We just gave out a survey for the ladies to fill out which told things about them and what they were wanting prayer for in their lives. Then we put them all in envelopes and each person drew one. The leader had put numbers on the envelope with each person's name so they would have a master list of who had who. By the number the women had chosen our leader sent out a little note saying this is your secrete sister and a copy of her survey so that they would know who and what they needed to pray for and encourage. It ended up being a great ministry and there was much more participation since they didn't feel that they had to purchase gifts monthly.

Submittedby: Cristie Langford
church: Riverbend Baptist Gainesville, GA
size: Between 500-1000
Email: Dcott5@aol.com
Source: from
Date: 14 Jun 2007

Title

Submittedby: Jane Carrico
church: American Baptist Women's Ministry of West Virginia, Parkersburg WV
size: Select from below
Email: jayjay9700@yahoo.com
Source: from Women Reaching Women by Chris Adams
Date: 05 Apr 2007

Title

REACH...Women

Objectives

To reach women of West Virginia who have not been involved in women's ministries

Materials

Traditionally, our American Baptist Women of WV hold one Spring Event each year at our state conference center. At it's highest point, we crammed 300 women into our meeting area. When that attendance began to drop the last few years, our Resource Team and Ex Board decided it was time to make a change. So this year we are taking our event on the road to 4 areas of the state. REACH is an acronym borrowed from the book, Women Reaching Women by Chris Adams. R-Rethink Everything! E-Encourage women outside your church to attend! A-Announce! Announce! Announce! C-Challenge women to bring women who have never been involved. H-Honor the Holy Spirit's presence at the meeting - pray and expect God to move!

Everyone

Materials

I started my own company, I make and sell Jesus Bracelets. I use the profits to cover the cost of bracelets that I donate to various charities. In the past few weeks I have given 20 to a group of boy scouts to send to the troops overseas, I gave 10 to a plant in Kentucky where the plant has announced they are closing, another 5 were donated to a silent auction for Habitat for Humanity, The list just goes on.....

Procedure

Procedure

The Women's Ministry sent out specially designed invitations to all the women of the church. We partnered with the pastor because he was the one responsible for getting her to the church. We purposely had the event on an evening that there were already activities going on so she would not be surprised when he called from church and needed her to come by. The Women's Ministry paid for simple decorations and had the younger women of the church decorate. The cake was the biggest expense because we got a picture of her around the time of their first year pastoring the church. We had the bakery portray the picture right in the cake.

We ask that the admission to the party was a pair of mittens, a hat, or scarf to be given in honor of our pastor's wife and later to be given to a charitable organization. It was a winter party, so the warm clothing fit our theme.

Other gifts were optional but almost everyone brought something.

We hold a Women's Christmas Tea more like a dinner) that our ladies are encouraged to bring friends, neighbors and co-workers to.

We have women sign up to host a table. This will include them decorating and bringing table service for their table as well as a favor for each lady. Having each women decorate and take care of her table eliminates the need for a decorating budget and for table settings as well. As a thank you to the hostess their dinner is free of charge.

It is exciting to see the creativity that each woman brings to her individual table. Some ladies host and fill their whole table with guests.

To help the women of our church connect to one another, we play a simple game at each monthly meeting to determine "the winner". The winner is given (on loan for the month) a "Friendship Plate" (with a special poem about Friends in the middle). She is to use the plate to bless another woman (in or out of our church) by fixing a special dessert and "surprising" them with the plate. If possible, she can "serve" more than one for the month! She then gives her praise report at the next monthly meeting. It helps motivate the women to connect to one another/minister and gives them a specific "job" to do. They look forward to hearing the praise report each month.

Procedure

1. A Friendship Plate (option: larger churches may buy one to allow the "winners" to keep instead of returning for the next "winner" to use)

Music, Door prizes, catered meal, guest speaker, etc...

Procedure

The director of the event will need to plan year round (although it can be done on short notice -as little as 3-4 weeks, if necessary). There are several areas to plan for:

1. The guest speaker (who gives a 30 minute testimony and an invitation to pray to receive Christ); Payment to speaker : Approx. $150-200 (or as your church can afford) Responsible : Director. (Can be from a local church or from far away) Word of mouth works best for this area. Look for: "Dynamic" speaker with a great testimony in which all ladies will be able to relate in one way or another. You should be looking for this person throughout the year. Director contacts and coordinates details with her. You may also need to provide a hotel or a home for her to stay in if she is from out of town. She needs to arrive by 6:15pm.

2. The musician(s) (who may be ladies in your own church or outside of the church) -they will sing approx. 3-4 Christmas and/or Christian songs, all together or spread out- i.e. three songs just before the guest speaker and one at the close of the evening; Payment : Approx. $150-200 + travel expenses. Responsible person: Director. They need to arrive by 6:15pm. (Also, if they are from out of town, you will need to provide a hotel room or a home to stay in).

3. The caterer (ex: beef pot roast or baked chicken w/3 veggies, dinner rolls, salads w/choice of two dressings, choice of 2-3 desserts-chocolate cake is always a winner, also Italian cream cake is a favorite, and maybe Red Velvet cake, tea-75%sweet-25% unsweet, coffee, and water); Payment : According to the number of ladies expected to attend. [Ex: 160 ladies (20 tables of 8) x $8.00 = $1280]. Check around for the best deal without sacrificing taste. (A great place we have found is Golden Corral). The ladies should know that a lot of love and good planning has gone and will go into the evening. : Director or other lady who is experienced in this area.

4. The Childcare Workers (You will need about 1 worker for every 5 children that come. 1:1 ratio for babies. We take children of any age. The older kids go into a separate room for games with 1-2 workers. The younger children are divided up according to age and # in each age group); Payment : Each worker receives $25(+) for 2 1/2 - 3 hrs. time period, which is paid to them in a cash envelope that evening. : Childcare Coordinator (she contacts and reserves workers and coordinates with the hostesses to get a final count of # of children and ages by at least one week prior to the event.) Workers should show up one-half hour early (6:00pm) so the hostesses will be free to prepare for guests.

5. The Hostesses - Each hostess will set her own table with her own (or some she borrows) China, Silverware, napkins, glasses & stemware, etc... and her own Centerpiece (Should be any Christmas colors, elegant arrangement, or theme) The Hostess is also responsible for getting her husband, boyfriend, or male friend (could be capable youth or single men as well if husband is not available) to wait on the table. There are some who will hostess one table of eight, some who will share a table with another hostess, splitting it in half, some who will have three or even four hostesses, each inviting one lady. Also some will put two tables together and hostess a very large table. The hostesses are responsible for inviting ladies from outside (friend, neighbor, co-worker, family member, strangers, etc...) and from within the church to sit at their table-therefore, it is by invitation only. However, you can also have a sign up list for ladies from within the church who would like to attend the event, but can't be a hostess for whatever reason (we don't need to know why). You would distribute their names evenly among the hostesses (they don't have to accept if they already have other guests in mind) who are willing to seat the ladies. You need to make it clear that not one lady from within the church should be left out if she wants to attend. The focus can be outreach or in reach (which is equally important).

The Hostess has the option of providing a small token gift for each lady she invites. It can be anything from a piece of fine chocolate to a scented candle with holder-keep it simple, though. Not all ladies can afford to go extravagant, so please point out the importance of not going overboard. (Also remember that comparison breeds discontent). The hostess also can provide a serving tray for her server if she likes. This is NOT a must. It is an option. She also needs to let the director know at the earliest possible time if she will be unable to hostess a table that she signed up to hostess, so that the director can either cancel that table or get another hostess for it. The hostess also needs to let the director know if she has any empty seats at her table (ladies who can't come, declined the invitation, etc..) as soon as possible, so that the director can make suggestions to her of ladies to invite.

The church provides a white linen tablecloth for each table (May have to purchase for the first initial year). The church also pays for the dinner, speaker, entertainment, childcare, and an invitation (the director needs to delegate this to a capable person who has computer and printing skills) and envelope for each lady-including the Hostess-that will be invited to the event. (We print it on the computer on ivory cardstock and copy it at the church and use the paper cutter-simple, yet elegant design is important. You don't want to put too much in to the invitations, since the event itself will be the main focus. You can do a postcard style front and back and use invitation envelopes from Office Depot (they also have ivory). It will allow 4 invites per page. That saves a lot on paper and printing. Hostesses should show up one-half hour early (6:00pm)

5. The Door Prizes-Enlist 1-2 ladies to be in charge of calling around town to get door prizes. You can look in the phone book and write down 75+ names and numbers and you will end up with about 20+ door prizes that are donated from restaurants, spas, gift shops, grocery stores, video rentals, oil changes, etc... no limit to the different places you can call. Also there may be ladies in your church who will donate crafts or Tupperware, Mary Kay gift packs, creative memories gift packs, quilting, knitting, baked items, etc... no limits. For the door prizes, you will need a small (business card size) card that says "Door Prizes": Name, Address, Phone. The ladies will need to fill it out as soon as they arrive. They will place it in a bag at the start of the buffet line or someone will come to each table to collect the cards into a bag for the drawing. (Door prizes need to be carefully arranged in order prior to the evening with a list showing the gift and the gift giver for the emcee to announce) There is also a similar card that says "WELCOME to Ladies Night at Christmas 2002": Name, Hostess Name, Are you a member of another church (Box), Would you like more information about this church (Box), Please place comments about this event on the back of this card. Also place a box at the bottom of the card. Let the guest speaker know to announce that if someone prayed to receive Christ for the first time that evening, to draw a heart in the box at the bottom of the WELCOME card. Have a basket ready as they exit the building for all WELCOME cards to be placed in it. You will also need a name card (4x6 or bigger) on each table showing who the hostess is for that table.

6. The MC (Master of Ceremonies)-Someone who can solely focus on being the Announcer for the evening, say the blessing, announce (read off the gift, the giver of the gift, and the name drawn to receive the gift) the door prizes (along with the ladies -one will draw names, one will hand out gifts- who coordinated the door prizes). This needs to be someone with the gift of eloquent speaking. The director will need to let the MC know the order of service and specific instructions on what to say and when to say it. She will also introduce the speaker and musician(s). In introducing the speaker, she should be give a little information (but not to give away her testimony) and stress what an honor it is to have her there, giving her a big welcome. The MC may do this according to a chosen order (After the Welcome, Thank ladies for being there, make sure all door prize cards are filled out and they will place them in the designated bag as dinner starts, request the Welcome card be filled out for later use, ask the blessing for the food-begin serving or dismissing tables (have someone quietly go to each table) to self-serve -one table at a time. After MC has eaten (and at the appropriate time) begin door prize drawings. Thank the ladies who coordinated the door prizes. Next, introduce the musicians to sing 2 or 3 songs while ladies finish eating. Next, introduce the guest speaker (after thanking the musicians). When speaker is finished and has given an invitation to pray, musicians sing one more (upbeat) song. Close with thanks to all who contributed and remind the ladies to turn in their "Welcome" cards. "Good night and God Bless You this Christmas Season!"

7. The Decoration Crew- Two or three (or more) ladies to decorate the fellowship hall-somewhat lightly, so as not to take away from the tables-with ribbon, balloons, poinsettias, a theme (winter wonderland, trees w/gifts, Manger scene or stable, etc...), etc... The church should provide some funding for this (<,>$200) and members can donate specified items. The decoration crew needs to take down the decorations after the event and properly store them in a room or closet for future use.

8. The tables-tables are available to the ladies on a first come, first serve basis for setting their china on the night (or two nights) before the event. However, there needs to be a designated "beginning" time for setting the tables. (Prior to this time there should be a team to arrange the tables in the best positioning possible.) The table at the front center stage is the Directors table. This is not for status, but for convenience. The director should hostess the table for the guest speaker and any musicians who are not hostessing another table (since she will be the one in contact with them throughout the process). This will allow ease of access to the stage. She may also have other ladies at her table who are involved in other ways. The director should only have to focus on her table guests, general welcoming ladies as they arrive, and basic overseeing of all areas of concern. All details should be worked out before the event for a smooth flow of events. She should also supply each person participating in the presentation of the evening with a copy of the order of service, so it will run smoothly and no one will wonder when it is their turn. The director needs to be there to open the doors for the ladies to begin setup at the designated time. (Some ladies will not be able to set up until the next day-that's ok-as long as they allow for plenty of time to setup before the event.) Stress that not everyone will be able to have the best table or the ideal spot, so please keep the focus on ministering to the guests.

9. The Clean-up-This is an area that no one wants to volunteer for; however, it is necessary. You will need a cleanup crew of about 4-5 men and women. They will need to clean any trash left, any dishes (not hostess dishes) in the kitchen and any messes made. There will also need to be 3-4 designated ladies to take home the white linen tablecloths and wash and dry them and then return them for the next event. (If you have a church member who owns a cleaning business, this is definitely an added blessing). The cleanup should be done by ladies and gentlemen who do not have small children to get home and in bed. Also the Director has done a great deal of work already and should be able to leave after the event, knowing that the cleanup is in capable hands and that there is someone who will lock up the building.

10. There should be someone who will turn the air on early that day, make sure there are plenty of Coffee makers and coffee, tea (if caterer doesn't supply the tea), water pitchers, salt & pepper shakers, sugar, creamer, etc... All the little things that make a big difference. You may encourage the hostesses to bring their own coffee thermos (the large ones that you can serve several people from) for their table (if they have one). (Gevalia.com has these and they are very nice).

11. The Director-Should be humble, yet assertive, a people person through and through, have a sweet spirit, a good decision maker, has time to invest in the event what it will take to make it successful, and most of all, is a Woman of Prayer. Not a lot of ladies can do it, but you don't need a lot of ladies - just one. Keep thorough documentation on everything in case there is a new director for the next year and the next and so on. She Generates and keeps track of the list of hostesses and their phone numbers. Conducts a hostess meeting to discuss any questions or concerns or ideas. Also to inform ladies of each area of interest. Gives each hostess a packet of (8) invitations w/envelopes, Server responsibilities list, hostess letter from director thanking those who are helping, encouraging a right spirit, giving a general overview of each area, and needs that exist. This packet should be given 4-6 weeks prior to the event, if possible. Any grievances should be handles in quiet with a gentle and caring manner. You want this event to be special for each and every person and the director can make or break the "mood" of all participants.

12. The Servers-The caterer should assist the men with some questions. However, the main thing is that the men work together as a team, helping one another. They also should be praying for the ladies at the table they are serving. There can be 1-2 servers for each table of 8. A list should be given (a couple weeks in advance) to each server, informing them of their responsibilities. Responsibilities are as follows (but not limited to these): Arrive at 6:00pm (if he can't be there on time, he should have another server cover for him until he gets there) to begin. The men should start by filling the glasses with ice. They should then fill salad plates and kindly greet each lady at his serving table. Next, serve the table with ice tea, coffee, or water. (Make sure glasses stay filled as much as possible). If you have a buffet style, ladies will be dismissed by table to self-serve their own main-course meal. If you don't, the men will need to serve two ladies at a time ending with the hostess. The men need to really work together at this time and go in an orderly fashion, keeping track of his hostesses dishes. When ladies are beginning to complete their meals, ask their choice of desserts. Serve accordingly. As ladies finish their salad plates, remove them from the table, take them to the kitchen, wipe leftovers into the trash and rinse-do not clean- there is no time to wash all of them. Pack them neatly into the box or container that his hostess has prepared ahead of time and shown him the location and what it looks like. (It helps to also place the hostesses name on the container for the dishes). This container should be big enough for all of the dishes and silverware and glasses. Remove dinner plates and dessert plates when finished with each. Refill any water, tea, or coffee needed. When all dishes and silverware are removed, you may check for any final needs and then go to snack room to visit. If some ladies are not finished at the time the guest speaker is beginning, leave the plates at the table and quietly sneak out. The men should not be walking around the room while the speaker is speaking. *Please note that the servers should eat a good meal before they come, so they will not be hungry while serving the ladies. (You may want to also have a few ladies bring snacks and set up a room close to the fellowship hall with chairs and a table with light snacks for after the serving is completed, while the speaker is speaking. If you have too much food for the men, their focus may not be on serving with a servant's heart). This is the one time of year the men get the pamper the ladies, so they really need to lay it on thick and have fun too. Some of the men may wish to stay in and listen to the speaker-this is perfectly fine. They should pull a chair in and sit close to the kitchen area and exit area incase they are needed elsewhere. The men should also be very courteous and keep quiet while the ladies listen to the speaker. (No loud noises in the kitchen or close by the fellowship hall). Clothing: White dress shirt, dark dress pants. Optional: Tie and Apron. Men: "Enjoy being a servant for your wife or lady friend. Thank you for your humble service and God Bless you this Christmas!"

13. Sound System Engineer-A man who will set up the sound system, run it for the evening, and take it down afterwards. He should be very familiar with using CD's, tapes, and instruments with the equipment available. The musicians will need to let him know what is needed. Christmas music will need to be played (CD or tape) during dinner. (You may choose to simply use a pianist with a soloist).

14. Welcome person-Should be the pastor. He should welcome the ladies and wish them a great evening. If he is not available, the emcee can do this.

15. Order of Service-6:20pm-6:35pm Sound man plays light music. (6:30 time of arrival for all guests) 6:35-40 Welcome from Pastor. 6:40-7:15 Emcee-prayer, announce food procession, turn in name forms for door prizes, dinner, and light music. 7:15-7:30 Ladies continue eating while door prizes are given out. 7:30-7:32 Introduce musicians. 7:50-7:53 Introduce speaker. 7:54-8:25 Guest speaker gives testimony. 8:25-8:30 Closing song and/or closing remarks.

16. Budget-There will be (depending on size) varying costs in which the church should pay for most. This is an outreach event for the church-not a fund raiser. An example would be: For 20 tables, 8 ladies each=160 ladies Caterer (160 ladies) $1000-1200 Guest Speaker $150 (+ gas, for out of town speaker) Musician(s) $150 (+ gas " ) Door prize (from the church) $50-100 Childcare (8 workers/40 kids) $200 Decorations $200 Printing & envelopes $50-100 Other expenses $100 Total Budgeted expenses $2140.00 It is recommended to add this amount into the church budget or to raise the money with different activities.

Since we all 'hear' love in different languages (Gary Chapman) - Gifts, Quality Time, Touch, Words of Affirmation and/or Acts of Service, we make sure that every event we do, and hopefully every time we come together, that each of the five love languages is purposefully used.

Procedure

As an example, at our last tea, we started with gifts - since there are five love languages, we decided that if they are divided evenly among people, roughly 20% of those attending have Gifts as their love language. With this in mind, we made sure that we had enough special drawing items so that 20% of the women would receive gifts - we also usually send something small, like a candle or bookmark, home with every attendee.

For Words of Affirmation, we make sure we vocalize what God thinks of us - that we are beautifully and wonderfully made, and that He has good things for us to do.

For Quality Time, we facilitate good conversations at the tables so that women have an opportunity to talk. At our weekly bible study, one of our main themes is 'everybody talks, every week, even if it is just a sentence'. Women need to be heard, and if we have to break a meeting down to pairs so that every person has an opportunity to share (some people are very shy) then we will do so.

For Acts of Service, at our teas, we have men serve, we make sure that every event, even our weekly bible study is beautifully decorated, and we always have coffee, water and take turns bringing goodies.

Touch is the tricky one. This last tea, I realized we hadn't given touch any time, so I took a couple minutes and had women give each other backrubs. I have been to events where we were greeted at the door by an official hugger. Our greeters are all taught to offer a hand shake, and to look people in they eye as they are greeting them.

All in all, people are important, and God loves them. We want people to hear His love loud and clear, so we do our best to facilitate that message in a language that they will understand.

Submittedby: Sherri Bassham
church: First United Methodist -Athens, Alabama
size: Between 250-500
Email: spbassham@aol.com
Source: from
Date: 28 Jun 2006

Title

Hearts and Hands Knitting Ministry

Objectives

to reach out to those who need comforting in the times of grief, illness, worry and even celebration!

Materials

we meet once a week to knit and crochet prayer shawls, lap robes, cudddlies (small blankets for children), felted purses (chemo caps are next) We have classes to teach new patterns-at each meeting we pray for our ministry and those receiving our gifts. When items are completed, they are blessed and then delivered to the special folks. A special note card designed by a member is given with the gift with a message from the knitter. We are the ones blessed by this ministry-it is a wonderful fellowship enjoyed by ladies of varying ages, from recent college graduate to those in their 80'2. We just had our first fundraiser, a garden luncheon at a historical home and it was decorated like something from Southern Living!!! All the proceeds go to buy new yarns so we can make more items. We will have a booth at the church's fall bazaar also. (p.s. some items are mailed to people in other states-and also within our community, not just in our church)

Procedure

Procedure

A teen 'coffee house' night once a month is partnered with a 'parenting teens' small group.

Our annual Sunday School picnic venue was changed to a park across the street from our church, on the same day as the VBS finale (one of the most attended services for our parents), so that more families would attend and be part of the wonderful fellowship opportuities.

During pastoral visitation, one of the biggest needs that came up in talking with the parents was clothing for summer and for school, so in response, we held a large two week-end clothing give-away, one week end at our church, and the next at a school closer to the homes of the majority of the bus ministry children.

Provide and opportunity for ladies to build relationship. Promote Christian reading. Have some really good chocolate.

Materials

The event was held on a Monday night from 7:00 pm until 9:00 pm. 6 "living rooms," two for each book, were set up in our gym. Candles and low lighting together with spa-style music helped set the atmosphere. Each setting had a hostess/facilitator and room for about 15-20 ladies. Six round tables were scattered down the center of the gym each with a chocolate fountain. There were two each of milk, dark and white chocolate.

Ladies were asked to bring some goodies to dip. They brought everything from fruit, cake, to marshmallows. One sister brought potato chips! We also invited a local chocolate company. they came and brought delicious samples.

Discussion were 45 minutes long followed by much chatter and tasting.

Procedure

Advertising & promotions, food service, greeting, registration, and clean up volunteer teams were formed to make this event happen.

We selected three Christian books, Dinner With a Perfect Stranger, a 100-page novel; Unashamed, a 127-page novel; and Captivating, a 200-page inspirational book.

The event was advertised one month prior, and the books carried in our church bookstore. The flyers included a coupon for 15% off. The promotional team dressed in pink and gave out chocolate kisses and distributed the flyers in the church lobby before and after service. We also advertised our event in a chocolate store as an outreach effort. The books sold like hot cakes.

The fountains were purchased for $35.00 each. A caterer was hired to bring and prepare the chocolate.

Submittedby: Cyndi Speck
church: Lake Forest Baptist, Wilmington, NC
size: Below 250
Email: cyndi@fastrax.net
Source:
Date: 12 Apr 2006

Title

For The Unborn

Objectives

To provide the women of the church a mission opportunity

Baby shower for our local Life Line Pregnancy Center

Materials

1. Called the local Life Line Pregnancy Center asking what items they were in need of. 2. Announce one month in advance to the church body of the upcoming Baby Shower for church women members and their guests. Have them wrap their gift they are bringing.

Procedure

1. One month in advance - On our fellowship hall bulletin board, post the event including a list of items needed by the pregnancy center. 2. Ordered cake from local bakery with writing 'For The Unborn'. 3. Day before the event we decorated our fellowship hall with Baby Shower items. Set-up tables for the ladies attending to sit at with tablecloths and a candle as the centerpiece for each. 4. Set-up table for refreshments and a table for gifts. 5. prepare in advance information about the local pregnancy center. Ex: when it was established and why do they exist 6. Have the ladies go ahead and partake of the refreshments when they arrive. 7. After they fellowship for about 15 minutes or so read to them Psalm 139:13-16 and read the information about the local Life-Line Pregnancy Center gathered from the above #5 item. 8. Ask the ladies to get up and to ALL go o