by Joanne Herset, WMF Recording Secretary
There’s women’s ministry happening in Montana, but it doesn’t look like your grandmother’s “Ladies Aid”. Here in my church, Faith Free Lutheran, spiritual growth and discipleship happens in small groups. There are several groups that are specifically for women.
I have been the facilitator for a group called “Single Ladies of a Certain Age.” One Sunday, as I was sitting in the church sanctuary, waiting for the service to begin, I started to notice all the “mature” single ladies that were seated around the room. Being a widow myself, I guess I am more aware of others in my situation. I didn’t limit my list to just widows. I included any single ladies of whatever circumstance – widows, divorcees, never married. That morning I counted 12, and when I checked the church records I actually had 18 names I could include.
There wasn’t a small group that was targeted for this group, and as far as I knew, most of these women weren’t part of a small group. So God laid it on my heart to do something!
Once a month I invite these ladies to my home for a meal, conversation, time in God’s Word and prayer. The meal is usually a “planned” potluck, sometimes a theme. We’ve had a green potluck for Saint Patrick’s day, sack lunches for “back to school” in September, a Super Bowl party theme in February. We try to make it fun!
Along with the potluck meal, I give a topic for Bible discussion. For our Super Bowl themed get together, the assignment was “if you were the coach or captain of a team, what Scripture would you share to inspire and/or encourage them.” This was a great time for discussion and encouragement for all of us. We spent several months studying the book of Philippians, exploring the topic of joy. After time in God’s Word, we spend time praying for one another and the concerns we may have.
This group has been meeting for about a year and a half now. There is a core group of about 6-8 that regularly attend. Others come as they are able. Last winter, there was a woman in the congregation who lost her husband after an extended illness. I was hesitant to extend an invitation to the group immediately (I thought I should give her a little time to process her grief), but one of the other ladies who attends reached out to her and she joined us within a month of losing her husband, and now comes regularly.
While this group isn’t your traditional WMF group, I have shared with them information about the work of WMF, and had the opportunity to take them to the District Rally that was held at Stillwater Free Lutheran (rural Kalispell) last April (2025). The ladies attending this group are growing in “grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18) and as members of
the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12).
It is a huge blessing to be part of a group such as this — single women coming together sharing life’s trials and joys, caring for each other, while focusing on God’s Word and prayer, not to mention tasty treats too!! -Susan B.
I was invited to this group when I was new to Faith church and had recently moved to Kalispell. This has been so important for me in so many ways. This has been a safe place to belong as a single woman where I am able to share with others who have had similar trials and circumstances. I am so grateful for this wonderful group of women that I can call friends, where I feel accepted and cared for. -Bev V.
God is working in and through these ladies. Now, when I look around the sanctuary on a Sunday morning, I see this group of ladies sitting together, worshipping together. I hear that through the week they check on one another, doing things together, caring and bearing one another burdens (Galatians 6:2).
Additionally, one of our deaconesses started a Saturday morning brunch group. She invited me to share about what WMF is and what it does. Since January a group of 6-8 ladies is meeting monthly for fellowship and Bible study. They chose to use the current WMF Bible Study, “I Believe Who God Is”. Each month the WMF project is presented and an offering is taken.
Women’s ministry is happening. It may not follow the “norm” for a traditional WMF group, but they all have the heart to grow in the knowledge of God’s word and to see His kingdom grow.