VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 2/8/16)—American Baptist Women’s Ministries will have a presence at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in New York City, March 14-16, 2016, and at the Ecumenical Advocacy Days in Washington, D.C., April 15-18, 2016. AB Women’s Ministries Coordinator for Mission with Women and Girls, Bonnie Sestito, and Associate Executive Director Rev. Sandra Hasenauer will attend both events and invite other American Baptist women to join them. Additionally, they hope to communicate opportunities for AB women attending either event to meet together for prayer, sharing of information, and consideration of possible initiatives that may stem from the events.  Any American Baptist woman planning to attend either event and wanting to be included in the conversations should notify AB Women’s Ministries.

The United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW) is a two-week event at the United Nations. Representatives of Member States, UN entities, and ECOSOC-accredited non-governmental organizations from all regions of the world will attend the session. The priority theme for 2016 is “Women’s Empowerment and Its Line to Sustainable Development.” The organization Ecumenical Women at the United Nations hosts a full-day orientation session, as well as morning ecumenical worship every weekday during UNCSW, daily advocacy opportunities and regular evening debriefing sessions, as well as two Advocacy Dinners which provide opportunities for fellowship, networking, and strategizing for advocacy.  The worship, advocacy, and evening debriefing sessions are free and open to anyone. The orientation session and Advocacy Dinners require prior registration and have a ticket price.

Ecumenical Advocacy Days in 2016 has the theme “Lift Every Voice! Racism, Class, and Power.” This annual national gathering in Washington, D.C., gathers people of faith to address the suppression of political and economic rights. Opportunities for prayer, worship, advocacy training, and networking will help participants explore the realities of racism, class, and power. Interested persons will be able to meet with their elected legislators to express their concerns on the topic on the last day of the event.

“Both of these gatherings—UNCSW and Ecumenical Advocacy Days—are ‘eye-opening’ learning experiences that will inspire, motivate, and prepare individuals to stand up for the oppressed and use their voices to advocate for those whose voices are not heard.  I am proud that AB Women’s Ministries will be well-represented at both of these important advocacy events,” said Virginia Holmstrom, executive director of American Baptist Women’s Ministries.

For more information and to share plans to attend these events with AB Women’s Ministries, visit www.abwministries.org/events. A link is available to an online form to share contact information with AB Women’s Ministries for coordination of on-site meetings with other American Baptist women.

American Baptist Women’s Ministries is a Christ-centered ministry with a commitment to encourage and empower women and girls to serve God. www.abwministries.org.

American Baptist Churches is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with over 5,200 local congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.