WOMEN TO WOMEN NEWSLETTER. Spring 2014

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Colin Leonard
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She has a passion to see women grow in their faith and reach other women. Shirley said, I have seen women come to faith as they share their life experiences in community together.

We have also been involved in Coffee Connections where some of the team visited churches to meet the women and encourage them in their ministry, sharing ways W2W can help.

1 WOMEN TO WOMEN NEWSLETTER Spring 2014 W2W has a new Director, Shirley Moore! Shirley will work with Sue and the other team members, continuing to encourage, equip and empower Baptist women. Shirley comes to us with over 20 years involvement in church ministry, serving in both city and country churches with her husband, Gary. She has a passion to see women grow in their faith and reach other women. Shirley said, I have seen women come to faith as they share their life experiences in community together. This year has seen over 880 women attend W2W events throughout NSW, encouraging us to grow stronger in God. These events have included workshops, seminars and a weekend camp at Elim. We have also been involved in Coffee Connections where some of the team visited churches to meet the women and encourage them in their ministry, sharing ways W2W can help. For the last two years W2W have sponsored leadership training for the Indigenous Yapa women in the NT. As part of this project the Yapa women were given the resources to create artwork depicting Biblical stories, which they then sold. This has helped fund a trip for four of the ladies to visit NSW in November, where they will have the opportunity to meet and share with other women. If you would like W2W to support your women s ministry through running a seminar, providing a guest speaker or visiting your church, please let us know. We would value your prayers. Can we also encourage you to support us financially by becoming an Affiliation member: Groups $50; Individuals $10. To contact us and stay informed: W: ministries/adult/womens E: w2w@baptistnsw.asn.au P: M: PO Box 122, Epping 1710 FB: Baptist Women to Women, NSW & ACT Shirley Moore W2W Director IN THIS ISSUE Pg. 2 Kids Hope and Kempsey Baptist Church Pg. 3 Re-serve Op Shop Maclean Pg. 4 Testimony Time Pg. 5 A Month in Fiji P6. 6 One Min Choc Brownie Day Conference Dubbo UPCOMING EVENTS REVIVE Where: Dural Sport and Leisure Centre Date: May 2015 Time: Begins 10am Register: PRAYER POINTS Financial support for W2W Ability to reach more women across the states Additional scripture teachers throughout the states Praise and thanks for our women who rejoice in serving the Lord both here and overseas 1

KIDS HOPE AND KEMPSEY BAPTIST CHURCH By Gloria Potter One church One school One child One hour per week One year In May 2014, seven mentors from Kempsey Baptist Church met in the Hall of Kempsey

Also present were the mentee s parents, the very brave grade 1 school teacher, the Principal, Vice Principal, Leason Officer and Aboriginal co-ordinator. Wow,! This for us, was a very slow process.

2 KIDS HOPE AND KEMPSEY BAPTIST CHURCH By Gloria Potter One church One school One child One hour per week One year In May 2014, seven mentors from Kempsey Baptist Church met in the Hall of Kempsey Public School. The purpose? Morning tea, and to meet their respective mentee children for the first time. Also present were the mentee s parents, the very brave grade 1 school teacher, the Principal, Vice Principal, Leason Officer and Aboriginal co-ordinator. Wow,! This for us, was a very slow process. I was nominated as co-ordinator simply because I had been a mentor in Queensland and felt convicted by the Lord to introduce the program to Kempsey, even before our family moved to the area. It took nearly five years. In that time our lovely Christ driven church of less than 50 members had our Pastor retire and another resign. We were and still are Pastorless. But against all odds they managed to send me to Sydney for co-ordinator training, bring Kempsey West public School on board, train 10 mentors and also have 10 prayer partners. Unfortunately three people who trained had to pull out for one reason or another. Finally, after months of preparation, training, getting working with children checks and meeting the Principal on a number of occasions, it was finally happening. We were going to mentor children that had fallen through the cracks and just needed a friend that was kind, reliable and would be there just for them. The motto of Kids Hope is: - One Church - One School - One Child for one hour per week, for one Year. We have had some wonderful experiences already. One of the children had never been to school before and only started the week the program began, she was always distracted thinking she was missing out on whatever the class was doing, she now is quite happy to spend the hour without thinking of anything else. My little girl said she wished I worked at the school so that she could see me every day and one of the boys came running over to his mentor when he arrived and gave him a big hug. Blessings to you all! 2

RE-SERVE OP SHOP, MACLEAN By Graham Robb $500,000 + 2 scripture teachers + numerous scripture boards across the North Coast of NSW = A mighty blessing from God!

The name Re-Serve represents Religious Education Serving.

3 RE-SERVE OP SHOP, MACLEAN By Graham Robb $500, scripture teachers + numerous scripture boards across the North Coast of NSW = A mighty blessing from God! Grab your coffee and your slice of cake and let me tell you the story of the amazing history and ongoing ministry of the Re-Serve Op Shop in Maclean. The name Re-Serve represents Religious Education Serving. A combined churches board, known as Lower Clarence Christian Education has been working since 1994 to support a full time SRE (religious education) teacher in Maclean High School. The board is currently made up of around 10 dedicated Christians from four local churches that oversee the employment and costs of an SRE teacher, and part time Primary School Teachers Coordinator. The board also oversees the work of some 20 primary school scripture teachers in the nine local schools of Maclean. The Re-Serve Op Shop opened in April The op shop has approximately 40 part-time volunteers, plus several Centrelink supported early retirees. The shop is open 4 ½ days a week from 9am to 4pm. The shop celebrated its 5th birthday and in the five years since it opened, has brought in an income of just over half a million dollars, which is amazing! The op shop pays our full time teacher and covers two days a week pay for the primary school s coordinator of scripture classes in the local schools. The op shop has given six seeding grants of $5,000 each to other high school scripture or chaplain boards across the far north coast of NSW. Re-serve also gives regular monthly support to the Grafton Board for their two high school scripture teachers, one in each Grafton High School. The op shop has built a very high profile in the area and people travel from other towns, both to purchase goods and to get help with op shops in their own towns. The op shop is set up in a beautiful heritage, colonial home built in 1916 and is the original manse of the Presbyterian Church of Eastern Australia, located next door. Maclean has a population of 4,500 people with another 1,500 or so living in semi-rural areas nearby. Amazingly there are four other op shops in the town! God has really blessed our ministry as well as all the volunteers who work with us, some of whom are not Christians. They enjoy working together and creating an atmosphere of love and encouragement. All who are connected with the op shop are amazed at God s provision and excited about the opportunity we have to impact young people in our local schools. 3

TESTIMONY TIME With Bronwyn Nance (Parramatta Baptist Church) How did you become a Christian? I was raised in a Christian household and made a commitment when I was around 8 years old.

4 TESTIMONY TIME With Bronwyn Nance (Parramatta Baptist Church) How did you become a Christian? I was raised in a Christian household and made a commitment when I was around 8 years old. I fell away from God in my late teens. My journey back came when my mother was dying of cancer. She asked Will I see you again and she didn t mean, Are you going to visit me tomorrow, but the eternal question, Will I see you again in heaven. Her question lingered and I started speaking to God again. I was able to honestly tell my mother God & I are talking again. That night she went to be with her Heavenly Father. After this I continued to seek God and started going to church again. I generations has grown, especially in the last couple of years. Our events give the opportunity to grow relationships and have common experiences. When the women go to church they see familiar faces and church feels like home each Sunday. was baptised in April 2012 at Parramatta Bap s. Why did you become involved in women's ministry? Simply, God called me to it! There was no women s ministry running at PBC and I felt a need for women to connect. Not only with their peer groups but inter-generationally. God mapped out for me what this ministry would look like. I went to my Pastor with what I thought women s ministry would be, without the intent of being the person to implement it. I didn t think I was a leader. I walked out of the meeting being the Women s Ministry Team Leader and looking for a team! Why is it important to have women s ministry? Good question. I think so we connect and grow our relationships further than just Hi on a Sunday after church. To be real, genuine and hear messages especially applicable to women. It s a safe place for singles, marrieds, widows and divorcees to feel protected, loved and special. Exactly how God sees them. As a team, we aim to spoil our women right down to little things like decorations and types of tea. What changes have you seen in your church as a result of ministry to women? Connection! I feel the interaction across the What type of events do you run? The types of events vary, mostly around food! We ve had a Christmas cafe, breakfast and high tea, all with speakers or women sharing their testimonies. We ve had movie nights or mission focused events, putting together hampers or gifts for those in our community in need. We ve also had one-day retreats. We try to link our events with what is going on within the church. At our most recent event, Michelle Cashman came and shared her story through music. We also run small Coffee Connections at cafe s to help people connect in a smaller environment. Women s Ministry is a calling I went through a lot of hard stuff due to poor choices I made when I wasn t following Christ. God has used these experiences to shape my heart and to give me empathy, understanding and a love for every woman. God and Kathy were right women s ministry is my calling! I personally have grown in this role and have found it rewarding to see how God is working in the lives of women, watching them connect with each other. God has worked in my life through this ministry and I am humbled that He indeed did call me to it! 4

A MONTH IN FIJI By Gemma Campion When you tell people you are going to Fiji for a month on mission you get lots of different reactions. Most of them include Oh I went there on holiday!

5 A MONTH IN FIJI By Gemma Campion When you tell people you are going to Fiji for a month on mission you get lots of different reactions. Most of them include Oh I went there on holiday! or That s a beautiful place and Have a great time. Looking back three months on, I can see that it was far from a holiday. My time in Fiji with Year 13 A Christian gap year program based in Sydney was challenging, enlightening and rewarding. During our time I spent a week in a village with no running water where we taught scripture classes, attended a funeral, ran a leader s in training day and kids club. Other things we did throughout our time included visiting orphanages, schools, churches and living with a Fijian family for two nights. My overall highlight of the trip was one afternoon after school we had afternoon tea, sat down and read the bible together with our buddy named Tupo. Myself and the girl that I was paired with got to share our testimonies with her! Sitting on the floor of a concrete house reading the bible knowing that we are far from home and yet still worshipping the same God, was one of the most mind boggling and enriching things I have ever experienced. During that time we talked about how we can go to God in anything, in our worries and with our fears. Do not be anxious about anything but in everything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippans 4:6. Looking back on my time I can see how much I have grown from the experience, how I am better adapted to share the Word and how eager I am to get involved with ministries back in Australia. I thank the Lord for this opportunity and encourage you all to be bold for your faith. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. -- Matthew 28:

winter. They came to hear Helen Lyness speak about being Stronger in God.

Combine water, butter and vanilla essence in a large coffee mug. 2. Add remaining ingredients and stir well to combine. 3. Microwave on high for 60-75 secs on 1100 watts.

(Reproduced from taste.com.au http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/38095/1+minute+ microwave+chocolate+brownie+in+a+mug) Helen based her talks on Deborah, the Prophetess, Judges 4-5.

6 ONE MINUTE CHOC BROWNIE (In a mug!) DAY CONFERENCE - DUBBO By Shirley Moore A day seminar held in Dubbo in July, it was a cold start to the day but this did not deter 70 women from attending Dubbo Baptist Church in the middle of winter. They came to hear Helen Lyness speak about being Stronger in God. Ingredients 2 tbs water 40gm butter 1/4 tsp vanilla essence 2 tbs unsweetened cocoa powder 1/3 cup plain flour 1/3 cup castor sugar pinch of salt Method 1. Combine water, butter and vanilla essence in a large coffee mug. 2. Add remaining ingredients and stir well to combine. 3. Microwave on high for secs on 1100 watts. (60 secs results in a molten centre, 75 secs results in a brownie) 4. Serve topped with vanilla icecream. Take care as the brownie will be hot and will continue to cook whilst standing. (Reproduced from taste.com.au microwave+chocolate+brownie+in+a+mug) Helen based her talks on Deborah, the Prophetess, Judges 4-5. Deborah was strong in a time when women were not valued as equal to men. She allowed God to use her as she stepped out in faith. She was confident in her faith, as she knew God would rescue. A setback is a set up for a comeback. God doesn t need our help but longs for our trust and obedience. Helen used a number of visual aids and songs to reinforce her message. She concluded her talks by comparing Deborah stepping out in battle with the Christian s call to put on the armour of God. A good reminder that: I am significant, I am accepted, I am secure in Him. At the end of Helen s talks the ladies were given an opportunity to practise journaling something that had impacted them. God doesn t need our help, but longs for our trust and obedience. 6

SUMMER 2015 ENCOURAGE, EMPOWER, EQUIP IN THIS ISSUE. Helping each other to grow in our faith UPCOMING EVENTS PRAYER POINTS

SUMMER 2015 ENCOURAGE, EMPOWER, EQUIP Helping each other to grow in our faith This month I had the privilege of Contact Us representing NSW Women to If you would like Women to Women at the Australian Baptist