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WIC Resource Letter
for PCA Women in Leadership 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.
Extending His Kingdom: Another Step in the WIC Journey I hope you participated in the 50 Days of Prayer for the PCA. Each day I looked forward to uniting with my sisters and brothers across the world praying for the Lord to bring “reformation and revival to our church and her ministries”. It was a beautiful foretaste of that great day when the nations will surround the throne of God and lift perfect, united praise before the Lamb who is worthy. This issue of the Resource Letter is global. This past year has seen many opportunities to extend Biblical Foundations for Womanhood to the nations. As you read about the transferable truths of our covenantal teachings on womanhood we pray that this Resource Letter will lead you to:
Ukrainian Heirs of the Covenant What do women in Ukraine and Georgia, USA have in common? Not language, fashion, or economics. In addition to our union in Christ, we have a common bond in covenant theology that crosses all differences and unites us as sisters in the Lord. In June 2001 several Ukrainian churches hosted a conference built around the theme, “What does the Bible say about Women?” Participants wanted to learn more about the place of women of the covenant in home and church. Some women arriving from the seven MTW church plants rode twelve hours overnight on a train. They came because they had heard from other Ukrainian women who had attended the 1999 WIC conference in Atlanta that there would be some great Bible teaching and rich times of fellowship and sharing. We met in a small apartment used by the Odessa church as a soup kitchen. Susan Hunt spoke based on her book Heirs of the Covenant. The book has been translated into Russian, and each woman who attended received a copy. For the first time many of these women clearly understood covenant theology. Women begin to think about the importance of their covenant roles in family and church life. This is significant in Ukraine, since the majority of the people who attend our churches are women. The women from Midway Presbyterian Church in Powder Springs, Georgia, brought gifts for the women and gave their testimonies. The Ukrainian women were surprised to hear that American women have problems much like their own. They eagerly shared personal prayer requests and new ideas. Small group workshops helped us think through different areas of ministry and ways to creatively use women to support the work and worship of the church. As a result of this conference, Bible studies and women’s ministries are being organized in Kherson, Kiev, and Kharkov, and have already begun in Nikolaev. Plans are underway for the women from Belgorod-Dnestrovsky to host the next presbytery-wide conference in 2002. The lessons learned and the relationships built during the 2001 conference will continue even though that conference has ended.
Editor’s note Future Ukrainian Heirs of the Covenant Meet Galina Kuleshova, a member of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Kherson, Ukraine. She leads the children’s ministry in her church. Listen to her heart of mercy for her own children and for the street children of her country. Rejoice over the strong mercy outreach that characterizes this church. “I am rearing my own two children alone. I pray a lot for my children, for their future, and right near by are thousands of children no one wants. The city of Kherson is located in southern Ukraine and has been affected by the social and material problems of our country. Many families live below the poverty level and have given themselves over to drinking, drug abuse, and prostitution. Children have become the victims of their parents. Newborns are thrown into trash dumpsters, 3 and 4 year olds are taught to be beggars which often leads to stealing and prostitution. Therefore a significant number of children have fled their parents and are living on the streets. They don’t have a future. Their parents don’t pray for them, there is no one to tell them about Jesus Christ.” For four years Galina has gone to these children, bringing not only hot food, but the loving compassion of Christ. Currently fifty children attend Sunday School, listening to the Bible lessons, fellowshipping with the members and their families, and hearing the church praying for them. Galina concludes “we are grateful to the Lord for giving us this unique opportunity to touch the future. ‘Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it’ (Proverbs 22:6). We believe that the Lord will warm their hearts with His love, change their lives and the life of our country, our people.” This is just one of the mercy ministries of the Kherson church. Other ongoing ministries and outreach include a weekly English class using Scripture text, evangelism training, women’s group, and Bible study. Praying and applying our hearts unto mercy:
Spiritual Mothering goes International! Several
months ago, I received an email from an MTW missionary to France. She
wrote, “A number of years ago you (CE&P/WIC Office) asked what
missionary women were doing with WIC resources in other countries…..here
is a great example of transferable teaching of the Titus 2 Mandate. Cross-Cultural Titus 2 Ministry--A Case Study A few years ago, I realized that changes had occurred in the North African Christians (Muslim Background Believers or MBBs) in our French city. The group of primarily single students had become a group with many young married couples. I also noticed that the women were isolated from one another. I decided the women needed opportunities to connect and to be taught Scriptural principles on marriage and family. Some on our team questioned the need. One said Arabs don't have the same expectations in marriage as Westerners so they don't have as many conflicts. I persisted, and with fear and trembling and very little confidence in myself, but with a Titus 2 vision and a burden for these women I started the group. We focused on marriage. We studied, laughed, cried and prayed through topics such as communication, forgiveness, in-laws, money and the all-time favorite topic--sex. I was careful to relate these topics to the women's North African culture. During the first two years, we met monthly since most women had studies and jobs. As babies arrived, there was need for more support and for teaching on parenting. Young mothers often feel isolated, so we started meeting weekly. Our hearts were knit together in love as we traversed these periods of our lives together. They appreciated the teaching and grew in their confidence as mothers and in godliness as women and wives. I always emphasized that I was teaching them as the older woman in Titus 2 so that one day they could teach others. They are currently doing just that. While our relationships deepened, building a serving, loving community was more challenging. The first time one of the women had a baby, I tried to organize meals for her. The other women couldn't find time to help, or they only brought a small amount of food. In the end, it was modeling and encouraging that taught the concept of community. The women eventually learned to serve together. When a visiting evangelist was coming, we wanted to have a meal after the meeting. I explained that I was exhausted and I was getting ready for furlough. I assured them that they were capable and that I would guide them through. We planned the menu, assigned tasks, and appointed a coordinator. It was a beautiful event. They were so pleased, and I was, too. The woman who coordinated the evening said, "I never thought that I was useful to God, but you showed me that God can use even me." And she hasn't stopped serving Him. Before my furlough, the women organized a going-away party for me and for a colleague who was retiring, complete with an abundance of food, dancing, and great entertainment. I was very touched. Foundational Principles: Mentoring and Community 1. Mentoring Cross Culturally Mentoring is a universal need. It is especially acute for MBBs. As one woman explained, "We grew up in North African Muslim homes, with one set of values and teaching; we've grown up in France with another set of values, and now we're Christians. We need to evaluate everything in our past, our culture, and our education in light of the Bible and decide what is good and can be kept and what needs to change. You're teaching us to relate the Bible to our culture, is invaluable. You're helping us make a new way, a North African Christian way, to live and think." Mentoring with Transparency: If we appear to have no struggles, we are unapproachable. This discourages women. They think they can never attain the same level of spirituality. When you repent and pray together, they realize that we are all in need of God's forgiveness and grace. Mentoring is not Personality Driven: Too often, the missionary or mentor becomes the hub of a wheel. Each woman has a strong relationship with the mentor but they are not as connected to one another. When the mentor is gone, the group falls apart. The mentor needs to intentionally encourage interdependent relationships among the group by teaching them to care for each other rather than rely on her. Practical application of Biblical Truths: First, we need to make precise application of Scripture, particularly in the area of Christian character. Second, mentoring needs to address the person's culture. We must identify cultural practices and values, evaluate them in light of the Bible and decide how behavior needs to change in light of biblical truth. Without this dimension, change will be superficial. 2. Building Community Muslim women hide in the same caves of isolation as women in our local churches: fear, lack of confidence, busyness, mistrust, and suspicion. Muslim women need the same thing women everywhere need: relationships.
In summary, I see a great need for effective mentoring that addresses Christian character and obedience and that engages a person's culture biblically. Even though our group was formed in a European immigrant context, I think these principles are applicable anywhere, anytime. How to use this article: Use the following questions (taken from the Summer Quarter 2000 WIC Resource Letter) with your leadership team to find the covenantal characteristics of ministry in the article. This process will aid your team as you intentionally plan and implement your ministries. Not every activity or ministry will accomplish all of these purposes, but every activity/ministry should accomplish some of them. Why are we
doing this?
Why
Go? Why go on a short-term mission trip? I have asked this question many times. I was convinced that a trip would not increase my love for the Lord or His great commission. I was wrong. It all began when Gene and I went on an MTW Vision Trip to Turkey and Ukraine. I met women, made friends, and returned two years later to participate in a women's conference [see the article on page --]. In 1998 a Japanese pastor invited me to Japan. We were planning the '99 WIC Conference and I could not possibly accept, so I suggested that he send women to that conference. Ten women came. They returned and had Leadership for Women In the Church translated into Japanese. Then they extended the invitation again. I asked if I could take other women. Our experience in Ukraine confirmed my belief that a mission trip needs to be more than downloading information. It needs to build relationships, and that takes a team. So nine PCA women traveled to Japan and spoke at conferences in six cities. Three of the women on the team are WIC trainers, and they spent time with missionary women taking them through the training materials. What have I learned? First, the eight married women on the Japan team had the support and encouragement of our husbands. God husbanded us in sweet and tender ways. But without the immediate presence and protection of our husbands, we realized something that we take for granted. Our deep awareness that our husbands will give us spiritual and physical protection and oversight gives a security that is difficult to describe. It is a security that frees us to flourish. That's how God designed it, and it is very good. Second, going on a mission trip, or sending others from our churches, is good stewardship. The Lord has given us incredible opportunities to learn and grow in the grace and knowledge of Him. In my case, God has given me a passion to teach women what He says about womanhood and woman's place in His church. Frankly, it never occurred to me that what I wrote and taught was transferable to other cultures. I learned that women all over the world are asking the same questions and need the same answers. God's truth transcends time and place. Women from Tokyo to Toronto long for spiritual mothers. If I am going to be a good steward of the opportunities God has given me, and if I am going to be a faithful member of God's covenant family that encircles the globe, then I must be willing to teach my sisters in Marietta, Georgia, or Odessa, Ukraine. Third, going is a matter of obedience. I did not want to go to Japan. I felt obligated because they sent women here and they translated one of my books. I knew I did not initiate this. God obviously opened this door and it would be wrong for me not to go. Duty and obedience are not wrong, and sometimes they are all we can offer. But the wonder is that as we walk in the way of duty and obedience, we encounter grace. That happened for me in Japan. It was a hard trip for our team and the Japanese women who planned the conferences and traveled with us. We were in a different city with a different translator each day. After several days I visited in the home of the Japanese pastor who invited me. I asked why he had wanted me to come. He hesitated, and then said, "When the women attended the WIC conference in Atlanta, they returned with brighter faces. I want women all over Japan to learn what they learned." I wept. My heart was softening. I, too, wanted them to have brighter faces that reflect God's glory. Then, at the last conference, the translator asked to meet with me before I spoke. She had received my manuscript in advance. She said, "I want to be sure I understand what you are saying so that I can translate accurately. Do you mean that God designed everything and each thing? Do you mean He designed me as a woman?" When I answered affirmatively she gasped, "That is so wonderful!" We both wept. At that moment I realized that my heart overflowed with love for that country and people. Along the way, God had stretched my heart and filled it with more grace. And in the process I knew and loved Him more. Obedience is more about what we become than what we do. This is a fruit of grace. Fourth, when an individual or group goes on a mission trip, it strengthens their local church family. The Sunday after we returned, I was stunned at the number of my church family who told me they had prayed every day. They told about keeping our itinerary on the refrigerator door, or about waking up in the middle of the night and praying, or about their children praying. I physically went to Japan, but our whole church family made that trip on their knees. One young couple approached me and the husband said, "Thank you for going to Japan. We knew it was hard for you to leave home. We knew you didn't want to leave Gene. But you went, and it taught us about obedience." Fifth, I believe it strengthens our families. We have nine grandchildren--by the time you read this, make that eleven. I don't like being away from them. But I want them to know that they are part of a glorious church that extends through history and around the world. All of our children and grandchildren were with us the Sunday before I left. Our missions committee sent two other women from our church, and on that Sunday our elders commissioned us. We knelt before the congregation and they laid hands on us and prayed. After lunch that afternoon, I gathered the grandchildren and told them again where I was going and why. We talked about the trip. And then I asked them to pray for me. Immediately, they all got up and stood around me. They solemnly laid hands on me and one by one they prayed. And I pray that they will never forget . . . I pray that God in His mercy will use me to give them a glimpse of the bigness of Him and the bigness of His kingdom.Husbands and pastors with young children and busy lives willing and joyfully supporting their wives: We participated, by God’s grace, in the extension of His kingdom. When Karen was invited to accompany Susan Hunt on a ten day teaching tour in Japan we were thrilled to fully support her involvement. We were delighted to free her from her many responsibilities here (not the least of which is being a constant support to a needy pastor and a precious mother to two kids) so that she could reach out to others. Our session was not the only part of our church family to support Karen’s effort. Our women wrote cards, hosted parties, thought of evangelistic ideas for Karen to use, and prayed constantly for the team. Personally, I
had only one question for Karen when we were considering the trip, “Do
you believe that you will be utilized in the extension of God’s Kingdom
on this trip?” As the plans took shape it became obvious that there
would be plentiful opportunities for each member of the team to
communicate the word of God. In fact, I rejoice in the abundance of grace
that God poured onto Susan, the team, and all those that they encountered.
The complete experience, shared through encouragement and prayer by our
entire church family, has fueled us to continue striving to be a conduit
of God’s grace in Stuart and throughout the world. Over the last few years, I have watched my wife, Evelyn grow in spiritual depth to my great delight. Her interest in prayer, Bible study, mentoring other women, leadership and compassion for others has mushroomed. Why? I believe her growth is due in large measure to the insights from the WIC Leadership Conferences in Atlanta, the many friends she made there, and the Foundations books. This was Evelyn’s time to receive.
The Japanese Trip was a great opportunity for my wife. The practical
information she has learned could now be put to work in a cross-cultural
setting. I believe woman who feel loved and supported in a church
environment will have a major impact on their immediate families and
communities. That love and encouragement fosters intimacy with God. It is
intimacy that we all want and it is beyond borders. This was Evelyn’s
time to give.
Now let’s hear from some of the women who participated in sharing the transferable truths of biblical womanhood to our Japanese sisters. Rejoice in the fruit in one young woman’s life as told by MTW missionary, Amy Newsome. Especially note the involvement of the local WIC in Karen’s story. As Susan Hunt wrote, each of the women who were on the team “brought a dimension that blended together into a beautiful whole.”
It was so encouraging to see new believers sing hymns so enthusiastically,
ask so many sincere questions (such as how to pray, how to minister to
women in their church, etc.,) and reach out to show us the love of
Christ.
Our trip to Japan brought to life Colossians 2:2, "that
their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all
the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's
mystery, which is in Christ."
It was a thrill to go with a group of women whom I did not know
well and experience having hearts knit together as we traveled throughout
Japan—great times of laughter, an awe of God working, and hearts heavy
with the statistics of a country where fewer than 1 percent of the people
know Christ. A glimpse of the mystery of the church unfolded as we sang
together "Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken" and "How Firm
A Foundation" with loving Japanese people. At times we found it
difficult to communicate verbally, yet beyond the "words" we
knew that we were family. It was an unforgettable experience that I will
treasure the rest of my life. I was
riding home from a teaching session with a young believer in our church.
Her young faith and tender heart were touched by the biblical truths about
womanhood she had heard. As I busily mused over responsibilities of the
next few days…showing hospitality to the WIC trainers, preparing for a
seminar to be taught in my home, concern for my child’s heath crisis, my
young friend offered to share my burdens. Her servant heart was a
beautiful picture of a young Christian putting hands and feet to the
gospel of grace. Karen Hodge, WIC Trainer
A PresWIC and Local Church Reach Out Globally Christ Covenant PCA in Cullman, Alabama, is a member of Evangel PresWIC. During this past year this local WIC had an opportunity to minister covenantally to a daughter of the church who is stationed with her husband in Germany. This young couple has been the recipient of much prayer support, especially during a recent miscarriage. Christ Covenant women have been encouraging and equipping this young women in her new role as leader in the Women’s Ministry at Trinity Reformed PCA mission church in Ramstein, Germany. They sent copies of the Biblical Foundation books, and a prayer booklet, “Women on their Knees” compiled by this local WIC. This daughter of the church responds: “We have been greatly blessed by your friendship. Thank you so much for your encouragement and prayers. We are thankful that God blessed us with a child for only a few months. We trust that God uses these things to strengthen and shape us into the people He would have us to be. We are so thankful for the church, we were lifted and bathed in prayer…God really uses prayer as a means of ministering to one another. Thank you again for all the contacts and literature you have sent. It is hard being the only (American) Reformed church in Germany. What a blessing to be so connected with you and other WIC groups.” Big Sister PresWIC Evangel PresWIC recently hosted an Encouragement and Equip mini seminar (read more about it in the WICK). One of the guests was Stephanie van der Westhuizen, MTW missionary to Chile. Stephanie’s participation in this event led her to ask some good questions. “When we moved to the States in 1997, getting to know the PCA as a denomination was a goal of my husband’s and mine. A goal that was greatly facilitated by our travels throughout the Southeast to raise support to return to Chile where we have been working in church planting since 1985. I was very interested to see how women’s ministry functions in the PCA, and so have used every available opportunity to attend PresWIC functions while in the States. Through interaction with many godly women of diverse ages and background at the E&E seminar, I became excited to see how ‘older women’ were helping and encouraging younger women in new church plants through ‘cross-pollination’ of ideas, prayers, and practical hands-on help. After that meeting I have had a growing sense that God wants to do something similar in Chile where we currently have four church plants functioning at different stages. How to use this article
Cultural
Relevance in the Midst of Cultural Diversity The events of September 11 had many ramifications on our lives. One was that they jolted us out of the false reality that we live in an insulated country. Multi-cultural is not some left-wing term. It accurately describes that our society is diverse and made up of people of many ethnicities. What does this mean for us as Christian women? Here are three ways you can be culturally relevant in a Christian worldview. Leviticus 19:33-34 says, “When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself…” First, being culturally relevant means having an attitude of compassion and reaching out with mercy. This attitude flows out of what it means to be a biblical woman. The fact that women are relational and compassionate flows out of our design - the design with which God has created us. Think about Leviticus 19 in light of 9-11. As a result of those events, do you treat people of other ethnicities with kindness and love, do you truly love them as yourself? The Leviticus text does not talk specifically about those aliens who perhaps became believers, it talks about aliens in general - those who were not of physical Jewish descent. Do you love Hispanics, Asians, Arabs, people from India or Africa who live in your neighborhoods as much as you love yourself? Reaching out with compassion means befriending immigrants. Invite them to your home. Many foreigners who live in the U.S. have never been into an American home. Invite them with their children into your home to play with your children. Second, respect cultural uniqueness and don’t believe in stereotypes. Most of the world-wide Muslim population is not Arab. Pakistani and Afghani Muslims are not Arabs. There are 166 million Muslims in Indonesia. In the U.S. we now have 7 million Muslims with 40 percent of new converts coming from the African American community which means that in little more than one generation, more than half of all African-Americans in the U.S. will be Muslims! Again take Leviticus 19 to heart, treat all people with respect don’t regard people from other cultures as “projects.” Be just as excited to go to lunch with or have your kids play with a foreigner and her children to whom you are reaching out as you would be with a Caucasian, Junior League, non-Christian woman and her family to whom you are ministering. Ethnic identity is OK. John Calvin in the Institutes in Book Four when discussing worship said, “Lastly, as he has not delivered any express command, because things of this nature are not necessary to salvation, and for the edification of the Church, should be accommodated to the varying circumstances of each age and nation, it will be proper, as the interest of the Church may require, to change and abrogate the old, as well as to introduce new forms.” When people become Christians it’s OK for them to be Christians in the context of their ethnicity. Respecting cultural uniqueness means knowing about some of the traditions of the people you are reaching out to. This fall when my four-year-old took a community soccer program, I started chatting with a mom standing next to me. Through our conversation I told her I was a Christian. I gathered that she and her family were Jewish and religiously observant. I have a basic understanding of Judaism and was aware of different Temples in the area so I could break the ice and talk about things that were familiar to her. Many first generation immigrants may still strictly adhere to certain customs. If you are involved in outreach to Muslim women, you should not make them take off their head coverings if an adult male member of your family is in your house when they visit. Modesty of dress for all women is very important to Muslims. Respect their dietary restrictions if you have observant Muslims over for a meal. Third, biblical tolerance in our multicultural society does not mean Christians agree with other cultures’ worldviews. You need to know the truth, but you also need to know why you believe it. Islam is a monotheistic religion just like Christianity. How is Christianity different? Islam teaches the absolute unity of one God in one person while Christianity teaches plurality within unity; three persons in one nature. Do you know how to explain from Scripture what the Trinity is and why you believe in it? This is essential to know because Muslims commonly misunderstand that Christians believe in three gods. If God leads you to reach out to a specific people group whether they are Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, or even Mormons, do some study and learn how Christianity differs from what they believe. In the twenty-first century the world has come to our doorstep and many people we interact with will not come from a Judeo-Christian background. One of the beautiful characteristics of Christianity is its diversity. Revelation 5:9-10 describes God’s people saying, “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals because you were slain and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God.” What to do:
Gearing up for Fall
Book 2 in the Biblical Foundations for Womanhood Bible Study Series is now
available:
The Formation of God’s People, Israel: Studies in Exodus, Leviticus,
Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
Don’t forget Book 1 in the series: Paul’s Letters to Maturing
Churches: Studies in Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and 1&2
Thessalonians. Share this Resource Letter with your council – Copy three teaching pieces for your team:
Use these articles to lead a discussion with your WIC Council about the
need for ‘acting globally in your neighborhoods.’ Begin praying about
your church’s response to this need.
Make copies of the WICK and distribute to every woman
in the church. Schedule
the 2002 WIC Love Gift Video: contact the Video Library 1.800.283.1357 or order
online
Local WICS: Make sure the CE&P/WIC office has a correct and updated
name and address for your WIC president/contact woman. Call 678.825.1132
or make corrections through the web
site.
Pray for the CE&P/ WIC staff in Atlanta, your WASC representative, and
your PresWIC President.
Plan events to creatively love and appreciate our pastor’s wives.
PresWIC Presidents: Make plans to attend the 2003 Leadership Training
Seminar Plan
to attend the 2003 Mercy Conference in Atlanta (March 13-15) and publicize
it to your entire church. An
Equip Conference near you? …Arden,
North Carolina, September 7, 2002 …Harrisburg,
PA, October 12, 2002. For more information, contact Rachel Ginzberg at 678-825-1132 or
rginzberg@pcanet.org PresWIC
Councils: Be creative and diligent as you seek to connect your women
through newsletters and other publicity for important equipping events.
Pray for WIC Trainers, PresWICs and local churches as they prepare for
upcoming WIC training events.
2002 WIC TRAINING EVENTS This schedule shows the breadth of training events scheduled for this year.
Becky Piatt, PresWIC President and event planner for the recent North Texas PresWIC training shared pre-event planning preparations that maximized the effectiveness of this ministry for her local churches. This creative and intentional preparation is easily transferable to any WIC event. Prayed for participants as registrations arrived using 3X5 note cards with their name and address and church on the cards. Sent a short biography of Melanie Cogdill (WIC Trainer) with an article she had written to each pastor in the letter of invitation. Sent local church contacts copies of the WIC 201 Resource Letter and an article from Equip for Ministry, “Passing on the PCA Distinctives to the Next Generation” two weeks prior to the seminar. This gave them a basic overview of who and what WIC is as well as a lesson about the PCA. They were asked to copy these articles and give them to the women who planned to attend the seminar. One week prior to the Seminar, I held a PresWIC meeting during our Presbytery meeting and invited the local presidents. We viewed the video of Bryan Chappell’s sermon from the 1999 Mercy Ministry Conference. Those that could not attend were urged to watch the video prior to attending. Just in case I missed anyone, I copied the sermon transcript and put it into the folders. Prepared and personalized a folder for each woman. This included the WIC Training Handouts and many of the helpful handouts received at LTS this March:
Created a book table with all the Foundations books, The Micah Mandate, Treasurers of Faith, Female Piety, the biography of Anne Bradstreet, Teaching Hearts and Training Minds, books on the history of the PCA and interestingly, the 2002 PCA Directory, which was a great hit! The women could preview these books and take a copy of the CE&P Bookstore catalog. For information about scheduling a WIC trainer, contact the WIC office at 678-825-1146 or jpatete@pcanet.org
2002 WIC Love Gift Partners with CE&P to Expand Its Ministry to Children The Women in the Church annual Love Gift has assisted our PCA committees and agencies since our beginning. Many ministries have begun as a result of gifts and prayers directed towards them by WIC. This year is no exception. One of the greatest challenges facing the church in North America is getting and keeping children involved in the church’s life and ministry. Millions have no church connection and many do not stick with the organized church as they reach their older teen years. How the church responds during this first decade of the 21st century will determine much of what will follow for years to come. The 2002 WIC Love Gift will enable CE&P to expand its resources to local churches, resources that are biblically reformed and applicable in discipling this younger generation. CE&P recently hired Sue Jakes, a specialist in Christian education, particularly children’s ministry, to coordinate our efforts and help develop a network of people in children’s ministry at the local level. A matching gift has been received that will double each dollar contributed to the 2002 Love Gift by churches, women’s groups, and individuals. My prayer as Coordinator of Christian Education and Publications is that special gifts for this project will enable CE&P to fund this ministry for the next four to five years. Local churches are showing the Love Gift video, “Let the Children Come,” and distributing the insert which describes the project. If your church has not yet shown the video or participated in the Love Gift, here is your opportunity to make a difference in the vital area of ministry to the children God loves and desires to have walk with Him.click here to order or read more about the 2002 WIC Love Gift Video
The WICK 2003
Leadership Training Seminar Why: WIC Leadership Training Seminar remains the centerpiece of the WIC Ministry. Who: PresWIC Presidents and Directors of Women’s Ministries will be trained and equipped to train and equip women in local churches. (By invitation only) When:
This year the 2003 Leadership Training Seminar precedes the denominational
Mercy Conference the at the same hotel. If you attend LTS you may also
register for the Mercy Ministry Conference (March 13-15) Bay Area PCA, Webster, TX, This local WIC organized a week of prayer for women to seek God’s guidance for their WIC ministry in the church. Both day time and evening opportunities were planned. Prayer time was orchestrated with printed reflections and scripture on praise and thanksgiving, confession, and petition and specific needs of the WIC ministry, pastor, elders and deacons, and the church as a whole were also included. It was an exciting week for those who have been to many prayer groups and those who were attending for the first time. Not only are answers to prayer already evident, but there is a new excitement about prayer. Aisquith Presbyterian, Baltimore, MD, After a couple years of struggling with not enough folks to volunteer in their annual WIC events, Aisquith decided to regroup by cutting back and starting again slowly. Organizational meetings were kept short and convenient (Sunday after church) and events were planned to be very low maintenance. The first event was a fellowship time and the women viewed the Joni Erickson Tada video from the 1999 WIC Conference in Atlanta. Everyone brought her own sandwich on Sunday for a brown bag lunch. WIC provided beverages and cookies. In the most simple of preparations, women responded to God’s call of hospitality and some brought extra cookies and sandwiches for anyone who may have forgotten to bring her own. Things have slowly begun to build not only in numbers (there is now a full slate of WIC officers) but in enthusiasm. Evangel PresWIC The Encouragement and Equip Conference was attended by fifty-six women from sixteen churches. The theme for the day was “Connecting Through Fellowship,” with a goal to encourage WIC church leaders and send them back equipped with ideas and support. Cathe Cleveland presented a Scripture study on Building Connections. Women were given seminar choices on Building Connections: Through Generation to Generation, Through Mercy Ministry, and Through Giving. WIC team presidents also had an opportunity to meet together. Aesthetics were not lost in the content of the day. One women said she thought she had stepped into an elegant hotel lobby when she was greeted by a smiling face, the delicious aroma of the refreshments, the loveliness of the flowers, and the harmony of a string quartet. Valley PCA, Baltimore, MD Women have been “Hanging the Greens” for several years. It’s a wonderful day of making wreaths and swags, putting up trees, and making the church beautiful for the Christmas Season. A simple lunch together makes the day even more enjoyable. This year, in addition to the usual festivities the Sunday Afternoon Girls’ Bible Study baked cookies in the church kitchen and donated them to the church for the Sunday morning coffee fellowship during the Christmas season. Each girl brought a batch or two of cookie dough to be dropped, rolled, decorated, and baked. The bakers then ate lunch with the rest of the decorators—providing freshly baked cookies for dessert. What an opportunity to build community in a great time of fellowship and service!Global WIC Ideas Hilton Head Presbyterian Church, Hilton Head, SC, participated in Operation Christmas Child by packing shoe boxes for children in Afghanistan. 5.2 million boxes were collected worldwide—over half the boxes came from the U.S. where over 34,000 volunteers worked in seven processing plants. At the distribution site in Afghanistan, the provincial governor explained that some of the gifts had come from New York children who had also suffered at the hands of terrorists. But even more important, he acknowledged that the gifts came from Christians who want to share God’s love. “They want you children to know that God has not forgotten you.” WIC Lecture
Series at Covenant College - Ongoing
fruits of an earlier WIC Love Gift! The Spring 2002 WIC Lecture Series at
Covenant College included its first international emphasis. The credit
hour course, “Deconstruction of a Worldview: The Rise and Fall of
Communism in Central Europe, and Its impact on Church and Country” was
presented by guest lecturers Dr. Dusan Jaura and Mr. Marsh Molye of the
Central European Studies Center in Bratislava, Slovakia. Students in the
classroom were challenged to intellectually grasp how a contrary worldview
affects someone who does not believe in it, and how to formulate a
strategy for spreading the gospel in such a climate.
Book 2 in the Biblical Foundations for Womanhood Bible Study Series is now
available:
The Formation of God’s People, Israel: Studies in Exodus, Leviticus,
Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
Don’t forget Book 1 in the series: Paul’s Letters to Maturing
Churches: Studies in Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and 1&2
Thessalonians. We want to hear from you: good ideas for local and PresWIC events and WIC training events…especially ways that women are connecting personally, cross-generationally, denominationally, and globally. Also, what are some creative ways you have shown the 2002 WIC Love Gift video? 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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