Hundreds of women come together every week to study God’s word

Elizabeth Mabie
Spur Ottawa Correspondent

It started with 12 women from the Metropolitan Bible Church (MET). Today, Woman to Woman (W2W) is a 220-women strong Bible study group, with 42 local churches represented.

“It’s a rich opportunity to learn to know women from other churches and discover the shared heritage of faith,” explains Lois Shepherd, the MET’s director of women’s ministries. “This strengthens all of us to prioritize the Word and relationship with Jesus Christ over church form or tradition.”

The Wednesday-morning group has grown so much since its 1981 inception (known as “The Cabin Fever Gang”) that the MET offers a Wednesday evening Bible study group, called Women’s Evening Edition (WEE). WEE welcomes 82 more women from all over Ottawa.

“I feel like I am part of something bigger.”

After a time of corporate worship and prayer, both W2W and WEE offer a selection of small groups studying a range of elective subjects. The topics vary from exploring specific books of the Bible to investigating personal subjects, such as discovering one’s purpose or how to endure challenging times. The evening group is also hosting a women-only Alpha course.

“[These] Women have a hunger to know the Word. They believe that God speaks to them through it and that knowing Him can make a difference in the challenges they face in their own lives, families, communities, and work places,” says Shepherd.

Both classes are popular, but W2W has an added benefit the women enjoy: free childcare.

Free childcare at the Wednesday-morning Bible study helps ensure women can make it. Photo courtesy of Janice Sadler.

“I feel like I am part of something bigger,” explains Lisa Jensen, a childcare team member. “Though I may not be directly involved in the Bible study portion, I know I am included in the encouragement that the W2W ministry brings.”

In 2011, Jensen was invited by her sister to attend W2W, but she chose to remain in the nursery with her son. Speaking with the childcare volunteers, she came to appreciate the hard work they put in while the mothers attend the morning sessions. Jensen joined the childcare team that September and has remained there ever since.

“I am one woman caring for another woman by caring for her children. Each woman has a part in the bigger picture; I am just doing my part. That’s how the Body of Christ functions,” says Jensen. “It blesses me to know that I am able to encourage the mothers by giving them the opportunity to share their precious thoughts in the Word, in prayer, and in fellowship with other women.”

This fall, 117 kids are registered in the children’s ministry and it is much more than just babysitting. The kids have age-appropriate crafts, Bible lessons, singing, and playtime.

The two Bible study groups come together for special potlucks throughout the year. Photo by Tony Dibs.

W2W and WEE come together for special potlucks throughout the year. In November they are holding a missions event to acknowledge international missionaries and hear their testimonies. In December, members are encouraged to invite their friends for a time of celebration, desserts, discussions, and artistic performances.

“As women serve with and alongside other women, they get to know each other,” explains Shepherd. “Closer bonds are formed among women from all across the city, from many different churches, and some have formed life-long friendships.”