Women’s Ministries National Convention in Spain

The National Convention of the Women's Ministries Department of the Adventist Church in Spain was held this year between November 11 and 13, at the Entrepeñas Multiple Activities Center, under the motto: "FULL OF HIS GRACE".
For most of the participants, their arrival was accompanied by rain and bad weather, but this did not change the enthusiasm with which they all began their journey. In addition to fellowship, the convention offered training and showed how women, by joining their efforts, can give their best and better serve their churches. The convention was attended by the Women’s Ministries leaders and their teams and those responsible for the Platform Against Abuse from several churches, as well as several husbands and sons and daughters of the participants. It is worth mentioning that six families attended in full.
After settling in, the program began with a beautiful and motivational reflection presented by Maya Mercier, entitled "The God of Second Chances". She analyzed the genealogy of Jesus and delved into the women who are included in it. Both Sabbath and Sunday mornings began with times of prayer before breakfast, followed by praise time. The Sabbath morning reflection, "Full of Grace like Jesus," was given by Mercedes Martínez, the recently appointed national Women’s Ministries director. All listened in rapt silence so as not to miss a single word of her interesting exposition full of deep content.
The program continued with four training workshops divided between Saturday and Sunday and carried out by professional women in their areas: Lidia Calonge, as a good communicator, taught the topic "How to Speak in Public", making her presentation very pleasant and interesting, causing the participants to smile several times. Margarita Llabrés spoke about "The spiritual Preparation of the Leader", helping with images and meaningful phrases not to forget the importance of leadership and that with God's help women can give the best of their talents in their churches. Mercedes Martínez led a very useful workshop on "Coordinating Teamwork", facilitating learning through group discussions of some practical cases showing how to get more out of an activity if the group is well organized. She pointed out six attitudes that do not favor teamwork and six others that do. Sari Hernández oversaw the workshop “Organizational Skills for Your Ministry”, in which she presented many details that help improve work.
In another session within the Platform against Abuse project, Sari explained the concept of the Counselor of Abuse that is not yet known in all churches and the training that is being carried out for women who accept this position. On Saturday night there was a special consecration dinner including a Communion Service, officiated by Pastor Margarita Gareze. It was a spiritual ceremony, with an atmosphere of fellowship and peace. Everything was prepared with great care and delicacy. On Sunday, Margarita presented another workshop. After the Communion service, the evening was reserved for a pleasant time of sharing and conviviality, fostering unity among the participants.
All the participants received folders with useful material for their ministry, including an ISHAH-AD magazine and a USB memory stick, as well as some mementos of the conference: a keychain and a small bag with lavender flowers with a welcome message. The entire convention had a great response, shown by the participants’ enthusiasm and desire to work, for which we thank God. There have already been several requests for the new ISHAH-AD magazine and an offering of €500 was collected to defray travel expenses.
The convention closed with a meal, a wonderful paella, prepared by the Entrepeñas staff who at all times helped the group feel comfortable and enjoy the facilities. The convention was full of beautiful moments, reuniting with Women’s Ministries leaders and counselors from other churches, with smiles, hugs (now that it is possible), photos, motivation, and good wishes to use what was learned. Together with the other departments, women want to be able to better serve their churches and be useful to society, without forgetting the mission left by Jesus to bring the gospel to every people, race, or nation. Radiant sunshine and good temperatures on the closing day seemed like a symbol of how the participants returned home with full hearts, motivated to give their best after this wonderful convention.
According to a report by Maite Lavado, Abuse Counselor and team member of the Platform against Gender Violence