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Holidays

May Day

Purpose

To find and help meet the needs of shut-ins and others in your church and community to whom your group can minister in practical ways.

Scriptures

Song of Solomon 2:11,12; Genesis 8:22

Preparation

Have materials available to make May baskets as a craft activity, and if possible have fresh flowers.

Materials: construction paper, notepaper, pens, Scotch tape, scissors, stapler, ribbon.

Meeting Plan

After singing choruses and leading in prayer, give a short devotional using the Scriptures mentioned above. Talk about the beautiful season and how many countries around the world celebrate May Day as a time for expressing love and good will and the joy of springtime.

Mention God's promise of the continuing seasons. Point out that there are many who are not able to enjoy the season because of illness, etc. These people are often forgotten because we do not see them around.

For them May Day could have another connotation. The term "Mayday" is used as a distress signal around the world. It comes from the French word which means "Help me."

One area of Women's Ministries is the local church and community.

Invite the group to name as many people as they can who are sick, or housebound because they are caring for someone who is ill, elderly, or otherwise in need of help. For them "Mayday" could mean "Help me."

Give enough time for the activity to produce as many names as possible and for the group to understand the need and suggest specific ways they can help. Write the names down so you may refer to the list later. It can be the beginning of a greater outreach for your group.

Discuss how the group can show love and concern in practical ways (Matthew 25:35-40). Consider writing encouraging notes to some on the list.

Taking flowers in a May basket or bud vase to a shut-in can be an encouragement. Offering to sit with someone who is ill for a few hours in order to give the person in charge an opportunity to shop or go to church can be a definite ministry.

Cooking a meal for a family where the mother is ill or caring for a family member who is ill, can be a great lift.

Think about these and other ideas in advance of your meeting, tailoring the suggestions to the situations.

Another idea

Display an attractive basket in your meeting room throughout the month of May or even permanently. Encourage the women to bring items that can be used in the shut-in ministry of the group (notepaper, Kleenex packets, inspirational booklets, bud vases, silk flowers, etc.).

Remember to include those to whom you minister in your prayers. Prayer is the real key to victory for each of their needs.

If the group chooses to make May baskets, ask the women to write out encouraging Scripture passages. Enclose the notes with the flowers and a prayer that God will use them to encourage the recipient.