wfn.org | ABCUSA: ABW Ministries Launches New Publication

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

American Baptist News Service (5/30/02)--American Baptist Women's Ministries
will launch a new periodical, Vital Woman Magazine, in October 2002,
Executive Director Virginia R. Holmstrom announced yesterday.

Vital Woman Magazine, with a publishing schedule of October, February and
June, will replace the organization's previous periodical, On the Way with
American Baptist Women.  It will feature articles for women of every age,
dealing with issues of family, career, current events, spirituality and
discipleship, and mission.

"Through humor, education, encouragement and challenge, Vital Woman Magazine
will help women as they reflect upon God's Word for them," said editor the
Rev. Sandra DeMott Hasenauer.  "We're appealing to readers who are seeking
to find the intersection between faith and daily life."

Hasenauer, who directs the development of program resources for the
organization as associate executive director for Resources and AB GIRLS,
said "It is exciting to put together a magazine geared toward all women in
our churches.  They are women of any age and life-experience, of many races,
and in many places along the broad theological spectrum.  They may be new to
the faith or be far along on their faith journey.  They reflect the depth
and breadth of our American Baptist family."

The current strategic planning process of the American Baptist Women's
Ministries executive committee precipitated the new direction for the
periodical, according to Holmstrom.  "One of our major goals areas is
providing contemporary and relevant resources for women in American Baptist
congregations. I'm thrilled our national leaders agreed in February to take
this significant step forward.  There's always a risk involved with change.
We feel confident that the content in Vital Woman will connect with women in
our churches."

Women who are interested in writing for the magazine should first check the
organization's Web site--www.abwministries.org--for upcoming themes, types
of material desired and writer's guidelines.  They may also be in touch with
the editor at Sandra.Hasenauer@abc-usa.org.  Unsolicited articles or other
items are occasionally accepted for publication.  For subscriptions call
1-800-4-JUDSON.

Recognizing the need to continue communicating specific information for
leaders in ABW Ministries' expansive counterpart network, Holmstrom said
that such information would be redirected from the magazine format to a new
Leader's Reader, a six-issue-per-year newsletter for women's ministries
leaders, which will appear soon on the organization's Web site.  Print
copies will be available upon request at no charge.

The mission of American Baptist Women's Ministries is to provide vision,
training and resources for ministries with women and girls in American
Baptist Churches USA.  The organization, now in its 51st year, empowers
women and girls to "become and develop as God's person, build God's faith
community, and serve God's world."  It began publishing The American Baptist
Woman in 1956.  That periodical, which underwent a name change in 1995 to On
the Way with American Baptist Women, was published for the last time in
April 2002.

02ABN82

American Baptist News Service: Office of Communication, American Baptist
Churches USA, P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851; (610)768-2077; fax:
(610)768-2320; www.abc-usa.org; richard.schramm@abc-usa.org