Monday, 3 December 2012
from the Editor’s Desk
“The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him
Immanuel” – which means “God with us.”
Matthew 1:23 NIV
Happy Christmas to all who read conXion. May the peace and love of Christ our Saviour fill your celebrations this Christmas.
2012 is nearly over so I am taking this opportunity to thank all who have written, those who have taken the time to photocopy, to those who read and those who share conXion with their friends. Without any of you this small publication would not be a reality. THANK YOU
As this year closes it gives us time to reflect – once we stop, of course! The work of Women’s Ministry in Queensland has this year been a time of consolidation, firming up what we do to empower and encourage the women of our state. There have been our two camps, which I am delighted to say have been most successful, thanks to both coordinators, Pam Hine and Carolyn Gee. Both ladies, along with their teams have shown their passion for women's gatherings by heading up a camp/retreat, selecting a theme, choosing a speaker and planning a weekend especially for you, the women of Queensland. Camps serve our smaller churches, giving the women an opportunity to meet and visit with old and new friends, and meet God where they are.
The other excitement for me was the day when Renee Shibuya (our resident Master Chef) called me and asked, “Why don’t we open a blog site for conXion?” It is a great way to read conXion, and through our blog you can also connect with some of our writers who have their own blog sites. The Churches of Christ Queensland web site is also easily available. All you need to do is type in www.conxionmagazine.blogspot.com and bingo you’re on!
Each year for the past five I have had the pleasure of visiting Adelaide to meet with the coordinators of the women’s ministry in Australia where we share what has been happening in our respective states. Marj Dredge from SA has been our Australian representative with Global Women Connecting, and you would have read in November’s conXion her story of the Global gathering in Brazil.
The main purpose for us this year was to decide viability of maintaining a National Women’s Conference, as there are only two states that have a women’s ministry network. Each of the other states over the past few years have sadly closed. After much discussion and reflection the decision to dissolve was made. We realised that as a group there was little purpose in keeping the national entity going at this time. One of the points made that struck a chord for me was this statement “The era of women being able to express their faith where they could do things they are gifted in has changed, as women today have more opportunities to share their gifts than they did in years gone by”.
Again I wish each of you a Happy Christmas. May 2013 be a year where each one grows in their relationship with God, and we each ‘Shine the Light of Christ in our Communities’
Andi Owen
GOD MOMENTS ...
Ordinary Women, Writing for Ordinary Women
for an Extraordinary God
Throughout this year each of us has shared about times in our lives when we have become aware of ‘God Moments.’
Earlier this year I took over the role of editor. Little did I realise that God Moments was not only to be the title of our lead article, but as each issue has come together, conXion is God’s moment.
Each month my plan begins with the front cover, check the date claimers and look for potential fillers as I call them. Then our writers start to email their articles. We now have 14 amazing writers, who don’t necessarily write each month so I never quite know what will land. Somewhat nerve racking but all very exciting because I have learned God is in control.
About into my second month I was approached by a friend who offered to be a proof reader. Wow! That was amazing as proof reading is not my forte and anyway you can never have enough proof readers! Those typos just sneak up on us! God Moment, He sent me a lady who has taken an interest and is supporting the work of conXion.
Writers. How have I managed to find so many? I still pinch myself, another one of God’s incredible Moments. As I have travelled to many women's gatherings, my conversation will inevitably come round to conXion. I ask “Would you care to share your story?“ ”Would you be interested in writing?” And best of all, I have been asked, “I would love to write. Can I?” Each of our writers gives something really special from her heart; it’s her story of her relationship with God.
In years past, many of our groups would send in something about what they have been or are doing, but as time has passed this has changed. Our CWFs have closed, women are having fellowship differently, and this has impacted on conXion. The upside is that while we don’t receive too many stories, we are asked to advertise what our ladies are doing, be it a women’s conference, or an afternoon tea. So we read about the happenings in our churches that are just done in a different way. Sometimes they're a whole series of God moments!
So, God has shown me His touch, not only on my life through conXion but on all our lives. The heart of conXion is ‘Ordinary women, writing for ordinary women for an extraordinary God’. We are blessed. So let’s honour our precious Lord by noticing and acknowledging His Moments in our lives, praising and thanking Him each day, because every day we receive a God Moment.
In His love
Andi
____________________________________________________________________
2012 Girls’ Getaway—Coolum Beach
Wow! Praise God! What a camp! Thank you Camp Committee.
After dinner that night, there was a Country & Western Concert with Bel Thompson leading and others doing various skits or dancing. Then came line dancing which many tried and all had a very enjoyable night. Sunday morning after breakfast there was a Communion and Praise Time. Gloria Flett gave the communion talk, beginning with a mime with ‘How deep the Father’s love for us’ playing. Then reminded us that it is through God’s grace we are saved from our sin because Jesus took our place on the cross. Then we sang ’Because He Lives’ . It was a very moving service. God was there with us.
The third speaker was Pricilla who writes for ConXion, and helps numerous farm families out west by giving whatever she can. She told her own story of how she and her husband had worked a cane farm for many, many years but due to bad years had to auction the farm off. It sold at once, which happens rarely. Pricilla said that God had laid it on her heart many years before to go and help the farmers out west and so God’s plan was starting to come to fruition. She told us just how hard it is for the farmers after the years of drought, then the floods. None of them want charity, but because she has been through it all, God uses her to reach these tough people. Of course it is extremely hard for them and some contemplate suicide and then there are the children. Christmas is coming! Will these children receive anything at all? I think of the ‘Samaritan’s Purse’ boxes that are filled and sent to children overseas. But what of our own here who don’t receive anything? Would any women’s group like to support Pricilla in her work, or do up boxes for the children? Email Andi she will give you Pricilla’s contact information.
Ladies, if you didn’t attend this camp you missed out on a great weekend listening to some inspiring speakers, just worshipping the Lord and fellowshipping with like-minded women.
Around 85 women attended and more arrived for the day on the Saturday with Carol Smith being the guest speaker. Carol began by asking, “If I’m not reading the Bible, why not?” Then went on to challenge us— “It is the best gift given to us to change the world and it gives us instructions. It is the Word of God and we connect with Jesus through God’s Word." There was much in the three sessions but I need to tell you more!
Before morning tea Christine Collinson from Destiny Rescue shared with us about the slave trade in the world, especially with little girls being traded into prostitution. After Carol’s sessions on Saturday morning and a delicious lunch (all the meals were just wonderful as were the morning and afternoon teas and suppers– one never goes hungry) there was scrapbooking or free time.
After dinner that night, there was a Country & Western Concert with Bel Thompson leading and others doing various skits or dancing. Then came line dancing which many tried and all had a very enjoyable night. Sunday morning after breakfast there was a Communion and Praise Time. Gloria Flett gave the communion talk, beginning with a mime with ‘How deep the Father’s love for us’ playing. Then reminded us that it is through God’s grace we are saved from our sin because Jesus took our place on the cross. Then we sang ’Because He Lives’ . It was a very moving service. God was there with us.
After that service Carol spoke again. After morning tea we heard from two other very interesting speakers the first speaker Ruth Tuxworth who works in the Philippines as a High School chaplain at the Faith Academy High School. She also told us a story from the “Threads of Hope” ministry. Since Andi plans to include the full story in this issue, I’ll just say that “Threads of Hope” has helped to stop many little girls from being abused and ending up in prostitution. Ruth has an amazing way of telling stories and is truly an inspirational person to listen to and used by God. Maybe you would like to support Ruth in her work or by buying some ‘Threads of Hope’.
The third speaker was Pricilla who writes for ConXion, and helps numerous farm families out west by giving whatever she can. She told her own story of how she and her husband had worked a cane farm for many, many years but due to bad years had to auction the farm off. It sold at once, which happens rarely. Pricilla said that God had laid it on her heart many years before to go and help the farmers out west and so God’s plan was starting to come to fruition. She told us just how hard it is for the farmers after the years of drought, then the floods. None of them want charity, but because she has been through it all, God uses her to reach these tough people. Of course it is extremely hard for them and some contemplate suicide and then there are the children. Christmas is coming! Will these children receive anything at all? I think of the ‘Samaritan’s Purse’ boxes that are filled and sent to children overseas. But what of our own here who don’t receive anything? Would any women’s group like to support Pricilla in her work, or do up boxes for the children? Email Andi she will give you Pricilla’s contact information.
Jeannie Rosendale
Sunday, 2 December 2012
Abundance Conference Roma...Smile and Shine Christ
Abundance Conference Roma...Smile and Shine Christ
The Roma Church of Christ hosted the 3rd Abundance Women’s Conference on Saturday the 20th October, using theme “Smile and Shine Christ”. We were abundantly encouraged and inspired by the messages from our guest speaker Joan Kambouris from Toowoomba and the wonderful music from the Gold Coast Christian Family Worship Team. They led the Worship time as well as some of the Team sharing their testimonies.
Joan’s messages came from Psalm 85 V 10 – “Love and Faithfulness meet together. Righteousness and peace kiss each other.” We were blessed to be able to share this day with many ladies from other local churches, some of whom have attended all 3 conferences.
Again a few of our men folk (ably assisted by a couple of our young ladies) served us some delicious food throughout the day. A great day of fun and friendship was had by all and the ladies were certainly inspired to leave ‘smiling and shining Christ’.
Jenny Hewitt
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