It is always fun to know what other women's ministries are doing. Over the years many of you have sent me copies of your newsletter both by email and snail mail. Below is an overview of the types, style and contents of newsletters.

Programs you use to compile the newsletter: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Publisher and Adobe Pagemaker seem to be the most popular programs. A few are also using a multi-use program called Printmaster. Some of you are moving into web-based programs such as Adobe Photoshop and GoLive to create webpage newsletters.

Size: They range from one two-sided 8 1/2 x 11 to two, two-sided 11 x 17 (folded in half to make an eight page publication).

Layout: Most are in a basic newsletter format with 2-3 columns per page and all include a lot of pictures. A few of you create tri-fold brochures.

Color or Black and White: All of the online versions are color, the print issues are split about 50/50. Most of the two page newsletters are color and most of the 6-8 page newsletters are in black and white.

How dispersed: It looks like the majority are printed and handed out at church or mailed directly to the women. Some are also offered as PDF files online. There are a few of you that have created online web groups with updates sent out via email, and there is a growing number that are creating newsletter webpages on their website.

Basic information most newsletters included: Coming Events, Prayer List, Recipes, Book and/or CD Review, Encouragement Article, Missionary Moment, Bible Study information, and specific church resources/groups for women.

Here are some very strong elements I found that would be good to consider for your newsletter:

Themes - several of the newsletters that sent out monthly or quarterly have a theme that the entire newsletter is built around. (Some of these also related back to a theme that the WM was focusing on for the entire year. Example: one yearly theme was "Peace" and the first quarter theme is "A Peace that Passes Understanding.")

Encouragement/Inspirational Article - almost all of the newsletters have some type of article that is written by the WM Director or someone in the church. Many of them are focused on the same theme as the entire newsletter, some are just what God has laid on a heart.

Church/WM Event Calendar - I am sure you can figure this one out!

Descriptions of WM Events and Bible Studies - This is a great idea. One newsletter I receive lists every coming event and Bible study for the next year on the back of their newsletter. There is a brief paragraph that included the date, time, location, contact person and number, as well as the theme and description of events and the name and description of studies. (They also use their newsletter as a "pass-along" for outreach.)

Interview/Feature on one woman - Again, something I have seen in several of the newsletters. Some are a question and answer format, some are a list of favorites, and others are a short testimony about a recent event. All illustrate a great way for women to identify with other women in the church.

Kids Corner - A section of the newsletter devoted to ideas, crafts and activities to do with kids.

Bible Reading Plan/Study - several newsletters feature a reading through the Bible plan. One group is reading through the New Testament in a year and another is reading through the Bible in a year. A couple of groups that offer monthly newsletters also have a Bible study reading and questions that tie into a monthly luncheon/discussion time.

As you can see, newsletters are a varied as the ministries that send them out and the women who read them. Prayerfully consider the purpose and audience when creating content for your newsletter.

In Him... Robyne Beaubien, Editor

A few weeks ago we asked you to share what your women's ministry is doing this summer. Here are some of the creative ideas you sent in...

Our ladies are being encouraged to host Home Movie Nights using Group's "Chick Flicks." We have assembled packets with everything needed (except the movie) for a fun night with the girls. Each packet contains eight invitations, menu ideas, decorating ideas, and questions to spark discussion of the film's relevance to our daily walk with Christ.
~ Lynn

Our Women's Ministry started a "WOW." It stands for Women's Outdoor Worship. Our first get together is a 1.7 mile hike in the woods. We also have a whitewater rafting trip planned for the summer. I am so excited about it!
~ Julie

This is the second year that our women's ministry will be hosting Summer Splash Events. We will have five of these sprinkled throughout the summer, three on Friday evenings and two on Wednesday mornings. Four of the events will be at people's homes (three of those pool parties) and one will be at the church.

The events are casual opportunities for women to gather for fellowship, fun and inspiration. We enlist a hostess for each of these events and they hold the event at their home to "take the load" off our leadership team. One member of our leadership team couples with each hostess and the pair work together to plan and promote the event.

Our purpose in planning the summer events this way is to provide a variety of venues, themes, days of the week and times for women. We just hope that every woman in our church is able to make at least one of the Summer Splash events. Last year our events included a patriotic pool party, a tropical luau, a beach party, a game night, and a pampering spa-style party. We had very different crowds show up for each event. The ladies loved them.

To provide an inspirational element to the gatherings, we have a lady provide a "Lemonade Moment" at each event. This is simply a short testimony of God helped her take the "lemons" in her life and turn them into "lemonade." In other words, a testimony of how God had recently been at work in her life.
~ Kay

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