Thursday 7 June 2012

Spring/Summer news 2012


WELCOME TO THE CHRISTIAN WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP SPRING/SUMMER NEWSLETTER
We start with some good news.  Those of you who attended the Convention in February know that Sue Marshall volunteered to become the UK Representative at the International Christian Women’s Fellowship Convention (renamed Global Women Connecting) taking over from our late sister, Muriel Garrow.  Since then Malvolia Benham of the Hinckley U.R.C. has volunteered to be her companion. In answer to prayers sponsors have been found to fund their visit and we thank these generous people from the bottom of our hearts.  We look forward, Sue and Malvolia, to your presentation at the next Convention at the Hayes, Swanwick dates 22nd – 24th February 2013!!
Yet, more good news: this time regarding the Talents Appeal.  Thanks to all of you who raised money by holding coffee mornings, selling knitted items, book marks, books, etc. and those who gave donations we are very  pleased to say that the deposit for next year’s Convention has been paid!  It should now follow that there will be enough in the kitty to pay each subsequent deposit.
Whilst we are talking about the next Convention, I am very pleased to tell you that our speaker will be Loretta Mingella, the Director of Christian Aid.  So, please get saving your pennies in your piggy banks as this should be yet another great time together.  More details will be in the next newsletter at the end of August/early September.  Once again we will offer you the opportunity to pay in 3 parts.
This brings us onto the last Convention.  What a great time we had.  It was such a shame that there were only 100 of us to enjoy this.  Sally Willett proved an excellent speaker who concentrated on our relationship with God through our prayer life and encouraged us not to give up as we are all work in progress with God. 
Sally spoke to us using Isaiah 40 v 31 as the text: “but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”           ….encouraging us to aim high – to soar on wings like eagles and not scrabble in the dirt like chickens! 
In response, we announced at the Business Meeting that we did not intend to ‘scrabble about’ and let the C.W.F. disappear through falling numbers but set another challenge; this time for all groups to try and introduce someone new.  Are you up to it ladies?!!!!!!!!!
We praise God for the ladies who felt the call to work in some form of ministry during Sally’s talk.
The Bible Study this year was led by Wendy Beck who took us through the famous and infamous women in Jesus’ genealogy.  This proved a fascinating insight into women of the Old Testament which many of us had just taken for granted when reading Mathew chapter 1.
It was very worrying to find that Gillian’s Tree had been replaced by a pile of builder’s rubble and extensive searches by us and the Hayes’ Management could not find it elsewhere in the grounds.  However, on his return to work on Monday morning, Tony, the head gardener, contacted Linda to say that our tree and plaque were safe in his potting shed and will be returned by him when the builders have finished their work making an enclosed walkway to the Chapel.  Phew!!
Thanks to all present for their generosity Sue, the treasurer, sent off £540 to the New Neville Preparatory School, £290 to Men Matter (a prostate cancer charity) and £290 to Casting for Recovery (a breast cancer charity)          
Finally, to those of you with access to the internet the email address is cwf1927@yahoo.com . Joy Rice has also set up a CWF Facebook page and a Blog (http//christianwomensfellowshipblogspot.co.uk).  This keeps us in touch all year round and a chance for you to make comments.   
God bless and have a good summer.