GC Women's Ministries Newsletter                                                                     October 2000

Editorial. . .  Lynnetta Siagian Hamstra Associate Director General Conference Women's Ministries
Matthew 25

Several days ago as I was reading a magazine called "The Lutheran Woman" I came across an article that made quite an impression on me. It is something of a parody on the words of our Lord in Matthew 25. It goes like this:

Yes, I agree that praying for those who are hurting is critically important. And thanking God for blessings that we have received from Him is very appropriate. And studying crucial issues like hunger is an important first step to doing something to solve that problem. But, as women in Women's Ministries, we know that these actions alone do not reflect the active, assertive, hands-on ministry of love that Jesus walked, talked and lived -- a ministry of bringing justice and healing to all those He served.

I believe that Women's Ministries is, or should be, a ministry of compassion and evangelism. As we reread Matthew 25, let us paraphrase it to reflect what we can do to reach out and help others who are not as fortunate as ourselves. This time, let us highlight the love and care that we can and should give others through this ministry.

I was hungry

• we can participate in soup kitchens to feed the homeless
• we can donate canned goods to be distributed at disaster relief agencies
• we can invite the new family, or the lonely college student to our house for a home-cooked meal
• we can give food-baskets to families who are struggling financially
• we can make sure that we feed our own families healthy meals

I was imprisoned

• we can visit imprisoned women and share the Bible with them, thus ministering to their spiritual need
• we can help imprisoned women prepare for their release by connecting them with resources such as health care, housing, job training, and clothing
• we can send words of encouragement and care to those imprisoned

I was naked

• we can help rape victims by preparing a package with clothing to wear home from the hospital
• we can donate clothes that we do not fit or need to agencies that will distribute them to those in need
• we can give our extra winter coat to the homeless
• we can do without five new pairs of shoes this fall

I was sick

• we can provide seminars to better health care
• we can offer clinics to teach hygiene
• we can donate money or time towards an AIDS prevention project
• we can volunteer time or expertise at hospitals or clinics
• we can share information and discuss women's health issues openly
• we can bring a meal to a sick or temporarily disabled person

I was homeless

• we can offer transitional housing to women who are rehabilitating themselves from prostitution or addiction
• we can offer shelters to women who are abused and battered
• we can be involved in building projects such as "Habitat for Humanity"
• we can offer our extra bedroom to a struggling student for a lower fee
• we can volunteer our services at homeless shelters that can always use extra help in caring for the homeless

I was lonely

• we can give support to young moms learning to be better parents
• we can give support to those isolated by poverty, language barriers and lack of extended family
• we can help children to stay connected with incarcerated mothers by giving the children tapes of stories that are read by their mothers
• we can give a hug to someone in church or in our neighborhood
• we can give a listening ear to someone who needs one
• we can give a kind word or a genuine complement to one who needs it

Sisters, sometimes it may seem as though our actions and our gifts don't really make much of a difference. But I'd like to tell you that the world can be different because of your contributions. It may not seem like much to you, but to another person, who happens to be needing exactly what you shared, it can make a difference that may change a life. You and I may not have the same ability to heal people as Jesus did, but we can offer a "healing touch" whether it be through a warm hug, a simple squeeze of an arm, or a gentle touch on a shoulder. It could be a warm meal, or a warm winter coat. It could be a lesson in hygiene or an introduction to our friend Jesus and the love He has for each of us.

Corrie Ten Boom once asked, "What have you done today that only a Christian would have done?" If only you and I would learn to consistently ask ourselves this question and open ourselves daily to be used by God in any way He sees fit.

Source: Doris Streiter, The Lutheran Woman, Sept 2000, Vol. 4, No. 1.

News from the world of . . .

Africa-Indian Ocean Division: The division has launched a program to baptize one million new members, thus more than doubling its membership this quinquennium. To begin this "Blow the Trumpet" campaign, during October 1-28, 2000, Women's Ministries will have evangelistic meetings in 10,000 churches. The goal is to baptize a minimum of 10 persons in each church, giving 100,000 baptisms as a start-up. Praise the Lord and pray for these women!

Inter-American Division: The Colombian Union has voted to allow women to serve as elders. In many of the churches there are no qualified men; this is partially due to the war in the country. We rejoice that the women, led by the Holy Spirit, are ready,willing and able.

August 24 to 26 about five hundred women from Colombia met on San Andres Island, a safe respite from the war, for their first ever congress. Ardis Stenbakken from the General Conference; Evelyn Omaņa, from Venezuela; and Cenia Garcia and Olivia Ochoa from California presented the Sabbath sermon and six seminars. The entire program was coordinated by Elizabeth Rodriguez.

Heather Dawn Small, director of the Caribbean Union Women's Ministries, reports that "I see women who a few years ago would never have taken part in a prayer walk or Bible study group, but who are now eager and willing to spread the message of the gospel in any way they can. I see women whose lives have been changed because of Women's Ministries, women who know that they have the needed support to achieve big things for God and who inspire others by their achievements." Further, she says, "Don't stop us now -- we've just begun!"

North American Division: Family and Women's Ministries joined to sponsor the first Southwest Union-wide convention to focus on personal and family relationships. Topics included anger and conflict management, parenting skills, domestic violence, communication skills, and singles' issues.

Southern Asia Division: During the Day of Prayer activities in March, the Hosur English Church in India put on a play titled "The Promise." It featured three Passovers: in the Old Testament, at the time of Jesus' birth, and just before His crucifixion. Each scene had a woman and two young girls describe that period and the preparations necessary for the celebrations. The fourth scene was after the resurrection of Jesus, depicting the joy and hope this gave the entire world.

In the Bihar section of India, most of the church members are women; they have laid plans to involve each woman in winning at least one other woman to Christ during this year. They have organized spiritual growth programs and prayer bands for this.

Trans-European Division: The theme was God as the Bridegroom waiting for His Bride; the title was "Don't Keep Jesus Waiting." The speaker was Heather Haworth, director for women's and children's ministries in the British Union; the occasion was Women's Ministries Day in Holloway, England. The result: three persons gave their hearts to the Lord.