This ministry was conceived in late 1995 after one of the ladies had attended a Teachers’ Workshop and then made a presentation in October speaking on ‘Improve Your Service in Your Congregation’. The ladies were ready to get busy.
Lists were made of possible services then the top 20 were selected. The list was presented to the elders for approval, chairladies were put in place and we were off and running. The saying during those early years was “If you want something done, give it to the Ladies’ Ministry”. Some of the early service areas are no longer a part of the Ladies’ Ministry and others have been added. The elders have made the Ladies’ Ministry a part of the budget and always support our efforts.
Ministry Areas
The current Ladies’ Ministry now has 19 service areas and a coordinator. Some of the areas are in service all year while others are annually. Note the following listing:
1. Card Ministry
2. E-Mail Communicator
3. Encouragement/Outreach
4. Hospital Hugs
5. Kitchen Organizer
6. Ladies’ Fellowships
7. Ladies’ Intreats
8. Ladies’ Retreats
9. Mimosa Manor
10. Mother/Daughter Social
11. Newcomer Baskets
12. Newsletter
13. Nursery
14. Prepare Food of Ill/Funerals
15. Rides for the Elderly
16. Shower Committee
17. Support Group
18. Telephone Committee
19. Wedding Closet
- Monthly Ladies’ Fellowships – Hostesses set the date and menu. Different hostesses each month. December fellowship is always an Ornament Exchange.
- February is the Ladies’ Retreat at a hotel or camp.
- Mother/Daughter Social will be in April or May.
- Ladies’ Intreat is the second Saturday of each September. Friends and ladies from our sister congregations are invited to hear a special lesson and dine with our ladies. God’s girls have decorated tables and sung for us during the meal — also, one or two of the girls have led singing for the devotional time.
- Corsages and boutonnieres are made at the fellowship prior to Mother’s and Father’s Day and delivered to the residents of Mimosa Manor just prior to the special days.
- Food prepared for funerals and those in need due to illness or other causes.
- Hospital Hugs baskets are taken to those in the hospital with items for personal use or to use to pass the time.
- Nursery is staffed by volunteers to allow parents a chance to worship.
- Handmade cards are made and sent for sympathy, illnesses and special occasions.
- Rides are provided for the elderly and those in need of a way to get to the doctor etc..
- E-mail addresses are maintained so that when the office is closed congregational prayer requests etc. can still inform the church family.
- Shower Committee assures that no one is overlooked during the special times (marriage or birth) of their life even if they are new to the church family or just not well-known.
- Wedding Closet is an organized room with items to be used for special times in a member’s life. This helps our church family to cut expense for these occasions.
- Welcome Baskets with a cookbook, ladies’ ministry booklet and involvement form along with various items are given to each new ‘sister’ who places membership. This is to make them feel special and very welcome.