Women In Ministry Updates

November 1, 2010

Southern New England area Women in Ministry gathered over a summer lunch to share and fellowship together. We welcomed the Rev. Virginia Alvarez who has been called to serve as the pastor of The First Baptist Church of Wickford RI. Nearly 40 pounds of food were collected to donate to a local food pantry. Joyce Duerr, pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Hope, RI, hosted the event.

October 25, 2010

A gathering of Maine Women in Ministry was held August 5 at FBC, Waterville, hosted by Bea Violette. Those in attendance were (top row): Elaine Chandler, Barbara Adlard, Bonnie Moretto, Shirley Gerrish.Genise Knowlton, Susan Crane, Bea Violette. Front row: Patti Stratton, Sheila Heneise, Lydia Hews, Joyce Stucki.

We spent the first hour checking in with each other and then enjoyed a lovely luncheon prepared by the hosting church. Patti Stratton then offered her testimony about how God had been working in her life, for many years, to help her see his purpose for her in ministry. Patti is currently in seminary and serving as the Vice President of ABCUSA. Sheila Heneise also told us about her work with Baptist World Alliance; having served as a missionary in Chile, she treasures being able to stay connected internationally through her work with BWA. Support and encouragement was offered to those women who have prepared for ministry, but who are still waiting for God’s call to be recognized by a local church. Meanwhile, mentoring, pulpit supply, prayer and a lot of creativity helps keep the call alive. All agreed it would be a great idea to hold these gatherings quarterly for whomever might be
able to attend.

Great joy was expressed at the announcement of Laura-Holt Haslam being called as the pastor of Buxton Centre Baptist Church, beginning September 1. She will be that church’s second female pastor, although the last one was there almost 90 years ago. This church has also commissioned Shirley Gerrish for ministry among the American Baptist Churches of Maine. In the year 2000, the Advocates of Women in Ministry (AdWIM) identified a New Life 2010 goal: for 21 ABCOM churches to call women as their pastors by the year 2010. We are ecstatic to announce that with Laura’s calling, 22 ABCOM churches have called women pastors in the first decade of the new millenium!

Stop by at our AdWIM Exhibit at the ABCOM Annual Meeting and see if your church is listed.

Susan Crane,
Volunteer ABCOM Advocate for Women in Ministry