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AB Women's Ministries of
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| Information from our President |
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| Greetings! It’s finally Spring, at least in most parts of the state. My crocuses are just starting to peak out of the ground. I have given my Europe presentation four times and have three more in the next few weeks. I did respond to Alderson Broaddus college thanking them for the donation made to our region in memory of Ruth Bracy. If you remember, we decided to spend the money on music that can be used by Conference choirs for the next several years. I also responded to questions from various people around the region and nationally for what we do and direct them to the right person if I can’t help them. There is so much going on in our region and nationally that I am excited. There is a new resource Words of Vitality available through our national website store and Judson customer service for $14. This is the collection of seven favorite Words of Vitality articles from past issues of Vital Woman Magazine, and presents them in English and Spanish. Discussion questions have been added so that the book can be used as a group study resource or for personal reflection. Visit http://www.abwministries.org/store to order. An AB GIRLS benefit auction will be held during the National Women’s Conference and they are requesting a mini-tote bag filled with goodies from each region/state. They are even looking for a “big ticket” item to be donated. Nationally for the Break the Chains project, they have received over $71,000 toward our two year goal of $250,000. A couple of times each month, the “thermometer” graphic on our Break the Chains website www.abwmbreakthechains.org will be updated to show what’s been received. Part of what was received was $8,200 for our national mission project, Break the Chains which came from Pennsylvania/Delaware and from Michigan. If you know someone who has expressed interest in going on the Mission Encounter to Ohio this fall, please encourage her to register for the tour. We need more registrations by April 1 to make the trip a “go.” I talked with the National office and they are still accepting registrations but you need to call the office 1-800-ABC-3USA xt. 2285. Have you registered for the National Women’s Conference, August 9-15? If you’re coming to Conference, please register so that you can select your workshops. The forms are available on the National AB Women's Ministries website’s Upcoming Events page www.abwministries.org/upcoming_events. Barb Diefenderfer is the registrar. I have some forms for the $200 scholarship from the region and I can email them to anyone interested. There is an Ecumenical Women’s Gathering on June 19-22, 2008 in Independence, Missouri (sponsored by Church Women United). I will be there, and Rev. Trinette McCray is a featured speaker. I’m pleased to see there is a planned emphasis on addressing human trafficking. Theresa Flores, a survivor of trafficking, will present a workshop. Gillian Sorenson from the United Nations will connect us to the worldwide women’s issues. Marie Fortune, founder of the FaithTrust Institute, will be there along with members of her staff and they will speak about domestic violence, violence among teens, and trafficking. And Sally Rymer, a teenager who has decided that she had to get involved in trying to abolish trafficking, will also be a featured presenter at the Gathering. The 3rd International Christian Conference on Prostitution, September 7-12, 2008 at Green Lake Conference Center promises to be an extraordinary event for persons involved with ministries to women and men in prostitution, those who want to start a ministry, women and men out of prostitution, churches seeking to learn, support and become involved, and missionaries and organizations that want to expand into this area. I hope that some of you will attend this conference and network with others who also seek an end to the trafficking and sale of human beings. From AB Women’s Ministries: Sandy Hasenauer arrived home safely from Thailand. She writes: “Something set off my allergies in Mae Sot (the last village we were in)--I blame the incense burning in the Spirit House in the parking lot of the guest house we were in--and now it's a full blown head/chest thing--my ears are still plugged and I'm a bit spinny and coughing like I've got the plague. I tried to assure the poor guy sitting next to me on the 13-hour flight leg that I didn't think I was actually contagious.“ Pray for quick healing for Sandy. You’re invited to read Sandy’s blog about her 11-day journey to Thailand and the refugee camps along the Burmese border at http://www.abwministries.org/resources . Biographical information is still needed for next years nominating committee. The form will be loaded to the web site soon. ABCOPAD has put together a narrative budget. Check the main ABCOPAD website for more information. Don’t forget VITAL PARTNERS. I have been challenged for this ministry. Right now there only 35 in our region that participate in this ministry. |
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This year the Refit Monies was dispersed to help them transition back to their mission country for another term. International Ministries pays this money out, even if American Baptist women don’t raise enough to reimburse them for the expense.
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| More than a Week 2008—A National Gathering of American Baptist Youth taking place in Estes Park, Colorado, July 5-11. This National Ministries sponsored event is designed to equip youth, ages 15 to 20, with the evangelistic tools to transform their communities for Christ in the 21st century. Registration deadline is May 15. Forms are available online at www.morethanaweek.org or call toll free 800-ABC-3USA, ext. 2484. Sponsor a youth in your church community today for this life-changing experience. Information and registration forms are now available for next year’s Mission Encounter tour to Nicaragua and Costa Rica, happening February 10-24, 2009. In Nicaragua (Feb. 10-17), see how God is working through International Ministries' missionaries Dr. Laura Parajon in her medical work with AMOS and poor rural families; and Ketley Pierre, who planted the first Spanish-speaking Baptist church in the city of Bluefields. See how White Cross funds are used for AMOS and Elderly Hostel. In Costa Rica (Feb. 18-24), visit International Ministries' missionary Mylinda Baits in pastoral and lay leadership training and theological education in Costa Rica. Visit the Mansion of Light Baptist Church to see how "Break the Chains" project funding has made a difference for victims of exploitation; meet local families served at the Center for Transformation. Departure city: Miami, Florida. Tentative cost: $2,300. Registration forms are online at www.abwministries.org/upcoming_events, or call AB Women’s Ministries at 610-768-2288. Habitat for Humanity: It is such a wonderful opportunity to not just talk about mission but to do mission in our Region. It is a chance to model to the community and the world what it means to be "Partners In Ministry". It is our hope that even now you will begin to pray for the project. Biennial information will be coming out in June. In the meantime, you can visit, http://www.abcopad.org/abcopad/home.nsf/Public/Abcopad_Habitat_For_Humanity_Mission_Project.htm I want to thank each of you for these last years. They have been great. I know that I am so thankful for all that God has done in my life and for the opportunity to go to Europe and to travel throughout the region. I will continue to support our region and all its efforts. Again thanks. |
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Betsy Hale President AB Women's Ministries of Pa & De 274 Elm Street, Westfield, PA 16950-1525 email: betsylhale@verizon.net |
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| American Baptist Churches of Pennsylvania and Delaware 106 Revere Lane, Coatesville, PA 19320 |