VALLEY FORGE, PA (3/1/17)—American Baptist Women’s Ministries announces its 2017 Women’s Day event on Friday, June 30, 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Oregon, immediately preceding the Biennial Mission Summit of American Baptist Churches USA. Women’s Day launches the 2017-2019 ministry focus theme of American Baptist Women’s Ministries, “Feel . . .,” based on Luke 8:43-49, Acts 17:27-28 (New Living Translation), and 1 Samuel 2:1-11 (The Voice).

Women’s Day features guest speaker Rev. Marie Onwubuariri, Regional Executive Minister of the American Baptist Churches of Wisconsin, and worship leader Rev. Kimberly Salico-Diehl, American Baptist minister, composer, and performer. The day will include interactive experiences to develop relationships and celebrate who we are as American Baptist women, Bible study, and enthusiastic worship and praise.

Women’s Day will also include a celebration of the ministry of Virginia Holmstrom, executive director of American Baptist Women’s Ministries, in recognition of her retirement in early 2018. The celebration will give American Baptist women the opportunity to give thanks for Holmstrom’s passionate leadership of the organization as well as praise God for the enduring ministry of American Baptist Women’s Ministries.

Preceding Women’s Day, at 9:00 a.m., will be the annual business meeting of American Baptist Women’s Ministries including the election of officers, in the same location. All American Baptist women are invited to attend.

Rev. Sandra D. Hasenauer, associate executive director of American Baptist Women’s Ministries, remarked, “Women’s Day is always a highlight in the life of American Baptist Women’s Ministries, giving women from all over the United States and Puerto Rico the opportunity to come together and celebrate being sisters in Christ. This year’s festivities, with the bittersweet moment of giving thanks to God for Virginia Holmstrom’s time with AB Women’s Ministries, promise to be extra-special. With Bible study by Rev. Marie Onwubuariri and music by Rev. Kimberly Salico-Diehl, we’ll all experience a truly uplifting time and will feel the Holy Spirit moving strongly among us!”

For more information, including schedule, speaker biographies, and downloadable promotional materials, visit www.abwministries.org/womensday. Tickets for the 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Women’s Day event and luncheon are available through the American Baptist Churches USA Biennial Mission Summit registration at www.americanbaptists2017.com.

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

American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with approximately 5,000 congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.