Women's Ministry

Growth and outreach are the abiding principles of the women's ministry of Shepherd of the Desert. It is our goal to reach out to all women in our faith community, to foster involvement with new and inactive women members of the church and provide an outlet for fellowship, faith growth and service opportunities for all women at Shepherd of the Desert and the surrounding community. Listed below are some of the programs sponsored and supported by Women's Ministry.

Are you interested in being a part of Women's Ministry?

For more information contact:

Sharon Barkulis (602)787-8784

Sherri Biesemeyer (602)549-4314

Kris Doyle (480)661-7651

Brenda Christensen (480)860-1188x400

Bible Study/Growth Opportunities

Women's bible Studies for women of all ages are offered on Wednesday and Thursday mornings 9:30 to 11:30am and Monday evenings 6:30-8:00pm. Each group selects its own curriculum. During the month of January and February our church is focusing on "40 Days of Community." Please call the church office for a list of scheduled small groups being held in homes and at church.

Fellowship Opportunities

Annual Women's Retreat

Every year in the spring all women are invited for a weekend of spiritual renewal, relaxation and refreshment.

Service Opportunities

Food Pantry - Throughout the year food and toiletry items are provided to needy families.

Thanksgiving Food Baskets - Thanksgiving dinner baskets provided for needy families.

Christmas Food Baskets - Over 100 baskets of food are filled from the church food pantry by the Thursday morning women's Bible study and women of the church and distributed to many needy families in the Phoenix area.

Prayer Shawl Ministry / Handcraft Classes

The creation of the shawls are by the women of the church congregation who pray over the shawls as they knit and crochet. Prayer shawls are given to those individuals undergoing life crisis. Please join the Handcrafters' Guild every Fridayand Saturday, from 10:00 am - noon in the Conference Room as we gather in a Christain fellowship to knit, crochet and quilt on personal projects and to create Prayer Shawls and Quilts.Fellowhip and educational opportunities are centered around various hand crafts. Materials for creating Prayer Shawls is provided by Women's Ministries and knitting lessons are given at no charge during the Friday meetings.

Call Jenna' Nehammer 480-951-3613 for Guild information, Sharon Barkulis 602-787-8784 for Prayer Shawl information, or Pat Conrad 480-451-3280 for knitting lessons.

"The Warmth of Jesus"

is a ministry of one of our members, Barbara, who takes baked goodies and coats/jackets to the homeless during the winter. If you have any coats, hats or gloves you would like to donate, please bring them to the church office up until March. Thank you!