DECEMBER 2001

HEADLINES

A New Look for the WM Logo; Guidelines for Use Now Available

It's the Time of Year for Christmas Cheer

Ethiopian Lawyers to Help College Women

Letters about the Devotional Book

Evangelistic Meetings in Sri Lanka

December Editorial

News from the World of Women's Ministries

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Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (Isa. 7:14). And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among woman (Luke 1:26-28). And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn (Luke 2:7).

Praise God that He used a woman that blessed day. May you know too that you are a woman God can use.

A special Merry Christmas to each one!

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A New Look for the WM Logo; Guidelines for Use Now Available

No matter what language is used you can always tell that a printed item is for Women's Ministries when you see the familiar logo. If you were to travel around the world, you would see a great many other souvenirs and keepsakes imprinted with the now well known logo.

As the logo has been used, it has been reproduced on banners, posters, floats, signs and printed materials—sometimes copies of originals, and sometimes copies of copies of copies, and sometimes free hand. The logo took on different features and sizes and shapes.

Complaints about the logo began to come to the General Conference Department of Women's
Ministries that some groups of women felt left out, smaller, behind: not as important as the other women. Because the purpose of the logo was to show the equality of women, women working, learning, and growing together, these complaints were taken seriously. At the second World Advisory, held in March, 2001, the thirteen division directors and the General Conference
departmental directors took a sizeable chunk of time to discuss and work on the logo. Ideas were sent back to Jeff Dever, our designer, for advice and guidance. The directors felt they did not want to lose the idea and identification of the logo, which had by now become well recognized, but they also wanted to do something to meet the needs of all the women. After considerable discussion and drafts, the logo was changed slightly. The idea was voted and accepted and Jeff Dever was asked to finalize the art work and put it on electronic formats so that everyone could have a uniform image.

The new logo is now ready for distribution to the divisions.

To help in the proper use of the logo, a guidelines booklet has been prepared and will be
distributed with the electronic formats or images of the logo so that women will understand the
meaning of the logo and use it properly.

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It's the Time of Year for Christmas Cheer

Christmas offers many opportunities for ministry to those who are less fortunate, lonely,
feeling neglected, sick, or just in need of a little cheer. Here are some ideas that have been
used by women's groups to make a difference in their church and community.

One women's group adopted an inner-city school. They set up a special tree and hung ornaments which listed suggested gift ideas and the name and grade of every child, teacher, administrator, janitor, and staff member. They set a gift cost limit and invited members to chose a name for their gift giving.

Another church group had a similar tree but hung it with teddy bear-shaped cutouts with the
names and vital statistics of children of single parents, widows/widowers, seniors, shut-ins, and
those who had recently suffered loss and grief.

The women of the Manton Church in Michigan, NAD, (membership 52) adopted a single mom
and her 15 year-old-daughter last Christmas. Because of several unfortunate circumstances, there was no money for Christmas. In addition to the types of gifts that are normally given in such circumstances, the women purchased two casual outfits for each, gave a $25 gift certificate for each at a local hair salon, and invited them to a home for Christmas Eve.

Other ideas:

Prayer Breakfast:
Your group might want to have a prayer breakfast, inviting those who are often forgotten at Christmas time, especially those who do not have family or finances. Include a gift exchange: not purchased gifts but food gifts for your special guests. Christmas is an easy time to decorate without much expense.

Shopping trip:
Plan a special evening for the young moms in your congregation. Arrange baby
sitting so that they can have a whole evening of stress-free shopping.

Volunteer:
Many organizations in your community will be working extra because of the holidays: firemen,
police, community services volunteers, and others. You can volunteer to help them. And you
might want to take them some goodies to enjoy as they work.

Plan something special:
There are other groups of people in your area who are easily forgotten: those in hospitals, nursing homes, prisons, shelters. Plan something special for them too. It will make you glad.

Have a happy holiday season, remembering the reason for the season!

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Ethiopian Lawyers to Help College Women

The Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association has called on the public to help pay the school fees of four girls at the Ethiopian Adventist College.

The EWLA has been working for the rights of abused women and girls for about six years, but
their bank account was recently frozen, leaving the girls' fees unpaid.

The Ministry of Justice said they suspended the association for "operating out of its established objectives," but the EWLA says that the dispute started after they spoke out on behalf of another victim of harassment. EWLA said that the Ministry's action was against freedom of association and expression and accused the Ministry of failing to act immediately to stop the harassment.

The four girls under the care of the EWLA had also managed to escape rape and abduction.

Women's Ministries has helped 458 women around the world with scholarships and is always
pleased when other groups also help women get an education.

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Letters about the Devotional Book God bless you in your work. I am greatly enjoying the 2001 book. It has been my standard Christmas present for my women family and friends. Ruth Lennox (NAD) (and in a second letter from Ruth...) God bless your work. I'm totally addicted to the devotional books! Your project is a wonderful idea! Have enjoyed each of the books through the years! Rosemary Baker (NAD)

I am enjoying this year's devotional which my friend, Yvonne, gives me every Christmas and then we pass it on to another friend to enjoy.

Thanking you for your time and consideration....The Good Lord continue to keep you in His
most kind and loving care always.

Virginia Casey ( NAD)

I pray for each author who contributes for the particular morning when I read, and I refer back to all other articles by her. I am so pleased about these ladies, and about you with this noble work. We shall meet when Jesus comes. Birdie Poddar (SUD)

I am glad the books are doing so well. Thank you for printing my articles.

Dessa Weisz Hardin (NAD)

Many women have expressed the blessings they've received by reading previous copies (of the
book). I make it a point to give as many copies as I can afford each year for gifts.

Cora Walker (NAD)

Thank you once again for all you are doing! ... Your books are beautiful, a delight to write for, to
read, and to give as special gifts.

Thank you for your loving inspiration that's woven into each devotional book, from all of us who
have grown to look forward to those precious quiet moment each day with all our friends around
the world.

Karen Holford (TED)

May God continue to bless you in your ministry which is such a blessing to many.

Ursula M. Hedges (SPD)

It's wonderful to know I can be a tiny part in helping to bring scholarships to worthy women....
Thanks again for the privilege of contributing to our Women's Devotional Book. It is my
Christmas gift to all my families.

Lorraine Hudgins (NAD)

I am sending two devotionals to be considered for publication....Thanks for all your hard work
on these books they always are great!

Fauna Dean (NAD)

I have been reading the devotional book for women by women...it has been a blessing to
me. I hereby submit my message to be included....Thank you in advance.

Dorcas Jerubet Cheruiyot (EAD)

...and E-Mails...

May God bless you and your continued efforts to promote His work.

Abigail Blake Parchment (IAD)

I find a spiritual uplift in knowing how others have coped with similar problems and I am not
alone. It is refreshing that so many are able to continue their education through the sale of the
Devotional book. God bless you all.

Joy Dustow (SPD)

Editors Note: To date over 458 scholarships have been awarded to women through GCWM.
We thank each contributor to our devotional books as well as every one who has purchased a
devotional book for yourself, family, or friends for your faithful support of this project.

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Evangelistic Meetings in Sri Lanka

Linda Koh, division WM director conducted evangelistic reaping meetings in Colombo, Sri Lanka in October. The program had been planned by Yvonne Wambeek, Sri Lanka WM director. Ardis Stenbakken and Heather-Dawn Small were to have been involved as well but canceled their trip because of world conditions. However the ladies of the division and Sri Lanka stepped in and held successful meetings with 15 baptisms, a very good number for that country.

Koh reports that she and Wambeek also conducted seminars for women during the day. Wambeek says, "Every evening there were bus loads of people; on Sabbath we had 500+. The church could accommodate only 250 people." The Sabbath program began at 9:00 with Sabbath school, continued through worship service, baptism, lunch, and afternoon seminar ending at 5:00.

Koh adds that now the women and pastors are planning more such activities to train the women to preach the Lord's message to the whole of Sri Lanka.

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