FOR CHRISTIAN WOMEN WITH A BUSINESS, OR HOPING TO START A BUSINESS, WHO WANT TO THINK ABOUT HOW THEIR WORK CONTRIBUTES TO GOD’S MISSION

Coordinated by Kara Martin

Thursdays at 7.45pm

Click here for an idea of what to expect in Semester One of 2025.

The Business Is Mission Greenhouse Guild is for Christian women with a business, or hoping to start a business: entrepreneurs, sole traders, people who want to turn their side hustles into a more reliable income stream. It will be a place where together we identify what it means to be a Christian in business and pray for each others’ businesses. We will also have an opportunity to do some problem-solving and share wisdom on how we can help our businesses to thrive and how we can use them to glorify God and do good in his world.

Guild coordinator Kara Martin is a speaker, lecturer and writer with a particular interest in work as a way to worship God and serve his world. When asked what excites her about being part of this guild, Kara commented, “Women in churches rarely get honoured for their business activities, and don’t often get an opportunity to share their business concerns or receive prayer for their endeavours. I hope this guild will fill a need and help to shape women in all sorts of diverse businesses: creative ministries, helping professions, sole traders, consultants and entrepreneurs.”

Keen to be part of the Business Is Mission Greenhouse Guild? Fill out this Expression of Interest Form

FOR CHRISTIAN WOMEN SERVING IN DISABILITY MINISTRY OR DISABILITY THEOLOGY

The Disability Ministry Guild is currently on a brief pause but is soon to relaunch for 2025. Fill in an Expression of Interest Form if you would like to be part of this Guild when it returns.

The Disability Ministry Greenhouse Guild is for Christian women interested in ministry with people living with disability, or thinking theologically about disability and its practical implications in the church and society more broadly. It will be a place where we can share resources, offer each other encouragement, and provide advice for making changes. Unlike other areas of ministry which have clear existing frameworks and networks, disability ministry/theology is still in its infancy, and this guild will provide those interested in this area with the opportunity to meet together and encourage one another in our journeys. The guild is for a range of women - those working academically in disability theology as well as those involved in creating inclusive and accessible ministries in churches – and will cater for a wide range of users (academics, practitioners, and pracademics!).

Guild coordinator Louise Gosbell is a theological educator and disability advocate with broad experience in both the theology and practice of disability ministry. When asked what excites her about being part of this guild, Louise commented, “There are so many benefits of meeting together with other Christian women with similar interests to offer each other encouragement! This is really beneficial in many areas of ministry but particularly so in those areas considered ‘niche’ or that end up being marginal and not widely discussed within church communities. My hope is that this guild will be a great blessing for those involved in disability theology and ministry, providing resources, advice, and most of all encouragement to Christian women who are passionate about serving God and his people in this space.”

The Disability Ministry Greenhouse Guild is momentarily paused. Fill in an Expression of Interest Form if you would like to be part of this Guild when it returns.

FOR CHRISTIAN WOMEN WHO WORK IN MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS

Coordinated by Emmi deVries

Tuesdays at 1pm

Click here for an idea of what to expect in Semester One of 2025.

The Marketing and Communications Greenhouse Guild is for Christian women who work in marketing and communications whether in-house, agency-based or freelance. It will be a place where we can share in the challenges and opportunities that being a Christian working in marketing and comms present. It will also provide an opportunity to bring issues we are stumped on in our work to a collective who can provide support and ideas so that we are encouraging and uplifting one another in our profession. As we encourage one another, pray for one another and build fellowship together we will deepen our understanding of how faith and work intersect in our lives and workplaces.

Guild coordinator Emmi deVries works in marketing and communications and is passionate about the possibilities of social media, blogging and the digital space for forming connection and community. When asked what excites her about being part of this guild, Emmi commented, “My experience of this industry has largely been as a solo practitioner or business owner. So I am excited to meet with other women working in this industry to think through together many of the things I have mulled over on my own over the years. By focusing on our industry we can explore the ways God is working in this space to build His kingdom and how He is calling us to be part of that. I am also excited to have a collective of Christian women who want to encourage and support each other professionally!”

Keen to be part of the Marketing and Communications Guild? Fill out an Expression of Interest Form.

FOR TRAINERS AND APPRENTICES IN THE MINISTRY TRAINING STRATEGY (MTS)

Coordinated by Clare Merkel

Expressions of Interest are being gathered from those currently registered within MTS.

Email hello@thegreenhouse.digital if you have questions about this Guild.

FOR CHRISTIAN WOMEN WHO ARE INVOLVED IN RESEARCH, WRITING & ADVOCACY FOR NEURODIVERGENT CHILDREN AND ADULTS, PARTICULARLY IN CHRISTIAN CONTEXTS

Click here for an idea of what to expect in Semester One of 2025.

The Neurodivergent Research & Advocacy Greenhouse Guild is for women who are currently undertaking or preparing to undertake work or projects involving research, writing and/or advocacy on behalf of neurodivergent children and adults as a means of resourcing the church. It is not primarily designed to be a support group, but rather one that addresses the lack of theological thinking and resources available around neurodiversity. It is an opportunity to connect with other women who want to help equip churches to better support the neurodivergent people in their communities. In particular, it will be a place for deep theological reflection about neurodivergence; for equipping and resourcing the local church to grow in their understanding of neurodivergence and the ways in which it intersects with their broader ministries; and for Christian advocacy for neurodivergent children and adults.

This guild is co-coordinated by Lyn Saunders and Beth Webb, both mums of neurodivergent kids. When asked what excites her about being part of this guild, Lyn commented, “I’m really looking forward to connecting with other women who are passionate about thinking deeply and theologically about neurodivergence, and advocating for neurodivergent children and adults in our churches.” Beth added, “There are not many Christian resources around that help us think theologically and pastorally about neurodiversity and neurodivergence, particularly in children. But there’s an increasing demand for them! I’m excited about the possibility of gathering together with other women who are passionate in this space, to better equip and resource the whole church to care for neurodivergent kids and the adults who love them.”

Keen to be part of the Parents and Supporters of Neurodivergent Kids Greenhouse Guild? Fill out this form to see if this is a good fit for you.

FOR CHRISTIAN WOMEN WHO LOVE BOOKS AND READING, AND TALKING ABOUT BOOKS AND READING.

Coordinated by Katrina Clifford

Weekly on Thursdays at 1pm

Monthly on Thursdays at 7.30pm

Click here for an idea of what to expect in Semester One of 2025.

The Readers Greenhouse Guild is for Christian women who love books and reading, and talking about books and reading. It is a space where we can come together to for ongoing conversations about why reading is a good practice for Christians, share book recommendations, and read through good books in community with each other. The guild will have several separate meetings each month, covering fiction, non-fiction and Christian books. All guild members will be welcome to join as many of these meetings as they like and are able to fit into their life and reading schedules. It will also provide a space for guild members to share book recommendations with each other, to ask for advice on reading, and to enjoy being readers together.

The Readers Guild will be coordinated by Katrina Clifford, Program Manager of the Greenhouse and an avid reader. She is excited that she gets to talk to other readers about books as part of her job and is very much looking forward to starting this guild!

Keen to be part of the Greenhouse Readers Guild? Fill out an Expression of Interest form.

FOR CHRISTIAN WOMEN WHO WORK IN THE TRAUMA SPACE AS COUNSELLORS, SOCIAL WORKERS, OR PSYCHOLOGISTS.

Coordinated by Allison Dunkley

Mondays at 7.45pm

Click here for an idea of what to expect in Semester One of 2025.

Keen to be part of the Trauma-Informed Practitioners Greenhouse Guild? Fill out an Expression of Interest form.

The Trauma-Informed Practitioners guild is for professionals who work in the trauma space as counsellors, psychologists and social workers. The guild will give women working in this space opportunities to encourage each other, share, and pray for one another as we navigate clients who have complex trauma backgrounds. It is a space to discuss, self-reflect, and consider how we manage life and workplace balance. It will also provide a safe place to discuss how our work affects us spiritually and in our personal relationships, while not replacing professional supervision. (Please note: This guild is not for women working in pastoral care or ministry with those who have experienced trauma – see the “Pastoral care and mental wellbeing guild” for a better fit.)

Guild coordinator Allison Dunkley is a social worker working with survivors of childhood sexual assault. When asked what excites her about being part of this guild, Allison commented, “Connecting with other people, in a space where we can be reminded that the work we do is significant and worthwhile, is an important mitigating factor against vicarious trauma, which afflicts many people working in this space. The Trauma-Informed Practitioners Greenhouse Guild provides a unique opportunity to meet with like-minded Christians who also work in this space, sharing its joys and challenges, and to spur one another on in our faith & profession.”

Keen to be part of the Trauma-Informed Practitioners Greenhouse Guild? Fill out an Expression of Interest form.

FOR CHRISTIAN WOMEN WHO SERVE IN THIER CHURCHES AS WARDENS, PARISH COUNCILLORS OR EQUIVALENT 

Coordinated by Lee Beeston 

Click here for an idea of what to expect in Semester One of 2025.

The Elected Positions at Church Greenhouse Guild is for Christian women who serve their local church through taking on responsibility for managing the property and finances in a voluntary capacity. In Anglican Churches, these roles are known as wardens and parish councillors, but women from other denominations who serve in similar roles are warmly welcomed to join. In many churches, these are still relatively new roles for women, and this guild will seek to help women in these positions identify what their roles involve, contribute confidently, and use their skills and experience to enhance church management in spaces which have traditionally been male dominated. It will be a place where women can – in confidence – share their experiences, grow in their faith, and be encouraged to persevere in responsibly serving the Lord in this space, even when it is difficult and challenging. 

Guild coordinator Lee Beeston is a warden at her local Anglican Church. She’s excited about the possibility of starting up this guild to serve more Christian women in these roles, having experienced the benefit of connecting with other female wardens early in her role. When asked what excites her about starting this guild, Lee commented, “It is so important to have women represented, respected, and able to contribute to church management – but it can be difficult for women to step into these roles, as they have for so long been dominated by men! Often the jobs are hard to define and don’t come with a clear job description, which increases the challenge of taking them on. I hope this Greenhouse Guild will provide a much-needed avenue for us to support each other in these roles, and will highlight the opportunity for those who may be considering serving their church in this way.  It will be a place where we can come together to learn from each other, as we share our experiences and our wisdom, and progress in godliness as we serve our churches in these important roles.” 

Keen to be part of the Wardens and Parish Councillors Greenhouse Guild? Fill out an Expression of Interest Form.

Women on Boards Greenhouse Guild 

FOR CHRISTIAN WOMEN WHO SERVE ON BOARDS AS CHAIR OR BOARD MEMBER  

Coordinated by Melinda van der Westhuizen 

Click here for an idea of what to expect in Semester One of 2025.

The Women on Boards Greenhouse Guild is for Christian women serving on boards in Australia. Whether you are just starting out or have an established board career, this guild is a place where we can encourage and support each other in this service. Melinda is passionate about seeing more women on boards and being well-supported in the process. This guild will also be a place to explore the intersection of our faith as we serve and the challenges we may encounter. 

Guild coordinator Melinda van der Westhuizen is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD), serves as a board chair and board member on multiple boards, and has a long professional experience at a C-suite level. She is now the Founder and Director of One Flinders, providing change and challenge navigation services to individuals and organizations with aligned values. When asked what excites her about coordinating this guild, Melinda commented, “Good governance is both an expectation and an incredible force for good in our community. I’m excited about the possibility of members of this guild encouraging each other as women of faith to be exemplars in the advancement of GREAT leadership for themselves, their organisations and to in turn, assist others on Boards and in the community.” 

Keen to be part of the Women on Boards Greenhouse Guild? Fill out an Expression of Interest Form.