Digital women's ministries conference is a blessing
Virtual conference allows more women to attend than if in person while keeping a social distance.
Inter-European Division (EUD)
[France and Belgium] On January 23, 2021, the department of Women’s Ministries (WM) of the Franco-Belgian Union invited all Seventh-day Adventist women in France and Belgium to a virtual meeting. Corina Timofté, director of WM in France and Belgium, and her team had prepared a program introducing and informing meeting attendees about Women’s Ministries, locally and globally.
As host of the meeting, Timofté opened with introductory remarks before Joëlle and Virginie from the South France Conference told about WM programs they are conducting in their local church and how the projects have grown
The WM leaders from the local regions shared what is happening in their areas: Enid Cadasse of the North France Conference, Marie-Pierre Pèchoux of the South France Conference, and Yvonne Ajinca of the Belgian-Luxembourg Conference.
Dagmar Dorn made a presentation about her work as director of WM for the Inter-European Division. Director of the General Conference Women's Ministries Heather-Dawn Small reported about her work with women around the world.
The highlight of the meeting was Heather-Dawn Small’s spiritual message which touched the hearts of the participants in a special way. Her topic was taken from Isaiah 43:1, "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine." God knows us by name. God reclaims us as His own. It is amazing that God can know everything about us and still love us! Women struggle with loving ourselves. But God looks at us and says: I love you. If you were the only person on earth, I would have died for you.
Sister Small then went on to explain the meaning of three of God’s names. His names reveal His character, and when we study God’s names, we get to know Him better.
- El Olam—The everlasting God.
- Jehovah Ezer—The LORD my help.
- Elohay Selichot—God of forgiveness.
God is everlasting and does not change. When we have problems we can come to Him boldly to ask for help. God is gracious and merciful to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. With these comforting words Small encouraged us to get to know God, trust Him, love Him, spend more time with Him, as He prepares us to face anything that may come in the future.
The program was presented in three languages: French, Dutch, and English. The Dutch translation was offered on Zoom and when the capacity of 100 participants was reached, people were asked to move to Youtube, where about 150 viewers were registered.
Social distancing regulations can be a blessing, as more women were reached using digital media than if the meeting had been held in person. The program is still online on Youtube and has been watched numerous times, thus continuing to reach people with God’s message.
We would like to thank all who were involved in planning and presenting the meeting.
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnEOy7HnUyY&t=8s
Contributed by Dagmar Dorn, Women's Ministries director for Inter-European Division
Photo: WM Franco-Belgian Union
Published in Mosaic newsletter, 2021 Q2, spring issue
Photo: Unsplash.com
