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WIN EVENTS ~ Water Witness ~ Take advantage of community events (especially in the warmer weather/climates) and share a bottle of water with individuals passing by. This random act of kindness may open the door for conversation such as "why are you doing this" or may just be a simple way to share a gift and give them "something to think about." God can use small ministries such as these to open eyes to his mercy and love. (Note: You may want to attach stickers on each bottle with the name of the church, a cute quote or a phone number "if you'd like more information.") This outreach could work during football games, band contests - let your imagination run wild! ~ Block Party ~ This is a wonderful outreach, not just for the women, but for the entire church. We had our Praise and Worship Team present. We had popcorn, soft pretzels, hot dogs, cotton candy, subs, soda and lots of games with prizes galore! We had Child Evangelism in to help with a puppet show and face painting. I was truly amazed at the outpouring of people that came. Everything was donated from local businesses. It was great seeing so many women with their children - you could just see them searching for someone who cares. It is also a great way to share upcoming events with the community. You have a captive audience and some hungry people - physically and spiritually! --Contributed by Molly Shull ~ Newcomer's Group ~ If you live in an area that has a sizeable number of people moving in and out, why not host a reception for women who have moved in during the past year. The event may even be held at the home of someone who just moved into the area to give things a more cozy feel. Consider putting together a "welcome wagon" type packet to give to those in attendance with local business, medical and school information - and don't forget a resource listing of people within your church as well. Trust God to make the right "connections." ~ Ladies Banquet Outreach ~ Ladies Banquets, Christmas Teas, and other types of outreach ministries are a great way to gather the women of your church along with their friends into a non-threatening environment. Theme-related events are always a sure way to bring a bit of extra interest into the evening, including a nugget of truth shared by a personal testimony, short devotional or inspirational story. The goal of these types of events is to provide an opportunity to encourage non-churched women to begin forming friendship bridges with the women in your church. Most are low-key, yet there are times when a direct evangelistic challenge may be best suited for the event. Prayerfully consider your intent and stay focused on the long-term effects! ~ Baby Basket Outreach ~ Share a "baby basket" with young moms following the arrival of their baby. In the basket include some or all of the following: a devotional for moms, a toddler bible, a toddler CD/cassette with lullabies or similar inspirational songs, clothing, booties, toys, rattles, etc. depending on what gets donated by your ladies (or purchased if you have a budget you're working with). This is a good outreach for women to get to know other women they might not normally rub shoulders with in their community or even within the church. ~ Women's Conference ~ Host a Women's Conference at your church or with other community churches. Bring in quality singing groups or speakers for a main feature. Or, seek out ladies in your church to teach mini-seminars on topics such as: parenting, sexual issues, aging parents, safety, make-up, etc. Include times of "fun" to keep the day somewhat lighthearted with silly games or humorous skits. Budget your conference so that the individuals attending will have minimal cost for maximum value! A nice touch - but not always practical - would be to provide free or low-cost child care during the conference.
~ Winter Warm Up ~ We had a most exciting evening one recent Monday night! We had a "Women's Winter Warm-up" where we invited all the women of the church to come for fellowship, desserts, and door prizes. Each area of women's ministry had a table set up with information, Bible study sign ups, etc. They each provided their own door prize for the drawing and we had "fine" desserts with torts, cheese cakes, cream puffs, etc. for the last half of the evening. Every comment was very positive from the women who attended (there were 55-60 women) and it was the most well attended event we have had. God certainly blessed the evening for His glory. About 20 women signed up for Bible studies, some who have not attended any womens activities previous. Also, three of the prizes (womens devotional journals of different varieties) went to women who have been in the church 3 months or less. God is moving and it is very exciting! God never ceases to stretch me and teach me his ways. I will do my best to stay obedient. I pray that God will pour His blessings on you and the rest of the team as you lead and guide the rest of us. ~ Linda Wise
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BUILD EVENTS ~ "Sweet Treat" Night ~ This event is great for all ages and can be a great "outreach" or "ministry" project as well. Pick some very basic candy recipes to share with the group. Consider just taking chocolate wafers (the melting variety) and either melting them in a chaffing dish, crock pot, microwave or double boiler. Have a variety of "candies" available for the ladies to make together. Great dipping items are: Oreos (all flavors and varieties) and pretzels - bring some sprinkles just for fun! Easy drop candies include peanut clusters, raisin clusters, or rocky road. Just mix up some peanuts and small marshmallows in a bowl and pour the melted chocolate over the mixture. Then just spoon the "drop" candy onto a waxed cookie sheet. Or, just go with a simple bark. Pick up crushed peppermint, butter brickle or other "crunchy" treats to stir into your melted chocolate. Spread mixture out onto a waxed cookie sheet. Chill for 15 minutes and then break "bark" into snack sized chunks. Use this evening as a great time to teach the younger women "how to" make simple candy recipes, but also take the time to make some goodie baskets/bags for individuals in your church or community. Valentine or Easter are great holidays to get in on the "sweet treat" idea, but people always enjoy getting a special gift from a friend no matter what time of the year. Include a simple greeting card or note with gift baskets to shut-ins, those recuperating from surgery, new neighbors to the church, new parents, newlyweds and more. ~ Beach Bash ~ Enjoy a day at the "beach" - or in someone's back yard! Hold a "Beach Bash" at a local pool, lake or pond and bring along theme-related decorations to get in the mood of the evening (Hawaiian leis, pineapples, shells, dolpins, beach towels, etc.). Serve fruit kabobs and/or perhaps get your hands on a smoothie machine to highlight the evening with some light refreshment. Use the evening as a time of socialization, as a time to share testimonies, or as a time to share upcoming events in women's ministry for the fall season!
~ Salad Supper ~ This event is great for an easy "Kick-off" for Womens' Ministry. Have each guest bring a salad of their choice to share with the group and use the night for an opportunity to share what is available for women at your church. Set up tables or displays platforming the different ministries which are offered throughout the year - or one special event coming up soon! Perhaps get someone to "MC" the event and walk around the display area giving a "mini-commercial" for each opportunity. Simple handouts are also a great way to send home the information for the ladies to think through the options and check their calendars once they return home. ~ Book Groups ~ These favorites are meant to be low key and cozy especially when held in a home. Invite neighbors and build relationships. You don't even have to read "christian books." Non-threatening recommendations of Christian books are "The Note" or Francis River's book, "Scarlet Thread" for those just starting out together. ~ Bible Studies ~ Start a small-group Bible study to meet the needs of those that aren't ready or able to be involved in more intensive Discipleship studies. Consider offering both day time and evening studies and then run them from 6-12 weeks followed by a short break. Provide child-care if possible, or schedule your studies with the personal schedules of interested parties kept in mind. ~ Couples Retreat ~ Rather than hosting your own couples retreat (and taking on all the organizing of such an event) see if there are any regional retreats or conferences in your area). Focus on the Family, Family Life (Dennis Rainey) and the Smalley "Guys" have great weekend conferences for very competitive prices. Not only can you promote applicable, solid Bible-training, but you can incorporate a group "lunch" or spice it up with "welcome baskets" in each participants rooms - or even have a few giveaways (gift certificates for local restaurants or specialty shops in that locale). Don't worry about numbers. Whether you have two couples or twenty - enjoy getting to know others - as well as your spouse! ~ Shopping Trip ~ Sponsor a bus trip to a local outlet mall or speciality shopping area that women from your area enjoy visiting, but might not try traveling there on their own. Make sure to put a "cushion" in the price so that the bus doesn't have to be completely full, but would then also possibly give you some money for snacks. Play some silly games on the bus in the morning, and maybe share a light-hearted (G-rated) movie on the way home to relax by and to keep the time passing quickly while traveling. ~ Mission Minded ~ Keep missions in the forefront whether that means meeting monthly or quarterly. Missions is part of God's challenge for each of us as believers, but for women it has many times been one of the "back bone" ministries for a church. Raising funds for missionaries is even more needed than in years past, but it has defined itself a bit differently with the change in strategy from denominations being sending agencies to requiring missionaries to raise their own funds. Remember, not all individuals have a heart or vision for missions early in their Christian walk - so we need to provide another way to reach them personally and hope then to instill in them the Biblical concept of missions down the road. The arm of ministry called "Missions" is so important and just can't get lost in the "newness" of women's ministries. ~ Prayer Ministry ~ Prayerfully consider raising up agroup of individuals who have committed to confidentially pray for our pastors' wives weekly. They are given a list of praises/prayer requests about once a month to keep them up-to-date, and then we get together for a social breakfast about once a quarter. The ministry is done "behind the scenes" but it is such a blessing to our pastors' wives to know that others care about their personal struggles and challenges. Guidelines for the pastors' wives as how/what to share in this group: Anything that you don't mind being "public." Even if you avoid "gossips" becoming a part of the group, people are people and it is so hard not to "woops" from time to time. So, it is a more intimate setting, but not a time to air all the "dirty laundry."
~ Ladies Night Out ~ Our most recent Ladies Night Out was themed "Down a Garden Path" based on the book by Lorna Dornaker. Her books are gorgeous if you haven't seen them (available in regular book stores) and have lots of Biblical teachings amidst a beautiful and creative story line. We used "hand made" crafts for our table decorations (had two crafting parties to get ready) all to do with gardens, we had a somewhat catered meal (lasagna, rolls, salad), we had "silly games," we had a "gardening tip" session which was hilarious because I (the hostess for the night) am basically illiterate in this area so I was amazed by some of the "tips" and the ladies thought it was great fun to tease me. For our devotional we featured the message of our theme book "Down the Garden Path" which actually was shared as the individuals involved "walked down" the garden path decorated throughout the fellowship hall. It was a wonderful evening of meeting new friends, challenging our thoughts...and learning about gardening!
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EQUIP EVENTS ~ First-Time Moms ~ Invite first-time moms together for a time of learning and fellowship together. Study together or have "book reports" at the meetings on books such as Kevin Leman's book, "The Birth Order" or other parenting topics. Allow time for discussion (and venting!) on mommy issues. Also check into the possibility of "take home" resources for each mom. A copy of a parenting magazine, a gift certificate to a local "kid-friendly" restaurant or a gift basket with items from a local doctor's office, specialty store, etc. are great incentives for attendance and to attract additional moms. Use the group meeting time to not only build relationships between mothers, but to train the ladies in Biblical principles of parenting. Don't forget to take a short time of prayer on behalf of each of the moms and kids represented! ~ Stamp Club ~ Take advantage of the love of crafting that many women enjoy, but make it into an opportunity to teach about mercy, compassion and service. Begin a "stamp club" which can meet monthly or bi-monthly for the purpose of learning the art of stamping as well as ministering to others. Completed cards can be sent as greeting or encouragement to people on your church's prayer list or for newcomers or another focus group. The opportunity for fellowship, crafting and serving others all at the same time - for a minimal cost - is a great outlet for friendship and ministry! ~ Divorce Care ~ Take time out to make room for kids - especially those living with divorced parents. Find a format for mom/kids or dad/kids to come and share together playing games, sharing snacks or involved in other fun activities to both parent and child feel loved and a part of the church family. Special attention may want to be given to invite individuals from the community (and may not attend your church) to just provide a "safe place" to share good family moments together in a safe environment. ~ Discipleship ~ Discipleship ministries are a great way to get some solid Biblical teaching into your women. Many individuals have not had the opportunity to really study their Bibles in depth and this time of intensive, long-term commitment lays a foundation of Biblical knowledge and practical application. Materials are available through various publishers for 6 month, 1 year and 2 year programs of training. ~ Equip Seminars ~ Emmanuel Community Church offers "Equip Seminars" throughout the year on different interest topics. Ideas for seminars include: Parenting Classes for parents of teens, Teacher Training, and Family Intimacy (using the Heritage Builders series of books that teaches about Family Nights.) ~ Seasonal Events ~ Use the Easter season as a great take off point to share ideas with moms (or parents) to communicate the meaning of Easter at home and even to their kids' friends by making "Resurrection Egg" sets and taking them to homes as Easter gifts, or by using the "Tomb Cookie" receipe, or any number of applicable yet fun activities and books that speak to the real meaning of Easter. Or, at Christmas time you might want to sponsor a training event focused on the birth of Christ. Mid-spring (or late winter) it would be timely to sponsor an event teaching the idea of having a back yard VBS in the summer or sharing creative ideas to involve children in healthy activities at home during the summer months - focusing on family time, personal Bible study and priorities in our lives.
~ Unequally Yoked Group ~ Sponsor a group setting that would be encouraging as well as teaching Biblical principles with women whose husbands have yet to personally trust Christ as Savior. This could be a study time and/or a prayer group aimed at lifting up their families and their unsaved husbands to the Lord. ~ Evangelism Craft Night ~ Invite young and old to a night of crafting where you will make together a "wordless bracelet." Giving the individual a hands-on teaching tool to share the Gospel message with their friends and family members. Even young children are able to enjoy this training tool.
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