GC Women's Ministries Newsletter                                 October 2000

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2001 WM Devotional Book, Fabric of Faith is Now Available at Your ABC

November 25 Is UN Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women

New! Updated Devotional Book Guidelines Available

Important Bits and Pieces from Here and There

News from the World of Women's Ministries is
published monthly by the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist Department of Women's Ministries for the purpose of communicating news and information about
Women's Ministries.

Director & Editor: Ardis Stenbakken
Asst. Editor & Layout:  Iris Stovall

You may contact the editor by writing:

General Conference Department of Women's Ministries
12501 Old Columbia Pike
Silver Spring, MD 20904-6600
United States of America

Ph:  301-680-6672
Fax:  301-680-6600
Email: womensministries
@gc.adventist.org

2001 WM Devotional Book, Fabric of Faith Is Now Available at Your ABC   Fabric of Faith, the devotional book for 2001is now available at your Adventist Book Center. Edited by Ardis Stenbakken, this is the 9th in the series of devotional books written by women and for women. These authors come from all over the English speaking world and selections were even translated and submitted.

Those who write for the books do so as a double gift to women first of all the devotional itself is a blessing. But there is a double blessing here as all profits from the books go to fund the General Conference Women's Ministries Scholarship Fund. Thus far these books (and a few donations) have funded 457 scholarships. The latest group of these scholarships were awarded this past month and included a woman church leader in Poland who wants to learn English so she can continue leadership in three church ministry departments; a woman from China studying for the pastoral ministry; a young French woman from Israel who is studying accounting at Newbold College; and a young woman from Portugal studying theology at Collonges. Truly, Women's Ministries scholarships are varied and international. And the results will be eternal.

The devotional books have been translated into Portuguese and this past year, In God's Garden was also translated into Chinese. Translation is now underway for an edition in German and selections have been reprinted in Spanish. There is a great need for higher sales of the devotional books to increase scholarships as well as for direct donations. Right now there are several special needs that have not been covered. If you or your Women's Ministries group would be interested in helping with any of these needs, please contact Lynnetta Hamstra at the GC Women's Ministries at hamstral@gc.adventist.org.

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November 25 Is UN Day for Elimination of Violence against Women

Violence or domestic abuse is one of the greatest problems faced by women around the world. For this reason, the United Nations has designated November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. This designated day is an opportunity for all groups to better understand the horror of violence, how it is manifest, and to develop programs for its elimination.

This follows as part of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women that grew out of the UN Decade for Women, 1975-1985. But abuse continues.

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New! Updated Devotional Book Guidelines Available

The Department of Women's Ministries recently updated the Devotional Book Guidelines. Those who submitted to the 2002 devotional book have been sent copies, and those submitting in the future will be receiving a copy in their acknowledgement letter.

This pamphlet is available by mail to those interested in writing for the daily devotional for women by women. A copy can be obtained by e-mail (womensministries@gc.adventist.org), or an abbreviated version by fax (301 680-6600).

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Important Bits and Pieces from Here and There
A Collection to Keep You Abreast of What is Happening around the World

First Female SDA Minister in Papua New Guinea:
Agnes Bayak became the first practicing female minister in Papua New Guinea when she graduated from Pacific Adventist University last year with a degree in theology. She serves in the Korobosea (Port Moresby) church.

Miss Bayak worked as a nutritionist with the PNG Department of Agriculture and Livestock before returning to PAU in 1996. "We're proud of her and we know, wherever she serves, she will do a good job" comments Dr. Ross Cole, PAU Theology Department head. Congratulations, Agnes!

Alberta Conf. (NAD) Chooses Woman Treasurer:
The Alberta Conference Executive Committee chose Carolyn Osmond as conference treasurer. She has served as Vice-President of Finance at Canadian University College since 1996 and as Business Manager of Kingsway College for 10 years.

There are only two other female conference treasurers in North America. We are proud of you, Carolyn. And you, Alberta Conference!

Malawi Church Splits over Women Preaching:
The Bangwe church in Blantyre, Malawi, has split as a result of wrangling over allowing women to preach in the pulpit. The problem began when the local Women's Ministries Director P. A. Neniwa was not allowed to speak for the International Women's Day of Prayer in March.

According to the Malawi Union Mission, subsequent meetings with the church "degenerated into rivalry between the minister and members." Administrators suspended the worship services for two weeks and then disbanded the Bangwe and Nimiyango churches.

"The church's position regarding women preaching from the pulpit is clear," says Eastern Africa Division President Pastor Pardon Mwansa. "Women are as free to share the gospel from the pulpit as are their male counterparts." (From ANN, with permission.)

It makes one wonder what they would have done with Ellen White. It is obvious that this was about more than just women preaching.

Over 7,000,000 Adventist Women!
"Of the eleven million Seventh-day Adventists worldwide, well in excess of seven million are women" said outgoing General Conference Secretary , G. Ralph Thompson, as part of his report to the church at the General Conference Session in Toronto. He further stated that "Evangelism by women has resulted in scores of thousands of baptisms. Their inreach--their retreat program--has resulted in thousands of re-commitments."

What about Men's Ministries?
The question is often asked of Women's Ministries, But what about Men's Ministries? Men need help too. (Or support, or fellowship, etc.)

We say, go for it! We will cheer them on! The Church Manual already lists "Adventist Men" as a part of the Lay Activities Department (page 90, 1995 edition), just as are Community Services and the Dorcas Society.

The difference is that when men want to organize, all they have to do is do it. It took women 90 years to organize and 10 years to get into the Church Manual.

What the church is doing right:
From a special issue of the South Pacific Recorder: "97 things the church is doing right": "Our church women are very pleased with the women's ministry program. The men are happy also the women are being cared for spiritually in this way." --Wynard, Tasmania

Saudis Pledge to Improve Status of Women:
The Saudi Arabian cabinet voted to join the UN sponsored Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women but rejected anything that contradicts Islamic sharia law, specifically the clause to "grant women equal rights with men with respect to the nationality of their children." They also rejected a clause allowing the International Court of Justice to get involved in disputes about interpretation or implementation of the agreement, but say that they will work to make sure all Saudi women have access to health care and free education. Saudi women attend only gender-segregated schools and cannot travel without written permission from a male relative.

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