Disciples Women
Global Women Connecting
What is the purpose of GWC?
Global Women Connecting was formed in 1955 as World CWF to provide a channel by which all women members of the Stone-Campbell
heritage churches and of the United churches who share that
heritage, may be joined in fellowship and through which, by
prayer, study, and service they may share the gospel to the
ends of the earth. The name change from World CWF (WCWF) to Global Women Connecting (GWC) was adopted at the 2004 World Convention in Brighton, England.
Who are GWC?
The president for Global Women Connecting is chosen from the country hosting the next World Convention. The Vice President represents a different country, usually across the globe. In addition to the elected officers, there is a named or
elected contact person for GWC in the following countries:
Argentina, Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Jamaica, Mexico,
New Zealand, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, United States, Vanuatu,
Democratic Republic of the Congo, Swaziland. Ecumenical Partners
are Japan, Philippines, and Thailand.
What does GWC do?
GWC unites, informs, and connects Stone Campbell Movement women from around the world. It provides mission emphasis via a four-year service project that all member countries support. GWC sponsors a women’s retreat preceding the World Convention for fellowship and networking. This is also the time when the Executive Committee meets. A semi-annual newsletter is sent to all member countries in which monthly prayer topics are lifted up, financial and activity updates for the service project are given, and information regarding world events and concerns are shared.
What is the current service project, 2004 to 2008?
The Executive Committee of Global Women Connecting
in their meeting in Brighton, England on July 25 to 26, 2004,
voted that the next service project would be the Women's Network
of the Council of Evangelical Churches of Colombia (CEDECOL).
The Council of Evangelical Churches of Colombia brings together
80 percent of Colombia's Protestant churches throughout the
country, including the churches of the Campbell Stone Movement.
These Protestant churches work along side Church World Service
to offer relief and hope to the victims of Colombia's internal
crisis of violence and upheaval.
What are the aims of this service project?
Nationally the CEDECOL Women's Network (Red
de Mujeres) works in three main areas:
- Educational workshops for women centering on self-esteem
issues which help build their dignity, their capabilities
to function in their local social environments (which often
include violent conflict), and their skills at strengthening
their families. These workshops are often held in local
churches, where women from the surrounding area come together
to pray, reflect, study and plan together. The leadership
of women in the church and ministry with and by women are
emphasized and strengthened.
- Establishment of alternative income generation projects
that offer women the opportunity to provide additional economic
resources for their family's well-being. These small businesses
are built up around skills that the women possess and involve
viable economic production in areas such as arts, crafts
and sewing. The Women's Network draws on similar experiences
of this nature to train women in the setup and management
of these collective small businesses, providing initial
capital to initiate a particular income generation activity.
- Leadership training for girls and young women, providing
mentoring and tutoring. In Colombia's situation of conflict,
education for girls and young women is reduced even further
than historic educational levels, which already places girls
and women at a disadvantage. The Women's Network members
provide one-on-one and small group support for students,
and stipends, as they are able, for young women seeking
a university education.
How can I help?
- With your prayers;
- With your financial support. See what one congregation
is doing, "Pennies
for Colombia."
How can I send you the money we raise?
If you are interested in making a contribution,
please make check payable and mail to:
Global Women Connecting
PO Box 1986
Indianapolis, IN 46206-1986
Please mark check for: CEDECOL Red de Mujeres
Remittance
form is available in a PDF format.
We are also interested in the story of how you
raised your funds. If you would like to share, please email
your story to the GWC. Stories will be posted as they
become available.
How can I learn more about Colombia?
More resources about Colombia
are available online, including an order form for the Woman-to-Woman
Colombia video.
What are the past service projects?
- 1960: Printing of Jerol E Naomi in Creole as part of a literacy and hygiene program for women in Haiti
- 1970: Relief and rehabilitation in Vietnam
- 1974: Relief of world hunger, especially in Northern Africa
- 1980s: Work with street children in Latin America
- 1992: ECPAT (End Child Prostitution in Asian Tourism)
- 1996 to 2004: Khayelihle Children‚s Village located in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe; a response to the needs of thousands of children whose parents have died from AIDS.
Disciples Women and GWC
- Disciples Women are active participants in GWC.
The Executive Director of the Office of Disciples Women,
Disciples Home Missions, serves as Secretary-Treasurer of
the organization and is editor of the GWC newsletter.
- The International Disciples Women's Ministries, DW's church wide
organization for women, sends a delegation to every GWC
retreat. The annual dues rate of $10, collected from each
congregational DW/CWF group, is divided between the GWC
budget ($9) and a fund to send US and Canadian representatives
to GWC meetings ($1).
- Disciples Women support the GWC Service Project chosen
every four years at the GWC retreat.
- The GWC newsletter is available on the Disciples Women
Web site.
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