American Baptist Women’s Ministries of IndianaOfficer Update Pages Spring 2014

The many languages in the theme logo (languages of Burma, Spanish, English)represent the history of mission and ministry of American Baptist Churches USA

as well as the relationships we have with Christian women across the world,each seeking to be Christ’s hands and feet in service in praise.

Theme ScriptureThe gifts He gave were . . . “to equip the saints for the work of ministry,

for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faithand of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity,

to the measure of the full stature of Christ.”- Ephesians 4:12-13

President President President President President President President Spring Update 2014

Don’t you just love (or NOT love) getting a friendly reminder? How many times does God (through his Holy Spirit) send us a friendly reminder? Have I invited the woman sitting next to me in worship service to come to the next women’s meeting? Have I sent a thank you card to someone for the act of kindness they performed? Have I sent a get-well card to someone who has been ill? How about a thinking of you card to the person you haven’t seen in a while? Have I thought about sending a note to one of our Special Interest Missionaries? My “to do” list could be a mile long if I listed all the things I could be doing. Perhaps I should forget the “to do” list and just begin by doing one thing that would make a difference to someone else . . . and then another . . . and another. Get the picture?

“A Time to Serve” is our national theme for AB Women’s Ministries and, actually, this theme and the logo originated in the Women’s Day Task Group, as we planned and prepared for Women’s Day at the Biennial in Overland Park, Kansas, last June. The languages of the logo represent several ethnic groups of AB women that had a large presence at Women’s Day. The next Women’s Day will be in June of 2015, again at Overland Park. There will not be a national conference in 2015 – so that more women can attend the Biennial and Women’s Day. This year’s national conference will be two new and different events: 1) an intergenerational retreat held at Green Lake (July 26-29), immediately following the Mission Conference (July 21-26) and 2) a cruise to the Bahamas (September 19-22). Please check out abwministries.org for more information about both.

Have you made plans to attend Indiana’s Summer Conference at Franklin College? Our special guest this year will be Virginia Holmstrom, Executive Director of AB Women’s Ministries. The committee has been working to provide another Summer Conference with exceptional opportunities that you won’t want to miss. We’ll meet June 6-8 and the AB GIRLS will meet at the same time. We’re in a building program with the AB GIRLS with Tracy Karnes forming a new Leadership Team. We are hoping to see some of those girls at the Spring Retreat this year for the first time. We are thankful for the Ella Mae Tomlinson Fund that will provide the girls with the funding needed to attend some of these planning sessions. Joy Jamboree is coming up May 2 and 3 at Calvary Baptist Church in Kokomo. Just remember, you don’t have to have an official AB GIRLS group at your church to bring the girls to the Gathering at Franklin or the Jamboree at Kokomo. Registration forms are included in the update pages.

Janet Moore 1916 E 1800 N Summitville, IN 46070 765-621-7477 jim.jan.moore@sbcglobal.net

Secretary Secretary Secretary Secretary Secretary Secretary Secretary Spring Update 2014

Dear Ladies,

As I write this update page for you, I am looking out on yet another cold, icy, snowy day. We are reminded that God is still in control even though spring is just three weeks away!

I just completed a three day Walk to Emmaus and was reminded how we serve a Mighty God who loves us SOOOO MUCH and wants us to put HIM first in our lives and serve HIM daily.

I would like to share this Prayer/devotion with you as we consider our theme “A Time to Serve”.

TIME FOR GOD

Loving God, I am reminded that there is a time for everything in life.Help me to look at each day as a new opportunity to be your servant,

Allow me to see you in the lives of those who surround me.Open my eyes to look at them as you do, with love and compassion, so I can give myself in love to them.

Blessed Jesus, as my journey continues,I want you to be my companion.

Teach me to overcome my sinful thoughts,my pride, and my selfishness.

Open my heart to your forgiveness and strength.Lift me when I fall. Carry me when I am weak.Holy Spirit, take away any negative attitude.

Guide me into the way that leads to life.Make me sensitive to your promptings--

eager for the presence and power of sanctifying grace.Allow me to be your servant wherever I go today.

May God Bless your service to HIM,

Jean Ponsler 10615 N. Co. Rd. 500 E. North Vernon, IN 47265 812-591-2701 njponsler@yahoo.com

SAVE THE DATESaturday, October 11, 2014 – Women’s Day

Crooked Creek Baptist Church

5540 N. Michigan Road

Indianapolis, IndianaTreasurer Treasurer Treasurer Treasurer Treasurer Treasurer Treasurer Spring Update 2014

“A Time to Serve”

Time. We all have 24 hours each day to work, eat, play and rest. It’s what we do with those hours that defines us. We can be very productive or we can choose to do very little.

Our theme, “A Time to Serve”, gives us the opportunity to be a blessing to others and do what God asks us to do. I tried looking up a particular scripture where Jesus was talking about serving others and not being served, but I was not able to find it. What I’m trying to say is we need to be the servant and do what we can to help and not expect some one to do it for us.

One way to be a blessing to others is to give to the various funds we have through ABW Ministries, They include: our Operating Fund – used to further our State ABW Ministries; our State Project – this year Rainbow Acres in Camp Verde, Arizona, to help build a Green House for the ranchers; our Scholarship Fund – the amount given from April 1st – March 31st which determines how many $500 Scholarships we can award; our Ella Mae Tomlinson Memorial Fund – which is used to help our AB Girls attend various events; and our National Funds: National Support, National Endowment, the Women & Girls Fund, Refit and Leadership Development.

Please remember Love Gift is given to your local Treasurer who sends it to the State ABC/IN-KY office in Indianapolis. Thank you to each and everyone who gives to our funds. Without you serving our Lord nothing would be accomplished.

Carolyn Porter 6317 Turner Drive Clayton, IN 46118 317-539-4483 carjport@aol.com

MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO: AB Women’s Ministries of IndianaAB Women’s Ministries of Indiana

Donation given by _______________________________ (Association gift, circle, individual, etc.)Donation given by _______________________________ (Association gift, circle, individual, etc.) Name of Church ____________________________ Association ___________________________Your Name ______________________ Your Address ____________________________________

AMOUNT FUND AMOUNT FUND$__________ Operating $_____________ National Support $__________ State Project * $_____________ National Endowment$__________ Scholarship ** $_____________ AB Women & Girls Mission Fund$__________ Ella Mae Tomlinson Memorial Fund $_____________ Leadership Development

For AB GIRLS of Indiana $_____________ Refit$_____________ (Other)

*Checks MUST BE postmarked by 12/31 to count toward current year’s State Project**Checks MUST BE postmarked by 3/31 to determine number of Scholarships given in current year

TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED $ ________________

MAIL TO: Carolyn Porter Check No. ____________________

6317 Turner Dr. Dated ____________________Clayton, IN 46118

Personal Development Personal Development Personal Development Spring Update 2014

Time to Serve

Have you been reflecting on our study theme? You may have heard that our ABWM theme for 2014 and 2015 was originally planned to be “Designed to Serve.” Then, our ABC National Headquarters received a letter from an attorney representing another organization who was already using “Designed to Serve” on their website. They threatened legal action if we continued to use the phrase that they considered to be their domain.

I believe it was divine intervention that our national leaders changed our theme to “Time to Serve.” Time is a very important concept in our culture. We value time to the extent that we have developed many time saving devices and efficient forms of transportation. Time saving has resulted in “multi-tasking” being developed into an art form. If we plan just right, we can be cooking our future meal in a crock pot, while the dishes from the last meal are washing in the dishwasher, the laundry is being washed by our washing machine, and the sprinkler system is watering the yard while we recline on the couch.

God tells us in His Holy Word to make good use of our time. In the King James version the phrase “redeeming the time” is used but in the NIV it is translated differently. See Ephesians 5:15-16 (NIV)15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. This is repeated in Colossians 4:5 (NIV) 5 be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.

In spite of all of our time saving devices, we often complain that we don’t have enough time. However, since the beginning of time, the number of hours in a day has not changed. We have just as many hours in our day as Jesus had in His day when he lived here on Earth.

Here is my favorite poem about time:

Yesterday is history.

Tomorrow is a mystery.

Today is a gift,

That’s why it is called “the present.”

This poem makes the point that that only time we really have available is “now.” Now is the “Time to Serve.”

Rhonda Compise 406 Crest Way Henryville, IN 47126 502-468-5084 recompise@inbox.com

Church and Community Church and Community Church and Community Spring Update 2014

Spring! I love that word this week. Noun, verb, pronoun….feeling in the air. Time to shift gears from huddled in a corner of the sofa with an afghan and a good book to resetting our clocks and our daily agendas. The weather has changed along with our moods, and it is TIME to do something. Have you thought about what it will be?

As your new Coordinator of Church & Community I was thinking about this topic as I huddled in my afghan. How do we define Community? Is it our local church family or the town or city in which we live? Is it the whole wide world, our circle of friends, the millions who live in obscure corners of our earth or the elementary school down the street? Exactly what is the relationship that we have between our churches and our communities, and exactly what is the effect we can have, the difference we can make? Exactly what is it that we are called to do?

My job description came with several scriptures to help us with our goal setting and programming. I challenge you to prayerfully search the scriptures for guidance, and contemplate how you and your church will define community. I am sure God has the perfect scripture for each ministry that we can envision. What will be the scripture that moves you out from under your afghan and into your community?

I would challenge you consider these questions in the next few weeks. Then come to Summer Conference at Franklin College, June 6-8 and join me in our Church & Community Workshop. We will share scriptures, and ideas. We will consider the call that Jesus places on our lives as He calls us to serve our communities in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

A current tidbit that I must share with you came from our planning for Girls of Joy and AB Girl’s events. Here is my first official assignment for you. We are asking that you bring clean, gently used (that means washed at least one time) pillow cases to Summer Conference. Deliver them to the Church & Community display table. We will need ladies who are willing to take pillowcases and a pattern home and convert them into PILLOWCASE DRESSES before returning them on Women’s Day. Our AB Girls will finish, decorate and send these beautiful projects of love to girls they will never meet, but who will wear the love of Christ in the form of a cherished dress.

Pillowcases dresses will be the easy part for us. Now I want to issue bigger challenge. Find some girls in your community and get them registered for a GIRL’s event. That could mean the girls in your church, your local schools, your next door neighbor, your grand-daughter. YOU be the one to take charge. Find the information. Invite them. Find the financing for them. Deliver them, and stay if you should. If you need more info on our GIRL’s programming check with Tracy Karnes, Janet Moore or myself. Don’t let our GIRLS fall through the cracks.

I look forward to serving along with you in our Churches and Communities. And yes, this is A Time To Serve.

Nancy Bond 8041 N 800 W Middletown, IN 47356 765-354-2181 thebonds@indy.net

Some of the ranchers at Rainbow Acres enjoying crafts

Mission and Service Mission and Service Mission and Service Spring Update 2014

Today is a beautiful day and it reminded me that summer will be here soon. Why not load up a car with willing hands and feet, drive to a work day at one of our camps, and help get ready for another season of camping? Service projects can be very rewarding! Maybe your elderly friends and neighbors aren't able to clean up all the branches that fell off trees due to our cold, snowy winter. Give them a hand! You'll both be blessed. Perhaps your church yard is also in need of some sprucing up. Gather a few of your congregation to work on a Saturday-many hands make light work.

I can't remember a time when we have 4 Christian movies playing at one time! Son of God, Noah, God's Not Dead and Heaven is For Real all will show between now and Easter. I have seen all except Noah. I highly recommend all of them! Make it a service project and take a friend or two—even buy their popcorn! You will come away a better person for it.

I am hoping to have a new list of SIMs by retreat time. I will have copies available for all Officers, Committee Members, and Association Presidents. Please get this info to all the churches in your area. By Conference in June, I will have prayer cards for all of them, too.

The Little Dresses for Africa are popular in other countries as well. If you are going to a country where they can use the dresses, contact me. If you have dresses done and don't know where to send them, please contact me to connect you. We feel that our Missionaries can get the dresses to the people that need them and the best way is to use them as suitcase fillers. Most people have a few corners in their cases open, so filling them this way is a double blessing!

Please contact me if you need help or information. Call or text me at 317-313-7526 oremail me at jmjackson815@sbcglobal.net. I will attempt to get your answer in a timely manner. Thanks for all you do concerning Mission and Service Ministries!

Jan Jackson 8844 Rocky Hill Rd Indianapolis, IN 46217 317-313-7526 jmjackson815@sbcglobal.net

White Cross White Cross White Cross White Cross White Cross Spring Update 2014

I would like to start this year off by introducing myself. I am Barbara Mills from Tell City First Baptist Church, in the Evansville Association. I have just started my 3 year term this past November. I am looking forward to hearing from all of the churches about what they are doing for White Cross. Missions has always been a main focus of mine, as I feel we are called to help others when they have a need. When we are able to help others, we are doing the work of Jesus and helping to spread His love. Hopefully by now, most of you have been able to fill your White Cross quota, or at least made plans to do so. As soon as each church has collected their items or money and mailed them, please send your reports to the Association chairman so she can send her report to me and then I can send my report to National. I know it has certainly been cold and snowy this year but that is a good reason to get together and roll bandages, make pillowcase dresses, put together health kits, baby layettes, etc. If it is not been possible for your group to fill the request they received, please do the best you can and send the report forward so my state report can be completed.

I have recently received word that CWS is in need of school kits. This information was sent out to everyone on the state ABW email list. If your ladies are looking for a project to do, this may be just the thing for you! If your group did not receive this information and would be interested, you may contact me and I will either forward the email to you or send it through the mail. It is an easy project to do and a great way to spend time with your Christian sisters. It can put a song in your heart and put a smile in the hearts of those who will receive the items you have collected and made.

As I said earlier I am looking forward to receiving the reports from the Association Chairman, and to see what your group has done! As our gifts are shared, they express our commitment and bring joy to others.

Spring is coming soon!!!!!!!!!!!

Barbara Mills 1511 14th St. Tell City, IN 47586 812-547-8645 b2b64@psci.net

Spring Update 2014

It does not seem possible that another school year is coming to its end. After thirty-eight years of teaching, you would think I could get use to it. As we are nearing the end of the 2013-2014 academic school year, your college student will be making many serious and stressful decisions affecting their future, such as, taking finals, looking for summer jobs and making plans for next year’s school year (or not). Do not stop your prayers, cards, gifts, etc now when many of them will need your support more than ever. Remember them on holidays and birthdays and if their birthday is in the summer, send them a card before they go home. I am sure that they would all appreciate a “goody box” sent right before their final exams start as well as cards of encouragement. Also consider inviting your scholarship student to your spring conference as a special guest and showering them with school supplies.

By the time you read this, the scholarship committee will have met at least once and narrowed down our selections for next year’s scholarship recipients. At this time we have 24 completed applications. Many of you may not know but our number of scholarships varies from year to year because we can only fund scholarships that we have had donations to cover. For each $500 we receive, another student will receive a scholarship. We accept donations through March 31 for that year’s scholarships

Please keep the scholarship committee and our new applicants in your prayers. The list of new scholarship students will be available at the Summer Conference. Until then, keep up your good works with this year’s college students.

Janie Barnett 916 21st Street Tell City, IN 47586 812-547-7419 jlbbarnett@yahoo.com

AB GIRLS AB GIRLS AB GIRLS AB GIRLS AB GIRLS AB GIRLS AB GIRLS Spring Update 2014

Hello Everyone: Ephesians 4:12-13 states: To equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up. Until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Holy Bible NKJV. Could you think of any other perfect Scripture the Lord could choose for such a time as this? This Year’s AB Girls have consolidated together to try for a year to be joined together as AB Girls of Indiana, with our theme being A Time to Serve: Taking It More Everyday! How precious Time is and what a Joy it has been in getting to know so many and building up relationships. This year we’ll be meeting at Calvary Baptist Church located at 1967 W Boulevard St, Kokomo, IN 46902 for JOY Jamboree on May 2nd & 3rd. Registration starts Friday night @ 8:30 pm. All Girls of All

Ages are invited to come and join in the fun and fellowship. Grades 6 th and up will be using and learning their leadership skills as they help in this year’s Jamboree for girls grades 1st-5th. Our State Project for the Jamboree is gathering items for Rainbow Acres. They can be towels, wash cloths, small personal hygiene items, such as toothpaste, shampoo, soap, hand lotion, sunscreen or Walmart Gift Cards. This year’s Love Gift money will be divided for half to go to our State Love Gift fund and the other half to our Missionaries the BG’s-the Bonilla-Giovanetti’s in order to help develop the AB Girls of Nicaragua. We are looking for High School teens that are interested in stepping up into leadership roles for the state and willing to Mentor and Train to take our place one day, as they continue the journey of Gathering and Uniting the Body of Christ. This year will be looking at having various options for the Girls that are going into Grades 6th and up to meet at Summer Conference at Franklin College. If you want to come for 1 day or night or the whole time, those options are available for you. What a way to come and join in the fun and fellowship with your mother, sister or grandmother. Registration forms will be on http://abc-indiana.org website for you to print & mail in by May 10th. Prices are still be negotiated so it could be less. Please keep an eye on the website to see if it becomes cheaper, due to time of print we were still discussing expenses. For those that want we’ll meet @ 1 pm with the ABW ladies on June 6 th and begin AB Girls at 5 pm in Elsey Hall that evening, but you are invited to come the days and times you can arrange. In October we’ll be having AB Girls Day for all Girls of all ages on October 11 th with our Project being Money for the Guiterrez’s Poultry for Protein. We’re collecting money for Chickens. We’ll meet at 9 am and have songs, Crafts, White Cross pillow case dresses, Games, and Bible Study. In the late winter of 2015 we’ll be looking at having just a Teen AB Girls Retreat and meeting on a Saturday afternoon and leaving that Sunday afternoon. So please be in prayer on what the Lord will have us do. Taylor Parrish shares that some of her favorite AB Girls Times have been “Hanging out with a friend that is from a different area that I only get to see like twice a year!”, while Emily Boyd shares hers as “it's making new friends from across the state and staying in contact year round” and our past AB Girls Officer Jessica Boyd reflects that “My favorite moment was working with my Mom to develop the material for Gathering. We got to spend a lot of time together and grew closer to each other and God while doing it.” Abby Reynolds stated that she hasn’t found anything she hasn’t liked yet about AB Girls activities. So ladies, it’s TIME to start realizing Time is short and we never know when ours is up, as example of our Sister in Christ, Janet Haworth, to whom we shall miss dearly, but Praising God for the work she did and started in others doing. If you have questions about what is going on nationally, visit our website @http://www.abwministries.org. There are numerous resources and forums to help get ideas in order to develop, work & build you & your AB Girls, including the New Music to Live By Session Studies. In conclusion, please go to http://abc-indiana.org to get your JOY Jamboree Registration or send me an email to have one sent via email to you, in order that you can register by April 1 st in order that we can prepare for a wonderful Jamboree this year! Even if you need partial sponsorship to attend, please don’t let money be the stumbling block to keep you from joining us, or the timeframe- as long as you email or call to let me know by April 1st of your attendance the forms can arrive after that. Remember if you have any questions or need me to come and visit your church or group, please contact me to make arrangements to help build up your future leaders of tomorrow, as well as prayerfully build up the kingdom of God.Hugs & Blessings! As we gather together in order that we CAN TAKE The Time to Spend and Grow Together! Tracy Karnes 8271 S CR 850 E Austin, IN 47102 812-793-3033/812-498-4448 musictjk@ymail.comOr abgirlsofindiana@ymail.com

State Project State Project State Project State Project State Project Spring Update 2014

A GREENHOUSE FOR RAINBOW ACRES

Our goal is to raise $25,000 for a greenhouse for Rainbow Acres. If you have never heard of Rainbow Acres,

Rainbow Acres is a Christian community for adults with developmental disabilities. At Rainbow, residents receive the finest care and enjoy a beautiful, ranch-style campus amid the scenic beauty of Arizona’s Verde Valley. Rainbow Acres strives to empower every resident to reach their greatest physical, emotional, social and spiritual potential. During the ABWMinistries national conference last year I was able to visit this beautiful place. Resting in the hilly landscape of Camp Verde, AZ rests this beautiful facility. Each rancher (as the residents are called) has a job to keep them active and serving the greater community. Some work with horses and goats on the ranch. Many work in the various craft activities that provide income for the ranchers who do the crafts or create the artwork. The dream is to have a greenhouse to grow vegetables, fruit, and even a small orchard to provide food that can be sold at local farmers markets and to eat in their cafeteria. The area of Arizona is a desert region and the temperatures are very hot in summer and cold nights in winter. They have one of the lowest rainfall amounts in the United States. This is not a good place to plant a garden. The greenhouse will allow the ranchers a new opportunity for expanding the variety of jobs available.

When I learned of this project I was immediately reminded of the landscape in Indiana in comparison to Arizona. I take for granted our green landscape and the amount of water available through rain and snow to allow for this green space. A greenhouse would allow some of that green space to reach the desert.

God planned for man to live in a garden. Just read the first few chapters of Genesis. This greenhouse is a way to allow the ranchers of Rainbow Acres to experience a garden in the desert. Please prayerfully consider helping this dream come true.

I can be reached by phone, letter or email. I am available to come to your church and make a presentation on weekends, or if you are close enough in the evenings. I do work Monday thru Friday so would have limited time off during the weekday but would try to accommodate any request.

Linda Hoadley 106 S. Gladstone Ave, Indianpolis, IN 46201, phone is my cell: 317-777-8767. My email is lindajhoadley@gmail.com

SUMMER CONFERENCE AT FRANKLIN COLLEGE

More of the ranchers at work

NEW DATES !!!!!!!!!!!!

JUNE 6-7-8, 2014Summer Conference this summer is on a new date. Please mark your

calendars and let everyone know that the dates are June 6-7-8. Joining us this summer will be Virginia Holmstrom or Exec. Director of ABW

Ministries in Valley Forge. Also joining us will be Rev. Kati Longkumer, an American Baptist missionary serving in North East India. Our Bible Study leader is Kathy Esslinger with CAM, Inc. (Coordinated Assistance Ministries, Inc.) in Kokomo, In. CAM, Inc. is an Ecumenical Ministry to

the Homeless.We are excited that Karen Hetrick will be leading us in song for the weekend as well as leading a choir workshop on Saturday. Other

workshops include Rev.Joseph Huse on Estate Planning; Rev. Joy Amick on Susanna from Daniel 13:1-64; Rosalyce Grubbs with a take-away craft; Money and Time saving ideas lead by Roxie Hobbs and Janet

Moore; Becky Roe of Crawfordsville will be leading a workshop on being a Titus 2 woman; Grace Flynn will help us with a Time to Budget; Beth Dodson of First Baptist of Indianapolis, will be leading a service project workshop as we share a Time to Serve Others; Virginia Holmstrom will

be leading us in a Time to Learn; Sarah Noll of Rushville will lead us in a Time to Worship through Biblical Dance.

Saturday is PURPLE DAY and our goal is to see how many shades of purple we can share. Door decorating is back this year and there will be

judging and prizes given on Saturday evening. Paige Kisslinger of Sellersburg, Indiana has a chalk art ministry set to music and will be presenting a program for us Saturday evening that you won’t want to

miss.In addition, there will be Officer Update workshops, fellowship, some

fun, good food, old and new friends and much, much more so don’t miss it !!!!!

Julia Fisher 6484 North Rural Street Indianapolis, IN 46220 317-255-5996 julia_fisher@comcast.com