If we are honest, women’s ministries throughout the Mid-America Union is one of the most effective, impactful and appreciated ministries in which our church is involved. Mid-America has only had three leaders at the union level. It began with Evelyn Glass. She served nearly 18 years as leader and then Nancy Buxton began her tenure, which lasted 20 years. Just a year ago, we asked Elder Donna Brown to provide leadership for the union when Nancy retired. Donna is doing a wonderful job standing on the shoulders of both Evelyn and Nancy.
Over the years, some have questioned the need for women’s ministries. I have heard criticisms like: “Why do they need to meet separately?” and “What needs do they have that cannot be addressed when we are all together?”
The truth is there is a great need for women’s ministries in our churches. They have shown, time and again, that this is not about getting together to be critical of the men in their lives but, rather, to support one another in their journey with their Savior. The retreats our women ministries leaders provide offer a wonderful time of fellowship, worship and commitment. Young women often find mentors with whom they build life-long friendships. Many women find women’s ministries to be a home in which they can use the gifts of ministry they have been given to help others. The outreach alone that happens with women’s ministries is powerful.
Additionally, most of the women’s ministries events that take place in our union are not funded. They happen because volunteers give of their time and resources to make them happen, and the women themselves contribute to attend.
Loving outreach
I personally can attest to the heart and soul of our women’s ministries leaders. While local conference women’s ministries leaders met together in November in our union office for Year-End Meetings, they decided to do some outreach together. One of the places they visited was the assisted living facility where my mother lives. My father passed away six years ago, and Mom is no longer able to live independently. There are some sweet people in our community and church who visit her on occasion, and it just makes her day! Carol Huenergardt, an elder at College View Church here in Lincoln, is one who visits my mother and often brings communion to her, prays with her, and spends time with her.
My mother was just overwhelmed with joy because of a surprise visit she received from the women’s ministries leaders, planned by our very own Donna. They did not just stop by, have a short prayer, and then leave. They brought her a meaningful gift, and even sat on the floor and asked her to tell them her story. You cannot put into words the worth of that kind of loving outreach to someone who is not able to be a part of church life in the way she loved to be for years and years. Before the visit concluded, these ladies asked my mother to pray for them, too, and she cherished this opportunity to bless them by lifting them up to Jesus.
Support for the future
What can we do to support women’s ministries? For one thing, decide not to be a critic but rather a supporter of all they do to bless the women in our churches and communities. Lift up our leaders in prayer as they go about their work. Most of all, thank our women’s ministries leaders for the hours they volunteer to plan and provide events and outreach programs that touch the lives of women, young and old.
It has been a pleasure to watch women’s ministries grow in our union over the years under the direction of wonderful leaders. It will be exciting to watch where it goes from here! Blessings to you, Donna, as you continue to provide leadership for women’s ministries happening around our union.
