103rd ARP Women’s Ministries Annual Meeting October 14, 2017 1:00-3:30

Prelude: Justin Bumgardener, piano Call to Order: Carolyn Taylor

Invocation: Isaiah 52:7
Rev. Rhett Carson
Beauty is found in faithfulness and in sharing the Good news!

Welcome: Chip Sherer, President of Bonclarken Roll Call: Kathryn Pendergrass

Number of Delegates by Presbyterials: Catawba: 6
First: 6
Florida: 3

Mississippi Valley: 2 Second: 6 Tennessee/Alabama: 6 Virginia: 6

A quorum was present.
Greetings from Synod: Rev. Lee Shellnut

Health challenges prevented his attendance. Carolyn Taylor read his email to Women’s Ministries:
Thank you for your invitation to me to bring greetings to the Board. Unfortunately, a few days ago I began another battle with kidney stones (been having episodes for years). I had hoped that I would have passed it by today but sadly have not. So, I am unable to travel far. Please accept my apologies for not being there.

Your work is of such a value to all of our ladies and all of our congregations. May the Lord give you wisdom and bless all your discussions. It is easy to think our labors are small, weak, and will not bear much fruit, but remember our theme this year – don’t despise the day of small things. Our majestic, sovereign, gracious Lord so often exercises his omnipotence in counter- intuitive ways, in “left-handed ways,” using what the world considers small, weak, and even foolish, to build and extend His glorious kingdom! Grace & Peace, Lee

Special Music: “Oh Lord, You’re Beautiful” Keith Green Emily Jane Carson, vocal

Kathy Carson, piano

President Address : Carolyn Taylor

Dear Sisters in Christ;
It has been my privilege and honor to serve as President of ARP Women’s Ministries this year. I believe God has greatly blessed Women’s Ministry in the ARP Church. Throughout the history of this organization, we have persevered, grown, adjusted and adapted, all with the objective of improving our ministry not only to and among you, our ARP women, but ultimately for God’s glory and purpose.

This past year, we have focused on fruitful ministry, guided by our theme verse from Galatians on the fruit of the Spirit. We feel grateful to God that He has allowed us to not only continue with our regular ministries but to add several new ones as well.

At Synod in June, ARPWM again hosted the Oasis event for all women attending Synod. This well-attended event, planned by our Spiritual Life Chairman, Libby Elder of Rock Hill, SC, and Committee, allows women to connect and renew while enjoying refreshments and conversation. The Missions and Outreach Committee under Chairman Ruth Rogers of Columbia, SC, again held the Mission Developers’ Wives/Women Missionaries Breakfast, an opportunity for these ladies to visit together in an intimate setting. At Family Bible Conference our Spiritual Life Chairman conducted a seminar on teaching the 2018 Bible study on Genesis 12-25, the life of Abraham. The Showcase is always a popular offering for attendees to meet with representative of our Synod agencies. And our Silver Tea raised significant funds for the maintenance of Synodical Hall.

The Synodical Hall Committee has done a large assessment of maintenance needs on the exterior of Synodical Hall. You may already have noticed some shrubbery removal that was necessary to repair and maintain the facia boards under the roof. We anticipate further work being done during the “off season” to keep Synodical Hall as a place that Women’s Ministries can use and be proud of, but that is also available to the Bonclarken Conference Center. It is only through the monetary support of the ARP women that we as a Board can fund needed maintenance to Synodical Hall.

If you have not looked at the ARP Women’s Ministries website lately, please take a moment to do that later today. We have a new website coordinator, Laura Russell of Coddle Creek Church in Mooresville, NC, and she has done a wonderful job making the website more user friendly, updated, and accessible. As an example, all Women’s Ministry events from the Family Bible Conference, including the morning Bible teaching, evening worship services, and Women’s Ministry seminars are available to view online with just a click on the website. Additionally, today’s meeting and seminars will also soon be on the website to view. We are working to make our website (www.arpwm.org ) the go-to place for all information about Women’s
Ministries. We also now have a Facebook page up and running and an Instagram page, both managed by Nancy Campbell of Christ Reformed Church in Anderson, SC. Ladies, these are your social media outlets for all things ARP Women’s Ministries related. Nancy would LOVE to have any pictures from today, and any news from your local or Presbyterial ministries ([email protected]).

In an effort to begin new organized women’s ministries in our ONA church plants, the Board sent an informational packet to new Church Plants in March, giving them information about forming a women’s ministry and providing them with the appropriate contact information and resources they may need.

And lastly, this fall the Board began a program called Erskine Care Partners. Our Erskine Synod Committee representative, Rebekah Thomas of Centennial Church in Columbia, SC, brought the idea of ARP women partnering with Erskine Freshmen women to encourage them through emails during their first year of college, as well as “bless” them with occasional cards and goodies. Twenty Freshmen girls signed up to have Care Partners, and they have been placed with ARP women from across the denomination. We are excited to see how God will use this new ministry to impact young women for Christ and foster the relationship between ARP Women’s Ministries and Erskine College.

I hope you have personally been blessed and encouraged, equipped and connected this past year through the outreach of ARP Women Ministries. It is our prayer that this coming year will again be one of fruitful ministry.

HYMN: “Holy God, We Praise Thy Name” Isaiah 6:3 Introduction of speaker: Vicki Marsh, ARPWM Vice President “Our God is Holy” Karen Willis

Karen presented a wonderful talk on the holiness of God. She gave examples from the Old and New Testament showing time after time that God is Holy love, Holy grace, Holy mercy, Holy protection, Holy just and Holy compassionate. In 100% of His attributes, He is the standard of grace, love and mercy. Holy is transcendent, supreme and majestic. It sets Him apart from all else. We too, are to strive to be holy, set apart from the world, as He is Holy. She encouraged us to keep this concept of God as we live our lives for Him.

HYMN: Holy, Holy, Holy Revelation 4:8 BREAK

Refreshments provided by Mississippi Valley Women’s Ministries

Missions Moment: Elinor Griffin, Refugee Ministry Coordinator

Refugees are fleeing violence or persecution in their home countries making the return there dangerous. Of the 22 million registered refugees, over 1/2 are children. They have lost their homes; their identity; their comfort. Help can come in the form of driving them to appointments, attending parent/teacher conferences, explaining cultural “differences,” supplying basic household items, essentially being the hands and feet of Christ to these hurting people, showing them the love of Christ. Please pray for the 22 million men, women and children who are searching for a safe home and for the worldwide church and specifically the ARP denomination as they strive to show them an eternal home through belief in Jesus Christ.

Shelia Osborne brought greetings from Rebecca Carson and thanks for the Jubilee offerings from the ARPWM. She shared the news from many short term mission trips from the summer of 2017.

ARPWM Business

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE ARPWM ANNUAL MEETING 2017 OCTOBER 14, 2017

1. That the following three options be accepted for study of the book of Romans for
2019: Romans, Life Change Bible Study from NavPress, 1991; Romans: A 12-Week Study by Jared C. Wilson from Crossway, 2013; and Romans: Encountering the Gospel’s Power by John Stott from IVP Connect, 2008. Passed by acclamation.
2. That the theme verse for 2019 be Romans 8:1-2 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” Passes by acclamation.
3. That the offering collected at the 2017 ARPWM Annual Meeting be given to ONA Refugee support. Passed by acclamation.
4. That the book of Daniel be the Old Testament study in 2020.
Passed by acclamation.
5. That the following slate of officers from the Nominating Committee be elected for the term beginning January 1, 2018.

Elaine Devusser, Vice President Kathryn Pendergrass, Secretary Katey Powell, Missions and Outreach Sue Brogi/Sandra Miller, Historians Passed by acclamation.

6. That the following women be approved as the ARP Women’s Ministries Representative to the following Synod Committees for terms beginning in 2018:

Family Bible Conference: Nicole McCoy (2 years) Dunlap Board: Audrey Paladino (6 years)

Passed by acclamation.

Presentation of the budget Judy Kovacs, ARPWM Treasurer

Report of the Nominating Committee: Nicole McCoy/given by Carolyn Taylor. See Point 5 in Recommendations. Appreciation was extended to the Committee: Martha McKenzie, Lynn Grimsley, and Nicole McCoy, Chairman.

Prayer: Carolyn Taylor
OFFERTORY: “Be Still My Soul” arr. Justin Bumgardmer Presentation of Love Gift: Carolyn Taylor

In 2003, Mrs. Sandra Miller joined the Women’s Synodical Union Board as Current News and History Chairman. She continued to serve through the reorganization in 2005, and in 2018 will begin her fifteenth year of service as Co-Historian of ARP Women’s Ministries. Much has changed over the past fifteen years, but Sandra’s dedication to the ARP Women’s Ministries Board and to the proper preservation of our records and our history, has remained constant. In appreciation and recognition of her service, the ARP Women’s Ministries Board presents this Love Gift to Mrs. Sandra Miller.

The ARP magazine: Susan Tanner
2017 marks the 150th year of the magazine. It is a snapshot of the denomination. Please share

highlights from your church’s activities with the magazine.

Installation of officers: Cathy Hunt
Cathy charged the incoming officers to remember that we are all working together for the
same goal: to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. She gave each officer a bookmark reminding us, as God did through Abraham’s trust that “God had power to do what He had promised”, Romans 8: 21.

Report on offering amount: Kathryn Pendergrass/Judy Kovacs
The offering at this Annual Meeting raised $1,100 for the ONA refugee ministry. Closing prayer: Vicki Marsh