FUN … Creative Ideas for Effective Outreach

You are ready to take on the challenge! Whether it’s meeting an area of need within your own local church or an activity focused on reaching the un-churched women in your community, a special event generates energy and enthusiasm!

Women’s Ministries groups across the NEI District Church of the Nazarene share their ideas and report successful, creative approaches to ministry. We would love to hear from you!! Just send your ideas via e-mail to cdroland@juno.com or mail to Cheryl Roland 1502 Ironwood Drive, Marion, and IN 46952!

Marion Park Lynn Church of the Nazarene
Doneta Chaplin Reports

Our Women’s Ministry is in the third year. It has been such a blessing to me. We meet in my home. Women of all ages attend, from young teenagers to women 85 and older. We all enjoy being together. For a small church we have good attendance, sometimes as many as 19.

We always begin our meetings with prayer and scripture reading. Sometimes we have guest speakers.
* A representative from Family Services spoke on child abuse and ways we can help those who are victimized.
* We invited a nurse to talk about health matters and nutrition.
* A missionary joined us to share needs around the world.

I often order small craft projects form Oriental Trading Catalog. Not only do the ladies enjoy making things, but we prepare craft items to give to others. The following list gives you some idea of the ways we minister:
* We make meals for the sick
* Send cards of encouragement
* Send packages to service men
* Assemble gifts for those in the nursing home near by
* We have furnished school supplies to help children get ready for the new school year
* Donated a box of gloves and socks to the Rescue Mission
* Donated pet food for the Animal Shelter.
* And had a baby shower for the Crisis Pregnancy Shelter, which was so much fun.

The Sunday before our meetings, I always hand out written announcements and distribute them on Sunday morning after church. That way each lady has a personal invitation, knows what to expect and has all the details in hand. We enjoy refreshments and take pictures to remind us of the fun we have when we combine our efforts to serve the Lord.

Bless all of you. In Christ’s Love,
Doneta Chaplin
Marion Park Lynn Church of the Nazarene

Fort Wayne Grace Point Church of the Nazarene
Joyce Wilson

The Grace Point ladies presented a special “Operation Outreach” event entitled “Port Paradise Spa Cruise”. They decorated their church to resemble a ship. The theme was carried throughout every detail including a “passport” designed to serve as a registration confirmation.

The day included refreshment for body and soul:

* Morning Snacks & Luncheon
* Praise & worship with gospel singers, The Evangels
* Spa workshops included topics such as health & beauty, home, career, family & marriage
* Guest speaker, author, Diann Hunt
* Pampering Spa Treatments
* A beauty salon that offered hair cuts, manicures & massages
* Style Show
* Games & Door Prizes
* Shopping at the “Treasure Cove”

First Mate, Joyce Wilson writes, “The day was fabulous! We served 206 ladies, and 75 were not from our church. We had wonderful comments submitted to us about everything. Women can’t wait to be a part of it next year. In fact I have received phone calls from women from the community that want to register early.

There were approximately 110 of our own men and women who in some way helped to make this event a success. I’m so blessed to have such a wonderful team of helpers in this venture. When our people know there is a need, they come forward!

One lady came to church for the first time, the Sunday following the event. She was so pleased with everything! Saturday the people were so friendly, she wanted to see what Sunday was all about. Another asked for special prayer and we were privileged to pray with her. God was definitely at work throughout the day in all of us. We were blessed over and over again. So many surrounded our crew in prayer that we have just been so blessed to see God at work in all of us!

First Mate,
Joyce Wilson
Grace Point Church of the Nazarene

If anyone has questions or would like to borrow Joyce’s “directors book” she has offered her assistance. Just call her at Grace Point Church, 260-485-2110.

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Consider this idea submitted by Dawn Boots
Dunkirk Church of the Nazarene

GODLY GIRLFRIENDS
It’s No Secret!

The goal of this ministry to is to help women have more meaningful fellowship with other women. We encourage you and your “sister” to get to know one another through open encouragement and daily prayer for each other. Your “secret sister” is not a secret!

Women’s Ministries recommends that a gift be given on your sister’s birthday and at Christmas only, However, uplifting words, cards, notes, thoughts and prayers may be given continuously throughout the year. Remember this is a one on one commitment and our hope is that through this program your “Not So Secret Sister” will become a very important part of your prayer life.

Please fill out the form below and turn it in to Peggy or leave it at the Visitor’s Center, by April 23rd. The “Not So Secret Sister” program will run from April through December.

Name ______________________________________________ Phone _________________________

Address ___________________________________________________________________________

E-mail address ____________________________________________________________________

Birthday _______________________________________ Anniversary ________________________

Interests (Such as music, books, hobbies) ________________________________________________

Favorite Colors ______________________________________________________________________

Age group preference _________________________________________________________________

Portland Church of the Nazarene
Teresa Denton, WM Director

Hello from Portland Nazarene Church! Just a note to let you know how our Women’s Ministry is doing. We just had our Mother/Daughter Banquet using the theme “Growing Where God Planted You”. There were approximately 84 in attendance. We decorated with flower garden scenes around our fellowship hall. The tables were set with red and white checked tablecloths. Fun grasshopper centerpieces made from green peppers and veggie “bugs” helped complete our theme. It was a carry in dinner.

Judy Smith, a layman from our church, did a great job speaking on “growing” to become a godly grandmother. At the end we gave away garden items, such as gloves, tools, decorative items to put in the garden, and hand cream to soften your hands.

Throughout the year I plan a meeting for each month using a theme. The following ideas are some we have used:

* August – “Back to School”. This is our kick off! We decorated with school supplies and each lady received a notebook and pen and was encouraged to start keeping a journal.
* September – “Which Shoes Are You?” Using shoes, boots, sandals, etc. to decorate, I had a description of each shoe to fit different personalities.
* October – “Does God give us surprises?” We used scriptures to share that sometimes life is filled with good surprises but also some not so good. Fall dcor and pumpkins made it fun.
* November – Canceled because there was too much on the calendar!
* December – I did a newsletter with easy recipes for the holidays. We hosted a “Tour of Homes”. Three ladies decorated for Christmas and opened their homes to the entire group. The first hostess served appetizers, the second soup and sandwiches, and the third desserts. The Christmas story was given in segments as we read and reflected on the Christ of Christmas at each home. An ornament exchange completed the evening of fun.
* January – “Snowballs & Slippers” We ask the ladies to bring their house slippers and gave a prize for the daintiest, the funniest, the dirtiest etc. Fun! Fun! Fun! God loves us no matter what we look like. We had each one to write their names and prayer requests on a slip of paper and wad it up like a snowball. In another room I laid out a white sheet to resemble snow. We threw our snowballs at each other several times. Exhausted from the fun, we opened up our “snowballs” read the name and prayer request then went to that person to express our appreciation, friendship and prayerful support throughout the month.
* February – “Heart Smart” Of course we decorated with hearts, but our lesson addressed a series: Believe, Purpose, Serve, Sing, Trust, and Love God with all your heart.
* March – “Frogs” I used a story about a frog, which led to trusting and obeying God. We gave away frog items. (An acrostic for frogs … Fully Relying On God!)
* April – We had a special guest speak on forming a “living will” and trust
* May – Our Mother/Daughter Banquet is always a highlight.

More Ideas from Teresa Denton & Our Portland Friends …

* August was our “Kick Off” meeting. We joined together for Fun – Food – and Fellowship!
We began with a devotional, had pizza, snacks and drinks. At this meeting we introduced our theme for the year … “Girlfriends and God”. A sign-up sheet was passed around for everyone to volunteer to furnish refreshments for each month. (Planning ahead is always a good idea!)

* September – “September to Remember” Each lady designed a scrapbook page. The women brought family pictures and we learned new ways to display them creatively. The devotional was based on the scripture found in Psalm 56:8 from the KJV, “Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?” God sees our tears when we are lonely… when we are sad … when we are grieved … when we are unhappy … when we are anxious … and when we are joyful and filled with celebration and praise. What does God see in your scrapbook?
* October – “Girls Night Out” Come in your PJ’s!!! God wants us to relax and have fun, too. This was an extra special meeting!
* November – “Ideas for Gifts and Quick Gift Wrapping” We exchanged recipes for holiday cookies and candy, then demonstrated creative methods of wrapping them. The ladies got to take home several good recipes as well as a sheet of gift tags. Also sharing quick and easy gift-wrapping ideas made this meeting a great preparation for Christmas.
* December – “Christmas Tour of Homes” This special event has become a tradition for the Portland ladies. The last three years they have done an ornament exchange.
* January – “Some of My Best Friends are Flakes!” What do friends and snowflakes have in common? No two snowflakes are identical! Just as each snowflake is unique, so are we. God has created each of us with a one of a kind design. Friends come in all shapes, sizes and colors. Each friend makes a special contribution to our lives. Just as God created us differently, He has blessed each of us with a unique calling into ministry. We went around the circle and each lady shared something they felt was their unique calling. We talked about the value of friendship and that Jesus is the best Friend anyone can have!
* February – “Sweet Love” We asked the ladies to share their love stories. What fun!! Prior to the meeting everyone was asked to bring a full sized candy bar. At the close of our meeting we had each lady attach an address label to her candy bar and write her name and prayer request on it. Teresa read an original “Love Poem” and instructed the ladies that every time she read the word “love” they were to pass their candy bar to the lady on their right. At the end of the poem, the ladies kept the candy bar they were holding and promised to pray for that friend and their request throughout the month.
* March – “Baskets of Blessings” I decorated with lots of baskets. Using an acrostic for the word PRAISE we discussed the many ways God blesses our lives.
* April – “April Showers Bring May Flowers” Everyone was asked to bring a packet of flower seeds. The ladies were instructed to write their names on an address label attached to their packet. We exchanged flower seed packets using a devotional on the beauty of God’s colorful creation. We encouraged the ladies to plant their seeds and pray for the one whose name was on their packet of seeds as the flowers bloomed.
* May – ‘Ladies Only Revival with Evangelist, Laura High” We had services on Thursday and Friday evenings beginning at 6:30 pm. A Saturday morning brunch was served from 10 am – 11 am then service began at 11:15 am. Laura did a great job!! Thank you, Laura! A nursery was provided and gifts from the 7th grade and older were invited to attend.

So, now I’m ready for another year packed with lots of fun ways to motivate women to get excited about God. I’m thinking about a “Mystery Event” in the summer.

With Prayers,
Teresa Denton

Feel free to contact Teresa if you have questions or would like copies of her poems. Just call the Portland Church of the Nazarene, 260-726-8040. Thanks so much Teresa!!

The Fun Continues!

SUMMER

Progressive Family Picnic
How about a Progressive Picnic following the same concept as a progressive dinner. Each homes provides one course of the meal. Paper products make cleanup fast and easy. End the evening at a park for games.

Scavenger Hunt Picnic
Divide the group into teams. Following clues, each teams finds their lunch. The clues may lead to the entire lunch or to a series of packaged items. A time limit insures that everyone eats together.

Family Game Day
Begin with an obstacle course. Include such things as a football sweep, jump rope, gunnysack hop, and a sprint. A tug-of-war for participants and observers alike!

FALL

A Mystery Trip

Purpose
To provide a time for women of the congregation to become better acquainted this is a great activity to invite visitors and friends.

Destination
A day trip with the destination kept top secret to everyone but the Women’s Ministries Council.

Preparation for the trip
Advertise the trip with fun hints. If the destination will be somewhere that includes lots of walking, shopping or sigh seeing be sure one of your hints is “Bring your walking shoes”. If shopping is on the schedule make another hint “Bring your husband’s wallet” or “Bring your Christmas shopping list”. You want your ladies to be as prepared as possible, without giving away the surprise destination.

Be sure to establish and publicize the time of departure and the time the ladies will return.

As you determine the registration fees be sure to include expenses for gasoline and breakfast (if you leave early in the morning.) If there is an entrance fee into the destination, include that in the up front costs.

On the morning of the trip
Provide each driver with a sealed envelope including directions to your destination and all cell phone numbers for leaders etc. in case someone gets lost.

Just for fun, present each car with a basket including juice, snacks, crossword puzzles, etc. along with a note explaining that they may in the car awhile and might need something to help pass the time.

Harvest Fair
Using the theme “Time for Winter Harvest”, plan an overnight slumber party at the church.
Begin on Friday at 6:30 PM and conclude on Saturday just after breakfast.

The following is a suggested schedule:

7:00 – 7:30 pmTime to begin
7:30 – 7:45 pmTime to sing
7:45 – 8:30 pmTime for fun
8:30 – 8:45 pm Time to sing
8:45 – 9:15 pmTime for devotions
9:15 – 9:30 pmTime to gather in small groups
9:30 – 10:30pmTime for prayer and sharing
10:30 – 11:00 pmTime to eat (Baked potatoes with a variety of toppings)
11:00 pmTime for door prizes and games
12:00AMTime to rest
7:30 AMTime for breakfast at a nearby restaurant

Materials for small group sharing
Hosea 10:12 (NIV and Living Bible) “Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until He comes and showers righteousness on you.”

“The fruit of righteousness will be peace, the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.” Isaiah 32:17

“The Lord will guide you always. He will satisfy your needs in a sun- scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.” Isaiah 58:11

Get acquainted
1. Share ways that you make time for eating together as a family? Sleeping? Family fun?
2. What do you wish you had time to do, but can’t seem to get it done?

Sharing in winter harvest
1. What are the seeds of righteousness?
2. It’s time to reap God’s love. How has He shown you recently that He loves you?
3. Is there an area of “hard ground” that needs some “plowing?”
4. How is God helping you find peace, quietness and confidence in your daily walk with Him? Is your home a place of refuge and encouragement to your family?
5. God promises that He will guide you always. Has He given you direction in a specific area of service?
6. The second promise is that your needs will be met and your frame strengthened. Are you gaining emotional, physical and spiritual strength from God’s Word and time in prayer? Are there areas of weakness or temptation that you need to surrender to the Lord Jesus Christ?
7. Praise the Lord for His great faithfulness and pray for each other as you stand on God’s promises!1

1 www.nazarene.org

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