EUD Women’s Ministries Department under New Leadership

Women’s Ministries is a department of the Seventh-Day- Adventist church with the goal of nurturing and empowering women of the church and helping them become active in outreach to other women. The department was established in 1900 by Mrs. S.M.I.Henry. Although practically forgotten after her death one year later, women have always been active in the church. Rekindled in 1990, and officially established as a full department in 1995, the department has seen an explosive development around the world. After all, women make up more than 60% of church membership.
The EUD has had a WM department director since 1996. Denise Hochstrasser was elected in 2010 and has put her heart and soul into the work with all her might, encouraging and supporting the Union directors around the division. With her positive and caring attitude she has become a beloved friend for all women in the division who have had contact with her. Having reached retirement age she has decided to spend more time with her husband who has been a wonderful support for her during the last eight years with much work and countless travels.
It will not be easy for her successor, Dagmar Dorn, to fit into Denise’s footprints, but we are sure that the choice was inspired by God, who wants only the best for the women of His church. Dagmar has been active in Women’s Ministries in the team of the German Swiss Conference for 20 years. She knows Women’s Ministries from the grass-roots level, and this is where change and ministry happens. Dagmar is a nurse and midwife BSc and will continue working part-time in the obstetric ward in Buelach hospital (Canton of Zurich). Her interest in missions has led her to spend time in missionary service in Papua New Guinea, Ethiopia and other places.
Dagmar began working for the Division in the beginning of April and Denise will officially retire at the beginning of May. During this transitionary time they were able to visit some Unions and carefully hand over responsibilities. Denise will certainly also continue to be available as a counselor with her great experience.
May God bless Dagmar as she takes over the leadership of the Women’s Ministries Department.
Reported by H. Ottschofski