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WIC Resource Letter
for PCA Women in Leadership
Second Quarter 2002
If you are a Pastor's wife,
WIC president, PresWIC president or Director of Women's Ministry and are
not currently receiving the Resource Letter, click
here to be added to the mailing list.
Front
Page - Reflections on Ground Zero
By Diane Langberg, Ph.D.
Going to places of great tragedy and death is rarely seen as a privilege.
I have, however, found it to be so. As a psychologist who has worked with
various kinds of trauma for about thirty years, I have learned many
eternal lessons in the darkest of places. Ground Zero is one of those.
Several of us gathered on
a Monday morning and were taken by police escort to Ground Zero. We have
been given permission by the mayor’s office to walk behind the
barricades and around the perimeter of the rubble of the World Trade
Centers. Television shots cannot begin to convey the magnitude of the
devastation. The stench hits you in the face as you exit the van. A sea of
gray ash rises up with twisted metal shapes protruding in odd ways. The
perimeter is filled with buildings, some partly destroyed, others
completely. Many of the buildings have melted facades and the images are
surreal. On one edge of the rubble stands a little church known as St.
Paul’s Chapel. It was built in the 1700’s and has survived many wars.
It also emerged intact on September 11th. The chapel is
surrounded by a beautiful wrought iron fence. As we approach the property
my eye catches a computer-generated sign taped to the fence, which reads,
“Foot Care Inside.” A church offering foot care? How like our Lord who
“having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full
extent of his love…he poured water into a basin and began to wash his
disciples’ feet” (John 13:1, 5). There is another sign nearby on the
same fence that reads, “Holy Eucharist, noon today.” Foot care and
communion, what a beautiful pairing! What a picture of the church,
bringing the holiest of things alongside acts of mercy in a devastated
place….
Ground Zero burned
another image into my brain. I was given the opportunity to return about
11 p.m. to go into the pit, as the workers call it, and spend some time
walking among the workers with a chaplain. I accepted the invitation and
arrived dressed in blue jeans and boots. I was given a hard hat, a black
jacket with “chaplain” written on the back, a respirator mask, and an
identification card. I spent about five hours in the pit with a young
woman who had been spending every night during the graveyard shift walking
among the men and women, listening to them, encouraging them, and praying
for them. The stench was even more powerful than earlier and the fine gray
ash lodged in my throat and would not leave. The cranes loomed large and
the rescue workers seemed small….
When the cranes stopped
the workers picked up their rakes, shovels, and buckets and went to the
area where the cranes had been to dig and rake, looking for signs of
humanity. We went with them and stood by while they dug, praying for them.
About 3 a.m. I realized a group of them were gathering together and
raking. “They must have found something,” the young chaplain said. I
was overcome with grief. Death was everywhere, physically, emotionally,
and spiritually. I looked up and saw a piece of the façade of the World
Trade Center rising from the rubble. At the end of it the beams formed
three crosses, brilliantly lit by the powerful spotlights. I put my arm
around the woman I was with and said, “Look, He is here.” And then it
hit me, the eternal lesson in the midst of the trauma.
The rescue workers came
to a scene of ruin and entered into what they found. Day after day they
worked in the place of death, sifting through the rubble of the world that
was, looking for people. Their task is backbreaking, grim, and dangerous.
They face the trauma again and again. They never get away from it. Their
eyes are open and they have seen too much trauma to pretend. The work they
do will mark them for the rest of their lives….
As the people of God we
have in many ways been called to serve as the rescue workers of the world.
Surely this world, for all its beauty, looks something like the World
Trade Center to our God who sees death destroying what He created. He has
called us to enter this dark world and search. The rescue workers would
never think of making a permanent home in the ruins. The rubble is not
their home. Nor is this world ours. We have been invited into the
fellowship of the sufferings of Christ. We are called into the places of
darkness and death for that is where He went. He has called us to serve
Him in this dark place of death, moving among those who are dead in their
trespasses and sins, calling them to life and light. The church is called,
like the little chapel, to bring the holiest of things alongside acts of
mercy in a devastated place. We are called to bring the extraordinary (the
life of the Son of God) down into flesh and blood, down into the ordinary
(foot care, digging among the ashes), under the shadow of the cross. We
are called because He whom we love entered the rubble of our world and our
lives and experienced all the death of this place that we might know Life.
He bore the World Trade Center. He bore all the tragedies of this world.
He has born the selfishness and complacency we display when we try to make
this rubble our home. Oh, may we see the eternal in the devastation. May
we live for the cross rising form the ashes. May we honor the Man of
Sorrows by our willingness to walk where He walked, washing feet and
searching among the ruins because He died.
Diane has a supervisory
role with The Place of Refuge. This is a ministry in the North
Philadelphia area that reaches out to policemen and their families in
times of trauma, and supports inner city pastor’s wives as well as those
who have no access to other community services.
The Place of Refuge
512 West
Avenue
Jenkintown, PA 19027
215-885-1835 How to
Use this article by Diane:
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Support Diane with prayer and encouragement notes
for the unique and challenging opportunities that are before her.
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Make copies of this article to share with your
council and with appropriate people in charge of various ministries in
your local church. For example, give copies to your deacons and mercy
ministry committee.
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Order the tapes/videos from the 1999 Women in the
Church Conference and from the 2001 denominational Mercy Conference
and use them as a mercy component for your women’s ministry.
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Prepare by praying and publicizing for the 2003
denominational Mercy Conference
2003
Mercy Ministry Conference
So many people hurt. There’s death, a
divorce, an unwanted pregnancy, a rebellious teenager – and for some it
never goes away. It never gets any better.
It could be grinding
poverty, a debilitating disease.
The
PCA has awakened to such needs, both within and outside our congregations,
in part as a result of the WIC Mercy Ministry Conference in 1999 and the
CE&P/MNA Sharing Christ…Showing Mercy Conference in 2001.
The Conference on Mercy
Ministry planned for March 13-15, 2003 will take us a step further,
reiterating the theological foundation and the motivations as well. There
will be more hands-on workshops showing what our churches can do to make
someone’s life a little better. This not only pleases God it expresses
his love.
Will you
work with us again to make this conference a priority?
Mercy
Ministry Conference
March 13-15, 2003
Atlanta Airport Marriott Hotel
4711 Best Road
College Park, GA 30337
Plenary
Speakers
Marvin Olaskey
- John Perkins
- Mike Campbell
Worship
Leader
Steve
Smallman, Jr.
The
conference is a call to PCA churches to live out the requirements of
biblical faith and thus to pass on the richness of the Reformed tradition
to the next generation. It is designed to:
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Equip their
congregations to minister mercifully to members of the body, strangers
and aliens, the oppressed and needy.
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Teach their
congregations that mercy is a characteristic of a covenant community.
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Develop an integrated
approach to ministry so that mercy permeates the entire church and
becomes a way of life.
New
WIC Bible Study
One of the glorious things about being involved in
the WIC ministry over the years is the frequency of Aha! moments.
Those have been delightful times when we caught a glimpse of the bigger
picture and understood why things had happened, or not happened, as they
did. These epiphanies remind us that our Father lovingly guides and
protects us as we seek to serve Him by encouraging and equipping His
daughters to live for His glory. Many times the WIC staff and WASC members
have been stopped in our tracks by the overwhelming realization that God
has, indeed, turned His face toward us and been gracious to us.
The WIC Bible Study series is proving to be one of
those doxological experiences.
For years we believed we should have an expository
Bible study series, but for various reasons it just did not happen. Then
the pieces came together and we knew it was time.
Now we realize why it did not happen sooner. We can
see that it was important to first articulate a biblical apologetic of
womanhood and develop a covenantal philosophy of women's ministry. The Biblical
Foundations for Womanhood series put this apologetic and philosophy
into print. Simply said, the WIC ministry needed to mature.
Under the wise oversight of Charles Dunahoo and the
Christian Education Committee, the women who have served on the WASC
prayerfully matured this ministry, and now the Bible study series is truly
the capstone of the WIC resources.
The plan is to publish a new study each year, but
they are not dated and do not need to be used in a particular order.
The
Formation of God’s People, Israel
Studies in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers,
and Deuteronomy
by Susan Hunt and Lynn Brookside
Due May 2002; preview text on www.pcanet.org/cep/wic.
"We have been captivated afresh with the magnificent
picture of Jesus in the Old Testament books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers,
and Deuteronomy, and we have been filled with wonder at God's sovereignty
in forming His Church. We are overcome with gratitude that God lavished
His grace upon us, adopting us into His family. We felt His pleasure upon
us as we wrote, and we pray that He will be pleased to use the things He
taught us to teach other women to know and adore Him." Susan and Lynn
This
Bible Study series for women will:
These
studies will help a women’s ministry accomplish the objectives of
Biblical Foundations for Womanhood:
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To
teach woman a biblical perspective of their relationship with Christ,
family, and church
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To
challenge women to fulfill their helper design
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To
help women examine the implications of the covenant in their relationships
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To
train women to cultivate community by obeying the Titus mandate to nurture
one another for God’s glory
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To
train women to be channels of compassion by obeying the Micah mandate
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To
equip women for leadership roles in the women’s ministry of the church
Biblical
Foundations for Womanhood is a series of five books that teach a biblical
perspective of God’s design and calling for women. They are the
resources for the application of Scripture into life. These books are:
Leadership
for Women In the Church
Spiritual
Mothering
By
Design
Treasures
of Encouragement
The
True Woman
How do we use the Biblical Foundations
for Womanhood books?
These books are not one-time studies. They
are a life-view about womanhood and woman's place in God's church.
Regularly recycling them will reinforce and strengthen your use of the WIC
Bible Study series. Some recycling ideas:
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If you have a spiritual mothering program, use these
as the curriculum for women to use with their spiritual daughters. This
one-on-one or small group discipleship will reinforce what the women are
learning in the Bible study.
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If you have a weekly Bible study, use one of the
Foundations books for the first quarter each year, and then use one of the
WIC Bible Studies for the remaining two quarters.
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Each year ask five women to spend one Bible study
session each presenting an overview of one of the books. You could spend
the first five weeks doing this, or scatter them throughout the year.
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Offer an ongoing Biblical Foundations for
Womanhood class and encourage women to go through this before joining
another Bible study.
Pastoral
Feedback on Bible Study Book 1
Teaching Paul’s Letters to Maturing Churches to our women has
proven fruitful beyond what I expected. As we’ve gone through Ephesians
we’ve begun to explore at a deeper level what God wants us to be as a
church. I think all involved have been awakened to the glorious picture
Paul paints of a church that is truly living as a covenant community. At
the same time we have been driven to Christ as we see how far short we
fall both as individuals and as a body. It has been a delight to discuss
what God wants from us because of what he’s provided for us and to begin
to brainstorm together about what it would look like for DPC to begin to
flesh this out in the daily life of our church.
Greg Poole
Decatur Presbyterian
Decatur, AL
Pastoral
Feedback on WIC Trainers
February
7, 2002
Dear
Jane:
In
light of your recent appointment as the Women’s Ministries Coordinator of
the PCA, I am writing to express my deep appreciation for the WIC ministry
and particularly for a recent WIC training event conducted by Martha Martin
for the women of our church. Through the training she provided our women
have gained a wonderful dose of encouragement and initiative to more
actively fulfill their ministry in and through our church. What especially
encourages me as a pastor is that Martha not only ignited within our women a
passion for pursuing ministry, but she also gave them a vision and
enthusiasm for pursuing that ministry in the context of the church. That is
an immeasurable gift to my ministry, for which I am very grateful.
Our
church is a small church in a small town, isolated both geographically and
ecclesiastically. The next closest church in our presbytery is more than an
hour away, and most presbytery churches are at least two hours away. One of
my chief concerns in coming to this church fifteen years ago was to develop
a greater sense of commitment to and unity with the rest of the PCA. Most
members are not originally from a PCA background, and while they have come
to the church out of a love for our teaching and worship, the Reformed and
covenantal context for our ministry is new to many, and it has taken time to
develop new patterns of thought and ministry. One external way to promote
our covenantal connectionalism was to give a greater sense of denominational
ownership through support of PCA askings, and so over a period of four our
five years we went from almost no denominational support to full support of
all askings. Developing connectionalism from within is more challenging. The
elders were able to find encouragement through regular participation at
presbytery, but the distance from other churches made it hard for our women
to regularly participate in Pres-WIC activities. Most of their models for
Bible study and ministry came from other evangelical churches and ministries
in our town, which, while in some respects helpful, did not inculcate the
importance of church and covenant to Christian growth and maturity. The WIC
core curriculum (now Biblical Foundations for Womanhood) has been a helpful
resource for encouraging our women, and I was excited to learn of the new
Bible study materials recently developed. Yet it was this WIC training event
that was used of God to sink the covenantal roots deeper into the lives of
our women, and help them more fully to embrace the wonderful WIC resources
as valuable, foundational, and functional tools of ministry. Even the
concept of WIC itself as encompassing all the women and all their ministry
is starting to take hold in a new way.
The
Session has enjoyed approving the many new proposals coming from our women
out of the training conference, addressing matters of both organization and
ministry. From a new WIC bulletin board, to a WIC phone directory organized
according to hospitality/ministry teams, to a revision of the WIC bylaws to
more effectively promote ministry, to the utilization of the new Bible study
materials in all of our women’s Bible studies, the impact of the WIC
training is visible and beneficial to our congregation. More women have
voiced greater interest in trying to make a greater effort to participate in
Pres-WIC activities, even despite the time and distance involved. It seems
that more creative ideas about ministry are being floated around. I also
have sensed a greater appreciation in our women for the PCA, and a greater
eagerness to work with the Session in advancing the ministry of our church.
This has long been the kind of movement I have wanted to encourage in our
women, and I am grateful for the significant impact that the WIC training,
the WIC materials, and the WIC philosophy are having on our congregation.
As
you embark on your new WIC responsibilities, please be encouraged that the
WIC ministry is making a difference. May God be pleased to use WIC to make
His Church even more glorious in the days to come.
Cordially
in Christ,
Lee Capper
Faith Presbyterian
Lavale,
MD
Radical
Role Changes
I have observed a
radical phenomenon in WIC since the beginning. Only in recent times have I
put two and two together "covenantally." When this first came to
my attention, I attributed the phenomenon to the mature spirituality of
certain women. Women who exhibited the admonition in Philippians 2:3 Do
nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let
each of you regard one another as more important than himself.
As I experienced
different WIC settings, I realized this was a common occurrence. What
could possibly be the context of women’s sharing the platform, giving
away influential positions, even behaving opposite to the competitive
female nature? Our hearts are just not naturally bent that way. What could
possibly underlie these radical rolling roles in WIC ministry?
Finally, the
phrase "we are a product of our theology" penetrated my
consciousness. OH! You mean this is the covenantal way (and a radical way
it is!!): That Susan and Jane can change coordinator hats without
competition and acrimony and even minister through their particular gifts
and strengths. That Kathy Stair can wear a Trainer and WIC Administrative
Assistant hat "at the same time." That Tammie Frey and Martha
Lovelady can change WASC and Trainer hats with everyone saying "Aha!
That’s it!” That when Sharon Betters has to painfully say no to WASC
service God’s plan for Kathy Wargo to serve is clear to all. On and
on… the radical role changing! Why and how—even with gracious
attitudes—can it be?
Some good answers
from Ephesians. It can be because of:
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Women living
lives worthy of their calling in Christ Jesus with all humility and
gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love,
being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of
peace.
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Women
expressing the unity declared in Christ. And He gave some as apostles,
and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and
teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to
the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the
unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a
mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the
fullness of Christ.
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Women being
spiritual grown ups! But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up
in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ, from whom the
whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint
supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part,
causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in
love.
For me, this
phenomenon is perhaps the most convicting and challenging aspect of WIC
ministry - grow up, Barbara. It’s not about you; it’s about God’s
glory!
Kathy Stair:
Many of you may have heard my name bounced around for a few years. In
1998, my husband, Randy, came from Kentucky to Atlanta to be President of
the PCA Foundation. At the time we had two children (Julie and Brad) at
Covenant College, so a little extra income seemed like a good idea. I came
to work for CE&P as the registrar for the 99 WIC Conference. I was the
one behind the trouble-shooting desk. After the conference, I shifted to
the CE&P Bookstore to work as a Resource Consultant and maintain the
website and catalog. When Jane took her new position, I was delighted when
they asked me if I would be her "helper.” God seems to be placing
me on a women’s ministries path since my days in a church plant in
upstate New York, during our time in Kentucky, and now here in Atlanta. It
is a marvel to look back and see what God has done to prepare me for the
next step. I look forward to working with Jane in the WIC office as it
gives me great joy to see women seeing the big picture of Covenant
community living and reaching out in encouragement and support to each
other.
Tammie Frey and Martha
Lovelady:
Two willing servants, eager to be where God will use them, have switched
roles. Tammie Frey will concentrate on her training skills as she has
joined our team of WIC Regional Trainers. Martha Lovelady is now going to
use her gifts in nurturing the Mid-America region as a WASC member. Both
of these women give precious testimonies of willingness to be where God
wanted to use them and of His leading them to the right ministry roles.
Coming
Events
Even if you are
not able to be part of each of the following events, because of our
covenantal connectedness, this is more than just FYI – this is family
business. Join in praying for your sisters as they are involved in these
particular events.
General Assembly –
June 18-21, 2002
Plans are underway for the
30th annual General Assembly in Birmingham, Alabama.
Historically, Birmingham has been a well-kept secret, but we hope
commissioners will bring their families and discover the charm and beauty of
this delightful city.
With the day to day
schedules women keep as they come alongside their husbands in ministry, a
break from the routine is often welcome. Our desire is that the wives who
come to General Assembly will be refreshed as they experience southern
hospitality at its finest. Activities have been planned that will give women
a chance to do what we do best—talk, eat, shop, eat, sun, eat, create
crafts, read, catch up on family news, or just take a nap! A highlight of
the week will be lunch in the homes of the PCA women of Birmingham.
Plans for refreshment are
in place, but also, our prayer is that women will leave Birmingham ready to
go back into the world with hearts renewed for ministry and strengthened
leadership marriages. Our lives have all been changed by the events of
September 11. Therefore, this year’s theme for the women’s program is
“Ministering in a Different World—Implications for Leadership
Marriages.” Speaking at the program on Wednesday will be Barbara and Joe
Novenson, pastor of Lookout Mountain PCA, Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, and
on Thursday, Frankie and Christopher Bennett, White House Chaplain.
Please
note this addition to the WIC GA Schedule (this is not included in the
information booklet mailed to commissioners):
It's
all about Mercy! You will be
given an opportunity to hear about some of the mercy ministries which are
unique to the Birmingham churches on Thursday afternoon June 20th from 2:00 -
5:00 at the Caroline House. Representatives
and materials will be available to PCA women as they come to chat and take
home mercy ideas.
Please
pray as planning continues.____________
PCA-Wide World Missions
Conference
Sponsored by Mission to the World"
Grasping God’s grace Personally to Give God’s Grace Globally"
Atlanta, GA
November 8 – 10, 2002
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For church missions
committees, missions pastors, and interested lay people
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Speakers: Dr. Paul
Kooistra, Rev. Joe Novenson, and other mission speakers
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For more information: MissionsConference@mtw.org
or 678-823-004, Ext. 310 (Include
name and location of your church and a contact person.)
____________
Florida
PresWIC Conference 2002
A Woman’s Journey: Generation-to-Generation
Friday
– Sunday, September 27-29, 2002
Orlando Airport Marriott
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A
unique conference hosted by the four PresWICs of the Florida region
(North, Central, South, and Southwest) with a special invitation to
women 9th grade and up
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Speakers:
Susan Hunt and Marlys Mulkey
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Contact
Information: Sherry Kendrick (941-352-2070) or saknaples@cs.com
Incorporating
Singles
The Spring 1998 issue of the
Resource Letter featured an article by Paige Benton, “Singled Out by God
for Good.” It was a wake up call for many of us to remember that Titus 2
1-5 is a call to biblical discipleship…it is about teaching women to live
covenantally…. it is a principle that transcends our life season. Here is
another article by a young single women that helps us remember the Titus
principle is about being a covenant keeper by helping to keep covenant in
every life season and circumstance. Let us hear and respond within our local
church bodies.
Assembling General Thoughts
I am a minority
demographic. I am a single, under-thirty, female in leadership in a PCA
church with single women—which the church does not know what to do with. I
am without husband or children, and am therefore a strange creature. I think
I now understand why single women do not readily connect with the rest of
the church: no one knows how to break the tension. Let me explain…
I am not a statistical
person, but I can’t wait to research to see how many single women are
around today in comparison to…say…1960. Women today are marrying later
so that they will not follow the same path of their friends who married
early and are now divorced. Single women today are working longer and harder
than ever, climbing the corporate ladder. Many have children either through
a previous marriage and divorce or through adoption, which adds a completely
new set of circumstances.
So why is there tension?
Ask five single, church-going women the longing of their heart, and four out
of five will tell you it is to connect with other singles like themselves
and with an older woman as friend, mentor, or discipler. Easy, right? Wrong.
Married women are intimidated by the younger, post-modern generation. They
do not know “what to do” with the current age/stage single. Older PCA
women may have never had a prolonged “season of singleness,” worked
outside of the home, or know what it’s like to be alone at age thirty.
They were never there, and so they think they can’t relate or contribute
to the life of a single woman. What a shame. When did we get this picture of
solidarity among age/stage, and why doesn’t anyone cut the tension? It
seems that married women “have a burden for single women,” but are too
scared to open up their homes and lives for fear of nothing to relate with
other than babysitting jobs and free meals.
If this is the picture of
mentoring, no wonder it is not happening. The singleness of a woman is not a
burden—It is a calling for a season. Marriage is not a right (or a
burden)—it is a season of life. If we are not actively training women to
live their lives in front of one another through these seasons, we are
nullifying God’s calling in service to the covenant community, throwing
away the model Christ gave in living His life before others, and replacing a
time of growth and joy with false independence and pride that we can make it
alone in this world. That is scary.
In isolation we make poor
decisions that affect the whole body of Christ. In isolation we remove
ourselves from the corporate family, where needs are met and growth occurs.
Without family life the believer is estranged, out of sync, and unable to be
complete because there is no iron sharpening iron.
We place a person in
isolation in the church when we ignore their season connection to the body
by not accessing them. What does this look like? The WIC committee running
separate from the women’s ministry, which is separate from the singles
ministry, which is negligent of the youth group, which doesn’t have any
connection to the “senior saints.” In an effort to create the inclusive
programs, we have successfully excluded the wisdom and connection to the
whole church body.
Why is this? It is more
comfortable to be with people my same age/stage rather than among the
intergenerational family of God. So, we’ve traded God’s family and
growth in our lives for our own comfort. What a shame that singles are not
tapping into the lives of the senior saints because of intimidation, while
those with the wisdom of ages are intimidated by the almost-forty singles in
corporate America because they have not personally been there.
Women, it’s time to get
uncomfortable with our WIC Bible studies, circles, and Joy luncheons. Yes,
the post-modern generation is upon the PCA, but is disconnected because
people of all ages/stages want to stay in their comfort zones. We must
exercise service and mercy in the church body before we can ever move
into our corrupt, vile world where we are called to minister. Women, it’s
time to get our “house in order” and to live connected to the body,
nurturing our covenant community, and looking beyond our comfort zones to
teach and train women biblically and covenantally.
Does this involve a
program? Only if the program creates a connective structure. But, unless we
can answer the questions “What are we doing?” “Why are we doing it?”
and “Who are we bringing with us?” we have missed the boat entirely.
Until we train women to answer these same questions with biblical,
gospel-centered answers, we are deceiving ourselves into thinking that
God’s kingdom is benefiting by the plan of action.
Answering these questions
also drives us to discipleship—the multiplication of believers in study
and in life. It requires investment, whether large or small. This leads to
mentoring—a meal in someone’s home or praying together every two weeks.
The word mentor normally brings a mental image of a dedicated four-hour
intensive Bible study and prayer time, with hours of preparation and a
perfect, model life. It does not have to look this way. Mentoring can be an
hour in the kitchen or a phone call every two weeks—anything kind of
investment. As with anything, start small and work bigger.
Some believe that this
calling to mentor is just for a season. I disagree. Obedience in the Kingdom
lasts beyond a lifetime. This is what God has called us to do to glorify
Him—by investing in others. Until we start small in obedience through
connection and investment, we are only reflecting the culture in which we
live—disconnected, independent, and isolated. It will be a constant fight.
Let’s not forget that God is good, faithful in what He does, and that His
glory is reflected through us, broken vessels. May we not lose sight of
this, and may the family of God find the family ties. May women find their
sisters and live in connection with one another. Connection will lead to
investment, growth, and ultimately, God’s glory.
Let us remember the end
result and start networking to get there now.
LeighAnn Armbrester is
currently serving as Single Women’s Ministry Coordinator, Intown Community
Church in Atlanta, Georgia.
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Copy
this letter and take it to your next council meeting/ PresWIC meeting.
-
Be
sure session and church staff have a copy of this to brainstorm about
the issues raised.
-
Send
us your ideas for ministry to singles so that we can share them with
other WIC ministries.
-
Pray
by name for the singles in your church.
-
Be
compassionately creative in reaching out to the whole family of God.
Think integratively, covenantally… not marginally.
-
Singles,
be willing to move out and reach out.
- Share
this letter with your family – prayerfully reach out as a family to a
single in your local church.
2002
Love Gift: CE&P Children's Ministry
Since 1973
Christian Education and Publications has nurtured and equipped local
churches for ministry. We have done this by providing training and resources
to help the leaders in our churches teach the Word in a way that shows God
as the primary reference for all of life.
Now, in
2002, your partnership will help us seize the momentum and reach out in even
more effective and purposeful ways to our children and families, build
Christ's church, and pass on the faith to the next generation.
Your gift to the 2002
Love Gift will enable CE&P to:
-
Build
a cohesive network among our children’s workers, enhancing their
interaction and communication.
-
Expand
conference and training events for those working in family and
children’s ministry.
-
Produce
solid reformed training materials and resources for those who work with
children.
- Hire
a full time Coordinator of Family and Childrenıs Ministry at the
denominational level.
To
order the Love Gift Video, call 1.800.283.1357 or visit www.pcanet.org/cep/lovegift
When mailing your church's contribution, please note "2002 Love
Gift" on the check.
____________
We
asked a real expert to help us with some ideas to enhance your Love Gift
Program. Sue Jakes is known to many for her love for God’s covenant
children. As of June 1, Sue will become the coordinator of CE&P’s
Children’s Ministry.
Here it is! The 2003 WIC Love Gift Video. Please do
not show it once in a women’s committee meeting and toss it into a stack
of old videos. This presentation has the potential not only to raise money
for one of the most important ministries in the PCA, but also to recruit a
committed team of children’s workers in every one of our churches. Make
sure every adult and teen in your church sees this video!
How can you do that?
-
in adult and teen Sunday school classes. Follow
with discussion about teachers in the church that influenced their
lives as children. How can they now be a part of passing the faith to
the next generation?
-
at the church staff meeting (they may come up
with the perfect event for a church-wide showing).
-
for the entire congregation on Wednesday or
Sunday evenings.
-
at a teachers’ appreciation event to encourage
your children’s workers.
-
in your inquirers class so that potential members
will be encouraged about the importance your church places on
children’s ministry.
-
at your missions conference. Do not let your
members forget the mission field that lies within the walls of your
own church!
-
in homes. Persuade families to watch it at home
during family devotions and use their prayer time to pray for the
PCA’s growing ministry to children and their families.
-
at a Senior members event – they are considered
a key group in reaching this generation. There are several seniors on
the video sharing their commitment to children’s ministry.
-
in session/diaconate meetings. Ask your elders
and deacons to take fifteen minutes of their meeting time to review
this video and consider how to share this vision with the
congregation.
-
to the children. Explain to them that the church
is very big. It includes many people they may never meet until we are
all in heaven with Jesus. Ask them to pray that the parents and
teachers in our “big” church will be committed to reaching the
children with their time and their money, so that when they grow up
and become teachers, the church will be even “bigger”! They may
decide to have their own offering for this Love Gift, setting an
example for the rest of the congregation.
In each of these situations the viewers should be
invited to pray and to give whatever they can for this very vital
ministry.
Whoever
welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me…For he who is least
among you all – he is the greatest.
Luke 9:48
2001
WIC Love Gift
Dear WIC Sisters,
How dear and helpful you all have been! Along with this
note there are personal thoughts of appreciation. I thank each of you for
the gracious and enthusiastic way you received and promoted the Love Gift
video, provided personal words of encouragement, sustained us in your
prayers, contributed to the project, and went the extra mile by the many
personal contacts you made on behalf of Ridge Haven. The twenty-four months
of planning, preparation, promoting, and praying have come to fruition. How
sweet the fruit is! Not only are we excited about the financial gift of
$72,000 that has resulted, but we are also really excited about the projects
that are already underway.
On behalf of the Ridge Haven Board of Directors, the
staff, and especially the Ridge Haven guests, all of whom will be enjoying
and benefiting from the new playground, the lodge renovations, and many
other improvements, I thank you for the gift and the blessing you have been
and continue to be. With you, we give glory to the Lord! Romans 11:36
With sincere appreciation in Him,
Mo Up De Graff
Administrator
PS. Keep watching the Ridge Haven web site,
www.RidgeHaven.org, to see the pictures of all the improvements and
additions.
The WICK
Women In the Church
Presbyterian Church in America
Second Quarter 2002
Put these dates on your calendars as you plan
for 2003
-
March 11-13, WIC Leadership Training Seminar
– Atlanta
-
March 13-15, CE&P/MNA Mercy Ministry Conf.
– Atlanta
-
June 17-20, 31st General Assembly
– Charlotte, NC
Willow Creek Church, Winter Springs, FL. A
Cup of Kindness. The women of Willow Creek were able to replicate in deed
what words of kindness and encouragement can be while shared around a cup
of tea. Teacups filled with various short-term ministry needs were
displayed at church. Women could take one of the items from the Cup of
Kindness and also receive a special treat for themselves when they did.
Some examples of ministry needs were: help mom of triplets with “mommy
duties,” bake cookies for Christmas Teas, pray for ladies hosting
Christmas Teas.
Riverwood Presbyterian Church, Tuscaloosa, AL. “Happy
Unbirthday.” The purpose of this event was to have fun and fellowship
while celebrating every woman’s birthday at one big party. Several women
provided dinner. There was a large, tiered cake and everyone brought a
small gift ($5.00) to be picked up from the buffet table. The program
centered on the UN theme: “Unleashing our thanks” (the blessing),
“Unwrapping our Gifts,” “Unlatching our pocketbooks” (WIC
offering), “Unforgettable Testimony,” and “ Unpracticed Singing.”
Each table creatively decorated for a month of the year.
Central Carolina Presbytery. To show their
support for those attending Presbytery, the PresWIC council offered to
pamper the wives of the pastor and elders at the Presbytery meeting by
offering manicures, facials, foot massages and Mary Kay gifts. Now isn’t
that a special gift of ‘stress-relief’ to the women who support their
husbands during times of stress throughout the year?
Heritage PresWIC - Another show of love and
appreciation for pastor’s wives was the “Pastors’ Wives Fall
Getaway.” At the most recent PresWIC meeting this gift of an overnight
stay at the beach was presented through written invitations and a creative
skit at the PresWIC meeting. The women of Heritage PresWIC wanted to
demonstrate their appreciation and love by giving the pastor’s wives an
opportunity to relax and encourage each other.
Chesapeake Presbytery. After a Bible study
group read Treasures of Encouragement, they began to ask how they
could encourage just one neglected group within the church. They decided
to support the college students with prayer, notes, and boxes of goodies,
especially at exam time. The care packages included homemade cookies and
brownies, batteries, blank CDs, candy, energy bars, chips, disposable
razors, and more. Each box came with a handwritten note signed by all the
ladies and a series of encouraging verses. Everyone looked forward to the
day of the month when the group packed the boxes–it was like Christmas!
The response has been amazing. The ladies are now eagerly looking for
other opportunities.
Old Peachtree Presbyterian Church, Duluth, GA.
As a new twist on the church cookbook women contributed a favorite
“comfort food” recipe and included special words to say goodbye to.
What a unique way to send off a co-laborer while reminding her that she is
always connected in the covenant family!
Central Georgia PresWIC. At the October
Presbytery Meeting, the formation of a ladies chorale was approved and
encouraged. The “Women of Faith” comprise women from Central Georgia
Presbytery churches. They are available to minister in song to the Women
In the Church at various conferences and retreats, and to the Presbytery
at their invitation.
Briarwood
Presbyterian Church, Birmingham, AL.
Here are two winners for those of you who publish a WIC newsletter. This
cute idea illustrates God’s faithfulness in His earthly picture of the
Covenant: marriage. “What Is the Glue?,” an insert in the WIC
newsletter pictures young “mystery” couples with captions from each
regarding the glue that has caused them to stick together for over fifty
years. (Couples are named at the end of the article.) Also, in “Passing
on the Legacy of Faith” four families share how they traditioned their
faith to their covenant children.
___________
If
your church or WIC has a newsletter, please send it to the PCA WIC office.
Put us on your mailing list so that we can see what things are happening
at your church or in your PresWIC. We depend on you for information and
creative ways of ministering to the Daughters of the Covenant. Let’s
share with one another the good things God is teaching us.
Published by: Christian Education & Publications,
1700 North Brown Road, Suite 102, Lawrenceville, GA 30043
Charles H. Dunahoo, Coordinator; Jane Patete,
Coordinator of Women's Ministries
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