In Their Shoes

Episode 31: The New Blog 1-23-12

abwm — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 04:01:58 +0000

Welcome to our new blog! In this episode I talk a little bit about events in the next few months, and introduce you to the sister to this podcast series, In Their Shoes Blog. http://intheirshoesblog.wordpress.com.

To follow along with my sabbatical experience, you may want to also subscribe to http://fabrisabbatical.wordpress.com. (You’ll learn more about that in this episode as well.)

Stay subscribed! New episodes will be in the works during our short hiatus until May–so get ready for some great new interviews coming your way!

Episode 30: Advocacy Jan 9 2012

abwm — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 04:01:35 +0000

Welcome to 2012, the Year of Speaking Up! The purpose of this podcast is to get you informed and engaged in issues having impact upon women and girls worldwide. Hopefully, that means you’ll decide you need to become an advocate! In this episode, I provide a list of tips and tricks for being an effective advocate, both from my own experience and what I’ve learned from others. Let us know about your own advocacy efforts by leaving us a comment!

You can find information about the events I mentioned in this podcast at www.abwministries.org, click on “Events.”

Episode 029: Women of Lament with Rev. Valerie Andrews 12-26-11

abwm — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 04:01:37 +0000

Lament is found throughout Scripture. There’s an entire book of Lamentations, of course, but lament is also present in the Psalms and prophets, as well as in the New Testament (the gospel of Mark has striking examples of lament throughout the crucifixion story). But often in our contemporary Christian life, we’ve moved away from the concept of lament and, instead, act in stoic politeness. Rev. Valerie Andrews, on the other hand, feels that lament is a key part of our faith. In this episode, Sandy and Rev. Andrews address Scriptures of lament, the role of lament in our faith, and offer suggestions for planning a service of lament in your women’s ministry.

(Thanks to Virginia Holmstrom for recording the introduction and conclusion statements to this episode as Sandy lost her voice this week due to a cold.)

Episode 028 Generational Poverty-A Conversation with Jeromy Emerling 12-12-11

abwm — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 04:01:23 +0000

Friendship House of Christian Service in Billings, Montana, seeks to address the root causes, systemic issues, and habits that can contribute to the cycle of poverty. In my conversation with Jeromy Emerling, executive director of Friendship House, he describes the innovative programs that help participants look at their circumstances and relationships through a new lens, building tools for better self-determination and improving the community as a whole.

Jeromy recommends the following resources for a more deep understanding of the cycle of poverty:

Aha Process, “A Framework for Understanding Poverty,” by Ruby Payne, at http://www.ahaprocess.com/. (Note: this was referred to in the episode as “Aha Institute.”)

Episode 27: Prison Ministries with Terri Simpkins 11-28-11

abwm — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 04:01:59 +0000

Terri Simpkins has been engaged in prison ministries for several years; working through Kairos Prison Ministry International, Terri and her husband help organize spiritual retreats, Christian discipleship classes, family visitation events, and post-release mentoring with women in the prison system. In this episode, Terri talks about the many issues facing incarcerated women and their families, and how churches can engage in these crucial ministries.

For more information about Kairos Prison Ministry International: http://kairosprisonministry.org.

For more information about “The If Project”: http://www.theifproject.org.

Episode 026 Ethnic Minority Women of Thailand–Karen Smith

abwm — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 04:01:35 +0000

Karen Smith, program director of the New Life Center Foundation in Chiang Mai, Thailand, talks with AB Women’s Ministries executive director Virginia Holmstrom about the challenges facing ethnic minority women in Thailand and what New Life Center is doing to help women meet those challenges.

For more information about the New Life Center, visit www.nlcfoundation.org.

For more information about the Break the Chains and Stop the Pain national mission project of AB Women’s Ministries, visit www.abwmbreakthechains.org.

Episode 25: Ministry with Victims of Domestic Violence–Deacon Agnes Kiah 10-31-11

abwm — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 04:01:26 +0000

Our lives often give shape to our ministries, and Deacon Agnes Kiah is living proof of that. A survivor of domestic violence herself, Deacon Kiah now serves in ministry with victims of domestic violence in many ways. A volunteer at Laurel House, a women’s shelter, Deacon Kiah has also founded a ministry on domestic violence, Hagar Ministry, at her church, Saints Memorial Baptist Church in Bryn Mawr, PA. Join us for this conversation between AB Women’s Ministries executive director Virginia Holmstrom and Deacon Agnes Kiah about how churches and individuals can support victims of domestic violence.

Episode 24: Immigration and Women with Aundreia Alexander 10-17-11

abwm — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 04:01:37 +0000

Immigration and immigration reform are constantly in the news these days. In this episode, AB Women’s Ministries Executive Director Virginia Holmstrom talks with Rev. Aundreia Alexander on the topic. Rev. Alexander serves as the director of the Office of Immigration and Refugee Services of American Baptist Home Mission Societies, ABCUSA. Virginia and Aundreia discuss myths and facts about immigration, its particular impact upon women, the DREAM Act, and how you can become more informed and involved in the issue.

For more information and resources about immigration and immigration reform from a Christian perspective, click here.

For information about the DREAM Act and DREAM Sabbath, click here.

Email Aundreia at aundreia.alexander@abc-usa.org to receive alerts related to immigration, or call her at (610) 768-2430.

Episode 23: Teens and Healthy Relationships–Debra Fields Oct 3 2011

abwm — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 04:01:00 +0000

Debra Fields, Community Education & Prevention Supervisor at the Sojourner Family Peace Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, draws on her experience working with both victims and perpetrators of domestic violence in the workshops and seminars that she leads on the issue. Debra and I spoke particularly about helping teens learn about healthy relationships early–how to draw boundaries, giving and expecting respect, and other behaviors and attitudes that will help protect them from becoming abusers or abused themselves.

For more information about the Sojourner Family Peace Center: http://www.familypeacecenter.org/

To find materials on the Domestic Violence Awareness Month Campaign, visit http://dvam.vawnet.org.

For “Domestic Violence: What Churches Can Do,” visit http://www.faithtrustinstitute.org.

Episode 22: Women of Italy Sept 19 2011

abwm — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 04:01:49 +0000

Debbie and Jim Kelsey are American Baptist missionaries in Italy, engaged in cross-cultural ministries and theological training in Italian churches. Additionally, Debbie is in ministry with young women at risk for, or victimized by, human trafficking. Debbie and I had the opportunity to speak together during the ICAP Global Conference in Wisconsin last May; in our conversation, she describes the situation facing immigrant women in Italy as well as her ministry with Italian Christian churches around an outreach to women in prostitution and preventative education in the congregations.

For more information on Debbie and Jim’s ministry in Italy, including journal entries and photos, visit www.internationalministries.org and click on “People”–you’ll see the Kelseys in the list that appears there.

Episode 21: Women of Ethiopia Sept 5 2011

abwm — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 04:01:23 +0000

Serawit (Cherry) Teketel Friedmeyer is founder of Women at Risk Ethiopia, established in 1996 to work with women in prostitution in Addis Ababa. Women at Risk has a variety of programs to rehabilitate women coming out of prostitution and give them an education and marketable skills to be self-supporting in a life affirming way. Additionally, Women at Risk engages in education with vulnerable groups and advocates for women, including preventative education with men. Cherry is also the team leader for the International Christian Alliance on Prostitution–Africa.

For more information about Women at Risk Ethiopia, visit their website at www.w-a-r-e.org.

Episode 20: Men’s Ministries on Domestic Violence–Rev. Leroy Miles Jr. 8-22-11

abwm — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 04:01:54 +0000

Rev. Leroy Miles, Jr., serves as Associate Pastor of Pastoral Care and Counseling at Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church in Philadelphia, PA. Enon Tabernacle has a ministry for entitled “My Brother’s Keeper,” around issues of domestic violence. In this conversation, Rev. Miles describes “My Brother’s Keeper,” as well as a new men’s ministry they are launching on issues of pornography; we also touch on various other ways that Enon Tabernacle enters into the reality of people’s lives with creativity and courage.

For the “Power Wheel” by the National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence referenced in this episode, click here.

Episode 019: Interview with Nancy Murphy on Domestic Violence July 18 2011

abwm — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 04:01:54 +0000

Dr. Nancy Murphy, founder and director of the Northwest Family Life Learning and Counseling Center in Seattle, Washington, has years of experience in working with people around the issue of domestic violence. She has particular interest in engaging congregations on this issue, as churches have great potential to be places of healing and hope for women and men caught up in the trauma of domestic abuse. In our conversation, we discuss how Christian churches are–and are not–engaged in this issue; we also talk about ways both large and small that congregations can become involved.

For more information and resources on domestic violence, particularly targeted at congregations, visit the Northwest Family Life Learning and Counseling Center at www.northwestfamilylife.org. You will also find information and resources at the Faith Trust Institute at www.faithtrustinstitute.org.

Episode 18: Women in Sierra Leone July 4 2011

abwm — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 04:01:19 +0000

At the recent ICAP Global conference, I had the privilege of getting to know the Rev. Agnes Lamin of Sierra Leone. Agnes works with the Women at Risk organization to provide outreach to women in prostitution. In our conversation, Agnes discusses the relationship of war, poverty, and prostitution. Plus, we address issues of gender roles, girls’ access to education, and the work of her Women at Risk organization.

For more information about the Women at Risk organization in Sierra Leone, you may email edithlamin@yahoo.com.

Episode 017–Reflections on ICAP Global Conference June 20 2011

abwm — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 04:01:22 +0000

Here we are…some of the American Baptist women at the ICAP Global Conference! ICAP Global, or the International Christian Alliance on Prostitution Global, held it’s international conference at the Green Lake Conference Center in Green Lake, Wisconsin, this past May.

In this episode, you’ll hear me talk with Barbara Anderson (not pictured), Peggy Burke (first row, center, in pink blouse), Virginia Holmstrom (far first row, far left, in black jacket), and Debbie Kelsey (not pictured) about our experiences before and after the conference week. (I’m in the second row, far left.)

Here’s a party game for you: There are three other people in this picture who have been featured in past episodes of In Their Shoes. Can you find Lauran Bethell, Susan Omanson, and Margaret Rose?

For more information about ICAP Global, its events, or the issue of trafficking, visit www.icapglobal.org.

Don’t forget about the drawing for an autographed copy of In Our Backyard, by author Nita Belles! Post a comment to this episode or the last one to have your name entered in the drawing. I can’t wait to share this book with someone!

Episode 016: Interview with Author Nita Belles of “In Our Backyard”–June 6 2011

abwm — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 04:01:11 +0000

Nita Belles, author of In Our Backyard: A Christian Perspective on Human Trafficking in the United States, talks with Sandy about human trafficking, why and how Christian churches should become engaged in this issue, and the power of community.

You may contact Nita Belles at www.nitabelles.com, or through Facebook–search Facebook for “In Our Backyard.”

In Our Backyard: A Christian Perspective on Human Trafficking in the United States may be found on Amazon.

The petition that Nita references in this interview may be found at change.org.

Episode 15: Podcasts on Global Women’s Issues May 23 2011

abwm — Mon, 23 May 2011 04:01:31 +0000

There are a few other podcasts out there that may help you learn more about global issues facing women and girls. In this episode, I share with you what my research has turned up. I also discovered that In Their Shoes: Women Walking with Women Worldwide is pretty unique in what it does! There is also information in the episode about how to spread the news about your favorite podcasts with others–you can easily tell your friends, family members, fellow church-goers, and anyone else which podcasts you find most helpful and interesting to listen to!

Mentioned in this episode (all available through iTunes; direct links provided here, or just search iTunes for the titles):

Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (podcast)

Forced Migration Online (podcast)

Forced Migration Online Documentaries (vidcast)

UNICEF (podcast)

(Not mentioned in episode but also available: UNICEF Television Vodcast (vidcast))

United Nations Radio (podcast)

Ending Human Trafficking (podcast)

Global Women’s Network (podcast)

Say No to Violence Against Women (podcast)

UNIFEM (vidcast)

Episode 014: All Hands In–May 6, 2011

abwm — Mon, 09 May 2011 04:01:13 +0000

Meet “All Hands In,” a brand new organization begun in order to fight human trafficking in Massachusetts. Founder Barbara Anderson and I talk about the ministry of All Hands In, how she personally became involved in these issues, and some things she’s learned along the way.

To learn more about All Hands In: http://www.allhandsin.net/

(Photo: Members of All Hands In meet with a delegation on human trafficking from Spain. Barbara is third from left.)

For more information about AB Women’s Ministries project “Break the Chains and Stop the Pain,” including grant information and applications, visit http://www.abwmbreakthechains.org.

Episode 013: Women in Congo April 25 2011

abwm — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 04:01:21 +0000

Virginia Holmstrom had the opportunity to talk with American Baptist missionary Katherine Niles about what it’s like to be a woman in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Katherine has served for years as a medical missionary in Congo but she and her husband also grew up there as children of missionaries. In this episode Katherine and Virginia discuss healthcare issues, what a woman’s day looks like, and the importance of education.

For more information about the ministry of Katherine and Wayne Niles, visit www.internationalministries.org.

Episode 012: Ecumenical Advocacy Days April 11 2011

abwm — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 04:01:51 +0000

In March, a few American Baptist women were able to attend the Ecumenical Advocacy Days co-sponsored by the National Council of Churches of Christ USA and member organizations. The event presented issues affecting women and girls in the U.S. and globally and gave participants tools to effectively lobby their state representatives in Congress. Listen to AB Women’s Ministries executive director Virginia Holmstrom as she engages in conversation Andrea, Nancy, and Joanne about their experiences “on the Hill.”

For more information about the Ecumenical Advocacy Days, visit www.advocacydays.org.