Developing and Delivering Life-Changing Messages: September 23-24, 2011

A group of twenty-seven women met at Grotonwood Camp and Conference Center in Groton, MA, to participate in a seminar designed to improve their speaking skills. They traveled from Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut and represented 14 churches.

Our instructor was Dr. Phyllis Bennett, a gifted Bible teacher, conference speaker, adjunct seminary professor and Director Designate for the Woman’s Center for Ministry at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Additionally, we are privileged to have Phyllis as a member of our by design ministry board.

Some of the other topics we discussed were:

• The importance of speaking to both “thinkers” and “feelers.” Keeping these two groups in mind while preparing is essential to reaching the total audience.
• The importance of word picture - the audiences’ common “Love Language.”

We also delved into unpacking the Biblical text through:

• Inductive Bible studies
• Creating life-changing outlines
• Breathing life into messages with illustrations
• Delivery techniques and pitfalls
• Plus much more!

It was a full and profitable weekend. Our great teaching sessions were augmented with sweet times of fellowship during the breaks, at lunch and at dinner. We made new friends and discovered what is happening in each other’s church and ministry.

Plans are underway for Phyllis to return this spring to lead a two-day seminar on writing your own Bible study curriculum. Check our website for updates soon.

Celebrate Together: October 22, 2011

Fifty-six women gathered at the Burllington Marriott, in Burlington, MA on October 22nd for our Celebrate Together event, an apprecation event for women who are actively serving the Lord in their churches or organziations. These women represented seven of our Together groups, four New England states, and 31 churches. We also had a number of guests.

Dr. Alice Mathews, our insightful keynote speaker, spoke on the biblical character of Deborah. She stressed the importance of knowing our giftedness and sharing these gifts with others for the advancement of God’s Kingdom. She emphasized the importance of never “letting God out of the picture” and always being strong in the Lord. Afterward, we enjoyed a productive time of interaction with Alice where several women shared from their own experiences. It was a time of bonding with each other.

We presented the first annual Alice Mathews Award to Lois Watts from the Fellowship Church in Easton, MA. This award recognizes a woman whose life exemplifies five key areas described in our vision statement, which is based on Psalm 1.

• Continually connected to Him,
• Confident in His call,
• Compassionately reaching out to others,
• Courageous in adversity and
• Consistently bearing fruit.

Both of these women (both in their 80’s!) serve as wonderful examples of faithfully serving the Lord throughout their lives. They exemplify what is described in Psalm 92: 12-15 (ESV)

The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the Lord is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

Our next Celebrate Together event is scheduled for October 20, 2012 at the Burlington Marriott in Burlington, MA. Renowned author, speaker and mentor, Gail MacDonald, will be our keynote speaker. Mark your calendars and watch the website for more details later this summer.