With the initiative of Compassion, Mercy and Justice chair Renee Shepherd, women of the Central Conference brought over 600 pillowcase dresses to two weekend retreats at Covenant Harbor.
After connecting so richly at three fantastic retreats with the wonderful women of the Central and Pacific Southwest Conferences, I’m having withdrawal pains. Now I know that in order to experience withdrawal, one must first develop a physical or mental dependence.
I’m not sure if the heart-to-heart connections, powerful worship, great speakers, deep conversations, laughter, sharing of life stories, offerings of pain and joy and the celebration of being women actually got in my bloodstream. But I know it made me hungry for more.
But I’m not at a retreat today, I’m in my office seeking ways to continue the connections and to keep encouraging women in the Covenant to dream bigger dreams and to reach out to the women around you. There is so much terrific stuff going on!
Rev. Catherine Gilliard inspired women of the Pacific Southwest Conference to recognize our great need for each other during two retreats at Mission Springs.
If you’ve just subscribed to the blog, “Welcome!” It was so great to meet so many of you at the retreats. I’m praying that each of us will fully live in to all that God did on the retreats; that we will continue to take time with him, to listen to him and to remember how deliciously vital our connections with each other really are!
Here are some things I’d like you to know about:
Twin Cities!
Daybreak, a Human Trafficking Forum
October 28-30, 2011
Bloomington Covenant Church
10150 Xerxes Avenue South
Bloomington, MN 55431
(952) 831-8339
Map
Bloomington Covenant is hosting an anti-trafficking forum targeted at clergy, medical personnel, and social service workers. Participants can gain CEU credits. If you are in the area, you definitely want to check it out. Cyd Johnson, a member of our Human Trafficking Task Force, has spurred the forum into existence. This from a ministry spouse who quit her job earlier this year so she could focus on this issue, she feels so strongly about it.
Read about Cyd in this Covenant Newswire story.
The forum starts on Friday, October 28 with a prayer walk at the Mall of America—a huge center for trafficking. What a great idea.
On Saturday, action moves to the church where there will be an exhibit area with experts in the anti-trafficking field available along with sales of craft items from 3rd world crafters.
On Sunday, Dr. Boaz Johnson, Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies at North Park University, will share from his perspective and experience with global issues and human trafficking. He is also a member of the Women Ministries Human Trafficking Task Force and author of a section of the PROTECT resource.
Chicagoans!
Moody Memorial Church DV Conference
Date: October 7-8, 2011
To Heal the Heart: Responding to Family Violence in a Community of Faith
Presenters: Dr. Steve Tracy, M.Div., Th.M., Ph.D. & Celestia G. Tracy, M.A., L.P.C., Founders of Mending the Soul
The Moody Church
1609 North LaSalle
Chicago, IL 60614
This is an amazing opportunity for those of us in Chicago! Steven and Celestia Tracy are our partners in ministry and Mending the Soul is the Bible Study Support Group that we are launching through the Just Women project this year. If you can attend any part of this event be sure to go. It will be powerful and empowering.
North Pacific Conference
Women Ministries Leadership Connection, September 30, 2011 at Cascades Camp, Lakeside Lodge. Take the next step and equip your ministry team with an interactive training from 1:00-4:00 pm, just before the women’s retreat begins. Women leaders and potential leaders from all over the conference will have a chance to articulate a clear vision that will strengthen their church vision, design a women’s ministry that will fit your church women, network with other women leaders, and update or refresh your ministry ideas. Download a flyer [HERE] for more information. Reserve a space by replying to Lorie@npc-cwm.org or 360-943-9404. Bring $5 for a workbook.
