ARP Women’s Ministries Showcase
Back in 2007, the Women’s Ministries Board (WMB) in conjunction with Family Bible Conference (FBC) devised a plan that would highlight the ongoing ministries of the women in our denomination as well as the work of Synod’s Boards and Agencies. Representatives of all the ministries were invited to host a table for the FBC event that came to be known as “Showcase.” In an open house setting, FBC attendees were invited to come in and browse among the many informative displays. In those early years, presbyterial presidents shared tables in pairs, and provided a few handouts with ideas for women’s
ministries. The various Boards and Agencies provided a representative to talk about their ministries, and also had handouts to share.
Over the years Showcase has grown in scope and participation. Presbyterials now host their own table with elaborate displays, useful resources, and fun goodies to hand out. Officers of the WMB, the Historian, Spiritual Life chair, and Missions and Outreach Chair also host tables that display their activities over the past year. Synod participation has grown to include many of the less familiar Synod supported ministries: French Camp Academy, Palmer Home, Collins Home, Denominational Ministry Fund, Dunlap Fund, Erskine College and Seminary, Reformed University Fellowship/Erskine, and Covenant Way Retirement Home. These are in addition to World Witness, Outreach North America, Christian Education, Bonclarken, and The ARP.
Located in the Mike and Lib Patrick Room in the Lodge, Showcase is now a regular part of the FBC schedule. Visitors have found it enlightening and useful as they collect information and ideas to take back to their local churches. Women’s Ministries is grateful for the enthusiastic participation of those who make this event possible.