News in the Light
"Be Strong,
Be Courageous"
Ministry focus for 2023 - 2025
“…those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
― Isaiah 40:31
A Bit About Our NEW President:
Laura Palada, President 2025-2028
Laura Palada has been active in American Baptist Women’s Ministries for many years; and has served on the ABWMNYS Board as an honorary Board member. She was President for the years 2013 – 2016. Laura received her certification as a Lay Pastor in the Fall of 2024 and is currently serving the combined worship services of the Gilbertsville Baptist Church and First Presbyterian church in Gilbertsville, Fransego Association.
Laura is a registered nurse, and works for Bassett Healthcare System, where she is the Director of Quality. She also has a passion for teaching and has been an adjunct clinical nursing instructor for Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing and medical-surgical nursing for local nursing programs.
Laura has a passion for worship and uses her gifts of music to enhance worship experiences.
In her free time, Laura enjoys reading, gardening, knitting, and spending time with family. She lives in Gilbertsville, NY with her husband, Randy, who is an ordained American Baptist minister. They have two grown daughters and recently became Grandparents to two beautiful boys.
A Message from our new President
Laura Palada
JULY 2025
Dear Sisters in Christ,
It is my joy to be serving as President for these next years, 2025 – 2028. I will do my very best to lead and to serve, with my sincere hopes that we will continue to grow in our ministry together. As I write this, we are just beginning the summer months. Let us take a moment to appreciate the beauty of this season and the opportunity for rest and renewal that is summer.
But what is summer all about? One of the things summer is about is relaxation and rejuvenation. For most of us, we look forward to some kind of change in our “regular” schedule. We might also call it vacation.
This is the time of year we tend to do more things outside. It’s time to plan our summer schedules, including trips away from home. The enjoyment of getting away from our usual surroundings so that we can encounter something different. This summer, I encourage you to find moments of peace, whether through time with family, a quiet walk in nature, or simply enjoying the warmth of the sun.
When we take vacation, we can refresh our bodies. Maybe we take the opportunity to go hiking, swimming, biking, explore a piece of history, visit an amusement park, go camping, maybe spend the day at a spa, or a whole host of other physical possibilities. There is certainly many opportunities around us. Any of these activities allow our bodies to get some stretching, experience some activity that maybe hasn’t been a part of us since last summer. After spending time doing these activities, we feel refreshed. We can also take vacations for our mind. We can go to a museum, an art show, take a summer class, see a play, or push ourselves into something new for ourselves.
This type of vacation allows our mind to be refreshed. We are able to stretch our minds just like the physical type of vacation stretches our body. Our mind has the opportunity to be renewed, to use parts of our brain we haven’t used before (or at least haven’t used in quite a while.)
We can also take our spirits on vacation too. That doesn’t mean I’m suggesting that you take a vacation from worship at your church. On the contrary, being withour family of faith during the summer may provide the stability that we need when the rest of our schedule can be very fluid. But, maybe we have kind of been in the same spiritual place for years. Maybe we haven’t been challenged to stretch our spirituality, or we just haven’t taken the opportunities to do so.
As you consider these summer months, I would invite everyone to take some time to draw closer to God. Take some time to increase the amount of time you spend in conversation with the Creator. In other words, spend more time in prayer! We all need to know that there is NOTHING in our lives that we cannot take to God. God understands, cares, accepts, and loves all of us! No matter how difficult, hurtful, or ugly something is; we encourage you to find these moments of peace, whether through time with family, a quiet walk in nature, or simply enjoying the warmth of the sun. But even amidst the relaxation, let’s not forget the importance of staying connected to God. Take God with you on your summer adventures, whether it’s through prayer, reflection on Scripture, or sharing your faith with others.
In Christ,
Laura Palada
President, American Baptist Women's Ministries of NYS
Reflections
Colleen Charskey
AB Women's Ministries NYS
President 2022-2025
New York State is home to three American Baptist Church regions; however, ABWM-NYS stands united as one organization.
Our membership is beautifully diverse—geographically, theologically, racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically. I am honored to serve the incredible women of New York State.
While we acknowledge our differences, we choose not to focus on them. Instead, we find common ground through Christ and are united by the redeeming work of Jesus on the cross. We recognize that our diversity is a source of strength, not division.
Thank you for being faithful and generous supporters of both ABWM-NYS and ABWM National.Do not be discouraged. It can be easy to become hyper-focused on the challenges we face--dwindling numbers of participants, volunteers, or financial resources. In these moments we must remember that God is still at work. Our call is not to measure success by numbers alone, but by faithfulness to the mission God has given us.
Galatians 6:9 reminds us, " And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." This verse is not just encouragement--it is a promise. The seeds we plant today through our service, our giving, and our prayers will bear fruit in God's perfect timing. I truly believe that God has great blessings in store for ABWM. Our responsibility is to remain faithful, to seek God's will with open hearts, and be willing to follow wherever God leads. Even when the path is uncertain, even when the results are not immediate, we trust that our labor for the Lord is not in vain. So let us press on with hope, courage, and unwavering faith--knowing that He who called us is faithful to complete the work He began.
Thank you for the privilege to serve as your President the last three years. It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve and represent the great women of ABWM-NYS.
We are please to share from our sisters at national and around the country that the Shine the Light Award for 2025 goes to Adele Hueston. Follow the link to learn more about Adele and the wonderful work she shares doing Christ's work.
WORTH THE READ:
"Welcoming the Stranger:
How are We Doing?"
How are we answering Christ’s call to radical hospitality in our lives and communities? This question lies at the heart of our 2024 mission focus, Welcoming the Stranger.
This piece invites us to explore deeper connections, share compassion, and live out hospitality in meaningful ways.
Written by Rev. Christine A. Smith, Ph.D., Director of the Rudd Empowerment Center.
