One of
WOWS main objectives is to consider all the
ministries we have been or might be involved in and
to seek
God’s will about what to do next. We pray over
the possible options to see where God leads us.
It helps to have as many of our women as
possible let us know their thoughts about where and how we should invest
our time and resources. It might help for you to know what WOWS is.
Simply put—it’s ALL
of us! WOWS is an umbrella uniting and empowering the women of Walnut
Street to grow in Christ and make a difference for Him in our world.
Here are some of the ways we try to accomplish this:
In-depth Bible
study. We regularly offer 6-12 week sessions, both in
homes and on the church campus using materials by popular authors such
as Beth Moore, Priscilla Shirer, Kay Arthur, Jennifer Rothschild and
others. We also offer occasional retreat-like sessions in our church
facilities and at ticketed events elsewhere. Generous donations of
individual women provide for teaching materials and individual women
purchase their own study materials. Thus, this is not usually an
expense we must consider in our budget.
Fellowship events.
We offer 2–3 dinner or brunch gatherings each year. In the past we
have enjoyed the
Festival of Tables, where
individual ladies adopt a table to decorate, each in her own theme.
Guests purchase tickets which pay for the meal and other costs. Another
popular event has been the
Wondrous Women
gathering where 2-4 ladies who have blessed our church are honored. In
2009 we added an auction, offering donated, exquisite hats, jewelry,
purses or scarves to
the highest bidders. These fellowship events generally pay for
themselves or raise money that we use for our mission projects—thus,
again, they are not an expense we must consider in our budget.
Mission projects. The following are
projects we have already, or will considered, adopting.
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Seed money for the Spirit Riders ministry. Every
week this ministry meets in our Church Activities Building for
prayer and praise. Once each month they enjoy a supper prepared by
Linda Ross and costing about $200. Individuals and Sunday School
classes provide funds and for the past few years the WOWS have given
$600 annually.
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Brazil Mission. We have contributed $500
annually for Bibles and any other needs of our mission team.
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Easter Baskets. We have provided baskets for neighborhood, Sunrise
and other children, as well as a remembrance for our Home Members.
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Baptist Towers outreach. We have partnered with
CSM for a day to offer window cleaning and any other practical help
the residents need and request.
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Blessings blankets. We
make lap blankets for women in our church who are hospitalized with
serious illnesses. Each blanket is made with prayers and
personally delivered.
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Support for Native American Missions in Gallup,
NM. Jackie Hillman has personally invested by traveling there each
summer and by gathering gently used Bible study and children’s
materials to mail periodically through the year. WOWS have paid
postage and occasionally purchased specially requested new
materials.
Your suggestions and recommendations are welcomed. You may talk to Mary
Ann Tyler (267-6506;
l.tyler@insightbb.com)
or to any of the ladies active in the WOWS—such as Dot Nunn, Katherine
Adams, Linda Hook, Billie Payne, Emma Reed, Linda Ross, Marilyn James,
Venita Burton, Deborah Stephens, Pati Hoskins, Darlene Wilcoxson, and
many, many others! You may also and send your thoughts via the
Contact Us page.
We look forward to hearing from you!