BAPTIST WOMEN’S UNION OF THE SOUTH WEST PACIFIC - BWUSWP - CONTINENTAL UNION
MEETING
The Baptist Women’s Union of the South West Pacific (BWUSWP) came together for its quinquennial conference in
Cairns, Australia, from May 1-4.
The conference, themed, “Clothed in Christ,” based on Colossians 1:12-16, opened with a colorful pageant as ladies in
national dress brought their national Baptist women’s banners to the front of the hall.
Throughout the conference, women from each nation had the opportunity to describe and display the ministries of the
Baptist women in their country. Countries represented included Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Fiji, West Papua (Papua
Indonesia) and Australia.
Dorothy Selebano, president of the Baptist World Alliance Women’s Department, was a keynote speaker during the
event.
“You are all unique individuals. You are loved. You are important in the eyes of God,” Selebano told the delegates. “You
are part of God’s body and if you do not do your part the body will not function properly.”
Special emphasis was given to the Baptist Women’s World Day of Prayer. The Day of Prayer program for 2008 was
prepared by BWUSWP and focused on the South West Pacific region. The three projects supported by offerings collected
on the DOP were located in the South West Pacific.
New officers were elected and installed to lead the BWUSWP: President Julie Belding, New Zealand; Vice President
Kaa Simon, Papua New Guinea; Secretary Anne MacCarthy, New Zealand; and Treasurer Judith Searle, Australia.
At the conclusion of the conference, Lorraine Walker, former BWUSWP president, challenged the women, “We have
a commission from God Himself to present the unchanging but life-changing message of Christ.”
PHOTO: Delegates who attended the Baptist Women’s Union of the South West Pacific quinquennial conference in Cairns, Australia
NORTH AMERICAN BAPTIST WOMEN’S UNION - NABWU - EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING
The North American Baptist Women’s Union (NABWU) Executive Board met April 2-4, in Techny, Illinois, in the
United States.
Board members discussed the events and ministries NABWU will focus on in the coming year, including ministry to
refugees. One day of the meeting was devoted to educating board members about the life of a refugee. Heidi Moll Schoedel,
Executive Director of Exodus World Service, led the board members in the learning experience designed to equip leaders to
speak up on behalf of refugees. The women also learned how volunteers can connect in relationship with refugee families
through practical service projects.
This is a significant year for NABWU as the continental union, one of seven that make up the BWA Women’s Department
(BWAWD), is responsible for the Baptist Women’s World Day of Prayer (DOP) program for 2009. At the present time, the
DOP program is available on the BWAWD website, www.bwawd.org, in three languages – English, Spanish and French.
NABWU is working on plans for ministry projects that will be supported by the 50 percent of the DOP offering it
receives during this North American focus year. The 2009 DOP, themed “Seeing God’s creation with new eyes,” takes place
on November 4.
During the board meeting, FlashPoints, a Baptist women’s creative arts group, made a dramatic presentation titled, In the
Waiting Room, through which the group shared God’s amazing promises. FlashPoints will present the theme interpretations
each day at the 2010 Women’s Leadership Conference in Honolulu, Hawaii, July 24-27, 2010.
More information about NABWU is available on its website: www.nabwu.org.
PHOTOS: Members of the North American Baptist Women’s Union Executive Board who met in Techny, Illinois, in the United States; The
Baptist women’s group FlashPoints presented a dramatic presentation, In the Waiting Room.
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