We are now offering two ways that you can easily connect with and provide a memorable and meaningful day for Single Mothers.
There are 12 million single mothers in the U.S. and about 90% are unchurched.
First-We have designed and tested Saturday In-home Make-Over Day for Single Mothers. We can safely guarantee a day you and the MOMS will never forget! A day filled with just what the mom needs but seldom receives. By encouraging them you will also minister to their children who are often fatherless.
Encouraging Single Moms to Grow Their Strengths is designed to provide all the guidelines necessary to host Single Mom Saturday Make-Over Day. Since this is my passion and calling I am available to facilitate the process for your first event in any way possible.
We suggest that Make-Over Days take place in a home when possible. If no home is available a church or other similar facility can be adapted to offer the intimate setting required. Guests are limited to the number that can be served there. There should only be the number of guests as there are hostesses.
A booklet, called Seed Packets, containing stories, articles, and information about the theme for the day is also provided for the moms. Seed Packets for “Personality Predicaments,” ”Job Jump Starts,” and “Money Matters” have been published and others will follow.
The second area SMORE for Women can assist your ministry is with our new “Something Smore for Single Moms” class materials. Gail has written a curriculum, “Personalities, and How They Impact the Single Parent Home.” If you are interested in these materials contact Gail at gail@seeinguthrough.com
Moms who do not live nearby or may not be able to attend can participate online. The materials will be sent to those willing to be part of a focus group will receive the materials via email and then communicate by giving feedback about the information shared.
I will gladly discuss our ministry in depth when you contact me. Or for more information about the event planner/guidebook visit: www.smoreforwomen.org
Gail Cawley Showalter
(409) 721-5953
Gail,
Can you give me some information on this retreat. It sound interesting and exciting, please feel me in.
Thanks
hi
am a single mum living in nairobi and part of a baptist church. me and three other single mums are interested in starting a single parents ministry in our church. we are not prayer warriors but ordinary believers in Christ. what tips can u give us on how to start and maintain this ministry?
thx
liz
Liz,
It is wonderful to hear from a mom in Nairobi. I visited there in 1997. Our children have a ministry for orphaned and abandoned girls in Nakuru, Kenya called A Future and a Hope. http://www.afutureandahope.net
I have considered your situation thoughtfully. Since I’ve received messages from other countries I have been forced to realize the circumstances common-to-all single mothers. Here are a few suggestions.
First- I suggest you make it a priority to get together for share and support. Plan ahead and make the gatherings simple, yet meaningful. Have a topic that you will discuss. And stress that this not be a gripe session or time to whine, but a time for solutions-a networking session. For example-Perhaps someone in the group can barter services with another mom. Or trade baby sitting time. One goes to the market for food while the other takes care of the children. Then both come together to prepare and share a meal. One mom who may be good with young children could provide child care for moms who have a job or want to get a job. These are simple ideas. I’m sure you will come up with some that fit your situation.
Second-have a prayer journal. Write and date prayers that moms are willing to share with the group. Have a joint time of prayer for each specific need. At the following meeting document the situations in the journal. It is always exciting to see what happens when we prayer together and for one another.
Third-have goals for your group. After discussion of what the moms feel are their needs you will know what the goals need to be. Some examples might be:
1. Starting a children’s clothing exchange where you bring clothes that can be given to other moms for their children.
2. Having a regular weekly study of a particular book that is appropriate to single mothers. (see Online Store on http://www.smoreforwomen.org)
3. Bringing single moms into you group who do not attend any church and offering them a meal with your group once in a while.
4. Teaching moms “how to” do various things that they might need.
5. Starting a community garden.
These are just a few thoughts that may be helpful. Please let me know if they could work where you are or not. I hear from people all over and if this is to be universal I need to know what does and does not apply.
I hold you close in my thoughts and prayers,
Gail
Hi Gail
My name is Drea I’m from the Bahamas and the Lord has placed a Single Mothers Ministry on my heart. The ministry consists of distribution of clothing, food, assisting in babysitting, counseling and a telephone prayerline. I love what your doing with the retreats, maybe you can come to the Bahamas one day and do a retreat for the ministry. It is a new Ministry so Im still trying to get things sorted out, but I will definetly stay in touch with you. Any advice would be greatly accepted.
Thank you!
Drea
Hi Drea,
It is always exciting to hear from moms in far away places and know that our needs are basically the same. We all love our children and trust in a loving Father. It sounds like you have outlined the needs that your ministry will be addressing. You will find suggestions throughout this site and on the http://www.smoreforwomen.org web site.
Blessings!
Gail
hi, you are doing a great job,we really appreciate it,my name is omobolanle oni,and i will like to find out what the challenges are, what it takes to be a minister for singles and about- to- weds,i will also like to get a contact of other ministers like me,also how to go about it,thanks so much for your reply and for a job well done.expecting your reply.God bless you.