Women’s Ministries
WHAT DO WOMEN DO IN THE ARP DENOMINATION?
VICKI MARSH WM President
On November 7-8 this year, a su- per women’s retreat will be held at Bonclarken to celebrate Jubilee 3. It is sponsored by First, Catawba, and Ten- nessee/Alabama Presbyterials, and more information will be sent out to churches soon. It will feature several missionary speakers, a panel discussion, food, fellowship, activities, and possibly Please encourage your ladies to attend this event!
W
hat do women do in the ARP denomination? Let me count the ways…
Women’s Ministry looks different in each church. In some, there are circles where women meet for Bible study, fellowship, projects, and sometimes, food. Others call themselves Bible study groups and might meet weekly, bi-weekly or monthly to study God’s Word. Other churches may not have an organized Women’s Ministry, but the women at those churches still serve in many capacities.
Our denomination was organized in 1782. By 1818, women’s groups began to be formed at various churches. Presby- terial Unions began to be organized in the early 1900s, and today, we have eight Presbyterials that are part of ARPWM. - loway Giffen, who was sent to Egypt in 1875. This year, the women are celebrat- ing because it has been 150 years since so many have followed to so many dif- ferent countries since then! Our women have always been “mission-minded”. In 1925, 50 years after Mary Galloway Giffen left, Women’s Ministries began to celebrate the Jubilee (50 years) of mis- sionaries by organizing Jubilee Birthday events at their churches. Money was raised to support two Jubilee Birthday ladies, and that tradition remains today. Back then, it was suggested that ladies donate a nickel or dime for every year that they had lived. Today, hopefully,
In 1963, the women began planning to build a building owned and used by the women, and on August 9, 1970, Syn- odical Hall was dedicated. Today, it is used by the women, Camp Joy, and oth- er groups. After several years of raising (donations, selling calendars, etc.), our in the hallway and back room, have held on Wednesday afternoon of the Family Bible Conference at Synodical Hall, is an opportunity for men, women, and children to enjoy refreshments, fel- lowship, and a chance to donate to Syn- odical Hall’s upkeep. The ARPWM board meets four times a year and uses offerings from Presbyte- rials and local churches to support the Family Bible Conference, a Christmas bonus for retired missionaries, the ARP Magazine, and our two Jubilee Birth- day ladies (Shelia Osborne and Rebekah Carson). In addition, they plan the WM Annual Meeting, retreats, distribute in- formation on upcoming events, and are available as a resource for anyone with questions about Women’s Ministries. To contact someone on the ARPWM board, use
arpwomensministry@gmail.com. On the Presbyterial level, retreats and other events are planned, and the Presi- dents distribute information from the ARPWM board on the recommended study book for the following year and upcoming events. Women in local churches are busy in so many ways. Look around and you will probably see them staffing the children’s programs, helping with VBS, serving on the Benevolence com- mittee, writing cards to sick or injured members, sending birthday cards to congregational members, singing in
the choir, serving meals for the congre- gation, serving on church committees - mas Child. They are also donating their time and talents to local missions such as Boys & Girls clubs, providing and packing bags for Backpack ministries to provide food for children over the week- end, mentoring children in local schools, giving hygiene supplies and clothing to low income schools, delivering Meals on Wheels and these are only a few of the things that our women are doing. If your church does not have an organized Women’s Ministry, I encourage you to encourage the ladies at your church. They are ready and willing to serve. In conclusion, I hope that each of your churches celebrates Pastor Appre- ciation in October with cards and gifts. But, don’t forget that most good men have a good woman supporting their ef- forts, and April is a good time for a Pas- tor’s Wives Appreciation event!
Women’s Ministries hosted Oasis. A time of fellowship for all women at Bonclarken during Synod. Emily Woodard led a devotion on Psalm 121 and those in attendance played a “Find someone
who...Bingo.”
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Knowing, loving, serving, Jesus ARPWM July/August 2025 9
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