Womens ministry

We have a women's ministry that is called women on mission I believe but I am not part of it just yet! But we did have a session a few weeks back called Hope for a Woman's Heart and it is a Kathy Trocolli series and it was wonderful. Women really need to have devotional time with each other and one thing that a previous pastor used to emphasis was that the Mature Christian women should be a guidance to the New Christian women. It was a real blessing for me and if there is enough interest in your church I think it could be a blessing there too!

God Bless You!
Sister-In-Christ,
Jessica

 

Yes. Our Women's Ministry is less than one year old. We have about 14 leaders.

We do things for our women that include the Beth Moore classes on Sunday night, parenting classes, shopping trips near the holidays, Mother / Daughter banquet with guest speaker, CeCe Winan's Concert for the families, Church Wide Picnic and more. Each committee plans 1-2 outings each year so we have something at least once a month! Most months have 2-3 things to choose from.

I'm the Chairwoman of the New Member Inclusion Committee and we had our big yearly picnic this past Saturday. It was SUCH a hit that the pastor's wife called me late that night and said people asked could we have another one the end of summer! I was very pleased.


Diane

I can't spell before my morning cup of tea!

[ May 26, 2003, 10:11 AM: Message edited by: dianetavegia ]

 

We also have a women's minstry. It involves the Wed night Bible study,special conferences(we had Martha peace come last year). It seems that what ever study we are doing,we try to get that author to come and speak. There are also pratical fun things,like *Coming Home* classes. These are on a Saturday and such...how to make bows,Christmas Planning classes,homeschooling,etc...anything that has to do with being a homemaker.

There are other things they do,but those are the highlights.
Molly

 

Well, I have been in churches that have had either "women's ministry" or women's groups that did "missions" things.

I have been to a few of the "women's ministry" "dinners" and I am just not into the fru fru. I don't like "group things" where there is little or shallow interaction. What is the point?

As far as the women's missions groups, many timest the groups were doing things that I could do and did do as an individual. I love missions and have done more as an individual than many have done as groups. Even in their "studies", I don't feel that challenged. And again, I ask, what is the point?

I am not much of a women's groupee, but it is good for some people. I would rather have more serious topics that are on the edge.

 

Yes, Katie. But we also have WMU and Brotherhood plus a Men's Ministry.

Our group pretty much organizes the group things and I'm also like Tina and avoid most of the groupee fru fru. I love that word! Fru fru. We had a big banquet a few weeks ago and I helped but then did not attend. I'll sometimes do the PR work or keep the children instead of attending.

Diane

 

Our church has a Bible study specifically for woman. Woman's outings including retreats. There's a Woman's diet program that meets once a week. I forget what it's called, but you would probably have heard of it if I could remember. And there is even a specific number that a woman can call at the church for counselling for woman's issues.

What do I do? I sometimes help in the nursery. I've helped with crafts for woman's meetings or retreats. Nothing specific, I just help out, that's all.

God Bless You,
Charlotte

 

Thanks so much for sharing this! I have been trying to think of ways I can serve beyond what I already do in my church & this is something I would like to bring up with my pastor, to see if we could start something. Thanks so much!

 

Our church doesn't have a women's ministry as such, but we do have a ladies' fellowship program. We meet once a month, have officers who plan and present the program each month, have a newsletter and a directory/cookbook.

When we were home all the time, I played the keyboard for services, accompanying the pastor's wife, who plays the piano. I also played piano for special music, and sang in several groups. I also taught Sunday school, 3rd grade girls. I was president of our ladies' fellowship for a couple of years in there. I love being busy in the church; can't stand to just sit. I really miss my SS class and the music, although we get to sing in almost every church we're in.

When we have a church started in Canada and have enough ladies to do something, I'd like to have a Bible study, and then branch into some other things. I'd like to see a good foundation laid first, before we start doing all the extra stuff. I just want to see some lives and families changed!

Susan

 

Forgot to mention my favorite thing that our ladies do . . . secret pals!!! We reveal and re-draw every 3 months. Several reasons:

- Keeps interest high
- If you have to stop for some reason, it's not a long commitment
- You get to know more people
- You can sit out for 3 months, but get back in when you want to, not having to wait a year
- Some folks would start out well, but by the end of a year had fizzled out or weren't even coming to church anymore

We thought it was weird at first, but now we love it!

Susan

 

Katie,

The requirement that we have is one "gift" of some kind at least once a month. This doesn't have to be anything expensive; it can be something you bake or craft, a bookmark in a card, a candle, a towel, a pretty pen and note cards. Some ladies who can do more, do so. One favorite thing is to make a snack basket with the recipient's favorite snack and drink (could cost as little as $2.00). Sometimes a 12-pack of their favorite drink or candy bars shows up with a card on it. Books are another favorite. We have ladies who sew, bake, and craft, and others will ask them to make things for their pals (sometimes with pay!). I've found that my pals always loved getting little cross stitch pillows and such, and one time I gave a special friend a large framed piece (most cost to me was time). She has it hanging in her house still!

For ladies who have the means, they have paid their pal's way to a retreat or activity, or gotten them a new Bible, or even bought them some nice perfume or clothes.

When a lady joins SPs, she fills out a form that asks her b-day, anniversary, favorites (food, drink, restaurant, color, etc.), home dec. colors, things she'd like to have, things she needs, and any prayer requests. These are placed in a card file on the piano, and everyone can look at their pal's info at their leisure.

You can send cards, but be careful not to put a return address, or use the church address. As you pray for your pal, it's fun to give them a card to let them know, especially if they're going through a hard time - such an encouragement!

We also have a fun way of giving gifts out. We bring in our gifts and put them on the platform, next to the pulpit. The pastor then hands them out during the service, using teen boys as runners to take them to the ladies. Preacher loves to joke about tithing off the food! You have to get creative if your pal is one who is always early, so she won't see you bringing it in and then recognize it when she receives it. I always had other people's little kids take them in. They knew it was a secret and loved being part of the fun.

When we draw, someone who is not participating writes down each person's name and the name that she drew. We have had deaths, sickness and such, and this helps to find out who that person was giving to so that arrangements can be made for it to continue for that term.

This got long, but I hope it gave you some ideas. It's my favorite part of our ladies' fellowship, and I miss it now that we're on deputation. I love to get things, yes; but I really loved watching my pal get things from me and her surprise at revealing time! Priceless friendships are built that way!

Susan

 

We kinda vary.

We have had a Secret Sister/Secret Santas ministry 2x a year where women are paired up. THey are supposed to give little inexpensive gifts, pray for each other, send notes of encouragement etc. It closes with a Revealing Potluck dinner. What invariably happens is that ladies sign up and then don't give the gifts, and then there are the ladies who faithfully send something each week. It's been quite erratic.

We have traditionally gone as a group annually to the WOMEN OF FAITH CONFERENCES. This year they are skipping our locale.

We've dabbled with prayer brunches and are pretty receptive to letting someone do something NEW. I think there is a great need but we have a lot of disporia, so it becomes a challenge.

God bless!

Princess