AUSTRALIAN CHRISTIAN WOMEN Julia A’Bell

The heart of Australian Christian Women is our desire to see all ACC women empowered and functioning in their God-designed full potential, and leading in all spheres of ministry.

Overview

I was asked to take on the national leadership role of Australian Christian Women in December 2019. In early 2020, I began to meet one-on-one with some of the ACW State Leaders before Covid shut down travel around the country. This included meetings with Michelle Fredericks, Janine Donato, Georgie Baxter, Roz Zai and Sue Mulhare. Unfortunately the WA and TAS catch ups were unable to take place because of Covid restrictions, although these were done via phone calls. During 2020 I continued to touch base with state leaders through Zoom and Facetime. Leadership National ACW: Julia A’Bell QLD / NT ACW: Michelle Fredericks NSW/ACT ACW: Roz Zaia VIC ACW: Georgie Baxter TAS ACW: Alix Morse

SA ACW: Janine Donato WA ACW: Sharon Chelliah

Some of the States / Territories have Regional ACW leaders in place, others are in the process, some are not pursuing regional leaders.

National Women’s Advisory Team In February 2021, a national women’s advisory team was launched, to include State ACW leaders as well as other specialists from around Australia. Stats

The ACC has 1094 credentialed women (as of March 2021).

Training & Resources • Instagram LIVE Interviews The Covid lockdown season was a great opportunity to do Instagram LIVES with the purpose to introduce some of the fabulous ACC women to the others around Australia. It was evident not many knew other credentialed women outside their state.

• ACW Zoom Connect

The purpose of Zoom Connects is to build relationships and equip women. These will run bi-monthly and allows us to develop relationships and equip / train from the comfort of their own homes.

• Emails of encouragement Every few months ACC credentialed women were sent an email, especially during Covid. • International Women’s Day - March 2021 An email was sent to honour all our credentialed women and female admin staff, as well as encouraging each recipient to honour a woman in her world.

Events

Most ACW State women’s conferences and gatherings were postponed or cancelled or went online during 2020, but will resume in 2021 either in person or online. Highlights My personal highlight has been getting to know ACC girls from around Australia via Facetime and Zoom. There are incredible women doing outstanding things for the Lord, in their communities and spheres, all across Australia. New initiatives

The following initiatives were launched: • Bi-monthly ACW Zoom Connect for all female credentialed ACC women.

• National ACW Instagram. Goals and vision

• That we would have a very connected and relational movement of women. That the women around Australia would get to know one another. • That we would see greater equality for women in local church context and at the highest levels of decision making. When women are a part of key decision making, the Church across Australia will flourish at another level. Whilst some local churches have equality for women, it has come to my attention that others do not. We have a wealth of gift and talent amongst the women of Australian Christian Churches! Our desire is to see each woman released to soar at her full potential in whatever sphere or season she finds herself. We have a wealth of gift and talent amongst the women of Australian Christian Churches! Our desire is to see each woman released to soar at her full potential in whatever sphere or season she finds herself.

JULIA A’BELL ACW National Leader