Missionary Branch
Dear Sisters,
I was asked to share material from our women’s group program. Perhaps I should share how it came to be. It was a surprise to be chosen Women’s Leader as I felt that a younger woman would be chosen for this opportunity to serve. As I went through materials which I have collected over the years my thoughts were:
“Heavenly Father, what would you have me share with the ladies of today?
What is most needful in this modern age of computers and email amidst the
turmoil and unrest of nations, this day which quickly approaches the coming of
Your Son?”
Some needs are ageless! A closer walk with our Heavenly Father; preparing for the gathering; personal and family health (physical, mental and spiritual); the marriage covenant; raising children, etc.
After selecting twelve pressing themes and attempting to place them within a twelve month’s program of activities, I went to our pastor for his consideration. God is so good! God had given Brian the whole year’s themes in the Scripture found in Matthew 25:32-41.
Within our yearly theme of “Reaching out in Christ’s love” were the following monthly themes:
June: “Where would I be without Him?”
“Then shall the righteous answer Him saying, Lord, when saw we thee an
hungered, and fed thee; …” (Matt. 25:38-40)
Focus on individual life histories throughout the centuries and how God has
truly blessed each one. On this, our first meeting of the year, we set our regular
meetings to be on the third Thursday evening of each month, with varied activities
centered upon each theme. The women were also asked to prepare a worship
center and snacks for the closing week of each month, (Wed. or Sun. evening) to
summarize the theme of the month with the whole congregation. Personal
testimonies were shared, making the congregational meeting a very special
gathering.
July: “Christmas in July”
“When the Son of Man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with
Him, then He shall sit upon the throne of His glory;”(Matt.25:32)
Focus on our love for Him. How do (can) I show my love for Him? There
was a specially prepared worship center built around the birth of Christ, His life,
death and resurrection upon earth and His anticipated coming in glory to set up
His
As the women gathered, each one brought a small wrapped gift to place under
the worship setting, representing their gift to Him. (it might be a special amount of
time to share with others; a sin to be renounced from their life; etc. and it was their
secret) Five women read specially selected true Christmas stories. This was
followed by fellowship and Christmas centered snacks.
August: “And before Him shall be gathered all nations; …” (Matt.25:34)
With the anticipated gathering as our theme, a short synopsis of the book
Exodus II and Operation Exodus II by Steve Lightle, was given. Mini sessions
Concerning “Hostessing, sharing one’s home with others”; “Adjusting to a
different culture”, and “Coming from a different culture”, were shared by Robin
Hahn, and guest speaker, Julie Fruits. The evening ended with snacks and
fellowship.
September: “Separation- Time for Choosing and
Dedication”
“…and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd
divideth sheep from the goats; the sheep on His right hand, but the
process of life, the life cycle, the solar system etc.) Jesus Christ’s gift of salvation,
goats on His left.” (Matt. 25:33)
Three ladies shared concerning:
1. The Storehouse, personal and corporate (our church storehouse)
2. Emergency preparedness (our needed preparation for our families, as well as to share with others – medical, food etc.)
3. Spiritual preparedness, including materials to have ready in case of emergency (Scriptures, legal papers etc.)
4. Time management (in order to fit everything into one’s busy life and yet be able to face emergencies)
October: “Authority – The Purpose in the
Restoration”
“And He shall sit upon His throne, and the twelve apostles with Him”
(Matt.25:34)
There is order in all things (the awesomeness of a cell programmed to carry out
the process of life, the life cycle, the solar system etc.) Jesus Christ’s gift of
salvation, and His plan of
authority and purpose.
To celebrate authority, order and purpose, the activity of needlework was chosen.
There must be a pattern, an order, to fashion needlework in all of its beauty
(knitting, crocheting, embroidery, tatting etc.)We will meet in a sister’s home to
work on our chosen type of needlework and share with each other, testimonies and
personal experiences of the branch retreat held the previous weekend, with each
lady bringing a snack to share.
There will be a handout showing the intricacies of cell structure and work.
November:
“Reward/Inheritance”
“Then shall the king say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye
blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the
foundation of the world” (Matt. 25:35)
For this theme was chosen the “Word of Wisdom” (Doc. & Cov. 86:3c, d) states:
“And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking
in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel,
and marrow to their bones, and shall find wisdom and great treasures
of knowledge, even hidden treasure; and shall run and not be weary,
and shall walk and not faint; and I, the Lord give unto them a promise
that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the
children of
and not slay them.” (Also Isa. 40:1, Psalm 37:1-9, Deut. 28:1-13)
For this activity, we will meet in a sister’s home and each bring a dish to share,
trying to follow “Word of Wisdom” standards as each understands them, with
recipes to share.
December: “Discipline”
“For I was an hungered, and you gave me meat; I was thirsty, and you
gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in; naked, and ye
clothed me.” (Matt. 25:36)
There will be a women’s worship – “a gift from the heart” at church with
refreshments following.
January: “Visiting the sick and imprisoned”
“I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came unto me.”
(Matt. 25:37)
There will be a special speaker from a nearby mental health facility with
handouts and mini-presentations addressing “None of these Diseases”and“Prison
Fellowship”. This will be at church with the congregation
invited also.
February: “Humility”
“Then shall the righteous answer Him, saying Lord, when saw we thee
an hungered, and fed thee; or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw
we thee a stranger, and took the in; or naked, and clothed thee? Or
when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?”
(Matt. 25:38-41)
There will be several mini sessions related to a Zionic Home. (Family Worship,
Atmosphere of the Home, Marriage, Religious Training, One’s Home-testimony of
the heart) Meeting at church or in a home.
March: “Obedience”
“And the king shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you,
inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have
done it unto me. (Matt. 25:41)
This night was chosen to be library night. There are many books and materials
available today to help in the awesome task of discipleship, keeping a home,
raising children etc. This will be a variety night with book displays, tapes, slides,
music etc.; with perhaps a book review, a slide and music presentation and even
mini study ideas. We are planning much participation and plan to invite the whole
congregation.
April: “Diligence”
“Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye
cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels… Verily
I say unto you, inasmuch as ye did it not to none of these my brethren, ye
did it not unto me.” (Matt. 25:42, 46)
It takes diligence to be a follower of Christ, to be a parent, to be a gracious
friend to all. Perhaps raising a plant would be a good example of this. A beautiful
flower demands diligent care. Let’s have a plant exchange to help us remember the
diligence required to become one of Jesus’ chosen. (At Pat’s home (?))
May: “
“…the righteous shall go forth into life eternal.” (Matt. 25:47b)
There will be a Spring Brunch and worship at church. The theme will be
centered upon “choose you this day” concerning
the redemption of
to have a guest speaker following the brunch.
God Bless!
Your sister in Christ,
Priscilla (Pat) Carrick
In addition to the
monthly women’s activities Missionary Branch Women’s Department publishes a 1
page newsletter each month with a few comments by the Leader pertaining to the
current theme. It also contains dates to remember, suggested scriptures to read
and a tasty recipe. On the other side there is a calendar listing area
activities that might be of interest to members of the congregation such as the
Women’s prayer service on the
A handbook was
developed that details what the Women’s Department focus is within the branch.
It explains the various duties within the Women’s Department itself, such as: the leader, counselors, cards,
cradle roll and weddings, directory, greeter, funeral dinners, funeral and
hospital flowers, kitchen, meals on wheels, newsletter, prayer chain and
sanctuary flowers/worship center; enabling the ladies filling those positions
to understand what is expected of them.
It is a wonderful resource and one that helps to ensure continuity from
year to year as different women serve in the capacity of Women’s Leader.