Pam Robertson of the ACT is  the new President of ‘Women to Women’ with Joy Arnold of NSW becoming Past President.

Our two Vice Presidents are Olive Edmondstone and Rae Goth. Olive has been a past President and Rae is a member of the Executive of NSW Baptist Churches. She is also a Chaplain.

Ramona Cowle is the Treasurer and Minutes Secretary is Ruth Cowling. Ruth lives in the Central West of NSW and so represents the Western region of Baptist church women as far as Cobar and Broken Hill. Ruth is also the NSW representative for the Baptist Women’s Union of the South West Pacific. She will hold this position until 2009.

Other Regional representatives come from the  ACT, Central Coast, Hunter and there is a vacancy on South Coast, Blue Mountains and Mid North Coast.  Sue Cossgrove the Hunter, Marion Edwards the Central Coast and Pam Robertson the ACT.

A representative from the Pastors’ Wives group is also part of ‘Women to Women’.

These members make up the “Task Force” of ‘Women to ‘Women’.

Pictured Left to Right: Pam Robertson, Joy Arnold, Olive Edmondstone, Rae Goth, Ramona Cowle, Ruth Cowling, and Sue Cossgrove.

The Steering Committee meets at the beginning of each year at a weekend retreat.

Recommendations from this “Vision Weekend” are then taken to the Task Force for confirmation.

All aspects of the programming and goals of ‘Women to Women’ are considered and prayerfully recommended.

The Task Force meets at least twice during the year, with teleconferencing at other times, to consider recommendations from the Steering Committee, to hear reports from the Regional representatives and to manage the general business of ‘Women to Women’.

Twice a year, the extended group called Ministry Support Group meets.

This group includes those who represent NSW Baptist Churches on other State and National bodies. Such groups as Australian Church Women, National Council of Women and Winners without Drugs.

Our Social Issues representative, Heather Reid, also shares with us at the Ministry Support Group meetings.
And we have representatives from Specilaised Women’s Ministry, and Chaplains.

These representatives report to the Ministry Support Group and take part in the Annual General Meeting. Their representation on our behalf is also endorsed. We value the input of all members of our group.

In 2007 the State President of Australian Church Women will be a Baptist woman, Jennifer Peffer.

There is a group of Pastors’ Wives who enjoy meeting together once a year at Conference.

This a mutual support, caring and nurturing group. They are often challenged as well as inspired at Conference. They are often treated to delightful pampering sessions for relaxation.

Pastors’ Wives are represented by their President at ‘Women to Women’ Task Force.

Currently this is Carolyn Altman.

 Many women have been part of the service provided over the years by Baptist Community Services.

We still have many volunteers working with BCS. You too could be a volunteer with BCS. Ask about ‘Project Volunteering’.

So we can stay informed on the services BCS provide, we have a representative from BCS as part of the Ministry Support Group of ‘Women to Women’.

           You can read more about Baptist Community Services at www.bcs.org.au

‘Women to Women’ has a representative from this group to keep us abreast of all that is happening in Global Interaction. Their new project is to raise $6000 to build a women’s classroom at Tiom Buble College in Papua. What a great ministry is that!

Meetings are held in the Hunter at Islington Baptist Church

                                  Central Coast at Green Point Baptist Church

                                  Warringah at Narraweena Baptist Church

                                  Central at Burwood Baptist Church

                                  Cumberland at Pendle Hill Baptist Church

You can learn more about Global Interaction at www.globalinteraction.org.au

Pam Alexander is the GiA representative.

There is a larger body of Baptist Women called the Women’s Department of Baptist World Alliance. The President is Dorothy Selebano of Africa. Her theme is: “Stand up, God can use you!”

You can read more about them at www.bwawd.org

There are several continental regions in the Women’s Department and Australia is in the South West Pacific region. The President of the South West Pacific Region is currently an Australian. Lorraine Walker from Queensland represents our region as President and is also currently the President of the Queensland Baptist Union of churches.

You can find out more about the Baptist Women’s Union of the South West Pacific at http//:swp.baptistchurch-online.com  

                          Lorraine Walker, President  BWU of SWP

An important calendar date for all Baptist women is the first Monday in November when women around the world are praying for all other Baptist Women.
The programmes for the Day of Prayer are written by a different Continental Women’s Union each year. In 2008, the programme will be written by the Baptist Women of the South West Pacific.

Each year at the Day of Prayer, an offering is received and the monies are designated to various projects in the Continental Unions.

2007 Day of Prayer programme is written by the Baptist Women’s Union of Africa. “Seeing with new eyes - God’s Compassion”.

Check out the site to learn more: www.bwawd.org  Click on the Day of Prayer link. There is a powerpoint to download that can be used on the day.

 Friday May 2nd to Sunday May 4th 2008.

This conference is for all wives of Baptist ministers and missionaries.

Venue: Kiah Ridge, Tahmoor

Speaker: Cath McKinney from Melbourne.

 Cost: $50 (day) $135 (weekend)

A time to Grow

A time to be Fed & Watered

A time to Care & be Cared For

Be encouraged      
Be refreshed
Be a part of the Baptist Pastors’ Wives Conference 2008

The last one was held at the Sports Centre at Homebush.

The speaker was Joyce Harmer, Prison Chaplain for the Salvation Army.

Make sure you get in early for the next luncheon as the last one was booked out and many were disappointed.

It will be held on Thursday 18th September 2008.

Bookings can be made through womentowomen@baptistnsw.asn.au

Come and join us for a lovely day out. Bring a friend.

‘Women to Women’ runs two Time Out Retreats each year.

The retreats are for women to have “Time Out” from their busy lives, just for a weekend. Time out to take in, relax, refresh, renew spiritually. Time Out to meet other women, to gain inspiration and new ideas for their own ministry to women. Time Out to chat, read, sleep, listen, sew, create, laugh, walk - in fact ‘Time Out Retreats’ give you time to do whatever you want. They are always an interesting programme, with a great speaker.

       Time Out Hunter (at Elim, Forster) is August 1st - 3rd 2008.

 Time Out Kiah Ridge (at Tahmoor) is October 17th - 19th 2008.

More details to come but here are some photos from previous Time Out Retreats.

Time Out to eat, read, chat, have a coffee, walk on the beach (Elim) and enjoy each other’s company.

or phone: (02) 8572 3223

or by email: womentowomen@baptistnsw.asn.au