Lucy would like to reach out to other women in her church and community. She would like to hear how others have successfully done so; do you have some old tried and true ways that have worked in your area? Or perhaps some new creative means? What may seem obvious to one place, may be completely new to another!

Response to Lucy's situation from Marge Couture, Pastor's wife Trinity Assembly of God Hyde Park, Vermont

One thing that we have done as an outreach to the community is helping families out in times of a family death. We have gone in and provided food for them both for meals and for the gathering after the funeral. Sometimes we just go and set up the "banqueting table" while they are at the funeral and stay and clean up after. It has been a real blessing to many. We have gained several members to our body by this simple gesture.

We are planning our second "Joy Fellowship" meal at a local restaurant and are inviting other area church ladies to join us. We will have a speaker, praise and worship, games and of course good food. There is a cost to this of course but ladies deserve it once in a while. Some day we hope to be able to pay for the whole thing.

There is an active AGLOW chapter in our county and I try to be active in the meetings. I also encourage our ladies to be a part of it.

Pastor Roger and I have invited new people to our home for a meal for the purpose of getting more acquainted with them. At Thanksgiving we had those in the body who had no place to go for dinner to our home. The Lord blessed us with a large turkey and everyone brought a dish to share.

Our monthly Fellowship meals at church also help everyone get to know each other better. When I was in another church, a large one, I made it a point to invite new ladies to the Women's Ministry meeting. Sometimes you have to offer them to ride with you. I did this because no one personally invited me and I had to go ALONE!

Thank you, Marge for your input. We appreciate your ideas!