Synod – THE REPORT OF ARP WOMEN’S MINISTRIES

INDEX E

 

THE REPORT OF ARP WOMEN’S MINISTRIES

 

2014

 

     The Board of ARP Women’s Ministries (ARPWMB) represents all women who are members of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (ARPC) in the United States and Canada and oversees the business of ARP Women’s Ministries (ARPWM) between annual meetings.  The role of Women’s Ministries is to encourage and equip the community of ARP women to work together for God’s glory and purpose.  Since the 2013 meeting of the General Synod, this board has met three (3) times.  The following report concerns the actions and activity of those meetings as well as those of the Executive Committee, which has met five (5) times.

The 99th Annual Meeting of the ARPWM was held in July 2013.  The theme of the meeting was “Connections.”  Each lady in attendance received a small decorated box with a puzzle piece inside.  The ladies were challenged to get out of their boxes and to become part of the larger picture of women joining together.   The women’s ministry part of the timeline from last year was again used, as well as a large puzzle which consisted of faces of women from across the denomination.  This puzzle was put together by the presbyterial presidents and representatives.  There was also a “sculpture” made from decorated boxes.  Each box was different to show that our women’s ministries differ from church to church and yet come together to make one beautiful, unified structure.

 

While the theme for the year remains Connecting, two other themes have emerged:  Clarifying and Communicating.

 

Clarifying:

  1. There is a committee in place to work to clarify our vision/purpose statement.
  2. ARPWM is no longer a funnel for funds from the women to the agencies and ministries.  Women are encouraged to continue to give generously but to send their gifts directly to ARP agencies and ministries, not through ARPWM.  The one special fund that is supported directly is the Jubilee Birthday Ladies.  That fund is the women’s gift to missionary women.  This year, after the retirement of Judy Buis, Shelia Osborne was added.
  3. Elizabeth Burns, our coordinator, has been working with Brent Turner to clarify ARPWM’s role in the planning and working in the Family Bible Conference.
  4. In an effort to streamline and organize our finances better, they have been transferred to Central Services.  There is still a Treasurer who approves expenditures, but having all the finances at Central Services will guarantee consistency as treasurers change.
  5. Records and histories are being taken to be stored at Erskine as well as in Atlanta.
  6. There has been some confusion as to who is a member of Women’s Ministry at the presbytery level.  Words such as “active,” “membership,” and “dues” have contributed to a feeling of exclusivity.  The board has discussed and is working to deal with this.
  7. Because some churches run different calendars, there was a decision made to have our study emphasis run from July 1 to June 30.  This past year, the emphasis has been Proverbs.  Next year’s emphasis will be Titus.  The books to be used are Opening up Titus by David Campbell, which is a study of the whole book of Titus, and A Woman’s High Calling – Ten Ways to Live Out God’s Plan for Your Life, by Elizabeth George, which is a topical study of Titus 2:3-5.  The theme verse is Titus 3:5a “he saved us not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy” (with a focus on the grace of God in salvation).

 

Communicating:

  1. Website:  The website www.arpwm.org has been completely redone.  The hope is that with a new face, more women and men will visit it for information and sharing.  There is a desire for stories of women across the denomination, of what they are doing in their churches and how WM has affected them.
  2. Facebook:  A woman has been found who is willing to post things of interest to the page so that it, too, can be used as a source for information as well as inspiration.
  3. ARP Magazine:  Along with the three pages which have been allotted to WM (the coordinator, the president, and a committee chair), another page has been added.  The working name is “ARP WM 101.”  It has been/will be a page where more people can get information about what women’s ministry is all about and what the women are doing.
  4. Email Addresses:  There has been an effort to gather women’s addresses so that information and encouragement can be distributed.
  5. A new IPad has been provided for Elizabeth Burns.  As her computer was over seven years old, it was felt that her job could be better done with better technology.

 

Connecting:

  1. Board meetings:  A change in format was initiated.  Reports are less activity-oriented and more people-focused.  How are women being reached, and how are they affected by women’s ministry?  These reports and prayer times are accomplished on Friday.  Then Saturday, there have been workshops where the board members can work on ways to reach all ages of women both inside and outside of the local churches.
  2. 100th Celebration:  This year will be the 100th Annual Meeting for ARPWM.  Through the year, a large celebration has been planned.  It will begin on Sunday, July 27th and continue through Monday, July 28th when the celebration will conclude with the Annual Meeting.  Babbie Mason, an award-winning singer and song writer, will provide the music.  Dr. Derek Thomas, Senior Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Columbia, SC, will preach the worship service on Sunday evening.  Elle Lofaro, of Heart, Mind, and Soul Ministries, will teach on Monday.  A slight change will be that the Silver Tea and the Showcase, which are usually held later in the week during the Family Bible Conference, will be held on Monday afternoon.
  3. World Focus:  Women’s Ministries will have a booth at World Focus.
  4. Oasis:  Sharon Carr is the speaker at Oasis at General Synod.  Her topic is “Being Real in Relationships.”  This is a time sponsored by our Spiritual Life Committee during Synod when the women can come together for a time of refreshment, encouragement, and inspiration.
  5. Annual Focus:  Since it is our desire to support the agencies of our denomination, presbyterials are encouraged to especially support their Annual Focus Agency.
  6. There are plans being considered for other projects to benefit the women as well as the whole denomination such as a prayer garden at Bonclarken and the possibility of yearly women’s conferences.

 

The desire of Women’s Ministries is to touch the hearts of all women in the ARP Church and help them to know fully who they are in Christ.  To Know Jesus Intimately, Love Jesus Deeply, and Serve Jesus Faithfully.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Sally Illman

ARP Women’s Ministries President

 

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