American Baptist Women’s Ministry

Even though our Lizzie Lewis Circle is not currently meeting, we are continuing to work on our mission projects and thank you for your help.

We are collecting used postage stamps for one mission project. There is a container in the church office on the counter where you can leave them. We are also involved in a great program at Weirton Christian Center where we collect quarters for a program called “Quarters for Grades” at the Weirton Christian Center. These quarters are sent to them on a regular basis where they are used as incentives for the children who come there to get good grades. What a way to help a child’s education.

Join American Baptist Women’s Ministries on Sunday, September 19, 2021, at 6:00 PM EDT, as we celebrate 70 years of ministry with an online celebration! Our keynote speaker will be the Rev. Dr. Pamela Durso, president of Central Baptist Theological Seminary. We hope you’ll join us for this free celebration! This is a virtual celebration and pre-registration is necessary. Contact the church office for further details and registration info

Join us September 18-19 at Parchment Valley for our Spiritual Growth Retreat. Early registration is from 7:00-9:00 p.m. on Friday and on Saturday at 8:30 a.m. The program starts at 9 a.m. This year’s theme is “We Are Family.” Registration forms for this event are in the church office. The deadline is September 1st but walk-ins will be welcome although a meal cannot be guaranteed.

Even though our ABW ladies have not been meeting in person, they are still hard at work. They have two projects ongoing. The first is our Quarters for Grades project for Weirton Christian Center and the second is our used postage stamp mission project. These projects have been part of the ABW for quite a few years. There is a box on the counter in the office for your used postage stamps. Donations for the Quarters for Grades project can be turned into the church office. The ladies are anxious to get back to meeting in person for their monthly meetings and helping with the ABW projects.

Our ABW women are always ready and willing to help in whatever way is needed by the church and its congregation. We have several mission projects ongoing even though we are not currently meeting. They include our Quarters for Grades project at the Weirton Christian Center plus our used postage stamp project. Quarters (or dollars) for the children at Weirton Christian Center can be dropped off at the church office Monday through Friday from 9:00 until noon. There is a container for your used postage stamps on the counter in the office. We are anxiously waiting for the time when we can all get together again.

We invite you to join us for Women and GIRLS’ Day, June 12, 2021, 1-3:30 pm EDT, for fellowship and the chance to bless American Baptist Nursing Homes! This is a virtual meeting.

Participants will break out into small groups to create bookmarks, a small packet of useful items, a beaded bracelet, a greeting card puzzle, and a greeting card for American Baptist nursing homes. Special guests include Rev. Aracelis Vásquez Haye (keynote speaker) and Lauren Thomas-Moyett (music leader). We will also announce our 2021-2023 Ministry Focus.

Go to www.abwomensministries.org/womensday today and register!

Let the Walls Fall Down
Women’s Day 2021
Saturday, June 12, 2021
1:00-3:30 PM EDT

Get ready for Women’s Day! Come and gather with women and girls for worship and fellowship.

American Baptist Women’s Ministries (ABWM) is hosting our first Women and Girls’ Virtual Weekend on June 11-12, 2021. On Friday, June 11, 2021, at 8:00 PM EDT, ABWM hosts our first virtual Gala. We will begin with worship, our keynote speaker will be Rev. Dr. Cheryl Dudley, Regional Executive Minister of the American Baptist Churches of Metropolitan New York. Plan now to put on your dancing shoes and best disco swag as we celebrate the disco era in fellowship, music, and dance.

On Saturday, June 12, 2021, at 1:00 PM EDT, our biennial Women’s Day program will be held. Women and girls from across the country and Puerto Rico will gather via Zoom for Women’s Day. Our theme is “Let the Walls Fall Down/Derribando Las Barreras,” based on Ephesians 2:14 NIV. Special guests include Rev. Aracelis Vásquez Haye (keynote speaker), Linnita Hosten (keynote speaker for AB GIRLS), and Lauren Thomas-Moyett (music leader). When you register please sign up for community service.

Register today!
Click here to register. Registration fee is $50; $65 after May 1, 2021

More closer to home – our ladies are still collecting stamps for their mission project. They can be left in the church office. We are also continuing our Quarters for Weirton project. These quarters are given to the children in exchange for their good grades. This money can be given to Debbie Vanaman with the designation Quarters for Weirton.

Register now for
Women’s Day

Let the Walls Fall Down
Derribando Las Barreras

Saturday, June 12, 2021
1:00 PM – 4:30 PM EDT

American Baptist Women’s Ministries (ABWM) is hosting our first Women and Girls’ Virtual Weekend on June 11-12, 2021. On Friday, June 11, 2021, at 8:00 PM EDT, ABWM hosts our first virtual Gala.

On Saturday, June 12, 2021, at 1:00 PM EDT, our biennial Women’s Day program will be held. Women and girls from across the country and Puerto Rico will gather via Zoom for Women’s Day. Our theme is “Let the Walls Fall Down/Derribando Las Barreras,” based on Ephesians 2:14 NIV.

Register Now for Women’s Day! Registration fee is $50; $65 after May 1, 2021.

Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Matthew 14:24-32, NIV

Dear Friends,

I love this text because it shows the possibilities when we rely on Jesus and not ourselves. When we trust Jesus, we can experience the unexpected, and that can be awesome. Peter got out of the boat and has an experience that the rest of the disciples missed, he walked on water! Yes, he may have lost his footing when the reality of the experience surpassed the possibilities in his mind…. but that is Jesus.

We simply cannot conceive or comprehend all that Jesus can do because Jesus “can do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine.” Peter’s limitations may have produced a short walk but… wow, what a walk! One or two steps, 10 or 15 seconds walking on water must have been a feeling he would never forget. It was a faith-building experience, and even in his unbelief, Jesus did not forsake him but kept him safe.

In 2021, let us get out of the boat! Build your testimony. Let God lead and believe that the possibilities are infinite. Let us take the lessons of 2020 and allow 2021 to be a year of discovery and growth. Be ready for the Holy Spirit’s revelation to you and move forward, expecting God’s strength and love to guide you. Next week we enter into the Lenten Season, a sacred time in our liturgical calendar. Christians all over the world draw close to God for a time of introspection. Many will fast from meals, favorite foods, activities, and even hobbies to dedicate that time to prayer. As we approach Lent, let us have the hope and expectation of Peter, ask God to bring us closer, hold our hand and guide us in our unbelief.

Reach up God’s hand is waiting and the possibilities are infinite,

Rev. Dr. Gina Jacobs-Strain
Executive Director

To the FBC ladies, we are still collecting quarters for the Weirton Christian Center quarters for grades program. We are also collecting used stamps for our mission project. Both of these can be brought to the church office.

Even though the Lizzie Lewis Circle is not meeting currently, one of our mission projects is Quarters for Grades for Weirton Christian Center. These quarters are accumulated and then sent to the school to be distributed to the children as a reward for good grades. If you would care to participate in this project, just put your quarters in an envelope and mark it Quarters for Weirton and we will see that it gets to the right place once we reach $100.00.

We also continue to collect used postage stamps for another mission project. There is a box in the church office on the counter for these. Just cut them off the envelope, leaving an edge around it, and drop it in the church office.

Even though the Lizzie Lewis Circle is not meeting currently, one of our mission projects is Quarters for Grades for Weirton Christian Center. During November, we accumulated enough to send them $100 to be distributed to the children as a reward for good grades. If you would care to participate in this project, just put your quarters in an envelope and mark it Quarters for Weirton and we will see that it gets to the right place one we reach another $100.00.

For wisdom will enter your heart,
and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
Proverbs 2:10, NIV

Dear Friends,

American Baptist Women’s Ministries (ABWM) continues our 5 part webinar series on addiction. The first two webinars have provided valuable resources, equipped us with ways to have difficult conversations about addiction and new ways to think about treatment. The third webinar, A Call to Action: Addressing Unique Treatment and Recovery Needs of Women in Addiction, led by Dr. Brenda Edwards, shared responsive strategies for stakeholders and communities to consider as they support women who abuse substances and seek help. Dr. Edwards also shared the important role of faith communities in providing consistent support to women in treatment and during reentry to their communities. Each webinar can be found on ABWM’s website, along with a summary of key points, at www.abwomensministries.org/webinars. The 4th webinar in this series on addiction will be on Thursday, November 5th, at 9:00 pm (EST). The speaker is Dr. Onaje Salim, Board-Certified Counselor, and Licensed Clinician. Below is a description and link to register for this free webinar.

We look forward to your presence.

Share the peace of Christ,

Rev. Dr. Gina Jacobs-Strain
Executive Director

On Friday, September 18, 2020, the Young Adult Women’s Advisory Team (YAWMAT) of American Baptist Women’s Ministries (ABWM) hosted Paint and Soothe Your Soul. Women from across the nation gathered for a night of worship and creative expression. Worship centered around Psalm 131. Keynote speaker, Jasmin Figueroa encouraged participants to check in with their bodies and spirits during times of stress. Given the unique pressures of COVID-19 and its particular impact on women, one can be tempted to not mourn or seek help and comfort, to one’s own detriment. The Psalm reminds us to remember, especially in times of distress the image of God as a loving parent. Participants were blessed by the talent of Jessica Brooks whose musical selections reminded participants to draw close to God’s presence. Following worship, participants were led in painting by VaLorie Fogle (YaYa). YaYa taught painting fundamentals and encouraged each participant to explore their own unique way of replicating the artwork for the evening.

The young adult women’s ministries advisory team helps to coordinate and envision AB Women’s Ministries outreach and support for young adult women. ABWM holds regular events for young adult women; in the past, these events have included brunches, retreats, conferences, webinars, and spiritual pilgrimages. ABWM encourages young adult women to be involved in leadership and the ministries at all levels of the organization, as well as in their local churches and communities. To continue supporting programs, and workshops that ignite the faith-filled creativity of women, young adult women, and girls, please consider becoming a vital partner.