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And What About Women’s Ministries?

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By Cindy Waple & Cheryl Weller

Transition continues at Elim. The Schlomers have departed, the McCoys have arrived, and the elders and staff are continuing the work of moving Elim into a new season. And what about Women’s Ministries, you may ask? Great question! We are excited to share the answer with you.

Kim Schlomer faithfully led Women’s Ministries for most of her tenure at Elim. However, over the past couple of years, Kim had been sensing it was time for changes to be made within this valuable ministry. Her heart’s desire was to see women growing as passionate disciples of Christ, to see women connecting with other women in meaningful and transforming ways, and to see women developed as leaders. God was giving Kim a vision for the future of women’s ministry. And like Moses, the vision involved her to a certain point, and then it was time for her to step down and for other leaders to continue this work.

Building on Kim’s vision, we desire to design and implement a ministry that invests in, equips, and empowers our women to minister to women within Elim as well as women in our communities. We deal with hard life issues and often feel alone or isolated. We long to be connected, to feel that we belong. We desire to be heard, to feel valued and supported, to have a place to turn when we need help. With our eyes fixed on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, we envision our women continuing to grow as passionate disciples of Christ, bearing witness to His unfailing love for all, and living out the gospel as we companion with one another, loving and encouraging each other as we share life, with all its joys and sorrows. We have amazing and wonderful women in our Elim community, and we all have something to offer one another—regardless of one’s age or stage.

That is a big vision and big desire! But our God is able, and we are trusting Him to provide all that is needed for this to develop. Our first steps have been to begin praying and discerning not just good ideas, but God’s ideas, for how this ministry will take shape. We have

connected with a few women who served most recently on the Women’s Ministries team and/or expressed an interest to Kim to be involved. We are researching current trends within women’s ministry and are beginning to talk with women within Elim about their interest and desire to engage with this ministry.

So, what happens in the meantime? Will there be any events for women? Yes, there will be, but it will not be a full offering, partially because of the transition and rebuilding, but also because it is summer. Rebekah McKenzie hosts a time of connection for all women on Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. at Cool Bean Espresso. A few other plans are being worked on. Watch the newsletter for all upcoming opportunities for women.

Are you interested in joining us? If so, please reach out to one or both of us. We would love to talk with you and hear your heart and desire for ministering to women. And we would ask all—women and men—to pray for this ministry and its leaders. We trust God to bring to fruition His plans and His vision for this important ministry, and we are excited to join Him in His great work.

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My Sabbatical and Decision

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by Cheryl Weller

I’m so grateful to God and how He provides for us, not only for our physical needs, but for our emotional needs as well. I didn’t know I needed a sabbatical, but He knew. I didn’t know I needed time for my family and my dear friend, but He knew. I didn’t know what to expect from the time off, but He knew.

So many times we feel like we need to know “Why?” before we step out, or before we go forward, or before we change. I’m thankful for the Elders and my family here at Elim for graciously giving me the time off recently. Let me share with you what God showed me during that time.

While on my sabbatical, Martin and the Elders challenged me to look at what I really wanted do in the next three to five years, and what that would look like for me as Children’s Director. I was able to meet with Steven Johnson, Cindy Waple and Frances Amos for some coaching and processing. Over the last couple of years I have been struggling with my role as Children’s Director – not feeling like I could really do anything more or anything new! Children’s ministry is very dear to my heart, but like parents realize when our children grow older, we have to let them go.

I look at children’s ministry here at Elim like a child that I have raised over the last 17 years, and now it is time for me to let it go. It’s time for someone else to come in and take children’s ministry to a new level, with new ideas and new dreams. I’m excited about that, and like a proud parent, I’m ready to let go and let this ministry grow. I have hopes that bringing Nate Champneys on as Worship/Children’s Associate Pastor will bring lots of excitement and new blood. This excites me!

With the new changes that the elders are doing within the staff to make sure we are all working within our gifting and wiring they have offered me a position on the staff as Church Administrator. I love working here at Elim and it is a blessing for me to be able to continue doing something I love to do … administrate!

God knew I needed a change and He brought that about through the Elders and through you, my church family. I love this family here at Elim and I’m honored to be able to serve you as I serve my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

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A Summer and Fall full of Outreach opportunities!

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by Cheryl Weller

Spring has sprung in the great Northwest and summer is right around the corner. Be careful not to blink because fall is around the next corner!! With spring comes summer and fall planning for the children’s ministry at Elim.

The theme this summer – OUTREACH! Let’s get out of the building and go into our community and neighborhoods. Consider these two opportunities to reach those in the community around Elim and in your own neighborhood!

* Host a 5-day Club! This is a great opportunity to reach the children in your neighborhood. We want to partner with you by providing the materials, supplies and any training you may need. Grab a friend and your children or grandchildren and begin planning. Let this be a family outreach; plan together, serve together. What a great example for children to see and learn as they serve as Jesus served. A 5-day club in your home is were children will see and hear about Jesus – were real life is shared.
* Outreach Soccer Camp! We are excited to offer this fun high energy camp again this summer and once again we need you! This is a great opportunity to share the gospel of Jesus Christ on an open field while playing soccer with the children.

We need coaches, registration coordinator, snack organizer/snack providers, outreach coordinator…there are plenty of ways to serve at Soccer Camp – and don’t forget to invite kids from your neighborhood and bring them each day. Dates will be announced in the next e-newsletter!

This fall we are starting a new ministry to reach out to the children at Zeiger Elementary and I am very excited about it! It is called KidREACH. KidREACH is a World Vision program that reaches children who are struggling academically and/or socially by tutoring them in a free after school program. We will be partnering with Zeiger Elementary school and will offer a safe environment here at Elim for children to come and work one-on-one with a volunteer tutor in the areas of reading, writing and math. Through WV the volunteers will receive training – but the ultimate goal is to build a relationship between the child and the tutor. It is through this relationship that outreach happens with the child and their family. This relationship begins when the child is paired with a tutor who will not only help them with homework but will also walk along side them throughout the time of the ministry, October – May, and hopefully beyond. We will meet on Wednesday’s from 4-5:45 with the hopes that some of these children will stay for Awana. For those who stay we will serve them dinner before Awana.

What is needed to make KidREACH an effective ministry here at Elim?

We will need those who love to serve behind the scenes. We need a snack coordinator – we need a meal coordinator – we need a party planner (celebrate Birthdays, Christmas etc..) – we need a set-up and tear-down coordinator – we need a prayer coordinator (someone who will make sure that each child and tutor pair are being prayed for) – we need a co-site coordinator (work along side of me) who loves paperwork! We need those who love garage sales to be on the look out for specific games and books –

And of course we need those who would love to work with children and tutor them while building a relationship with them. We will only offer spaces for those children that we have tutors for. Men – this is extremely important for you to consider. Young boys need role models!

Together we can make in impact for Jesus in the lives of children! Start at home by being that example of serving Jesus together and have fun. Then let’s reach out to our community and the children who desperately need Jesus – they are loved by Him and they are special to Him as they should be to us, His Body, here at Elim

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