A Note from our President Mariann Curl

The month of March definitely came in roaring like a lion, and like you, I’ve had enough snow, ice, and cold weather. We had to postpone the spring executive and board of managers meetings due to the weather, and instead convened on April 12. I’m looking forward to sunshine, warm days, and the many ABWM and ABC opportunities of the spring and summer. Mark your calendars for:

May 16-18 -- World Mission Conference at Montgomery Community Church in Cincinnati. Info at abc-ohio.org.  Click on international missions under links.
June 5-7 -- Ohio ABWM Conference. Registration packs have been mailed to the association presidents. Check out the info in the latest Tellhergram issue (download on right).
June 19-22 -- 2008 Ecumenical Women’s Gathering, sponsored by Church Women United at Independence, Missouri. Info @ ABWministries.org
July 5-11 -- National Gathering for AB Youth at Estes Park, Colorado ( there is no AB Girls gathering planned so they may attend this event)
Aug. 9-15 -- 2008 National Women’s Conference at Green Lake, Wisconsin. This year a special feature includes a “conference within a conference” for younger women under 50. Florene Leblanc will facilitate a time of sharing, spiritual insight, and fellowship in these special sessions.
Sept. 26- Oct. 5 -- Mission Encounter Tour to Ohio. I ask that we pray for the participants of the tour as they learn about the missions in Ohio, connect with Ohio women in the places they visit, and learn about the concerns and needs in Ohio. Remember, they will be available to come and speak on their experiences.

We have a new resource available, “Words of Vitality”, a collection of Biblical reflections for women. This may sound familiar to you from the previous Vital Woman magazine as it was quite a popular feature. This is a good resource for your devotional collection, group programming, or for Mother’s Day. This is available through the website.
If you are having a hard time finding time in your busy lives to spend time in prayer and devotion, check out Patti Stratton’s podcast on the website. If you do not have access, ask someone at your church to play it for you. You can listen to it right on the computer, and takes about 12 minutes. It is podcast # 12 and is titled, ”Developing Your Spiritual Life”. She gives several helpful hints about how you can find different ways to adapt your routine to spend more quality time with God. I found it very worthwhile.
I wish to extend congratulations and blessings to Peggy Burke, and Nancy Peto who have been nominated to fill offices on the national board. We are blessed in Ohio to have many Godly, talented women, willing to serve the Lord.

I leave you with a scripture thought from the Psalms. “Lead me in the right Path, O Lord, or my enemies will conquer me. Tell me clearly what to do and show me which way to turn.”-Psalms 5:8. I think this is a good prayer to use daily as we go about our work in women’s ministries, and with our daily routine. Give it to God.

Mariann Curl President

Welcome to our web page! Stop back often for the latest on Women's Ministries in Ohio.

DOWNLOADS . . . You may download the latest TellHerGram and subscription form in our Downloads section below - make sure to turn off your pop-up blocker . . .

FROM OUR SECRETARY . . . I can’t believe it will soon be time for Conference. That means I will need to get updated information from each of your societies as to who your officers for 2008-2009 will be. It seems we just finished getting all of it, corrections and all, but the calendar says it is that time again. SO - will you please let me know ASAP who your officers are? Even if you have no change, I won’t know that unless you tell me. Last year you were very good in getting all info to me, but this year let’s do even better! Don’t call me, I would rather have it in writing, email is good if you want to do it that way. My email is in last year’s directory. Have a great spring. I won’t be at the spring meeting, but look forward to seeing all of you at the Conference.  . . . Maxine McDaniel, Secretary

AMERICAN BAPTIST WOMEN National Ministries can be accessed through their website at www.abwministries.org.

STATE MISSION PROJECT . . . "Banner Over Us" was our state mission project 2006-2007 - get the details and results here: BANNER OVER US.

Pop up blockers must be turned off to access downloadable content!

• Banner Over Us Slide Show and Report
• Spring 2008 Tellhergram PDF
• Winter 2008 TellHerGram PDF
• Tellhergram 2008 Subscription Renewal Form

TellHerGram & Publicity

Hello Ladies — Yeah Spring!
I hope you enjoy the Spring edition of the TellHerGram (download the PDF above). I’ve added the Association of each officer to possibly help you connect with them a little better by knowing what area they are from. I’ve also added phone numbers and e-mails for everyone. If you ever have questions, please feel free to contact any of us. We are here to serve you and assist with your ABW Ministries groups.

It is time to renew your subscriptions. A one year subscription of $4.00 includes three issues (Fall, Winter, Spring). Please fill out the renewal form (download above) if you would like to continue receiving the TellHerGram.

Kris Chismar TellHerGram/Publicity Coordinator

TREASURY NOTES

DEADLINES: Ladies, please remember that all State Project money must reach me by May 15, 2008 to be part of this year's "Break the Chains" project. Any money received after that date will be put in the 2008-2009 project, whatever it may be.

Here's a glossary to help you better understand the various funds. Please use the regular form to send to the state Treasurer. (That's me until August 31, 2008). If you don't have donation forms, let me know.

AB WOMEN'S MINISTRIES OF OHIO FUNDS
General Fund -- This fund finances the many expenses which aren't covered in other funds. This may include mileage for officers' meetings, office supplies and postage for mailings, workshops or other incidental needs as deemed necessary by the Board. Your DUES go into the General Fund; so, please be sure to get dues sent in annually. Thank you.
Scholarship -- Funds are distributed to colleges for tuition for the Scholarship students who are chosen annually. The amount is determined by the Board, depending on how much is available.
AB Girls -- Materials, projects, scholarships, conference expenses and other needs for the Ohio AB GIRLS.
State Officers' Training -- This money is used to help state officers with expenses when attending meetings or conferences in which they receive information and training to better execute their duties.

AB WOMEN'S MINISTRIES/USA FUNDS (from Leader's Reader, January, 2008)
Donations to these NATIONAL FUNDS can be sent to me and I will forward them. You can also send them directly to ABWM, PO Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851
National Support ­­-- These unrestricted contributions keep AB Women's Ministries going. National Support pays salaries, rent, buys supplies, pays for postage, meetings, travel (including region presidents to the annual board meeting at Green Lake) and all the other expenses that keep a national organization like ours going.
Vital Partners -- Giving to National Support on a regular basis, monthly, quarterly or annually. It can be any amount, but a minimum of $10 a month is suggested.
Leadership Development -- Provides money for conference scholarships, educational experiences for national officers and travel for region conference speakers. Individuals and groups often give to this fund in memory or in honor of someone.
Refit -- AB Women's Ministries passes along your Refit contributions through International Ministries to "refit" missionaries who are returning to the mission field after their home assignment year and to "outfit" new missionaries getting situated overseas. Refit money is also given through National Ministries to new church planters here in the United States to help them as they start a new church.
Endowment Funds -- AB Women's Ministries has two Endowment Funds, one for women's ministries and one for our AB GIRLS ministry. The American Baptist Foundation manages the investment of the funds. Each year we budget the use of a small portion of the fund, (this year it's 5.75%), to help cover costs to do women's and girls' ministries.
Love Gift -- Love Gift began in 1932 when the women decided to raise extra funds to strengthen American Baptist mission work. Love Gift is distributed to regional and national mission efforts in the same way that United Mission is distributed.
See you at Conference in June!

Smiles, Joyce Crislip, ABWM/OHIO Treasurer

MISSION AND SERVICE COORDINATOR

Here is a portion of a letter I received from Dr. Bill Clemmer about our last year’s state project, Banner Over Us.

“I am happy to report on the shelter project at the ABC affiliated Vanga Hospital. Vanga is the largest of our eight ABC mission hospitals. Vanga has 420 beds and has a training program for both nurses and doctors. It is also the busiest receiving and treating over 600 patients a day. I am happy to see the completed ABW-project and patients taking shelter day and night. We had $8,637.54 left over from the ABC money and through another $5,000 donation we were able to repair the foundation of our surgical ward, install a durable drainage system and repair doors and windows. I love how God provides. Words can’t express the gratefulness of the patients and staff at Vanga hospital for your generous gift. I take comfort in knowing every night hundreds are sheltered and cared for. I thank God for generosity and faithfulness that this gift will continue to bless for years to come and stand as a symbol of how God’s people truly care for each other and the Kingdom of God."

Breaking The Chains:  Goal $17,000

The money received the first year will help the New Life Center in Thailand. It will help launch a new ministry in Costa Rica. The Philippines will also receive funds that will minister to young girls at risk and prostitutes in five communities in the beach areas of Iloilo. Funding will also help to build a building and provide staffing and programming that will offer girls education and healthy alternatives to prostitution.

Break The Chains will also have an impact in the U.S. First Baptist Church in Sioux Fall, South Dakota, They are beginning a new ministry called Elizabeth’s House to offer safe and secure housing to young single women who are at risk of exploitation.

ABW Ohio has received over $2,600 for Breaking the Chains. If you are in need of some ideas for fundraisers here are a few from some of our churches in Ohio:
Powell Baptist Church is having a garage sale in May. They are also selling the little purple pins that can be ordered from Break The Chains web site. They also have a donation box for donations; as well as sold links to a paper chain and hung it around a bulletin board.

Toledo is having a Missions night with a dinner and black paper chains. They will watch the Fields Of Mudan. Also Wayne Paulson will speak about his trip to Thailand and his trip to The New Life Center.

First Baptist of Urbana will be selling links to a paper chain and they are going to write the name of a Break The Chain Missionary on each link with the purpose of praying for her each time they can. They will take the chains to conference in June.

First Baptist of Alliance has been selling donuts during coffee time on Sunday’s.
West Side in Youngstown had a pie sale with a portion of the proceeds going to Break the Chains.
Seville First had a Quarter Dinner. They had a potluck dinner and each person who went through the line was assessed twenty-five cents for each spoonful or item put on their plate. An average meal would cost about $3.00 or $4.00. Most of the men just gave $5.00.
I hope to hear from some more of you so I can pass along some good ideas.

Judy Douglas Mission & Service Coordinator

ABGirls 

What a successful conference we had last June (2007)! Eleven girls attended and had a great time. The girls enjoyed hearing from Dr. Clemmer and all his interesting stories of life in the Congo. They also did exciting crafts and performed a couple of pieces on the hand bells for the women.

Please continue to encourage your churches to start ABGirls groups. If you have any questions about starting a group or what is involved, please contact one of us. We would be happy to help you in any way possible.

Please send us news of what is happening in your church or association. Send any info to Melinda Lusk, 13439 Mulvane Rd, Richwood, OH 43344 or Ronda Harrand, 14800 St. Rt. 739, Richwood, OH 43344. We can use your encouragement! Remember, we won’t know your girls unless you introduce us to each other. Girls are our future generation of AB Women.

Ronda Harrand & Melinda Lusk Coordinators of ABGirls

SCHOLARSHIP

A quick note to remind you that the scholarship deadline will be here before you know it.  I have not received any new scholarship requests for the coming year. THE DEADLINE IS MARCH 1ST.   If you know of someone who is in seminary and who would be interested, please have them contact me personally.

For Associations that were assigned to TaNikka Sheppard, I have a new address for her. Please call or e-mail me and I will see that you get the new information. If you have any questions, please feel free to call or e-mail me.

1-937-274-2734 (leave message)

Marilyn Craig Scholarship Chairwoman

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

The journey through life takes us through many peaks and valleys. When we reach the mountaintops, we find it easy to praise God and to give thanks. As we reach the crest of the mountain's peak, we trust God's plan. But, when we find ourselves in the dark valleys of life, when we face disappointment and despair, it is so much more difficult to trust God. But, trust him we must.

As Christians, we can be comforted. Whether we find ourselves at the pinnacle of the mountain or the darkest depths of the valley, God is there. And we Christians have every reason to live courageously. After all, Christ has already won the ultimate battle on the cross of Calvary. Still, even dedicated Christians may find their courage tested by the inevitable disappointments and tragedies that occur in the lives of believers and non-believers alike.

The next time we find our courage tested to the limit, lean on God's promises. Trust His Son. Remember that God is always near and that He is our protector and our deliverer. When we are worried, anxious, or afraid, call upon Him. God can handle our troubles infinitely better than we can, so turn them over to Him. Remember that God rules both the mountaintops and the valleys- with limitless wisdom and love - now and forever.

Becky Archibald Personal Development Coordinator