Disciples Women s Voices

Disciples Women s Voices Volume 5 Issue 1 Winter 2011 Damascus road by Pat Donahoo Do you remember when and how you became a Christian? Did you have a 'Damascus road' experience where you were suddenly blinded by the presence of Jesus of Nazareth? Did you completely change your life and your thinking over a single encounter? The truth is, if that is the case, you are the exception. Most of us come to faith little by little. Someone in our life tells us about God, Jesus, or one of the ancestors of the faith. Someone in our lives invites us, takes us, encourages us to be part of a church community. Little by little we become Christians; it happens so gradually that sometimes we have difficulty saying exactly when we began to call ourselves by that name. Many of the big changes in our lives do not really happen suddenly but as we look back we see that it happened little by little, step by step. I have heard academy award winners being interviewed about their 'overnight stardom' respond with a similar experience: what was years and years of work acting in small towns, on small stages, in small parts, is now seen as an 'overnight' success. In reality it took a long time to get there. As I prepared to come to Indianapolis to begin my ministry with Disciples Women as executive director, it appeared to some that it was an overnight occurrence, a sudden change. Certainly, even for me, it seemed sudden because like most of my ministry, I did not recognize that God was preparing me for what was to come until I was in the midst of it and looking back. In retrospect I see how God worked with me to prepare me for the ministries to which I have been called. God is constantly working with us preparing us for what we will be called to do. Often, it is only looking back that we see how God was working. If you were to take the time to look at the experiences of your life and the ways you have been challenged, are you aware that God is preparing you for something new, something different? I find great excitement and reward when I answer God's call to challenges beyond my imagination. Without fail, I also experience blessings beyond my ability to dream. May each of us approach the challenges in our life with the understanding that what God is doing brings blessings beyond our comprehension. Inside this issue: Annual Report of NAPAD Busy Staff Fellowship highlights Annual Report of Haitian Representative Annual Reports of National Convocation and Hispanic Disciples Women Calendar & Contact 6 2 3 4 5 like & blog with us Just Women Spring 2011 is beginning its publishing journey. Is your subscription upto-date? Summer 2011 covers dress for success in various venues and as various concepts. Fall 2011 deals with healthy relationships www.facebook.com/discipleswomen www.facebook.com/pages/just-women- Magazine/50048887701 ww.discipleswomen.wordpress.com Just Women Update

Page 2 NAPAD Women s Ministry Prepared by Soo Yun, NAPAD Women s Ministry Coordinator 1) Major accomplishments in 2010; Started my position as a Women s Ministry NAPAD coordinator as of May 20, 2010 Attended introductory training in Indianapolis, IN with IDWM, ODW, and NAPAD Learning about women s ministry by attending Quadrennial Assembly in July, Greensboro, North Carolina Provided a women s ministry workshop at NAPAD biennial Convocation in August, Seattle, Washington Began networking with women in Pacific-South Region, NAPAD, and other regions to lay foundations for organizing NAPAD women s ministry (hosted 3 rd annual party for foster care children in Pacific-South Region NAPAD women s group) 2) Significant concerns and issues in ministry; Too many diversity within our NAPAD community language barriers (Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, Mongolian, Samoan, Hmong, Tagalog, English, etc.) Lack of cooperation from pastors (despite numerous e-mail correspondences, not much cooperation from senior pastors for women s ministry issues) On our minds... Small churches scattered all over the regions difficult to be united around one community needs to be broken into at least 5-6 different regions Concept of women s ministry since most of NA- PAD churches are small, their concept of women s ministry is simply supporting their own local churches and cannot really think about becoming a voice for NAPAD or for a general church for ministry What s the benefit for us? there has to be some benefit for women to take away or take back to their own congregations once we organize and try to plan our women s ministry (such as training women to become Sunday school teachers, volunteers, etc.) 3) Work plan (summary) for 2011. Serve as NAPAD representative for Executive Team for Quadrennial Assembly 2014 for the next 4 years Organize NAPAD Women s Ministry in five Regions Southern California (PSW Region) Northern California Midwest/Chicago Southeast/Tennessee/Georgia Introduce IDWM s Women s ministry to NAPAD women and empower them to be organized but also create NAPAD s own ministry that is unique to NA- PAD s community s needs 2011 Bible Study Confessing the Beatitudes available in April P.O. Box 1986, Indianapolis, IN 46206-1986 (888) 346-2631 / fax: (317) 635-4426 justwomen@dhm.disciples.org / like us @ www.facebook.com/pages/just-women-magazine/50048887701 One year (4 issues) subscription is $19 (USA) / $24 (Canada) Bible study-$10 @ / others issues-$5 @

Page 3 Staff Fellowship Highlights Creating a Just Women Infomercial. Staff Fellowship met in Indianapolis, IN January 26 to 30, 2011. This is a time for planning, learning, creating, and bonding for the members of your Staff Fellowship your Regional, Assembly, and Constituency Disciples Women leaders. An annual meeting allows for face-to-face sharing of information and experiences to bring back to the women they represent.

Page 4 Haitian Women s Ministry Prepared by Martine Saint-Vil, Haitian Representative to Staff Fellowship It is a real blessing and honor to be part of the Women Disciples Legacy. I first want to thank my mentor and sister Ms. Sheila Spencer for her guidance, for giving me the opportunity to be part of the Leader Apprentice Program (LAP), and empowering me with tools and creative ideas to share with others. I want to thank you all Disciples Women for sharing your knowledge and embracing change. When I first met Sheila at my church three years ago, I welcomed her in the church knowing she does not speak Creole. We spoke for a while, she took my number and unknowingly our journey together began. She saw something in me that I did not know exist. A leadership skill! I remembered the day that Sheila contacted me to be part of the LAP program. It was a time of uncertainty. I had just finished praying asking God for guidance and there, she called to ask me if I wanted to be part of the LAP program. I accepted without giving it a thought and with faith. When Sheila told me the month that we are supposed to meet (End of January), I know it was going to be a challenge! My husband has his own accounting office, and the end of January is the start of the busy tax season but God had already put everything in place. When I presented the offer to him, he welcomed it with no concern. After leaving the first meeting, I went back to my church and formed a women group named Sisters On our minds... United by Faith and Love. We started with 8 women ranging from age 24 to 40 s and two years later we have 16 members. Together we visited other Disciples churches and worked tirelessly at improving our church. I realized that finances are a problem among the women because most of them are either labor workers or CNA s with high responsibilities. I declared that 2011 is the year to be financially fit by creating several ways to do fundraising in other to participate in other events such as Quadrennial or General Assembly. We planned to have our first retreat this summer and know that God will make it a huge success. I realized that there is a great need to educate the women at other Haitian Churches about Disciples Women s Ministries. My ultimate goal is to visit all of the Haitian churches by the end of this year. My plan is to form a committee of 4 to 6 women to cover at least 15 or more churches across the tri-state (PA, NJ and NY) and Delaware if we are able to afford the cost. I know with your prayer, guidance and assistance, we ll be able to meet the challenges ahead and be a blessing to countless women. Thank you! Check out for a new page. It is called Patchwork of Ponderings. It will contain the writings of Pat Donahoo. Updates will be random. Ponderings will very in length. Is there something you would like to share with the staff of Disciples Women? You may email us at odw@dhm.disciples.org OR call (888) 346-2631 OR via FB-www./facebook.com/DisciplesWomen OR blog-www.discipleswomen.wordpress.com

Page 5 National Convocation Disciples Women s Ministry Prepared by Pamela Dubose National Convocation Disciples Women s Ministry President On our minds... To enable women in developing a sense of personal responsibility for the whole mission of the church. To relate to and coordinate work with the International Disciples Women s Ministries and the Office of Disciples Women the Christian Church Disciples of Church. The purpose of the National Convocation Disciples Women of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada is: To provide support to women of the National Convocation s state structures, districts and local congregations. To assist state structures in providing opportunities for spiritual growth, personal enrichment, education, and creative ministries. Hispanic & Bilingual Fellowship Disciples Women s Ministry Prepared by Carmen Lopez Hispanic and Bilingual Fellowship Disciples Women s Ministry President 1st Vice- President- Rossy Riccart 2nd. Vice President- Alicia Rodríguez Treasurer- Esperanza López Secretary- Marisol Lendor Chaplain - Ana Ramos Advisor - Waleska Acevedo Mission: The purpose of our ministry is to become one through our faith so as to lift up the name of Jesus Christ and support the Hispanic and Bilingual Ministry. Objectives: Grow Women s Ministries in the Christian Church Disciples of Christ in the United States and Canada. Support our Congregations at a local level. Promote unity and growth of the church at all levels through the development of curriculum and activities of different varieties. The National Convocation Disciples Women Ministry Executive Committee Members are: Pamela Dubose, President Marilyn Williams, Vice President Patricia Bluitt Immediate Past President Karen Barrett Lashaundra Smith Almetia Brown Sheila Spencer Treasurer & Staff representative Lead a life full of love towards our neighbor and to be faithful to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ through service. Women s Ministry Permanent Fund The Hispanic Women s Ministry Permanent Fund was opened on September 6, 2006 with an initial deposit of $3,514.50. The Hispanic Women s Ministry has a goal to have this fund mature to the amount of $25,000. How can I contribute to the Permanent Fund? You can make a monthly contribution for a specified period of time to any permanent fund of your choice. Another way is to make a contribution to these funds could be done by designating a percentage or a fixed dollar amount for the fund in your will or trust. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 People can be successful in anything they have enthusiasm for. Charles Schwab

Disciples Women 130 E Washington St Indianapolis, IN 46204 (888) 346-2631 odw@dhm.disciples.org In partnership with Disciples Home Missions International Disciples Women s Ministries 2010-2014 Executive Committee Mary Jacobs, Arizona Region President LaVerne Thorpe, Arizona Region Vice President Pat Donahoo, DW Staff Secretary Elizabeth Carrasquillo, Indiana Region Hispanic Women s Rep Barbara Williams, South Carolina Region National Convocation Rep Soo Yun, Pacific Southwest Region NAPAD Rep Claretta Witherspoon, No Carolina Region Regional Presidents Rep Linda Jones, Kentucky Region Regional Staffs Rep Christy Dew, Kansas Region Member-at-Large Kathy McDowell, Georgia Region Member-at-Large Shirley Cannon, Indiana Region Member-at-Large Lonna Owens, DHM Staff DHM Rep Sheila Spencer, DW Program Staff and Merger Staff Judy Row, Pacific Southwest Region Past President Grow as a Disciples Woman at like & blog with us www.facebook.com/discipleswomen www.facebook.com/pages/just-women- Magazine/50048887701 ww.discipleswomen.wordpress.com Volume 2 - Melvia Fields to be released at General Assembly IDWM Executive Committee 2010-2014 Back Row: LaVerne Thorpe, Kathy McDowell, Christy Dew, Sheila Spencer. Front Row: Shirley Cannon, Elizabeth Carrasquillo, Mary Jacobs, Claretta Witherspoon, Barbara Williams, Linda Jones (missing Pat Donahoo) 2010 Global Gathering - Mary Jacobs will be the representative of IDWM in Brazil from July 25 to 29 as the World Convention and Global Women Connecting come together for the 18th Global Gathering to worship, learn and share the energy of God s Spirit as we are moved to be God s loving people. In 80 years of brining together the Stone-Campbell family this will be the first convention in South America. Learn more at www.worldconvention.org. The USA office is located in Nashville, TN July 9 to 13, 2011 General Assembly in Nashville, TN (Women s luncheon, workshops, after-sessions and more!) Fall 2011 Woman-to-Woman Worldwide Congo (Applications are being accepted. Deadline is April 1.) July 2012 National Hispanic and Bilingual Assembly July 26 to 31, 2012 National Convocation 22nd Biennial in Houston TX August 2012 NAPAD Convocation Save These Dates!