Give thanks to God for everything... (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

On November 14–15, 2025, the National Convention of the Women's Ministries Department of the Romanian Union was held in Stupini under the title: "Gratitude – grATITUDE – Thankfulness." Approximately 200 women from across the country, who are responsible for the department in their local communities, gathered to cultivate gratitude toward God through moments of prayer, singing, spiritual presentations, and seminars dedicated to training and mission. On Friday evening, the special guest was Brother Aurel Neațu, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, accompanied by his wife, Carmen. His presentation highlighted Deborah's faith and courage, providing an example of spiritual leadership.
Reports on the work of women in Romania and Germany provided inspiration and practical ideas for ministry. In particular, Mihaela Georg from Dillenburg presented, with naturalness and warmth, remarkable experiences of women in Germany.
On Saturday morning, Galina Stele, director of the Women's Ministries Department at the General Conference, presented the global mission report, illustrating the breadth and depth of women's work around the world.
The seminar led by Dagmar Dorn, director of the Women's Ministries Department at the Inter-European Division, guided participants toward a careful and practical Bible study, asking essential questions: "What is new in what we have read? What surprises us?
Galina Stele's sermon, entitled "The Broken Vessel" (Mark 14:3–9), highlighted Mary Magdalene's deep gratitude for the deliverance offered by the Savior. In contrast, Simon the leper, although he had prepared a meal for Jesus, wavered in his faith. Jesus' parable led him to a personal understanding of his own need for forgiveness: Mary had sinned much and was forgiven much.
In the afternoon, at 3:30 p.m., two plenary presentations took place:
• "When Love Becomes a Shelter—The Pain Christian Women Carry in Secret"—Alina Bordaș-Mohorea
• "Broken Bridges: Separated Generations and Conflicts—Can We Build Harmonious Relationships?"—Dana Bordeianu
Afterwards, participants took part in seminars dedicated to spiritual growth, equipping, and mission:
• "The Lost Coin – How to Pray for Our Children and Grandchildren" (Galina Stele)
• "Am I My Sister's Keeper?" – Winning Back Former Members and Inactive Women (Dagmar Dorn)
• “What is my place in ministry?” – Mission through the diversity of spiritual gifts (Eliza Spătărelu)
• "Ways of relating and socializing for Women's Mission – how women learn to be seen, heard, and valued" (Imola Zakarias)
• "What is the Women's Mission Department? – Introduction" (Liliana Radu)
In the Enditnow area, the following were presented:
• "Violence is not romantic love" – the cycle of violence, types, and effects (Simona Anca)
• "Listen. Support. Protect." – transforming empathy into concrete support and using legal resources for the safety of victims (Dana Bordeianu)
Music created a profound atmosphere of worship: the Armonis women's choir (Brașov), the Crescendo choir (Târgu Mureș), and soloist Beniamin Buși (Northern Transylvania) provided moments of inspiration. The women participants also sang together, under the coordination of Mariana Toma, director of the Women's Ministries Department of the Banat Conference. Throughout the event, the directors of the Women's Ministries Department of the Conferences, together with their representatives, coordinated various segments of the general program with enthusiasm and seriousness. The translation was professionally done by Anamaria Maier and three students from Adventus University, who were involved with responsibility and tact. We conclude with gratitude to God for this opportunity to meet, praying that gratitude will remain a permanent way of life, both in good times and in difficult times.
As reported by the organizing team of the Women's Ministries Department, Romanian Union