Introduction to Womens Ministries Dorothy Eaton Watts Leader

Introduction to Women’s Ministries Dorothy Eaton Watts Leader Certification Program Level 1

The purpose of this course is: 1. To acquaint you with the origin and history of the Women’s Ministries Department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, 2. To provide an introduction of selected women in leadership during the history of the Adventist movement, 3. To provide a survey of current GC programs and resources.

Course Outline • The History of Women’s Ministries • The Beginning of Women’s Ministries • A Women’s Ministries Time Line of Important Dates • When Your Division Began Women’s Ministries

Course Outline • Women Serving God, Then and Now • Adventist Women Pioneers • 1844 -1900 • 1901 -1950 • 1951 -2000

The Beginning • In 1898 Mrs. S. M. I Henry, with the encouragement of Ellen G. White, headed a church department for Women’s Ministry. • Mrs. Henry began a system of correspondence by which women could get answers to their questions and could receive instruction through personal letters. • In 1899 she published a weekly column in the Adventist Review headlined, “Woman’s Gospel Work. ” The column was filled with Bible studies, poetry, letters, and practical advice.

The Beginning • After Mrs. Henry died of pneumonia on January 16, 1900, the nine-member Women’s Ministries committee at the General Conference tried to carry on her work for a time. However, the committee became discouraged without their strong leader, and Women’s Ministries ceased as a department of the church. • It was revived again in 1990 with the reestablishment of Women’s Ministries at the General Conference.

THREE –MINUTES THINK/PONDER/DISCUSS • What traits of character might Mrs. Henry have possessed that made her a woman God was able to use is a mighty way? • Name one method Mrs. Henry used to inspire and teach women how to work for God? • How is our current Women’s Ministries program similar to that of Women’s Ministries a hundred years ago? How is our modern program different?

Women’s Ministries Time Line • 1844 Ellen Harmon receives her first vision.

• 1874 First Dorcas Society formed in Battle Creek, Michigan, by Mrs. Henry Gardner. • Mrs. S. M. I. Henry becomes a national evangelist for the Women’s Christian Temperance Union.

• 1896 Mrs. S. M. I. Henry joins the SDA Church after attending Battle Creek Sanitarium for treatment. • 1898 March 30, Mrs. Henry given a ministerial license by the General Conference. She begins work of Women’s Ministries encouraged by Ellen G. White.

• 1899 Mrs. Henry produced a weekly page in the Review called “Women’s Gospel Work. ” She traveled extensively promoting Women’s Ministries. • 1900 Mrs. Henry dies. Nine member committee continues a short while, then disbands. Organized work of Women’s Ministries stops.

• 1913 Dorcas Society becomes part of the Home Missionary Department, later the Lay Activities and then the Personal Ministries Department. It focuses on helping the poor. • 1915 Ellen White dies.

• 1980 Dallas GC Session, President Neil C. Wilson calls for church to find ways to organize and use vast potential represented by women’s talents. • 1985 Annual Council establishes Women’s Ministries Advisory Committee. Betty Holbrook is appointed Chair Person.

• 1988. Karen Flowers becomes head of the Women’s Ministries Advisory Committee. They formulate a mission statement for Women’s Ministries, the same one now in use by the WM Department. • 1989. Karen Flowers presented a study on women in leadership in the world field to a Commission on the Role of Women at Cohutta Springs. The meeting recommended that the GC open an office of Women’s Ministries with a full-time director for Women’s Ministries.

• 1990 Annual Council, October 4, voted to open an office of Women’s Ministries. Rose Otis, elected the director of Women’s Ministries.

• 1995 Women’s Ministries given full departmental status at the GC Session in Utrecht. Ardis Stenbakken is elected as Associate Director. By the end of 1995 the following divisions had established a Women’s Ministries Department: AID, ESD, NAD, APD, SAD, SPD, SUD, TED, and SAUC.

• 1996 - EAD, EUD, and IAD establish a Women’s Ministries Department. First Women’s Ministries World Advisory held in March. • Dorothy Eaton Watts chosen to replace Rose Otis who resigned to become a Vice-President for the North American Division.

• 1997 At Annual Council, Ardis Stenbakken was chosen to replace Dorothy Watts who resigned when her husband became President of SUD.

Inter-American Division • Began Women’s Ministries in 1996 with Waveney Martinborough as the Director.

Adventist Women Pioneers Nineteenth Century Do further research on one of the women on this list. • Minerva Chapman – General Conference Treasurer and editor of Youth’s Instructor • Annie Smith – Hymn writer • Maria Huntley – General Conference Lay Activities (Personal Ministries) Leader • Katherine Lindsey – Foremost teacher of nurses • Maud Sisley Boyd – First single Adventist woman missionary (Europe) • Ellen White – Had the prophetic gift • Georgia Burrus – Pioneer missionary to India • Adelia van Horn – First woman GC Treasurer • Helen Druillard – Founder of Madison College

Adventist Women Pioneers First Half, 20 th Century Do further research on one of the women on this list. • Lara E. Clement edited the Youth’s Instructor for 29 years. • Gertrude Brown was a physician who worked in Ireland Scotland. • Louise Kleuser trained people in the art of giving Bible studies and was an associate secretary of the CG Ministerial Association for 16 years. • Anna Knight was the first African-American missionary. • Anna Ingles Hindson served in Australia as both a union and Conference officer as well as an editor and leader of the Sabbath School Department. • Eva Dykes was the first black woman to receive a doctorate in the United States. She was a notable educator for more that 50 years.

Adventist Women Pioneers First Half, 20 th Century • L. Flora Plummer was director of the GC Sabbath School Department and editor of The Worker for 23 years. • Ana Stahl served as a pioneer missionary to South America for 29 years. • Minnie Sype was a pastor, evangelist, administrator, and missionary for 54 years. • Mary Walsh was an evangelist, pastor, and Bible worker. She wrote The Wine of Roman Babylon.

Adventist Women Pioneers Second Half, 20 th Century • Can you tell which one of these women was not a pastor or evangelist? • Margaret Prange • Delker • Elsa Luukkanen • Ana Alvardo • Which of these women was NOT involved in the re -establishment of Women’s Ministries: • Rose Otis • Karen Flowers • Betty Holbrook • Leona Running

Adventist Women Pioneers Second Half, 20 th Century • Which of the following was NOT a division Women’s Ministries Director? • Jessie Halliwell • Rose Otis • Elazabeth Sterndale • Nancy Baasham • Which of the following was not a GC Departmental Director or Associate? • Carol Hetzell • Karen Flowers • Lyn Behrens • Shirley Burton

Overview of Women’s Ministries Programs and Resources • Scholarship Program • International Women’s Day of Prayer in March • Women’s Ministries Emphasis Day in June

Overview of Women’s Ministries Programs and Resources • Endit. Now Campaign • PALS Program • Women’s Ministries Handbook • Leadership Certification

Resources • Seminars • Newsletter • Devotional Book • So You Want to Begin a Literacy Program • Women’s Ministering Evangelism Manual • Women’s Ministries web site: http: //wm. gc. adventist. org • Abuse Emphasis brochure

Which WM Program or Resource Would Help? • You want to establish a support group to help parents whose children have wandered from God and the Church. _____________ • Which would give you ideas for nurture and outreach projects you could do? _______ • Where would you get ideas for program and resources available? ____________ • Where would you find information about the mission, purpose, goals, objectives, and philosophy of Women’s Ministries?