When a new women’s ministry was formed at First Presbyterian Church three years ago, members wanted it to be a place where women could get together to talk, eat and have fun.

“We didn’t want it to be just another thing to do,” said member Saundra Finseth.

So they drew their name, The Wild Olives, from scripture. “… and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others, and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root.” Romans 11:17.

“It seemed an appropriate fit,” said member Darcy Netzer. “Every one of us is a wild olive.”

The group has 12 members of all ages. Every time they have an event, they dress up in the outfits made just for them. While the pattern of each woman’s dress is different, they are all the same style.

“One size fits all,” said member Connie VanRyswyk.

They wear nametags bearing the name of a type of olive — Moroccan, Picholine, Cerignola, Razzo, Pendolino and Kalamata, just to name a few.

“This was out of most of our comfort zones,” member Sharon Blair said of dressing up. “Now we look forward to it. The outfits break down barriers.”

Finseth said little girls know how to play and dress up, but somewhere along the way, women lose that.

“We dress in a crazy way to tap into that playfulness,” she said. “People can’t help but smile when they see us.”

The group’s mission is to lead women to become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ, loving sincerely. Their vision is to encourage and equip women to pursue a closer walk with Jesus.

“We do this as an outreach, but we really reap the benefits,” Blair said.

“I’ve grown closer to Christ through my faith-filled friends and the desire to share with other women,” Finseth said.

The group has one big event each year, plus small group ministry every other month. The group alternates its meetings between day and evening so all members have a chance to attend.

They stress that each meeting begins and ends with prayer.

“When we get an idea, we aren’t very productive unless we pray together,” Netzer said.

“We start and end with prayer and in between, he works miracles,” Finseth added. “We really count on Christ to pull us all together.”

Each time the group has an event, they promote it in fun ways. For example, they’re passing dressing up and passing out a “smile on a stick” to let women know about program coming up on April 18.

That day, they will host speaker Karla Heeter from 2 to 4 p.m. at the church, 308 Water St. in Albert Lea.

Heeter, a cancer survivor, recently co-authored the book, “The LMNOPs of Surviving Cancer,” in which she shares her attitudes, beliefs and challenges, reflections, stories and thanksgivings.
What: “Come and Laugh with Karla Heeter,” sponsored by The Wild Olives, a women’s ministry at First Presbyterian Church

When: 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 18

Where: First Presbyterian Church, 308 Water St., Albert Lea

How: Tickets are $10 per person and are available at Cup of Faith, Doyle’s Hallmark and Ben’s Floral & Frame Designs.
Heeter has been addressing groups and organizations for more than 10 years. She brings a love for laughter, an ability to entertain, the skills to educate and a level of enthusiasm that is sure to make a difference in your day.

“She was recommended to us,” Finseth said of the speaker. “She offers a lighthearted approach to everyday living.”

The public is invited to this event.

Tickets for the event are $10 and can be purchased at Cup of Faith, Doyle’s Hallmark and Ben’s Floral & Frame Designs.

Childcare will be available during the event. For more information, call 373-2035.

There will be a prayer request basket at the event and after all the guests have left, the Wild Olives will pray confidentially for those requests, then burn them.

The group has also sung for church members who are in the hospital and others in the nursing home.