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Day
of Prayer a Success in Germany
More and more
churches in Germany are doing something for the Women’s Day
of Prayer which is held the first Sabbath of March each year. Many
of the members have expressed their appreciation for the programs.
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In
Tübingen it was astonishing to see how many women were
prepared to take an active part in preparing and presenting
the Sabbath worship service program. The service was very moving
and thought provoking and much positive feedback was received
from church members, both men and women. The general feeling
was that the program gave them something to ponder for many
days. |
The sermon for
that day was entitled “First Person Singular” and was
a series of first person presentations of Martha, the Woman with
the Issue of Blood, Dorcas, and Mary (sister of Martha). The program
also included a children’s story, suggested order of service,
and responsive reading.
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casting the various roles the ladies of Tübingen had no
problem finding just the right woman for each role. The actors
all said that they were able to identify with the role they
were acting. Their presentations were very authentic both in
costume and performance (see pictures). As an addition to the
program material another woman was added. She played the role
of a modern young mother praying at the start of the day. |
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For
the women in Tübingen it was their first time celebrating
Women’s Day of Prayer but not their last. As a result
of their enthusiasm and excitement from doing the program
the women have committed themselves to keeping this day each
year.
by Hannele Ottschofski, Germany, EUD
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South
American Division
Women
in Peru Work for the Caravan of Power
The Caravan
of Power evangelistic campaign will be held this September in Lake
Titicaca Mission, Peru. Pastor Bullón, South American Division
evangelist, will visit different cities offering them the message
of Christ’s love. The church is already preparing people for
this event. In the Lake Titicaca Mission, WM is holding several
training sessions to prepare women to witness and work for this
evangelistic campaign.
Freedom
Behind Bars
| On
December 7, 2002, 27 detainees were baptized in the penitentiary
and public jail of Maringá, South Brazil, the result
of the untiring work of Mrs. Ruth Teshe and her WM team. Ruth
has been dedicated to this work for several years. To the inmates
she is the “mother” who not only offers love, caring
and compassion, but above all, salvation. Ruth, an exceptional
woman in the hands of God, inspires many by her example. |
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It Does
Not Matter Where, We Teach the Bible
Lucy is a humble
woman living in a small town called Tramo, Argentina. During Holy
Week she began an evangelistic series to which she invited friends
and neighbors. As a result of this work, 60 people regularly attended
the worship services held in her home. Space was limited in her
humble, mud-straw home, so they gathered under a tree, even when
it was raining.
Today, the shade
of the tree is not large enough and Lucy and her husband struggle
to build a church in this location with help from church members
and friends. Little by little, and with great difficulty, they are
building a very humble chapel. Lucy does not stop preaching and
is certain that her work will lead many souls to the feet of Jesus.
Northern Asia-Pacific Division
Women
Pastors Meeting of Korean Union Conference
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The WM
Department of the Korean Union Conference is holding twice
yearly meetings for women pastors. These programs prepare
female theology students for future ministerial work and also
strengthen their faith. |
Korean
Union Conference (KUC) WM Department
- On
March 8 and 9, 2003, the Korean Adventist Women’s Choir
held a retreat at Madalpi Retreat Center, Korea. About 35 members
attended, were encouraged by the Word of God, and rededicated
themselves to God. Young-Ja Nam, NSD WM director, and Seon Mi
Lee, Korean Union Conference WM director, gave devotional thoughts.
- There was
a general session for KUC Korean Adventist Women’s Association
(KAWA) officers and staff members February 10-11. Two hundred
women attended the session and heard lectures on Women’s
Leadership, Sermon Methods, and Effective Methods of Evangelism.
New officers were also elected. They had devotionals, sharing,
and planning time. Kyung Sun Ha, who has memorized 1,000 verses
of Bible, Seon Mi Lee, and Young-Ja Nam were speakers.
- For
the International Women’s Day of Prayer, KUC WM
provided copies of the program guide and sermon materials,
and posters. Many churches were able to participate.
- Every
Tuesday in April, Seon Mi Lee, KUC WM Director leads,
“Mother School” at Jinjam Church in Daejeon,
training more than 100 women how to become good mothers
and to have happy homes.
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- The Women’s
Evangelistic Group of Mid-West Conference of KUC held evangelistic
meetings at Songhyeon Church on March 3-8, proclaiming the gospel
and health messages. About 60 people attended; 20 people were
baptized.
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KEEPERS
PAGE
Just for You! – The
Importance of Prayer
This
month our Keeper’s Page is all about prayer, but more specifically
ways to enhance your prayer life. Enjoy.
The
effective, fervent prayer of a righteous [wo]man avails much.”
James 5:16 |
Tips
for Writing Prayer Thoughts to God
(LeAnn Campbell)
- Use a
loose-leaf notebook with subject dividers—one section
for each area you want to cover in prayer. Examples could be praise,
confession, thanksgiving, spouse, missionaries, government.
- Start
simply. In the beginning, just read a Psalm and write a praise
thought to God. Other Bible readings and prayer thoughts can be
added to your notebook as you get more comfortable with writing.
- Use
a concordance. This can help you find Scriptures that apply
to daily prayer needs.
- Write
the date at the top of your daily entries so you can look
back to see when (or how) you prayed about a certain matter.
- Don’t
get discouraged. Some days it will be hard to find time to
write. On those days, stay in touch with our heavenly Father in
verbal or silent prayer. Then get back to writing as soon as possible.
Special
Areas of Prayer in a Woman’s Life
- Pray for
women in each country, church, or community.
- Pray for
the special needs of women in your local church such as abused
women, single women, divorced women, single parents, those experiencing
empty nest syndrome, grieving women, mothers, stressed superwomen,
professional women, widows, women in poverty, women in leadership
roles, unemployed women, etc.
- Pray for
peace in our families, our churches and our communities.
- Pray silently,
confessing to God secret sins and iniquities that may keep our
prayers from being answered. Psalm 66:18
- Prayer that
God will help each woman in your church to find her special gift
and ministry.
- Ask for
a meaningful prayer life.
- Pray that
we can overcome being a group of soft, frail, undisciplined, unpraying
Christians.
- Pray for
the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
- Pray for
women in other parts of the world.
- Pray for
missing members, the sick, and our youth.
- Pray for
Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu and other non-Christian women, that they
too may learn of Jesus love.
- Ask God
to impress upon your heart anyone or anything else He wants you
to pray about or for. Take time to be attentive and listen.
- Be sure
to praise Him aloud as you end your time in prayer. You’ll
want to. He’s a wonderful God, and a marvelous, generous,
loving Friend.
An Exercise
in Surrender
(Sandra Higley)
“I have been shown angels of God all ready to impart grace
and power to those who feel their need of divine strength. But these
heavenly messengers will not bestow blessing unless solicited….
Often they have waited in vain.” E.G.
White, Our High Calling, p.129
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WM
Statistical Report 2002
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| Retreat/Congresses |
15,448 |
| SDA
Women Attending |
855,058 |
| Non-SDA
Women Attending |
158,255 |
| Reclaimed
Members* |
21,951 |
|
Training Seminars |
27,757 |
| Series
of Evangelistic Meetings |
51,507 |
| Other
Meetings** |
125,328 |
| Scholarships
Awarded |
85 |
| Baptisms* |
108,314 |
*As
a direct result of ministry by women
**Prayer breakfasts, women’s seminars, small groups, support
groups, Bible studies, prayer ministries, special projects, etc.
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Abuse
Prevention Emphasis Day
August 23, 2003
For
the APED sermon,
visit our website: http://wm.gc.adventist.org. For the entire
resource packet, contact your union or conference WM director.
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Tanzania
Women's
Memorial Fund
Goal
$50,000
Pledged: $600
Received 30,053.56
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Reminder:
GCWM
Scholarship Committee meets in August. All applications
from divisions are due
June 30.
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Leadership
Changes
New
Women’s Ministries Director for Mid-America
Nancy Buxton
was named the new WM director for Mid-America on April 1. She replaced
Evelyn Glass who retired after 17 years. Eager to have WM in the
local churches, Buxton has given numerous training seminars. She
is married, has two married children and two grandchildren.
WM Director
of Angolan Union Dies
Zilpa da Freitas
Elias, WM director for the Angolan Union, who was enthusiastic and
devoted, passed away suddenly in mid April. Deepest condolences
to her family and the new Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division
team.
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