Subject: 50 Women Attend AWL "Let's Talk" Events — More to Come

 

March 2021 | Issue 36

 

Tracey Bridcutt

Tracey Bridcutt understands the power of messaging strategies.


She is the first woman to serve as communication director for one of the Seventh-day Adventist Church's 13 world divisions. After working as a journalist and editor for News Corporation (Australia’s largest newspaper publishers) for over 25 years, she transitioned to part-time work following the birth of her third child. 

A series of twists and turns saw her eventually leave the newspaper industry and go to work full-time at Adventist Media. A few months later she was appointed head of the news and editorial department, overseeing the publication of Adventist Record, Signs of the Times, and other print and online materials. In 2019 she was also appointed communication director for the South Pacific Division. 


“Looking back I can see how God was preparing me for this position,” says Bridcutt. “I feel very honoured and blessed to be able to serve the church in this way.”


Bridcutt says she loves the stories coming to her inbox virtually every day from all around the South Pacific showing how the Adventist Church is having a real impact in the community, whether through flourishing church plants in Papua New Guinea, Adventist schools baptizing dozens of students, or ADRA supporting people impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. 

“God has a purpose for each one of us and He can use our talents and skills, whatever they may be.”

“God has a purpose for each one of us and He can use our talents and skills, whatever they may be,” observes Bridcutt. “I’m definitely a case in point. Having experienced a lack of confidence and self-esteem most of my life, it is often hard for me to feel comfortable in a leadership role. Who would have thought that God could use an introvert as a communication director? When I’m working on something, particularly if it’s really important, I take it to God and pray for His guidance so as to achieve the best possible result for Him. And He has been there for me, with the right words to say, time and time again.”


Bridcutt adds that God has provided her with a wonderful and talented work team.


“Their creativity is inspiring,” she says. “I try to encourage them to grasp opportunities and trial new ideas. We’ve got to be versatile and adaptable—particularly in the ever-changing digital space—if we want to be relevant and reach the world with our beautiful message of hope.” 


Bridcutt also sees hope for the future of Adventist women in leadership roles. 


I think the wheels are turning, at least in some parts of the world. In the South Pacific Division, leaders have been strong advocates for women in ministry and there are a number of women serving in leadership roles. My view is that the most suitable and qualified person should be appointed to a role, whether they are male or female. That’s when we will get the optimal results.”

— Brenda Dickerson, communication director and OUTLOOK editor, Mid-America Union, is a member of the AWL Committee.

 

"What we think affects how we feel — even when nothing actually happened."

Katty Kay and Claire Shipman in their book The Confidence Code

You can find quotes like this and so much more on AWL's Facebook page.

Leaders Share Ideas to Support Each Other

Nearly 50 women from around the world joined Adventist Women Leaders for the first Let’s Talk events on Feb. 23 and 25. Vice presidents, departmental directors, pastors and church leaders from California, Maryland and Nebraska to Guam, South Africa and Zimbabwe shared ideas on how women in the AWL community can support each other. 

 

Celeste Ryan Blyden, AWL director, told attendees that “AWL works to support women leaders in three practical ways: providing opportunities for connection and engagement; listening and advocating; and leadership development.”

 

The event provided a safe space for women to share their stories and ideas for how to fill the professional development needs of the community. Those ideas ranged from a mentorship program to seminars and discussions on communication, dealing with imposter syndrome and more.

 

We need to “create a directory of who we can connect with when we need mentoring with certain skills,” suggested Esther Knott, associate director of the North American Division’s Ministerial Association.

 

Women were already using the opportunity to share contact information. After bonding in small-group breakout sessions, they planned to stay in touch. 

 

“I enjoyed meeting more women leaders and hearing their stories,” said Heather Crews, pastor of the Courthouse Road Church in Virginia and managing editor of Best Practices for Adventist Ministry e-newsletter.

 

Blyden told attendees that the next steps will be to compile the ideas and recommendations shared by participants of both meetings, review them with the AWL Committee, and identify needs and opportunities.

— Michele Joseph, managing editor, Adventist Women Leaders newsletter

Let's Talk: How to Deal With Fear

Have you said no to an opportunity because you were afraid? 

 

Join Adventist Women Leaders on March 18 at 3 p.m. Eastern Time as Bonita Shields, vice president for Ministries for the North American Division and chair of the AWL Committee, shares her experience as well as tools to cope with fear.

 

“Fear has kept me from many good things: fear of other’s opinions of me, fear of physical danger, fear of failure,” she said. “It almost kept me from pastoral ministry. It’s like an onion: The Lord has peeled off many layers of the ‘onion’ called fear. There are still some layers, but He continues to peel away!” Shields says.


She uses her testimony to share the lessons God has taught her.

Click here to register for the Let's Talk About Fear  event on March 18 at 3 p.m. Eastern Time.


Do you have an idea for a future Let's Talk topic? Email us!

“I am amazed at how God uses this topic to strengthen women in their personal and professional lives, and how He brings it around to me continually!”


This interactive experience will encourage women to share their experiences and the lessons they have learned while dealing with fear. Let's Talk events will focus on a variety of professional development topics and are hosted by Celeste Ryan Blyden, Columbia Union's vice president of Strategic Communication and Public Relations and AWL's director.

— Michele Joseph, managing editor, Adventist Women Leaders newsletter

 

Meditations

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."


Ephesians 2:10, ESV

AWL's Prayer Circle

Savannah Carlson

Human Resources Director

Minnesota Conference

Spring Lake Park, Minn.

scarlson@mnsda.com

Stephanie Bailey

Human Resources Director

Upper Columbia Conference

Spokane, Wash.

StephanieB@uccsda.org

Save the Date

March 18, 3 p.m. Eastern Time — Let's Talk About Fear — How do you deal with fear? Bonita Shields, North American Division vice president for Ministries, will share her experience with fear as well as tools to cope and overcome. We'll also talk about it in small groups, so you can share your experience and hear from others. Click here to register.

March 26, 8-9 p.m. Eastern Time — Friday Night Fellowship — Has life in the pandemic become chaotic? Lillian Torres, assistant evangelism director for Pennsylvania Conference, will share her experience and tools for surviving these crazy times. We'll also talk about it in small groups, so you can share your experience and hear from others. Click here to register.

Visit Our Website

Visit our website to find resources, news, links to Flourish podcasts, newsletter archives, upcoming events and to learn more about the mission of AWL. 

CONNECT WITH AWL AND INVITE A FRIEND!

AWL is a community of women affirming, encouraging and celebrating God's goodness to those He has called to lead.

AWL Committee: Bonita J. Shields, chair; Celeste Ryan Blyden, secretary/director; Natalie Boonstra, Brenda Dickerson, Carolyn R. Forrest, Tamyra Horst, Ann Roda and Michele Joseph, communication manager


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