RMCNews with Jana Thurber – Denver, Colorado … “Women need other women. We build a better community when we gather for Bible study,” Jana Thurber, RMC women’s ministries director, commented on the importance of the outreach ministry.
Thurber is excited to plan events for the women of RMC in 2022. She sees the ministry as a chance for women to fellowship, support each other, and study God’s Word together. “To pray, laugh, praise God, cry or provide comfort. Or to celebrate each other’s joys and answers to prayer. We are stronger when we journey together. We are stronger when we serve each other!”
According to her, women’s ministries exist to serve and provide outreach to the community.
“Women’s ministries is not only about who we are as Seventh-day Adventist women, but [also about] using our creative abilities in serving our church and community as Seventh-day Adventist women.”
She adds, “Women’s ministries activities are focused on helping women grow deeper with Jesus so we can invest ourselves in our local church and community. I’ve heard some of your stories already, and I’d love to hear more. If you have a story in your church from women who have attended your events and it’s been such a blessing, they just had to share it, please let me hear from you!”
Thurber is planning special events and gatherings for 2022, but she is also launching a new friendship evangelism program.
“Please join with me in prayer that God will open doors for a new kind of weekend event next year called Friendship Evangelism.” It’s a weekend for RMC women to invite friends, neighbors, or co-workers of different faiths who, like us, want God to draw near through music, praise, worship, prayer, and amazing speakers. Our purpose in planning this kind of retreat is to join with our community friends in uplifting God and focusing on His Word. We will need sponsors to help us put on this kind of retreat next year in the Front Range. If you would like to be a sponsor for Friendship Evangelism, please contact me at 303-282-3638.”
Thurber says she is blessed to work with a leadership group of volunteers to plan events. “I work with a talented and prayerful leadership group. This group of gifted women is already working with me to plan this year’s Women’s Retreat, September 23-25, at GVR, to bless our conference women.”
Thurber says that prayer is central for her department. “Above all, my work with the women of our conference is a work grounded and nourished in prayer. I regularly pray for individual church women’s ministries leaders, our conference leadership team, and women pastoral spouses. I hope you’ll join me in this prayer venture and that you will include me in your prayers as I seek to follow God’s heart in leading women in our conference.”
Calendar of Events for 2022:
February 22, 6:30 pm – Ginger Bell, leader of Women of Spirit in Brighton, has invited Ardis Stenbakken of Loveland to present, “More Than a Love Story: The Best is Yet to Come,” an in-depth study of the book of Ruth. A musical selection will also be presented. Due to Covid restrictions, a meal will not be provided. Location: The Armory Performing Arts Center, 300 Strong Street, Brighton. Reservations: Call or text Ginger at 720-980-9006 by Feb. 16. Women of Spirit meets quarterly in February, May, September, and November. It is a special evening for women to attend a spiritual event that includes a light meal (unless Covid restrictions are in place) served on beautifully-decorated tables. A musical selection is followed by an inspirational message from various professional speakers of many faiths. This event has been in existence for about 25 years in Brighton. Attendance is a mixture of women from the community, our church, and surrounding Adventist churches.
February 27, 10:00 am – International Women’s Day of Prayer at the Campion Church Community Center featuring Jana Thurber, who will delve into the prayers of Elizabeth and Mary, their relationship with each other, and how God’s answers to their prayers changed their lives and moved their hearts toward God, fulfilling God’s mission. A light brunch will be served. For more information, call 970-667-7403.
March 26, 2022, Church service and a Saturday night program – The woman’s ministries department at Canon City church welcomes Alicia Patterson. Patterson will speak for the church service and give a special presentation Saturday night. All who learn from her will be blessed by her giftedness in teaching thought-provoking ways to study and understand the Bible. As she shares her stories and teaching, lives are brought closer to Jesus.
May 10, 6:30 p.m. – Women of Spirit program by “The Legendary Ladies,” a women’s historical performance organization. For reservations or more information, call or text Ginger at 720-980-9006.
August 6 – “EnditNow” The Campion Church service will feature a special guest who will address the subject of abuse, particularly domestic abuse. “EnditNow” is the worldwide program of the Seventh-day Adventist church’s women’s ministries. The issue of abuse in all its forms will be addressed.
September 17 – Hyveth Williams, professor of homiletics at the Theological Seminary at Andrews University and director of the doctor of ministry program, will be a guest speaker for the Canon City women’s ministries weekend. She is the first black female pastor and first female senior pastor in the Adventist denomination. For more information, call Jill at 970-231-4383.
September 23-25 – RMC women’s ministries annual retreat will be held at Glacier View Ranch. This is for women of all ages. The featured speaker is Sharon Leach, a gifted and delightful woman with a profound experience with Jesus who has a knack for powerful and uplifting biblical messages. Sharon was the first female vice president of Southwestern Adventist University. The weekend theme is, “When Jesus Enters Your Story….You Can Become God’s Wonder Woman!” Leach will be sharing the stories of women in Jesus’ lineage who became “God’s Wonder Women” when Jesus entered their stories! Teens are invited to come with their mom or a parent-approved chaperone. The teens will enjoy their own weekend speakers and activities. Get on the mailing list to receive the Registration Form. Call 303-282-3638 and leave a message that you want to attend. Please include name, email (include spelling, if necessary), and phone. A Registration Form will be emailed as soon as it’s available.
October 28 and 29 – A special weekend for women at the Campion Church. Special features and guest speakers will be announced.
–RMCNews with Jana Thurber, women’s ministries director for RMC; photo by Unsplash