Tea celebrates women in ministry

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Prayer partners from many churches in Jamestown are teaming up to offer a Valentine Tea for women in and behind the scenes in ministry at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Zebedee Center.

“We pray for the pastors by name every week. We try to pray for homes, schools, churches and businesses,” said Sharon Maulding, one of the prayer partners coordinating the Valentine Tea.

Then the prayer partners hit on the idea of praying for the pastors’ wives, who are frequently affected by their husbands’ work.

“‘Oh honey, I’m sorry it’s your birthday, but somebody died.’ Or, ‘Honey, I’m sorry it’s the day of his ballgame, but it’s the day of the wedding,’” Maulding said. “Basically, the thought was to just gather the women and let them meet each other.”

Suzi Bowman organized a similar event five years ago that was attended by 16 women. Over the past few years, many new ministers and their families have come to Jamestown, so the prayer partners decided it was a good time to have another meet-and-greet.

The tea is also open to other women “behind the scenes” in ministry or directly involved in ministry, such as deacons, Sunday school superintendents, women who lead Bible studies and women involved in prison, hospital or school ministries.

Muffins, fruit, coffee and tea will be served at the non-denominational event, and door prizes will be given out.

“Jesus wants us to get out of the church and into the field and bring in the harvest. We can’t just be hanging out in our buildings all the time. Maybe we can’t break bread (together), but we can have a muffin and a grape,” Maulding said with a laugh.

Sun reporter Kari Lucin can be reached at 701-952-8453

or by email at klucin@jamestownsun.com

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