South Pacific Division introduces new leader for women in ministry
Danijela Schubert loves her new duties related to women's ministries.
[Australia] Dr. Danijela Schubert's official title at the South Pacific Division (SPD) is discipleship ministries team member (women in ministry), but the General Conference Women's Ministries (GC WM) department staff simply refer to her as SPD WM director. Elected to this leadership role in the middle of 2018, Schubert works with GC WM in the same capacity as did Erna Johnson, whose position of SPD WM director was eliminated at the beginning of 2018.
Below is the letter Schubert published in the SPD Women’s Ministries department newsletter, Going Places, August 2018.
New Beginnings for Women in the SPD
"I’m super excited about starting my new job! To be serving the majority of our church’s membership is an awesome responsibility and opportunity.
"I feel very privileged to have been able to start by attending a sanctuary event for women called “46.” It was 46 hours of being at a place of refuge in the beautiful rolling hills of Victoria, Australia, away from hustle and bustle of big cities where the majority of the Australian population lives. The women attending minister to other women, children, men, youth and mature age; a relatively small group. We tackled the topic of believing: believing in God, ourselves, others and believing in the dream of our lives. We had time for God, a few thought-provoking presentations, group discussions, exercise, quiet time, and we were just spoiled by an abundance of healthy food.
"The reason I’m sharing this with you is to encourage you.
1. There are always ways of getting help when we need it. I needed to be with women who supported me, prayed for me, gave me hugs, dried my tears, uplifted me, helped me to focus on the future and the amazing possibilities ahead. If you need help, ask. There are wonderful people all around us who are willing to help. There are amazing books that can help us on our journey. Search for them.
2. I encourage you to be that help for someone in need. I was able to buy a soap at this event which has a message of courage and reflection inside it. Today I gave it to one woman in the venue office. She was so blessed to receive it, she said, as it gave her courage for an important event she needs to attend today. I did not know that this small act of kindness would be such a blessing to her. You, too, can reach out to another person with a smile, phone call, message, a flower, meal, gentle touch.... You don’t know how much a small act of kindness can brighten another’s day.
"As I start this new job, I solicit your prayers, support, advice and creativity. I will share with you my life, and I look forward to hearing from you and meeting you. Wishing you God’s blessings as we journey together, empowering each other by God’s grace, to be the best we can be and to be champions of the gospel."
Contributed by Dr. Danijela Schubert, discipleship ministries team member (women in ministry)
Published in Mosaic newsletter, 2018 Q4, Fall issue
