Subject: What would you ask Dr. Ella Simmons?

May 2022 | Issue 48

Dr. Ella Simmons

Join us as Dr. Ella Simmons shares her experience at AWL's Virtual Mentor Series event, 3 p.m. Eastern, May 19. Register today!

You're invited to spend quality time with Dr. Ella Simmons, a General Conference vice president.

Simmons, who plans to retire at the upcoming General Conference Session, has served more than 15 years as a general vice president. In this role, she has provided professional leadership education and evaluation, as well as spiritual guidance to church administrators around the world.

She chairs the Seventh-day Adventist International Board of Education, whose decisions impact the more than 9,000 schools serving over 2 million students, according to the General Conference website. She is also chair, vice chair or a member of countless other boards including

the International Board of Ministerial and Theological Education and the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA).

Simmons is the first woman to hold a general vice president position, which is the highest job ever held by a woman in the denomination. As such, she knows leadership is not easy.

“You’re always going to face challenges. … No matter what happens … it still always comes back to just remembering this is God’s work,” she said in a 2017 Columbia Union Visitor article. “He has it, and He has me, and I need to keep my mind on Him in order to do what He would have me do, and to have peace while I’m doing it.”

Simmons will share her expertise on navigating leadership as well as give practical advice on how to chair boards at our next Virtual Mentor Series event, 3 p.m. May 19.

— Michele Joseph, managing editor, Adventist Women Leaders newsletter

Are You Deciding What's Most Important?

Women from the across the United States and Canada gathered for the third Virtual Mentor Series event to talk about managing time and energy.

There are so many things that vie for attention during our days, said Pastor Heather Crews, the featured speaker for the April 26 event. However, it’s important to pay attention to what is really a priority.

Each time you say yes to a request you are saying no to something else, she said.

She encouraged the women to put what they believe is most important first — time with God and family. Crews also suggested assessing how much energy the tasks and responsibilities of a day take. Some activities may be draining, while others may be energizing and can affect how we perform for the rest of the day.

Take the Quiz

When is your favorite time of day to get things done? Why?

Answer the following questions, deciding whether you would do the activity in the morning, afternoon or evening.

What time of day would you choose to take your family on an adventure?
What time of day would you choose to meet with your supervisor for your performance review?
What time of day would you choose to train for a 10K?
What time of day would you choose to spend time with your spouse?
What time of day would you choose to prepare for an important presentation?

Crews polled the audience (see questions above) to help women think about their most productive times of the day and what they would prefer to be placed in that time. The women also spent time sharing their favorite time management tips and resources.

Pastor Brenda Billingy urged the women to reserve 10 minutes a day for rest.

"Use it as me time," she said.

Did You Miss It?

If you were unable to attend the Virtual Mentor Series event with executive leadership coach Leah Dean or would like to watch it again, you can!

Dean's presentation, Assemble Your Tribe, is now available on the Adventist Women Leaders website.

Up Next

Dr. Ella Simmons is the first woman to serve as a general vice president for the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. In her more than 15-year tenure, she has educated and evaluated leaders across the globe.

Join us at 3 p.m. Eastern, May 19, as Simmons shares her expertise on navigating leadership and gives practical advice on how to chair boards.

To stay informed about upcoming topics and meeting dates, check the AWL newsletter, website, Facebook and Instagram pages.

To suggest topics, email us at connect@adventistwomenleaders.com.

— Michele Joseph, managing editor, Adventist Women Leaders newsletter

"It is part of God's plan to grant us, in answer to the prayer of faith, that which He would not bestow did we not thus ask."

— Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 525

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

Celebrate the Achievements of Women Leaders

Allegheny West Conference elected and re-elected the following women:

Keisha Bone, chief financial officer
Benia Jennings, Communication director
Violet Cox, Education and Prayer Ministries director
Bobbe Reynolds, Women's Ministries director
Laura Ottati-Romero, Children's Ministries director

Montana Conference re-elected the following women:

Erin Tungesvik, vice president for finance
Renae Young, education superintendent

Debbie Eno was appointed vice president for Academic Administration at Union College.

Amy Cirigliano was appointed Women's Ministries and Family Ministries director for Georgia-Cumberland Conference.

Dr. Kaylene WeirCox was appointed the medical director of Uchee Pines in Seale, Ala.

Let’s celebrate God’s work and blessings in the lives of Adventist Women Leaders. Please share links to articles and social media posts announcing promotions, honors and achievements that we can share in this newsletter. Email info to connect@adventistwomenleaders.com.

Meditations

"Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame. "

— Isaiah 50:7, NIV

AWL's Prayer Circle

Debbie Michel

Communication Director

Lake Union Conference
Berrien Springs, MI

debbie.michel@lakeunion.org

Beth Grissom

Women's Ministries & Prayer Ministries Director

Carolina Conference

Charlotte, NC

bgrissom@carolinasda.org

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AWL Committee: Wendy Eberhardt, committee advisor; Celeste Ryan Blyden, founder/chair; Brenda Dickerson, Carolyn R. Forrest, Ann Roda and Michele Joseph, communication manager

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