Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - July/92

Contributor - Sarah Smith

Title - Belonging To an Organized Women's Group

Topic - Women

What is RCW? RCW stands for Reformed Church Women. Reformed Church Women is a united group of women in the Reformed Church in North America whose purpose is to: DEVOTE themselves to Jesus Christ, DISCIPLE one another in love, and DEVELOP a responsibility for mission through the enabling power of the Holy Spirit.

How is this done?

1. Devoting ourselves to Jesus Christ

Reformed Church Women find its strength in its emphasis on personal faith. Each year a Bible Study book is written to accompany the theme that has been chosen for a three-year period. We are presently just finishing the theme Serve the Lord with Gladness with our Bible Study book, "Glimpses of Gladness" written by Rev. Lou Lotz, pastor of Morningside Reformed Church in Sioux City, Iowa. By using the same Bible Study materials, we as women are united throughout the denomination. Spending time in prayer and regular Bible study enables us to grow in our faith. Prayer Retreats, Days of Enrichment or Renewal are other means used to strengthen our spiritual life - our walk of faith.

2. Discipling one another in love.

What are ways that Reformed church Women are involved in discipline

a. Disciple link is a network of communication and support which links local RCW groups in the Classis together for prayer, sharing, visiting. This program is for both new and existing RCW groups. Since there is no set format you can set your own means of discipline to meet your individual needs as RCW'S. The benefits of being part of this program is the feeling once again of unity, the joy of friendship, the upholding of one another in love.

b. Seminars give us a means to learn new skills to help us in our daily life. The following seminars are available: Women and Change; Water for the Journey (growing through the changes in your life); Knowing God in Your Life (exploring God in your life); Women in Leadership (training for leadership), and Your Child's Growing Faith (teaching children how to know and love God).

c. Reformed Church Women Synod of the Great Lakes, of which we are a part, have three mission homes for missionaries home on furlough to use, which are located in Holland, Michigan. We as a Classical Union share responsibility for one of these homes either monetarily or spending time cleaning or making necessary repairs to the home. By providing and maintaining these homes, we as Reformed Church Women share our love.

d. Directions is a leadership guide for Reformed Church Women published quarterly. This publication is a useful tool with its articles and resources which enable the women of RCW to plan ways to pray, study, grow and serve in our local congregations as well as throughout the world.

3. Developing a responsibility for mission

Mission has always been the backbone of Reformed Church Women. Women share God's love through RCW-sponsored service projects to churches and communities, by support of Southern Normal School's (Brewton, Alabama) day-care program through the RCW Baby Roll, through continuous financial giving to the Mission Service Fund (for 1992 it is Appalachian Ministries) and through Conference Offerings. Some women enter the short term mission field through RCW's 'Footsteps' program. 'Footsteps' is a hands-on mission opportunity for teams of women to do short-term volunteer work at RCA Mission sites.

Being part of RCW also gives one the opportunity to attend area-wide classical conferences, synodical events such as 'Interlude' (a two-day mini retreat) and national triennial assemblies where one has the opportunity to make new friends, renew acquaintances, laugh together and learn together - to grow in one's personal faith and learn to share that faith with others.

As women in our local congregations, by being part of RCW, we have the opportunity to grow with other women in our faith, support each other through friendship and prayer, and share God's love with others through the various mission projects that are available. Yes, there is diversity among us, but as women varying in gifts, personhood, experiences, location, life style and focus of interests, we are united through Jesus Christ. There is a place and a need for every woman within this Christian fellowship.

What a joy it is to be part of this large body of Christian women who I know are praying for me each day and for the concerns of others. And what a joy it is to be able to meet new Christian friends throughout our denomination as various opportunities arise for us to serve the Lord.

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