newsletter, theme Sundays for forums, crafts and recipes. SDAWOW is a family of women from all around the world. I never realized that a virtual connection with women I have never met could be so easy and so much fun. But after all, I'm part of a much larger family—God's family. I'm sure that's what Bev and Lina had in mind! So don't be too busy to receive more blessings from God, blessings to warm your heart and soul. Log on to http://www.stas.net/sdawow/ and greet your sisters in Christ. by Iris L. Stovall (back to headlines)
Distribution of Resources and Other Materials Based on the number of inquiries that come to the General Conference WM Department for information on materials, there is a great deal of confusion regarding the distribution of materials. Let us briefly explain how GC Women's Ministries distributes material. All resources that come from this office such as the Handbook, the Evangelism Manual (So You Want to Begin a Literacy Program), the material for the Women's Ministries Emphasis Day, the International Women's Day of Prayer program packet, and seminar materials prepared by this office, are sent to the division Women's Ministries directors. This is sent at no cost to them at all. The directors at the division office should distribute the material to the union offices. Sometimes material is translated before distribution; sometimes it is translated at a later time or in the union itself, or even at the conference level. The union directors need to distribute the material to the conferences, who in turn are to send it to the local churches. In the North American Division, because of the difference in economy and ease of mail service, the materials are sometimes distributed through AdventSource. That is at the discretion of the NAD director. Many of these materials are also available on our web site. If you are in a part of the world where most of the material has to be translated but you would like it directly in English, talk to your director about that. It is obvious that conferences, unions, and divisions must budget for the cost of copying and mailing that is involved in this distribution process. You can know that anything produced in this office has been sent to the divisions and should be on its way to you for your use. If you have not been getting material, go to your conference, union or division directors first. This is also a good way to get to know your WM leaders, to stay in touch, and know that your leaders are interested in your Women's Ministries needs. News
about Women: Some very special people in Australia have formed an association and have committed themselves to supporting women in ministry in Australia! Recognizing the need for women in their country to be employed in ministry, they have taken a proactive stand and established a trust fund which will subsidize any conference in Australia that would employ women in this way. A contribution of A$20,000 would be made to that conference for the employment of the female ministerial intern during her first two years. More than A$120,000 in funding was received in the first few weeks that the association was formed, and additional funding is needed as churches begin to move forward with this endeavor. The association desires tofund up to five internships in 2001 and will also manage the funds for this project. Interested conferences can indicate their interest in having a woman pastor and apply for the A$20,000contribution by contacting this e-mail address: womeninministry@hotmail.com. by Iris L. Stovall (back to headlines) *Information from October 7 Record, South Pacific Division, Australia. Here's a Trio of No-cost Reward Ideas If you're looking for some low-cost or no-cost employee reward ideas, check these out: 1. Give the employee a personal assistant for a day. Assign an intern, or for a change of pace, volunteer a member of senior management for the role. 2. Invite exceptional employees to top-level strategy meetings they wouldn't normally attend. Be sure to brief them so they'll be able to participate fully. 3. Ask the employee if he or she would be willing to serve as a mentor to a new hire. Don't dump the entire orientation process on the worker, but help to set aside some time for sharing ideas and advice. From The Motivational Manager. 800-878-5331, www.rangan.com., -Adapted from "A Little Recognition Goes a Long Way in Building Loyalty," by Ann Humphries, in the National Post.
We all have read books and articles concerning communication. There is much to learn regarding this important subject. However, the main lesson to learn from good communication is to use what we have learned on a daily basis. This is not only vital in a good marriage, but also in any of our relationships, be it family, friends or work team. This book has a fresh approach to an old topic. It deals with the now and the future rather than dwelling on the past. Some ideas may be new like this statement: "recent studies show that marital happiness has little to do with whom you marry and everything to do with how you cope with conflict." Lots of "how-to"information is given. A must for every library!
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