Outreach.
Bible text inspires single mothers' ministry in the Netherlands
An afternoon with activities for mothers with children at home includes adult conversation at the "Mommies Café."
Trans-European Division (TED)
[The Hague] Impressed by the biblical passage in Psalm 146:7-9, particularly with the phrase, “The Lord … sustains the fatherless and the widow,” women in the Netherlands hosted a Sunday afternoon event in February 2017 for single mothers with children at home.
Following a welcome with light refreshments, guests joined an activity designed to relax and pamper them: a facial care workshop, a quick hair cut or hair advice, chair massage, manicure, and pedicure.
The second phase of the afternoon was spent at the “Mommies cafe” enjoying an afternoon tea and conversation about motherhood. A guided discussion with an experienced psychologist provided mothers with valuable information.
Mothers who spent the afternoon in the company of other women called it a success. Women’s ministry leaders and hostesses who learned from this first experience concluded the event is worth repeating.
And thus, a new ministry to single mothers with children at home was born.
Contributed by Madelon Comvalius, WM director, Netherlands Union Conference, Trans-European Division
Published in Mosaic newsletter, Winter 2018