To my sisters in Christ:

I attended the National American Baptist Women’s Conference held July 16-22, 2011 in Green Lake, Wisconsin. Our theme was “In the Potter’s Hands.” Our theme scriptures were Jeremiah 18-1-8, Romans 9:17b-21. We were blessed to have as our Bible study leader, Rev. Karen Yee who now leads the Missionary Partnership Team for Ingrid Roldan-Roman, an American Baptist missionary serving in Panama/Costa Rica. She spoke on the theme “God as Our Potter.” She encouraged us through so many inspirational scriptures and words of encouragement. She said that God is the Creator, God is Sovereign, God is purposeful, and God is merciful. She said being in the Potter’s hands is precious. Remember to feast on God’s word. God is in control and is Freewill. We have been created to do God’s will. God calls us to ministry. She reminded us that she was not God but there is a God. We can have a personal transformation through God. She gave us handouts to increase our knowledge about God as it relates to God the Potter. We were spiritually fed through the word.

Grace Johnson, who is a former full time potter in California opened the conference on Saturday night with a beautiful rendition of In the Potter’s Hands. Using the Potter’s Wheel, she gave her personal/experience/testimony while presenting to us in dramatic form how the Potter Wheel has become a means to share God’s own work and how God has protected her through this journey. She actually made a pottery design as she told her story. It was awesome.

Chris Marziale led our International Ministries. Three missionaries, Bill and Clemmer and Jill Lowery spoke to us about their work in their respective countries. They are involved in educational medical ministries in the Democratic Republic of Congo, one of the poorest and most desperate nations in the world. Jill Lowery told of work with the Mitendi Women’s Center and its related ministries that reach out to young women involved in or at risk to prostitution.

Our National AB Home Mission Societies/National Ministries led by Victoria Goff gave presentation on the Penny Project. This project is designed to raise 14 million pennies to raise the awareness of children in poverty in the United States and Puerto Rico. We have raised $577, 210 as of July 11th.

Change was a topic that was raised at our Board meeting. “How do we engage in change - Intentional Change, Relational Change, Adaptive Change, and Focus on Missions. Break the Chains-Stop the Pain Campaign has been initiated and will last through 2014. It is a national mission with Global impact that includes such initiatives that will address some of the needs of the people who are incarcerated, domestic violence, etc. October is Domestic Violence month. Advocacy Day will be held the last weekend in March. The Shine the Light award went to First Baptist Church, Selma, Calif. This award recognizes outstanding light bearers for Christ. They received a certificate and an oil lamp.

We have raised over $187,000 for the 60th Anniversary Endowment Drive. It will conclude at the end of 2011. Any contributions that are made to ABW Girls goes to the Endowment Fund.

President Barbara Anderson, led the business meeting. A new mission statement was voted on and it is as follows: Our Mission Statement: American Baptist Women’s Ministries is Christ centered, committed to encourage and empower women and girls to serve God.

Virginia Holmstrom was recognized for her tenth anniversary as the Executive Director for American Baptist Women’s Ministries. Love Gift is still an important part of ABW. Please continue to inquire at the national office for information and Love Gift updates. Love Gift goes to ABC and is distributed through United Mission. ABW gets 0.71% of the money. ABW has launched a Women and Girls Fund. This fund will support a variety of crucial missions to women and girls. Everyone was encouraged to become Vital Partners. The National ABW Office has published several pamphlets describing the duties of each officer. The E-pamphlets are $5.00 and the Print version is $9.25.

We were privileged to hear the Rainbow Acres Rancher’s Choir sing to us. They filled our hearts with melodious and beautiful songs that touched us in a special way. All vesper services, luncheons, connection groups, and workshops were very informative. At the prison reentry workshop, a DVD was shown entitled “What I want my words to do to you.”

We raised $ 4, 444.90 for the ABGirls auction. On Wednesday, we had International Ministries Day. The AB Girls were very active with the Mission project at the conference. Many thanks to the National Leadership team. Many of the ladies helped the ABGirls make roller bandages, teaching aids for children with disabilities, arts and crafts items, flannel graph Bible stories, making puppets as teaching tools, and much more.

American Baptist Women’s Executive Director, Virginia Holmstrom will serve on the Board for the National Executive Council (NEC) . There will be a National Women’s Retreat for ages 18-40, September 28-30 2012 at Camp Canna. Churches are asked to send two women. The National ABW Office has published several pamphlets describing the duties of each officer. The E-pamphlets are $5.00 and the Print version are available online.

The Biennial will take place in June 2013 in Overland, Kansas. Advocacy Day will be held the last weekend in March.

Rev. April Van Ness and Gail Gillespie led early morning devotions at the conference. Betty Savage participated in the Ringing of the Bells activity during one of the evening services.

It was a spirit filled conference and I learned a lot. I enjoyed the fellowship with other American Baptist Women. The next National ABW Conference will be held in Nashville, Tenn. The Board meeting will be held July 17-23, 2012. The National Gathering of Girls will be held July 24-28, 2012 in Washington, DC.

Yours in Christ,

Gail Gillespie-President
ABW Ministries New Jersey

8/24/11