Lake Union women have committed themselves to be active contributors to finishing the Lord’s work, both at home and throughout the world.
With this in mind, they tell the story of God’s love in various ways through ministry in their churches. Through their ministries they help improve family relationships in the homes as well as in the church.
During the past five years there have been 120 women’s ministries retreats in the Lake Union. These retreats gave women the opportunity to come and receive a spiritual uplift, as well as enjoy fellowship with friends. They also attended seminars where they received fresh ideas and training, plus enjoyed a time of spiritual emphasis. More than 1,000 women from other denominations attended these retreats. Some retreats are held in hotels and others at youth camps. In one conference, a mother/daughter retreat was held for the first time in 2005 and will now be an annual event.
In 2004, nearly 200 Lake Union women attended a one-day Passionate Leadership training event held at the Berrien Springs Village Church. The session included all women in church leadership and was co-sponsored by North American Division and Lake Union women’s ministries.
Hope for Hurting Hearts, a weekend for survivors of domestic violence and abuse—physical, emotional, and sexual—was held at Camp Wakonda in Wisconsin with 29 attending. Two years later, the same program was held at Camp Wagner in Michigan with 35 attending. These programs were sponsored by Lake Union women’s ministries.
During the past five years, approximately 600 training seminars were held, not only at the conference level, but also in the local churches. There have been 28 evangelistic meetings led by women which resulted in 60 baptisms, plus 150 members being reclaimed.
The Heart Call program is designed to reclaim women who find themselves distanced from the church. This is done through gift subscriptions to Women of Spirit, a magazine designed especially for women. Women in the church who have a burden to win back hurting women become involved in this ministry by giving the women they're trying to reach special attention. They also reach out to women who are not members of their congregation but have shown an interest through Bible studies, retreats, evangelistic meetings, etc.
Women of the church want to be active contributors, not only in their own church but around the world. At some retreats special offerings are taken to help support needy women in other parts of the world who do not have the privileges we have in America. There is an offering taken in all churches in North America each July to help further the work of women’s ministries. Your giving has helped the Lake Union Conference sponsor three of the unique events above.
Myrna Earles is the Lake Union Conference women's ministries director.
SIDEBAR
2006 Lake Union Events
April 8
Indiana Women's Ministries Spring Retreat
Indiana Academy
Cicero, Indiana
April 7–9, 14–16, and 21–23
Michigan Women's Ministries Retreats with Cathy Ireland
Camp Au Sable
Grayling, Michigan
June 10
Women's Ministries Emphasis Day
June 22–25
Indiana Single Mom's Retreat
Timber Ridge Camp
Spencer, Indiana
July 29
NAD Women's Ministries Offering
July 21–23
Lake Union Hispanic Women's Ministries Retreat
Andrews University
Berrien Springs, Michigan
August 26
Abuse Prevention Emphasis Day
September 22–24
Michigan Women's Ministries Retreat with Vicki Griffin and Evelyn Kissinger
Camp Sagola
Sagola, Michigan
Information: Call Gina Stearman at (906) 630-5720; or e-mail: nurseskeepthebeat@yahoo.com
September 29–October 1
Indiana Women's Ministries Retreat with Ginny Allen
Oakwood Inn
Syracuse, Indiana
October 6–8
Northern Illinois (Chicagoland) Women's Retreat with Kay Kuzma
Location: To be announced
Information: Call Sarah Aragon at (708) 596-2000, ext. 2404
October 6–9
Lake Region Women's Ministries Retreat
Location: To be announced
October 13–15
Michigan Mother/Daughter Retreat with Jo Ann Davidson and daughter, Rahel Schafer
Camp Au Sable
Grayling, Michigan
October 27–29
Wisconsin Women's Ministries Retreat with Linda Lynch
Chula Vista Resort
Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
Information: Call Susan Boon at (262) 835-4914
November 3–5
Southern Illinois Women's Retreat
Location: To be announced
Information: Call Cathy Sanchez at (618) 218-4335
November 5
Michigan Women's Ministries Leadership Workshop
Charlotte, Michigan
