Friends Needing Friends Mission Statement
Good morning Ladies ~ We are at the start of another new year, and it is a good time to share what this ministry is about.
"Friends Needing Friends" is a special ministry for widows only.
This ministry is a sisterhood of ladies selected by God. I have been asked the following questions many times - "why widows only?" or "I'm divorced, why can't I come?" I will try to answer these questions as simply as I can.
When you divorce your mate, it is a human decision between two people. The death of a mate is a decision made by God. The true reason for either loss, only God knows.
As director and founder of "FNF" I have witnessed a special compassionate bond between all the ladies. When a newly widowed person comes to a meeting for the first time, I will introduce the widow to another widow. Immediately, there is an expression of compassion that no other person can give nor receive. Their eyes meet and in a single glance without saying a word, there is an exchange of understanding and full knowledge of their hurts and feelings. These feelings are the true meaning of the word "sisterhood".
The dictionary's definition of the word "sisterhood" is: "An organization of women with a common interest, as for social, charitable, or females members of a church".
The common interest of "FNF" is from the Bible in 2 Corinthians 1:4 - God comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. Our sisterhood of women is doing exactly what God has directed it to do and who better to help at this time - you guessed it - another widow.
Our sisterhood was founded in June 1988 and has physically and financially supported several other charitable organizations.
We have a Teddy Bear ministry where once again we obey God by visiting the sick and the shut-ins. Since 1995, our ladies have delivered hundreds and hundreds of Teddy Bears to the sick and have encouraged the shut-ins with God's love.
The past several months, God has led "FNF" to support a special Christian Foundation in India that supports our widow sisters who are in need of food, shelter and medicine.
As of this month (January 2015), our two ministries (N.J.& FL) have raised $1,000.00. (PTL) As the saying goes: "Side by side, or miles apart...We are sisters, connected by the heart."
Yes, we have met the dictionary’s description of the word "sisterhood" and yes our ladies have obeyed the LORD by sharing the comfort that God has given to us.
May I further explain to you that "FNF" is a ministry available to widows only; that may or may not attend a church. There is a desperate need in our society today regarding the widows that we come in contact with. Our group is a Christian Interdenominational ministry and we do not urge joining a different church or changing one's religion.
I hope that you will be able to attend our monthly meeting/luncheon, which is on the third Monday of each month. We look forward to seeing you there and if you can, invite or bring a widowed friend.
Meeting place:
Palm Beach National Golf & Country Club
7500 St. Andrews Rd., Lake Worth, FL. 33467
7500 St. Andrews Rd., Lake Worth, FL. 33467
Time: 10 a.m. - 12 noon
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In June 2013, we celebrated our 25th Anniversary of FNF.
That was also the year God laid upon my heart to leave New Jersey and reside in Boynton Beach, FL to live near my son Daniel and his family. God also led me to start another ministry in FL, the same as FNF in New Jersey. It is now the beginning of 2015 and the ministry in Lake Worth, FL has been blessed by God. Our Bible verses for all of our meetings is found in 2 Corinthians 1:3-5
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.
He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. (NLT)
Happy 2015 ~ Dotti Ackerman
