Virginia Baptist Women in Ministry will hold a gala dinner to celebrate its 20th anniversary on Sept. 26 at the University of Richmond's Jepson Alumni Center.
The dinner will feature the introduction of a new publication, displays and pictures from across the years and an address by professor Susan M. Shaw on the theme, “Transitions: Celebrating the Past, Envisioning Our Future.”
Shaw is associate professor and director of women's studies at Oregon State University and the author of five books. Her most recent books are God Speaks to Us, Too: Southern Baptist Women in Church, Home and Society and Women Worldwide: Transnational Perspectives on Women. She received a doctor of philosophy degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1987.
Virginia Baptist Women in Ministry sponsored its first conference in 1988 at the University of Richmond on the theme, “Empowerment.” The second oldest such state organization, VBWIM through the years has published a journal, held annual conferences and workshops and nurtured the collegiality and leadership of women ministers in Virginia. In the course of 20 years the membership has included several hundred women and men who supported the aims of the group.
The anniversary celebration will open with a reception at 4:30 p.m. at the Jepson Center, followed by dinner at 6 p.m. The program will feature comments from present and past leaders and the address by Shaw.
The cost of the dinner is $35 for members and guests, and $20 for seminarians. Reservations must be made in advance. Reservation deadline is Sept. 19. Make reservations and sent payment to VBWIM, Box 70970, Richmond, VA 23255 or online at www.vbwim.org.