The Women's ministry committee, hard @work
Jenny explaining the conception, purpose and mission staement of the Women's Ministry
Lesley giving a talk on Ephesians 1
Wendy leading singing
With one heart and one voice (united in the body)
Discussion groups (first session)
Felicity giving her "debut" talk
"Chilling" in between sessions
Iris & Camelia
Sarah, Karen & Angie
Tina, Lyn & Maria
Denise & Charisse
Julia & Eve
Jenny & Sharon
Luan & Jocelyn
Diane & Malika
Discussion groups (2nd session)
Every woman was given some pieces of puzzle
Working together to put the pieces together
To form a complete picture (minus one) of the mission statement "Every Woman knowing and living out her part in God's plan)
The summing up of the day's events
Relaxing at the end of the day (Diana, Amy & Felicity)
Malika & Kitty
Kath & Millie
Amy & Sussana
Who's this Korean lady? Susan of course!! :P & Nghi
Diane & Maria
Wendy & Karen
Wendy, Karen, Lyne (@ back), Diane & Maria
The Women's retreat for Cornerstone & @north was held on 22nd-24th June at Caldercott (which is part of the Royal National Park).
The Lord blessed us tremendously, and I can personally testify that many of us felt thoroughly encouraged & edified. We had many "God" moments. One of which, was the wonderful coming to faith in Christ, of our sister; Lyne Lawler! How the angels must have been rejoicing! Praise God!
Many of us had wonderfully deep sharing times with our sisters in our discussion groups and "warm fuzzies" groups; and we also sat together under God's word; which was expounded very clearly, and faithfully to us by Lesley and Felicity.
Lesley based her talk on Ephesians 1, of being in God's wonderful plan and purpose, even before the foundation of the world. She shared about the wonderful blessings that God has already given us in Christ. The blessings of being chosen; having been predestined; having been adopted as daughters in Christ; having been redeemed and forgiven of our sins.
She also talked about us being set part and being holy and blameless and to make His word central in our lives...to "set apart Christ as Lord" (1 Peter 3:15) For God's big picture, is that He would "bring all things in heaven and on earth" under the headship of Christ.
Lesley reminded us that we are children of God, forgiven sinners, adopted by a glorious, powerful, majestic awesome King!! How glorious our purposes are in Christ!
Felicity gave a wonderfully, biblical, practical, moving and personal talk on being ONE in the same Spirit, in the ONE body of Christ. She clearly outlined many examples of "living our part in the Body of Christ, in God's plan".
She also talked about accepting one another as we are...in our differences, frailties and weaknesses.
To be real with each other, to be able to confess our sins to each other, to be able to let our guards down and be ourselves....without having to put up "fronts” and "masks"...without covering up our pain, hurts, weaknesses, vulnerabilities and to value each other's uniqueness and that of others.
We must also serve others and be equipped by the Word, and finally, we must "make love our highest priority". For gifts minus love = nothing
In our spare time, ladies caught up with each other, went for walks, played games, ate, ate & ate....
It was a hugely successful Women's Retreat. Thank God for His faithfulness and the successful launch of the Women's ministry. God so evidently worked in our midst.
Thank you to all the hardworking and faithful women who spent many months, weeks and hours, praying, planning and working together for God's glory!
No comments:
Post a Comment