Sweet Monday Widows’ Ministry at First Baptist Church of Meredith, NH was started in 2003 with three widows from our church. Today we are in our seventeenth year and going strong. Now most of the ladies that attend come from outside our church and from many surrounding communities. We generally meet at our church the first Monday of the month from April through December.
Each month we give flowers to the SM widow(s) who is having a birthday in that month. 
Sweet Ellen, a local florist who taught our ladies some of her tips and tricks. 
Our ladies putting together their own jar arrangement. 
Sweet Monday widows were treated to an ice cream of their choice after we had taken a ride through some of NH’s beautiful scenic roads to view the foliage.
We have used most every theme that Kim Newlen printed that was appropriate for widows. Other themes have been named: Love You to Pieces, Won’t You be My Neighbor, Flowers of the Bible, and Hymn Lines. Members from our church have been invited guests to share their talents such as: floral designing, bread making, artist’s paintings and drawings, jewelry making, piano and singing, and book reviews. We attempt to have at least one outing each year, whether it is to see the fall foliage or an ice cream trip. Every December we take our widows out for a Christmas luncheon. First Baptist of Meredith has faithfully supported us with their prayers and a yearly budget for which we are so grateful!
Our goal is to share the love of Jesus each time we meet. Jesus is always our first invited guest! As we try to bless each one of our widows, God returns the blessing to us tri-fold. We know that some of them are lonely and haven’t had a hug in awhile, so we give them ours!
One of the many “refreshments” we have served over the years. 
Kim’s “SO-Excited” Face when she arrived in NH. 
Sweet Marj, Nancy & Kim 
Kim Newlen blessed all of us by traveling to NH for a Meet & Greet and also a talk at our church. Her comments were lively and so encouraging to all our widows! Loved this lady!
It has been a great privilege to serve as the facilitator of our Sweet Monday Widows’ Ministry. However, my four volunteers are the backbone of our group. They assist with making and serving refreshments, making birthday flower arrangements (in tea cups), keeping a directory of our ladies, sending mailings, shopping for door prizes, transportation for those not driving anymore (huge!), filling in for me when I cannot be there, sending Christmas cards, and most importantly, praying for me and those who attend. All of their help frees me to spend more time in prayer, planning themes and the details of each Sweet Monday, deciding on the devotions, and visiting these ladies in their homes in between our gatherings.
I am so very grateful to the Lord for showing me that this ministry was the reason I was created, His plan for my life before the beginning of time. He is always faithful in directing me. Praise Him!