Women’s Missionary Union

Change a life: Change the world

WHO (Women Helping Others) is being organized as a “heart” ministry of our church. The mission of this ministry is to provide help and assistance to others. There is a place for every woman who wants to serve. This ministry needs prayer warriors. WHO also needs ladies who are willing to send cards and make telephone calls to our shut-ins and nursing home residents. WHO needs ladies who are willing to visit the shut-ins and others. WHO also needs women who are willing to provide meals for others when needed. It is envisioned that ladies (and possibly men) will be needed to provide transportation to doctors, grocery stores, etc. The “bottom line” is that WHO needs women who are willing to help others. For more information about this new ministry, contact Faye Hardiman (256-233-3809) or Stella Austin (256-497-1134).

The Women’s Bible Study meets each Monday on the 2^nd floor of the Educational Building. This group is currently studying PRAYER. One of the books being used is When you don’t know what to pray by Linda Evans Shepherd. The author was the featured speaker at the women’s conference in March. Join this group for an in-depth study of prayer.

WMU is focusing on HUMAN EXPLOITATION as a critical issue this year. Throughout the world, women and children are exposed to unethical people who take advantage of them. The victims may be required to work in slave-like conditions and even forced to serve as prostitutes. During this year the material for our GAs focuses on issues affecting young women in our nation. Some of the issues discussed will include bulling, mistreating other children, mocking children, etc. The main focus will be teaching these young ladies to live Christ-like. Please be in prayer for our GA leaders. Also, we can help women and children in other countries escape from the horrors of servitude by supporting WMU’s World Crafts. There are beautiful gifts and functional items such as purses available from World Crafts. These items are made by the ladies in other countries and your support provides very important financial assistance. You can view items at http://www.worldcraftsvillage.com.

WMU WATCHWORD: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like unto it. Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:37-39, NIV, adapted

FIRST BAPTIST WMU

Our WMU members participate in and bring church focus to major mission offerings such as the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American Missions and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions. We place emphasis on missions education and Bible study for both children and adult members. We support the Southern Baptist Missionaries both financially and by focused prayer. Click Here for the chart that shows the current active elements of WMU at Athens First Baptist and the leaders for each element. Come and join us.

Throughout the year, various elements of WMU sponsor ministry activities.

We sponsor the collection of empty ink jet and laser printer cartridges, cell phones that are no longer being used and labels from Campbell products. These items are collected from church members and are forwarded to central receiving areas with the ultimate financial support going to specific missionary efforts. In the past, one of the North American missionaries in California has been able to purchase 3 vans with the money received as a result of various organizations participating in this effort. She also has over $300,000 toward a missionary home.

The WE BEAR LOVE Ministry collects new stuffed animals and distributes them to organizations such as police station and hospitals that serve children facing difficult situations. Medium and small size stuffed animals can be turned into the church library.

The Food Pantry ministry works with the Limestone County Churches Involved (LCCI) and food may be left at the Family Life Center where it is delivered to LCCI. In addition, our volunteers work at LCCI on Thursday mornings.

The Clothes Closet Ministry is open to the public each Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 12 noon and is staffed by our volunteers.

The GA’s and ACTEENS prepare fruit baskets at Thanksgiving for the shut-ins of our church.

Various groups of Women on Mission, a segment of WMU, meet monthly for Bible Study, prayer, and mission planning. Call Dianne Landtroop (256-232-7537) to find out about a group that you will enjoy joining.

LINKS:

http://www.wmu.com, a web site of the National WMU organization reflecting news, events and resources available from the national level.

http://www.alawoman.com, the Alabama WMU web site reflecting current training events and resources available, including staff members and their phone numbers.

http://www.mymissionfulfilled.com, a web site designed to appeal to women in their 20s and 30s as they seek to develop a missional lifestyle.