LOOKING BACK . . .
AND LOOKING AHEAD
by Pat Donahoo
T
his year marks the 10 th year of publication of Just Women, and its
story includes many names. When the previous resource ended
in 2008, Disciples Women wanted to honor their commitment
to provide study materials. Initially, Sheila Spencer and Adonna
Bowman worked together to birth a publication that invited faithful
living and difficult conversations. DisciplesWorld, followed by Sherri
Wood Emmons, provided editorial support. Chesla Nickelson has
continued and expanded that commitment, addressing women’s issues
and a diversity of views on “the things that keep us up at night.” Kathy
McDowell and LaShaundra McCarty have worked tirelessly to provide a
publication of excellence that is coherent and attractive.
We celebrate the variety of women’s voices heard in conversations
about these topics and have challenged our readers by presenting
viewpoints that might be very different from our own or from those we
hear most often. Just Women has also partnered with other Disciples
ministries, sharing the work of their ministries in addressing the needs
of our society. The current issue, “Sexuality, Gender, and the Church,”
reflects these commitments to voices and viewpoints, inviting you to
read and discuss some subjects the church too often avoids yet are part of
our lives and challenge us to work for justice.
Despite these achievements, we nevertheless have experienced
declining numbers of magazine subscriptions. At the same time, there
continues to be a demand and appreciation for the annual Just Women
Bible Study. Since 2014, when we began publishing our own Bible study
written by Disciples women scholars for Disciples Women readers, we
have sold out every year; in fact, in 2017, nearly three times as many
Bible studies were purchased compared to magazine subscriptions.
Given all this information we have determined to end publication
of the three magazine issues of Just Women. We will continue publishing
the Just Women Bible Study, seeking out Disciples women scholars,
pastors, and leaders as writers. And most importantly, we invite our
readers to partner with us in supporting and sharing this excellent Bible
study resource. How can you help?
• Do not photocopy any portion of the Bible study since it is
copyrighted material.
• When you purchase a copy for yourself, also make a gift purchase for
a friend or relative.
• Encourage everyone in your women’s or Bible study group to buy a
copy.
• Support this excellent resource by making a gift directly to Just
Women at www.discipleswomen.org.
Sometimes it is difficult to let go of things that are important to us.
But if we do not let go when the time is right, we cannot make room
for what is yet to come. In addition to publishing the Just Women Bible
Study, we look forward to discovering new ways to discuss openly the
many important topics of our faith journeys.
Pat Donahoo is the Executive Director
for Disciples Women.
VOL. 10, ISSUE 2, SPRING 2018
PUBLISHED BY
INTERNATIONAL DISCIPLES
WOMEN’S MINISTRIES
Marilyn Williams, President
AND
DISCIPLES WOMEN’S MINISTRIES
Pat Donahoo, Executive Director
Chesla Nickelson, Program Director
EDITOR
Kathy McDowell, Lilburn, Georgia
ART DIRECTOR
LaShaundra McCarty, Biloxi, Mississippi
3C: Creative Communications & Consulting
EDITORIAL BOARD
Cheryl Cloar, Winder, Georgia
Sarah Himaya, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Leah Jackson, Decatur, Georgia
Milca Rivera, Casselberry, Florida
Janet Shriver, Avella, Pennsylvania
Sheila Spencer, Indianapolis, Indiana
Just Women (ISSN No. 1948-0431) is published
by International Disciples Women’s
Ministries, P.O. Box 1986, Indianapolis, IN 46206.
Printed in the U.S.A. Copyright by Just Women,
2010. POSTMASTER: Send address changes
to Just Women, P.O. Box 1986, Indianapolis, IN
46206.
One year Bible Study subscription: United States
and Puerto Rico: $15; Canada: $20; Overseas: $25.
Deadline for 2019 Bible Study orders: December 1,
2018.
UPDATED INFORMATION AND FEEDBACK
www.discipleswomen.org
Just Women, P.O. Box 1986
Indianapolis, IN 46206
[email protected]
317-635-3100
Just Women was founded in 2009 and is
published by International Disciples Women’s
Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples
of Christ).
JUST WOMEN· SPRING 2018
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