I have really enjoyed the comments pertaining to the need for women's fellowship. There is definitely a need and an interest here. I have also enjoyed talking with different ladies about some of the thoughts expressed on this blog. There is definitely a wide array of perspectives on the current status of women in our congregation and what changes would be beneficial.
After reading Candi's comment, I thought it would be good to make one more post. The purpose of this post is to raise the question Candi asked in her comment: What ideas do you have regarding the rejuvenation of the Women's Connection?
Please comment as to your thinking about activities, times, etc. What support would be helpful from the men of the congregation? Your input will make a tremendous impact on the efforts to build greater opportunities.
P.S. Feel free to express other ideas that do not fit strictly under the umbrella of the Women's Connection.
Monday, February 27, 2006
The Fellowship of Women
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18 comments:
In regards to Candi's comment, I don't even know what the Women's Connection is but I think it would be great. I am craving a way to fellowship with other women. My only problem is that I am limited to evenings and weekends because of my job. Please let me know if anything is discovered that I can be involved in.
Jason: As to ideas about rejuvenating the Women's Connection I think first what the men can do is be available on this day or evening to take care of the kids so mom can attend. A date needs to be set up (for example - meet 3rd friday of the month) and everyone in the family will know that is Mom's night. Plan a schedule for six months. For example one month meet in someone's home and have finger foods, the next month plan to go to a restaurant, and maybe one month meet at the church and have snacks, prayer and fellowship. A scheduled planned time to meet and what you are going to do given to everyone ahead of time is good. This could be typed up and printed out for all the ladies and put in the bulletin each month as a reminder of what is going on with the women. I think if we meet and get together for discussion these ladies can think of a lot of ideas of things they want to do. I was just giving examples and don't expect to follow what I have said. Let two ladies take turns planning what we are going to do for the next three months or six months (which ever way you want to do this). Maybe we could take turns and meet sometimes in the mornings and sometimes in the evenings so those that work during the day or that particular evening could attend and some would not feel left out. If I think of any more ideas I will be back with you. Everyone interested in getting this started needs to pray about our ladies fellowship. Just remember that there will be some ladies just not interested in any of these things but as a whole we should have several ladies that are really interest in developing a better relatioship with other ladies in the church.
LOVE ONE ANOTHER
Just thought of something else. Keep it simple.
Hey Gals - What's wrong with having Steve announce Wednesday night that we will meet for a few minutes after church.(All ladies that are interested)The next thing we can make a few decisions and have another announcement put in the bulletin on Sunday for those not at church of Wednesday. This should be a start.
LOVE ONE ANOTHER
I think the idea of the guys taking charge of the kids while the ladies get together now and then, takes something like the "father-daughter gala" a step further. This is an opportunity to give the men more time with their children and gives the children more time with their dads. They could have a special date with one another and go to a movie, go get ice cream, go to the park, etc. This, of course, could also end up stressing "dad" out quite bit but I have some advice.
What does kill you will make you stronger!
HAHAHA......I mean, what DOESN'T kill you will make you stronger!
OOPS! :D
Just a suggestion--
Work with the "Prayer and Share" concept, include in that effort prayers for our Sunshine family. God is doing some great things within us. He will do even more as we truly humble ourselves before him and wait to be lifted up.
I cannot express how meaningful it has been for me to participate in the early morning prayers session on Sundays. It started out fairly ordinary, but with time the bond between us grew. There is something profoundly different about praying as a group as opposed to praying alone. Private prayers are very important but community is where it is at. Spirituality is meant to be expressed primarily in community.
It is awkward at first (at least it was for us), but it will prove to be invaluable. After all, it is not about what we are going to do, it is about what God is going to do through us!
I know that I am personally more willing to show up somewhere to pray with other women than I am to watch a movie. Not that watching a movie is wrong or even a bad idea. I'm just telling everyone what to expect from me.
Any time I have ever spent any time with other women, it has involved sewing, scrapbooking, eating, or movie watching. I feel we can do alot better than that. If you think about it, it's pretty rare that anything spiritual comes up during those activities. What exactly is it that we have been doing as a group of women for the kingdom of God? All of the above things I mentioned have always been self serving. At least that is what I have gained from them. I want something more from fellowship!
If I am going to spend more time with the ladies in the congregation, I want it to be well worth my time in the grand scheme of things. I often have dreamed of doing something spiritually "big" with the women of the church whether it be Sunshine or other congregations (or both combined). I feel that praying together is completely BIG. I can't even begin to imagine what could come from all of us gathering together and pouring our hearts out to God in front of one another. I think we will find out that we are alot more alike than we think. I have experienced tremendous bonding with Tim through praying together outloud at night and sometimes during the day. I look forward to what is to come with the bonding of women. Sad to say, bonding with women will be new to me. Well, maybe it's just been so long since it's happened in a genuine way that it would just feel like a long lost friend. I hope that makes sense.
I say all of this to challenge us all as a group. I do not mean to sound gruff and hard. I'm afraid it just tends to come out that way when I speak. So, take this as a challenge and not as anything else.
We can do better than this women!
Candi, sounds great, my boys are leaving for the weekend on Friday afternoon so I will be doing nothing but setting in front of the computer. A movie and fellowship sound great to me. Let me know what time.
Another suggestion--
Aaron Kallner has the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. I am sure he would let you gals borrow them. That sure sounds better than "Almost Like Heaven" to me...
I also have several seasons of M*A*S*H.
I got some ideas to pass on to you so be thinking about these things for tonight's meeting.
Ladies retreat - once a year, normally in spring.
Ladies night out - once a month - go to a restaurant and eat out together, go to a play, movie, or just spend time visiting.
Annual Christmas Party - exchange small gifts inexpensive gifts.
Annual Tea - Maybe can welcome new members that are now attending.
Prayer breakfast on Saturday morning.
Schedule showers for church members.
Ladies bible study.
Care packages (for college students for someone sick or in need)
Mother's Day Banquet for mothers and daughters
Sweetheart banquet on valentine's weekend - have catered or eat out at a restaurant.
LOVE ONE ANOTHER
Sounds like the ladies are getting it together! But hey, what am I suppost to do???? Sounds like I was invited to leave the house! I might have to take the boys down to campus ministry for a pool tournament.
All you younger couples and your children, the ping pong table will be used for diaper changing.
Word to the wise,
We had Kendall's birthday party at campus ministry, we had a lot of fun. Great place for a party. But it was difficult playing a serious game of pool or ping-pong with six little girls running around.
Not saying that this is a bad idea, but just preparing you for those of us who have little ones. Chaos will rule.
Sounds great Candi, but I have to stay and practice singing for Friday's funeral, so I'll have to talk to you about it later. Just let me know when or email me.
I like all of these ideas; I'd been thinking about trying to get something ready for May (mother/daughter dinner or luncheon
) and would be willing to help coordinate that. I miss the "ladies connection" that we had when I first started attending Sunshine. Also, my Red Hat group went to the Boneyfiddle Tea Room the other evening for dinner and a mystery play. It was sooooooo entertaining and we had a blast. (Nola's RH group was there too)
29 blogs concerning our Ladies Connection. It is just wonderful. PRAYER AND SHARE has already started for the ladies.
LOVE ONE ANOTHER
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