Page 19 - Summer 2016 Contact issue 38
P. 19
Women Together
Weekend
Friday night started with me telling very bad Cindy had talked about spiritual
jokes and the introduction of the conference team and disciplines over the weekend and
Cindy Bennett Brown, our speaker. We had a lovely on Sunday morning she focused
time of worship and two of the ladies spoke of a time on two that she felt weren’t
when they were very aware of God’s strength. We optional: Practicing unity and
were blown away by how honest and real the ladies using your gifts. She encouraged us to pay attention
who shared were. This really set the tone for the to what gives us life and to use our best resources in
weekend; real, vulnerable, honest but such strength practicing that gift and to practice it, so others can see
and grace shone through. the kindness of God.
Then we had the dreaded ‘Icebreakers!!!’ So many For me, I had watched this weekend grow from a tiny
people’s faces fell at the idea but it’s a long time since idea. I had seen the different interests of the team; the
I heard such laughing and giggling! Everyone really things that appealed to each one; the things each one
got into the spirit of it - even though the last time was passionate about; the strengths; the weaknesses;
a lot of them played those games was in youth so gifted - all different, all unique. I saw each of us
fellowships, were there was always a boy they had their flourish by seeing God answer so many prayers - from
eye on, which made it much more interesting! Joanne huge big things to tiny details (that were actually huge
and Wendy seemed to really enjoy watching us engage things) and how He really led us and blessed us. I
in all their tortuous games! know this because I had got to know these ladies so
Saturday morning prayer was 8.30am in our beautiful well over the last months and I could see the impact
prayer room (thanks Lisa). Our sessions on Saturday it was having on them. How much more could this
morning and evening had more amazing stories, be magnified though our Church, our homes, our
powerful worship (thanks to Karen, Jill and Naomi) towns, if we could engage like this - If we were real,
and Cindy’s teaching was incredible. As Linda said, vulnerable and honest and told more of that Glorious
“Cindy has a lovely way of opening up the Bible, Strength we experience. It was such a privilege to be
drawing you in and leaving you wanting much more.†part off.
Cindy spoke on ‘God’s Glorious Plan’; ‘Your
Glorious Identity’ and on Sunday morning ‘The What’s next?
Churches’ Glorious Unity’. 24th September we are having a day ‘at the beach’
Saturday afternoon was free time - some walked, some at the Arcadia, for all ladies, whether you were at the
swam, some lay in the hot tub, some drank coffee, weekend or not.
some did all of these! March 2017 we are thinking of a one day
On Saturday evening after our session, we had an conference.
acoustic time with Eilidh Patterson who’s a singer/ Next weekend will be April 2018.
songwriter. The words from her songs echoed so much
of what had been said already over the weekend, that Nikki Gillan
I think we all sat dumbfounded (men you might have
wanted to see that!) it was such a powerful end to what The main thing I took from the weekend was to
had been a great day. remember God’s big plan, and to remember my main
Sunday morning prayer time was at 9am and our purpose is to help to fulfil it. Taking time out of the
morning session followed with another story, worship busyness of life allowed me to refocus on God, to rest
and Cindy really challenging us on Ephesians 3 - in His promises and in the reassurance that God is in
how we cannot be a disciple of Christ and make control, working things out perfectly in His time. As
individualism a priority, how we have been made a result I have a real sense of peace as I go about my
responsible - called to serve and empowered to serve everyday life.
and how the unity of the church is the showcase of
God’s wisdom in the spiritual realm. Ruth Oliver
