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Mission Possible Challenge for January/February!
Plan a fund-raising activity for January 2012 and watch the Women and Girls Mission Fund help women coming out of prison get a head start!
We need your help to raise $25,000 by the end of February to start a life-changing ministry that assists female ex-felons as they re-enter society after prison. The ministry is called COTAAN*, and it is a brand new outreach at Covenant Baptist Church, an American Baptist congregation in Wickliffe, Ohio pastored by the Rev. Christine Smith. Help AB Women's Ministries empower this new mission outreach to women in need. Your gift to the Women and Girls Mission Fund, marked for COTAAN, will provide spiritual guidance and support to ex-offenders, help them to become employed and successfully re-enter life after prison, and positively impact their communities.
Give a woman a fresh start in life. Plan an activity now to raise funds for the Women and Girls Mission Fund in January - help us give life to COTAAN's new mission with ex-felon women. Funds received in excess of the $25,000 goal will be held in the Women and Girls Mission Fund for use in another life-changing ministry that empowers women and girls. Send your donations to Women and Girls Mission Fund, AB Women's Ministries, P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851.
(*Covenant Outreach Through Advocacy and Agency Networking. COTAAN is pronounced like "cotton")
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Subscriber Information
Leader's Reader, your source for counterpart information, leadership helps, and news, is distributed by the AB Women's Ministries national office and available at www.abwministries.org.
Next Issue
The next Leader's Reader will be distributed in January 2012.
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Please send them to info@abwministries.org. We welcome ideas that worked for you, suggestions for outreach, questions you want answered, any comments you want to share! |
American Baptist
Women's Ministries P.O. Box 851
Valley Forge, PA 19482
1-800-ABC-3USA, ext. 2288
info@abwministries.org
www.abwministries.org
American Baptist Women's Ministries-Vital Partners for a Vital Ministry!
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"Expecting the Word," an Advent Devotional from Words Matter
When a parent is expecting a child, there are many decisions to be made. What will the child be named? Will it be a family name, a traditional name, a new and different name? Where will the child sleep? If a room is being prepared for the child, what color will it be painted? How will the child be raised? What are those deepest parts of the parents' own values and beliefs they will want to pass on?
As we expect this particular child, Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, we have choices to make. How will we live? Where will we attend church? How will we worship? How will we spend our money? What stories will we tell? Which words will we use?
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"A Long Journey Back Home: A Powerful Spiritual Journey"- a memoir by Esther Byu
Some of you may remember Esther Byu from Burma because ABW sponsored some of her theological education in the U.S. as an ABW special mission project in 1982-83. Or perhaps you met Dr. Esther Byu at our 2010 National Women's Conference in Columbus, Ohio and learned about the memoir she was writing. A Long Journey Back Home has now been published and is available.
A Long Journey Back Home: A Powerful Spiritual Journey is the compelling and inspiring life story of Esther Byu, a simple shy orphan from Burma who, through faith and prayer, rose to leadership in international Christian women's organizations. Today Dr. Esther Byu is respected and loved around the word.
A Long Journey Back Home is on sale for $11.95/copy, or 10 copies for $10.00/copy, plus shipping and handling. Email info@abwministries.org to request the contact information to order this inspiring book by Esther Byu.
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In the Potter's Hands: A Message of Hope
By Eldora Sloan, past president of the West Region
"In the Potter's Hands" is a great follow-up of the theme we've had for the last three years-how else can we fulfill our part of "Destined for God's Purpose," except by yielding ourselves to being "In the Potter's Hands."
The theme's main Bible verse is from the book of Jeremiah. Now, I have always thought of Jeremiah as a prophet of doom. But, although he prophesied during the sixth century B.C. about much of what was to happen to the Israelites and Jerusalem, he was also a prophet of hope!
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It is hard to believe that I am already in my third year as your president. Time does fly when you are having fun. I absolutely love representing you and the opportunities and challenges this position has brought thus far. However, being a leader in any organization brings mountains to face and conquer. There are two things I try to remember as a leader: to seek God in all that I do and to be myself. As president, you are sometimes faced with presenting issues that not everyone will agree with. Sometimes you will need to make hard choices.
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Your Spiritual Walk with GodBy Andrea Dresser, coordinator of Personal Development Ministries
Worshiping God is part of our spiritual walk. Romans 12:1 tells us, "I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." Worship is an act and a way of being.
Another aspect of our spiritual walk is to grow spiritually. This can be done in many ways: reading the Bible, caring for one another, reaching out to others, and developing our own spiritual gifts that God has given you and me.
Click here for more...
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AB GIRLS LeadershipBy Ruth Alerte, national coordinator of AB GIRLS
As we approach the end of a year it is a good time to evaluate our current ministries and look ahead to project for the upcoming year. What goals did your ministry set to accomplish in 2011 in your work with girls? How many of them were accomplished? How many are still in progress? If you are looking to take your group to the next level, a good place to start is in the leadership! G.I.R.L.S. Leadership 101 CD is a great resource that can be used among your leaders. It is designed to be a self-paced program that you can learn from and use to train leaders.
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Walking with HerBy Nancy Adkins, coordinator of Church and Community Ministries
We all know at least one. Maybe she is your daughter or someone else's daughter. Maybe she is in your church or maybe she is your next door neighbor. At some time in our lives we were also one: a young woman. Perhaps, many of us still remember that time in our lives and can relate to what the younger woman is going through. She lives a busy life: perhaps she's starting a professional career, or maybe she's a young mother; maybe she's called to the mission field, or she's taking care of elderly parents. All young women are in transition and trying to do the balancing act. And, so - we who are older - how can we help and encourage this next generation? Click here for more... Mark your calendars now and start promoting the our first-ever national Young Adult Women's Retreat in your local church and regions: September 28-30, 2012. Speaker: Rev. Dr. Trinette McCray. Praise and Worship Leader: Hornrette Washington. This event is for women ages 18-40. Click here for more... |
Are You Making the Connection?By LaKeeyna Cooper, national coordinator of Young Adult Women's Ministries
Since being installed into the position of National Coordinator of Young Adult Women's Ministries I have been asked the same two questions numerous times: what are the ages of young adult women and how do we connect with them. What Are the Ages of Young Adult Women? The first question was easy to answer; my reply was the ages of young adult women are 18 to 40 years old. I also explain that although that is a broad range of ages there are two phases that are taken into consideration; the first one being the young woman that is a college student and seeking to continue her walk with God while pursuing her education, and the second being the young woman who is beginning her career, marriage and family while trying to find a balance among everything.
How Do We Connect with Young Adult Women? The second question of how do we connect with young adult women was just as easy to answer as the first one: Look around your congregations, your neighborhoods, and inside your own families. I'm sure that you are surrounded by many young adult women that could benefit from the connection with American Baptist Women's Ministries.
An Event for Young Adult Women If you are seeking to make a big impact through your connection with the young adult women in your church or local neighborhood, you should consider sponsoring at least one of them to attend the Young Adult Women's Retreat on September 28-30, 2012. The retreat will be held at Camp Canonicus, Rhode Island. We're calling the retreat " C2R4" which is an acronym for "Confidence through Christ: Retreat, Reflect, Renew, Relate." |
Love Gift is similar to a precious stone. Love Gift originated in 1931 to help meet many of the challenges that were caused by a stressful economy. Now, we are faced again with a global trauma on every nation's budget. Just like many costly gems that don't give up their value easily, Love Gift has patiently tried to weather the raging storm in this failing financial market. Consequently, cut-backs and set-backs have affected the wealth of many people in our society. Love Gift Monies Please submit all Love Gift monies early in December so your church will be recognized for 2011 giving. Send Love Gift through your church treasurer, instructing him/her to include the amount on the "ABWM Love Gift (LG)" line on the church treasurer's Monthly Report of Mission Support form. An alternate way for you to send Love Gift is by check payable to American Baptist Churches USA, mailed to Treasurer's Office, ABCUSA, PO Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851; mark the check clearly for ABWM Love Gift. Your Love Gift, an over-and-above gift to United Mission, will be distributed in accordance with United Mission distribution. |
What's Happening in the MidwestBy Janet Moore, coordinator of the Midwestern Section
Just two days ago I came home from our AB Women's Ministries fall board meetings in Paoli, PA. There were several devotionals shared around our theme of God being the Master Potter and his shaping-and even reshaping-us to do his work and to be the persons that he has called us to be. The ideas are in the early stages of being put together for our Women's Day on June 21, 2013, in Overland Park, KS, as part of the ABCUSA Biennial celebrations. It's not too soon to put that date on our calendars.
Click here for more...
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Have you discovered the blogosphere yet? Blogs can greatly enhance your ministry in a variety of ways! The word blog is short for web log, or, an online diary of sorts. A blog is, in a nutshell, one person--called a blogger-writing blog entries-called posts-for anyone who reads the blog. The blogger can add pictures, audio, video, whatever they choose to enhance their blog or get their point across. Click here for more... |
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Resources on Immigration Reform Available
In partnership with Rev. Aundreia Alexander, Esq., national coordinator of Refugee Resettlement and Immigration Services of American Baptist Home Mission Societies, we have provided a listing of resources and other helpful articles on issues around immigration and immigration reform on our website. You've heard about immigration issues in the news and have most likely had conversations with friends and relatives about these issues; it's time for our churches to study and pray about it as well. Consider making use of these resources and others in your Christian education program at your church and in your women's ministries gatherings.
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Thread-a blog of devotionals written by Baptist women
You are invited to Thread. Thread is a daily devotional written by Baptist women of North America, available online at http://thread2012.wordpress.com. Thread is also the theme name of a national women's event for North American Baptist women that happens once every five years. You are invited to the Thread event, happening on October 3-6, 2012, in Nashville, Tennessee. Sponsored by North American Baptist Women's Union, "our" continental union of Baptist World Alliance Women's Department. www.nabwu.org
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AB Women's Ministries Holiday Schedule
The office of AB Women's Ministries will be closed on Wednesday, November 23rd to reduce the expenses of our organization and on Thursday, November 24th and Friday, November 25th for Thanksgiving. The office will be closed for the Christmas holidays on December 23, 2011, through January 2, 2012.
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Order those Christmas Gifts by December 2nd!
December 2nd is the last day to order AB Women's Ministries or Judson Press resources from Judson for delivery by Christmas. Judson Press will be closed for the holidays on Friday, December 23, 2011, through January 2, 2012. Any orders placed after 12:00 PM on Wednesday, December 21, 2011, will not be processed until January 3, 2012. http://abwministries.org/store
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Retired Ministers and Missionaries Offering
December is the month during which many American Baptist congregations will receive a mission offering for retired ministers and missionaries. Your church has received offering materials. Support this opportunity to thank those who have served us through the years.
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2011 Refit Gifts Benefit New Church Planters Via ABHMS
Last month, AB Women's Ministries Executive Director Virginia Holmstrom prepared correspondence to accompany gifts from the Refit Fund to 22 new church planters in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. New church planters of the following churches identified by American Baptist Home Mission Societies are each receiving $414.49 from your Refit donations: San Diego Vietnamese Baptist Church, San Diego, California Haitian Baptist Church of Norwalk, Norwalk, Connecticut Celebration Fellowship, Noblesville, Indiana Iglesia Baptista Jesucristo, LaPorte, Indiana New Life, New Albany, Indiana |
Baptist Women: A Call to Prayer By Virginia Holmstrom, AB Women's Ministries executive director
Baptist women worldwide have the opportunity to host or attend a Baptist Women's Day of Prayer event on Monday, November 7, 2011. Download and print the Leader's Guide leaflet at www.bwawd.org. Written by Baptist women in the Caribbean, this year's guide features a story about a woman, Dieulitha, who was left for dead in the aftermath of the January 2010 earthquake in Haiti.
Click here for more...
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National Human Trafficking Awareness Days is January 11 By Virginia Holmstrom, AB Women's Ministries executive director
Ideas to spark more ideas:
* Raise awareness in your congregation and community about human trafficking
* Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper
* Learn some statistics and real-life stories and talk about them
* Find out what anti-trafficking laws exist in your state
* Watch for Human Trafficking Awareness events happening in your community on January 11 and support them with prayer and presence as you are able.
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2012 Mission Encounter to AlaskaBy ABHMS consultant Victoria Goff
Planning for the 2012 Mission Encounter to Alaska, May 18-27, 2012, is almost complete. The Encounter will kick off in Anchorage on Friday with an orientation session, followed by visits to Alaska Children's Services, Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, and First American Baptist Church. We will then travel to Kodiak Baptist Mission and then to Cordova Community Baptist Church and Cordova Community Christian Center. Along the way, we will also have the opportunity to learn more about Alaska's history, culture, and traditions at the Alaska Native Heritage Center and we will get to see a glacier up close. The approximate cost of the trip is $2,400.00. The tour is limited to fifteen participants. The deadline to register is November 30. Sign up now! www.abwministries.org/events/event-details.cfm?id=119 |
"Immerse: The 2012 National Gathering of American Baptist Youth"By ABHMS consultant Victoria Goff
"Immerse: The 2012 National Gathering of American Baptist Youth" will be held July 24-28, 2012, at American University, Washington, D.C. Participants should be ages 14-19 and at least entering freshman year of high school. Activities will include hands-on mission, high-energy worship, small group meetings, visits to Capitol Hill and a prayer walk on the National Mall. The $399 cost per youth participant or adult leader includes housing and food. For more information, visit www.abhms-immerse2012.org or Facebook and Twitter at Immerse 2012. |
American Baptist Home Mission Societies News |
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2012 America for Christ Offering
As we look toward 2012, the 2012 America for Christ Offering theme is "Engaging Discipleship: Open My Eyes, My Heart, My Hands" using Mark 10:46-52 as a scriptural basis. One goal of the offering in 2012 is to have home mission staff visit each region to share how ABHMS is making a transformational difference in mission and ministry. We hope to do this in partnership with regional staff and association leaders. For further information and to request a home mission staff visit, please contact Eddie Cruz at eddie.cruz@abhms.org or 1-800-222-3872, x2423.
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ABHMS Merchandise Available for Purchase
In response to requests at the recent American Baptist Churches USA Biennial in Puerto Rico, American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) announces that baseball caps and water bottles bearing the ABHMS logo are now available for purchase. Sporty-yet-stylish, the baseball cap features the ABHMS logo in brilliant full color. An adjustable Velcro strap makes it appropriate for all sizes and ages. The sturdy 26-ounce aluminum water bottle features the ABHMS logo in black. A screw-on spill-proof lid with metal hook is designed for secure portability.
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