ARP Women’s Ministry Board: The Bird’s Eye
GILLIAN BRICKEY WM President
ARP Women’s Ministry Board:The Bird’s Eye Viiew ew
voice at the table. It was intimidating to be the only woman on the board, but it was a wonderful opportunity to get to know the inner machinations of our denomina- tion and how to pray and serve better. Some of the boards with women representa- tives include Outreach North America (ONA), World Witness for world missions, Erskine College, Bonclarken Conference Center, and more.
through our events like Annual Meeting, Family Bible Conference, and Synod’s Women’s gatherings, but more on that later. Financially, the ARPWM supports several denominational works. Funds are fun-
in the bookWoman’s Work in the Associ- ate Reformed Presbyterian Church. In this issue I will introduce our ARP Women’s Ministry board (ARPWM), the denomi- national level of women’s ministries. I’ve been a circle member, an AR- PWM board rep, a presbyterial board president, and now an ARP Women’s ministry board president, and one way to describe the denominational level of the ARPWM is like the bird’s eye view of the denomination. Local churches and presbyterial boards do more in terms of practical, hands-on ministry, and the ARPWM board, with a few exceptions, has a more supportive and administrative role. We’re here to sup- port our presbyterial boards and our denomination. Not only do we serve as the conduit for our women to serve on other denominational boards and com- denominational interests and women- focused ministries. Keep reading for ways to connect the women of your church with the ARPWM. One of the most vital ways the AR- PWM serves the Lord through our de- nomination is by appointing women to serve on denominational boards and committees. My introduction to ARP Women’s Ministries was as the AR- PWM representative on the Outreach North America board, the board over church planting and church vitality. I felt honored to serve as our women’s
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n the last issue of ARP Magazine I shared the history of the ARP Women’s Ministry Board as written
neled through Women’s Ministries to several meaningful causes, like World Wit- ness, Family Bible Conference, and more. This year one of our goals is to form a - cally for training more Gospel Coaches for church planters’ wives. Gospel Coaches are ministry coaches that were already a resource for our church planters, and now this resource has been extended to their wives. In addition to our administrative and support roles, ARPWM is tasked with
coordinating key events during the year. These events are the best way for women to become involved with ARPWM. One special event, and the BEST way to connect with us, is our Annual Meeting at Bonclarken. Typically held the Monday of Family Bible Conference, the Annual Meeting is for ALL ARP women to be informed and equipped for the work of women’s ministry. This year’s Annual Meeting will be at Bonclarken on Monday, July 27.
Another opportunity is during The Meeting of the General Synod. The wom- en attending Synod are wives of pastors, elders, and church planters, as well as missionaries, employees of the denomination, and more. For many, this will be the only time each year when they connect with other women in similar roles. ARPWMs offers a Women’s Welcome during registration, and we offer Women’s Wednesday events…with childcare! Gentlemen, please don’t leave early if business is done! Your wives have plans for Wednesday! This year’s meeting is June 9-11, 2026 at Bonclarken. Family Bible Conference (FBC) is another event where you’ll see the work of AR- PWM members on display. FBC is a wonderful opportunity for families to gather around the Bible and create memories, and it has its very inception rooted in the ARPWM. The biblical theme is usually related to the Bible study theme offered by our spiritual life chair each year. Also during the week, rotating Women’s Ministry presbyterial boards host the Silver Tea drop-in to raise funds for Synodical Hall, our ARPWM building on Bonclarken’s grounds. This year’s FBC will take place July 27-30 at Bonclarken. Throughout my time of service in various roles, I have asked our women what they need most from our women’s ministries at every level, and overall the greatest area of improvement is COMMUNICATION. “We would come if we knew it was hap- pening!” We’re working on it! To receive updates directly from our board, please email us at arpwomensmin-
istry@gmail.com, subject “Contact List,” with your name and contact information. We are also working on updating our social media presence! Find and connect with ARP Women’s Ministries on Instagram and Facebook!
Knowing, loving, serving, Jesus ARPWM March/April 2026 19
Women’s Ministries
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