This theme idea was sent to us by Denise Hansel of The Church by the Side of the Road in Tukwila, WA.

For our last Women's Retreat, our theme was "Women United in Spirit" and our theme scripture came from Ephesians 4:2-3... "Be completely humble and gentle, be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."

Our sub-theme was "Building Relationships with One Another." Before everyone arrived we placed small gift bags on their pillows with scripture tea bags and bookmarks that we had made up ahead of time.

For the bookmarks we used brightly colored patterned cardstock paper that we purchased from the craft store (the kind you would use for scrapbooking) and it had a different pattern on each side of the paper. Then we chose several scriptures of encouragement, typed them up in a nice font and copied them onto white paper. We cut them down to fit on bookmark. Then we cut a coordinating background to "frame" each scripture. We glued the pieces all together and laminated & trimmed them. Then we punched a hole in the top and put a brightly colored ribbon through. Our leadership team spent a fun evening assembling the bookmarks.

Our guest speaker for the event shared about uniting together as a church body. She shared how women can strengthen the church with encouraging words that speak life, and help maintain closeness; or we can use our tongues to speak death and separation into the body.

Our church was going through a difficult transition at the time and this was a very timely message. Now that we are on the "other side" of the transition, I am so glad that we had this message when we did (PTL!).

The women of our body kept their focus on building relationships with one another and did not gossip or spread rumors about the transition that was going on.

We also had a special workshop during our retreat. The guest speaker was a missionary and a leader in church planting in Muslim countries. She was able to give us some very valuable information about how to reach out and build relationships with women of the Muslim faith and how easy it can be, once we have established a bridge of friendship, to be able to share our faith with them.

WM.NET Note: Focus all the activities around building community with the women attending. A fun icebreaker would be to divide the women into small groups, give them a grocery bag of assorted household items (empty paper towel rolls, q-tips, small toys, paperback books, etc...) and have them build a bridge that they then have to push a small lego car over their bridge.

Workshops could include a ropes course or communication skills class. Activities could include a scavenger hunt or other team building project.

The best information we receive about the nuts and bolts of Women's Ministry is when we hear what you all are doing "in the trenches." Our weekly poll is your opportunity to share your expertise and knowledge with all of our subscribers!

Each week we ask a question, and share a link for you to post your answers. The following week we provide a link where you can see the results of the question, along with a new question. It takes just a minute, and your input is immediately added.

This week's question is:

Which of the following best describes your perspective on ministry?

Answer the question HERE.

Here are the results from the last three polls.

Does your ministry include an opportunity for women to mentor other women?

• Yes - 61%
• No - 39%

39% of you felt that the overall success of your mentoring program was "good" and 33% said that it was satisfactory.

What is the primary goal behind the special events you do for your women?

• Relationship Building - 87%
• Spiritual Development - 69%
• Reaching the Community - 53%
• Fun Night Out - 43%
• Provide Opportunity to Get Involved - 39%
• Traditional Events - 26%
• Seasonal/Holiday Events - 25%

What kinds of classes do you offer for women in the summer?

• 12-week Bible studies - 10%
• Shorter Bible studies - 45%
• Book clubs - 19%
• Devotional series - 7%
• Topical workshops - 15%
• No classes in the summer - 31%

20% of you engage your women in other activities that ranged from weekly picnics in a local park to a summer retreat. Overall, it looks like summer is a difficult time to engage women; creativity with a healthy dose of relaxation is likely the best answer.

Visit these past sponsors:

Following the Shepherd Mentoring Program

Bridget Taylor Ministries

This idea was originally published in Issue #202 in February 2004. It was sent in by Shirley Prenot of Calvary Baptist in Neosho, Missouri.

This is a ministry that targets the needs of hospital patients and their families. We provide small and open the door to share the Gospel of Christ.

Our group makes small gift bags with personal items such as shampoo, soap, lotion, deodorant, etc. We include informational packets for the families that have a map of our town and how to get to restaurants, hotels, the Ronald McDonald House, convenience stores, and grocery stores. We also include information about our church, other churches in the area, hospital policies, contact information for the the social director of the hospital, financial person, and chaplain.

We collect donations of items for the bags from our church members, and we purchase small gift bags and ribbon to make the bags pretty.

It is important to contact the hospital and get permission before embarking on this project. There are many different ways to coordinate the project with them, and you will need to find what works with your hospital.

The packets can used at the information desk and waiting rooms. You can coordinate with the chaplain to have women available to sit with family members who have a loved one in emergency, surgery or ICU. Family members and patients often appreciate having someone pray with them and reassure them of God's abiding love.

Java with Jennifer is an informal monthly ministry update specifically for friends who want to keep up-to-date on what is happening with Jennifer Rothschild's ministry of writing, speaking, and singing.

Obviously, because you are receiving this eNewsletter, you are signed up for the Jennifer's "weekly" WomensMinistry.NET eNewsletter. However, if you want to get up close, and personal with Jennifer, just click on the Update Profile link at the bottom of this email, and select the Java with Jennifer interest group when asked to update your profile.

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Objective: To help members of a group who may not already know each other loosen up and feel at ease with one another.

Materials Needed: Colored paper or note cards, tape, and a pen

Procedure: It helps to know how many people will be at your function before you prepare for this game. You will need a piece of paper for each person, but you must also have equal amounts of each color of paper. For example, if you have 50 people attending your seminar, you could use five different colors of paper--ten pieces of each color. Write a single number on each piece of paper. It doesn't matter what number, as long as a number is not written on the same color of paper more than once.

As people enter tape a piece of paper on their backs. After everyone has arrived announce that, without speaking, the attendees must form groups according to the color of paper on their backs. Once a color group is formed, the members must arrange themselves in numerical order according to the number on their backs. The first group to do this wins.

This game is great for getting people to work together and develop a sense of team work. These groups could also serve as prayer groups, support groups, or work groups for the rest of the seminar or for an extended period of time after the event.

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From one tool to another, I thank you from the very depths of my heart for your wonderful article, "Tool Talk." It was amazing timing on God's part as I am sitting in a hotel room right this very minute. This weekend, I am one of two speakers at a conference in North Carolina. By the way, they found me through womensministry.net and flew me in from California. May God continue to use and bless your fabulous ministry! ~ Dori Drabek

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