The main program began on the Friday evening with a welcome address by the North England Conference president Pastor Egerton Francis. On Sabbath morning a number of different seminars with themes ranging from HIV/AIDS and the Church, to Worship for Busy Women were presented.

The concept of "Lifting the Mask" gave the conference its title and ran as a theme through each of the seminars, with women being encouraged to "say it like it is" and develop an atmosphere of trust between them.

Seventh-day Adventists who are in local church leadership positions and are being investigated for claims of child sexual abuse will have to step down while they're being investigated, according to a statement released by the church in the South Pacific.

Bryan Craig, family ministries director for the church in the region, said the denomination must always uphold its duty of care to its members. "We have a responsibility to make the church and its ministry activities a safe place for all worshippers, young and old. "Craig said.

The statement, voted at the year-end meetings of the division, said that the church board must reinstate and reaffirm as a member in regular standing anyone cleared by an authority or the committee. However, it must also censure for one year or remove from membership an individual who has not been found innocent. Such a person could never again hold any church office or position or responsibility that places them in contact with children or young adults. [Information from ANN news report]

The Cambodia Adventist Mission has been conducting a literacy program for more than three years throughout the country. This program has been funded by an initial amount from the GCWM department and the support of other donors.

At the end of 2001 there were 37 locations where literacy classes had been held. The highest number of students taught in any one month was 413. These included adults as well as children.

In 2002 the pastors were encouraged to increase the number of locations and teachers in this program. From 29 active classes and 410 students in January 2002, the program has grown to 79 locations and 910 students (the highest reported in one month). One pastor has reported ten baptisms and 29 others studying the Bible.

For children, three major literacy schools are being operated in 2003-in Siem Reap, Samrong and Takong. [Submitted by Tim Scott]

Beginning January 1, 2003, there was a realignment of General Conference divisions in Africa. Prior to this date the African continent was served by the Africa-Indian Ocean Division, Eastern Africa Division, Euro-Africa Division, the Trans-European Division, and the Southern Africa Union.

With the realignment we now have three primary divisions in Africa: The Western Africa Division, The East-Central Africa Division, and the Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division. However, the Trans-European Division still responsibility for the Middle Eastern countries and the Sudan, and the Euro-Africa Division still has administration of the Trans-Mediterranean Territories.

As a result of this realignment we have two new WM directors and have said good bye to Priscilla Handia Ben who was the WM director for the Eastern Africa Division. She has been elected to serve as Publishing Director for SID. Dr. Emilienne Rasamoely is WM director for the SID and Joy Gashaija is WM director for the ECD. Priscille Metonou will continue as director of WAD. We will feature more information about these new directors in our March issue.

Tanzania Women's Memorial Fund

Goal: $50,000

Pledged: $300
Received: $19,267
Still Need: $30,433

On November 9 and 10, 2002, the Baltic Union Conference organized two seminars. One dealt with issues in Women's Ministries and the other in Children's Ministries (CHM). Anne-May Wollan, CHM/WM director for the Trans-European Division was the lecturer for those seminars.

The main topic was "Enlarge my Territory!" (1 Chronicles 4:10). It focused on the need to increase a person's activity in her or his ministry and about the broadening of the work God has entrusted to us.

Wollan emphasized the need to combine spiritual gifts and talents with the needs of women. She showed that all women have some influence and that they should pray that God would open the doors of possibilities to ministry. [Information from ANR news report]

The General Conference Women's Ministries has a new six-page resource catalog which lists resources, seminars, brochures, pamphlets, give-aways, and fund raisers. It lists resources available in our department as well as materials available through the Adventist Book Center, Review and Herald Publishing Association, Pacific Press Publishing Association, and AdventSource.

These ministry resources for Women's Ministries are designed to strengthen your spiritual growth, your leadership, and your outreach.

The catalogs are available to you at no cost. There is a separate order form included with the catalog to fill out and return to GCWM. This means you can retain the full catalog for your convenience when re-ordering or placing new orders for other items.

New Items available through GCWM:

12 Things You'll Want to Know About Women's Ministries
Perfect for starting a Women's Ministries and acquainting your church leaders or congregation with Women's Ministries. Information includes How to Begin, Purpose and Mission, The Women's Devotional Book, Scholarship Program, Six Critical Issues, Ellen G. White Statements on Women, and more. Purple 6" x 9" folder with 12 inserts. $1.50.