In every great movement of history women have played a major role. "With the women" is an expression found in the first picture of the apostolic church following our Lord's ascension (Acts 1:14). Here is a list of illustrious leaders: Peter, James, John, Andrew, Bartholomew, Thaddaeus—men who made history—but with them were the women, including Mary, the mother of Jesus. Peter had been called by his Lord to feed the sheep; but associated with the shepherds were the shepherdesses, the women who majored in the art of human relations.
During recent years prominent names have been associated with the Advent Movement. As one reads the story of progress he might think of it as related solely to actions by the General Conference Committee or experiences within the world divisions. But what is behind all this action and reaction is another story. It relates to "the women," the shepherdesses of the General Conference, for more than the brethren serve and sacrifice for a united cause.
Here are some of the questions our General Conference Auxiliary women are asked many times: "What interests do you women have at headquarters? With your husbands away in the field for such long periods, what do you do with your time, other than just keeping house?"
There is always much to be done, but more can be accomplished by organization. Twenty years ago the Women's Auxiliary of the General Conference came into being. The objective of this organization was clarified: It was to be a fellowship in which human relations would play a vital part. Here at the headquarters of our work are gathered a large group of workers with varied backgrounds and broad talents. Families of workers come from many different countries, the great majority having had no previous contact with one another. How can these wives and mothers of our General Conference leaders become acquainted? And more important still, How can they become a sisterly working team, each understanding and valuing the contribution of the other for the up-building of God's work? These and other questions led to the organization of this, our auxiliary fellowship, which through two decades has proved such a blessing, and has augmented the fellowship our General Conference brethren feel for one another.
Early Days of the Auxiliary
Mrs. J. L. McElhany was its first president, with Mrs. M. E. Kern as secretary-treasurer. Other members of the governing committee included Mesdames H. T. Elliott, H. E. Rogers, H. H. Votaw, H. A. Morrison, M. C. Taft, and L. E. Froom. Some who were in this original group are still with us as members of the Women's Auxiliary. It was early recognized by the shepherdesses of the General Conference that association in service would bind the members together as nothing else could. Consequently activities were organized that gave ample opportunity for participation. Visiting the sick in the sanitarium and the community, welfare work for the underprivileged at home and abroad, welcoming missionaries and itinerant visitors who come to headquarters—these are merely a few of the objectives the women of the General Conference staff accepted as their responsibility.
In those days not more than thirty attended the gatherings of these shepherdesses, usually in the homes of the different members. But our world work has grown, and today a very much larger staff is required to carry the burden of world leadership. Instead of thirty or forty, the Auxiliary now has 150 members; but our objectives are still the same. We exist to foster the spirit of true Christian fellowship and to carry out urgent and profitable missionary projects.
With the growth of membership there has been consequent growth in the organization. The book club of the Women's Auxiliary is a helpful and educational plan. It provides wonderful opportunity for reviewing outstanding current books, from which we gather much inspiration for our denominational work. Then there is the music club, which periodically furnishes programs. In addition to this there are other smaller club groups fostering stimulating vocational and hobby interests.
The general meeting usually takes place the first Monday of each month. Occasionally our programs feature prominent speakers, or high-class educational films, and on these occasions we may resort to larger chapels or halls in Takoma Park. The Auxiliary has grown with the times and is always alert to progressive fellowship plans in a Christian setting. A yearly change of leadership allows for a change of emphasis, and the challenge at our headquarters educational center is to remain cooperative as well as alert.
During the war years many of our books were placed in the libraries of our battleships. We have raised sums of money for certain schools in the homeland and in overseas divisions that have needed help in some particular way. When at times worthy and needy cases have come to our attention we have been happy to help out. Although large sums have been raised in different programs, the object of the Women's Auxiliary is not primarily the raising of money, but, as already emphasized, it is to foster a fellowship among our General Conference staff women.
A World Fellowship
What makes this fellowship particularly interesting is the fact that so many of our shepherdesses have served the cause in overseas divisions. Some of them have spent from twenty-five to thirty years away from their homelands, while others have only recently made their home in America. Each area of the world field makes its own contribution to the Advent cause. A fellowship so diversified in its background is somewhat unique, for every branch of our world work is represented. Some have carried heavy responsibilities in institutions, others in public evangelism, and still others in the field of education. However, the work of these shepherdesses is always with the sheep of our denominational fold, and that is where we find our greatest interests. Some of God's flock are confined to beds of sickness; some are lonely and in need of the warmth of true sisterly fellowship; others are wounded and spiritually lame; and many have never known the love of the True Shepherd. Therefore there is much to do. We must lift our vision and forget ourselves in our ministry for others, both near and afar.
Church Group Activities
Here in Takoma Park there are three large churches. There is the Sligo church, with more than 2,000 members; the Takoma Park church, with about 1,100 members; and the Sanitarium church, with 750 members, besides a number of average-sized congregations in the vicinity, such as the Silver Spring, Hyattsville, and Adelphi churches. From all of these we draw our members. There are two Seventh-day Adventist welfare organizations in Washington, D.C., and these have a claim on our interests, apart from our taking our places in assisting in the church activities. Some of our women are missionary-minded and lead out in establishing new church groups in Greater Washington.
When someone asks the question, How do you fill in your time when your husband is away, often at the ends of the earth? we would say that no greater opportunity was ever given to a group of shepherdesses than that found here in Takoma Park. Our very purpose here at headquarters suggests variable but sacrificial service. While a cultural interest should be felt at this great world base, our influence should be exemplary, democratic, and definitely missionary. We sense that the shepherdesses of the work throughout the world look in our direction, and we greet them as a sisterly fellowship. May Adventist women everywhere make a contribution of service as did the women mentioned by the apostles in New Testament times. While helping in the gospel ministry, standing faithfully with our husbands for the pinciples of our faith and the policies of our work, we with you are desirous of growing into mature Christians in our homes and communities.