MCBC Women's Ministry - Bridging the Gap

Pharaoh's Daughter

2010-07-21T21:53:00.006-07:00

As promised and with permission from the author, here is the first installment of the stories that were told at our Women’s Inspirational Day, May 1, 2010.

Charlotte Siemens telling her story.

Imagine with me waking up and going to sleep with the cries and wailing of mothers; in this story Hebrew mothers lamenting the loss of life, howling bringing children into the world and soon after watching them being taken away. Pharaoh’s daughter – a woman hears these cries, perhaps wishing to get them out of her memory, wishing to live her regular, regal life with no interference, and yet hearing the endless cries, no doubt knowing full well that her father was involved in the slaughterings. She goes to the river to bathe, like every day in her seeming well- life. She is at the river ready to bathe, a royal princess. What we have in this story is: The love of a birth mother for her child, the love of an adoptive mother for the baby; the love of a sister for her baby brother. I too am the adoptive mother of two boys, and know the depths of a mother’s love for a child, regardless of whether or not she gave birth to that child. Our children came not in baskets floating down a river, but as 1 ½ year olds learning how to walk.

Our Biblical Model is Janet Davies.
The fashion commentator is Cyndy Brandt.

Our Biblical story occurs during a time of intense racial prejudice towards the Hebrews, slaves to Pharaoh. Pharaoh’s daughter reached across racial and religious barriers to show compassion to a child. Although our children I hope are not surrounded by racial prejudice, our children are Nicaraguan, and so ours too is a cross-cultural adoption, which can bring with it added challenges, and possibly added adventure (it gives us a great excuse to travel to Central America regularly).

As you recall this story in Exodus 2:1-10, and as I have told the story, have you noticed that one "character" has not been mentioned? Nowhere in the text do we find God named. And yet everywhere we cannot help but think of God. We do not always know or understand how God works in the world But it is obvious here that God is somehow at work in the actions of these three women. The story is told in very low-key terms. There are not yet astounding miracles to wow us. Those will come later in the story of Moses. Yet the message here is that God sometimes works behind the scenes in the courageous actions of mothers, in the love of sisters, and in the compassion of a tyrant’s daughter! In this story, there is simply the faithfulness of ordinary people who live their lives under God.

So in a real sense, this is a story about the surprising and unimaginable faithfulness of God in the midst of ordinary human living. We were blessed with two boys, through adoption. On Carlos’ adoption notice it states: Placed into our lives, born into our heart. Little baby Moses was also placed into Pharaoh’s daughters’ life, and I truly believe was born into her heart.

I can imagine the anguish of Moses’ mother as she prayerfully lays her baby boy in a basket. I believe the birth mothers of our boys also brought them to safety, bringing them to the hospital or the orphanage praying that they would be alright. Was God at work? I like to think so – I am not garbed with finery, but pray I am garbed with grace and compassion. God works with ordinary people, with Moses’ determined mother, with a daring sister, and a compassionate daughter of Pharaoh. Our boys stretch me as a mother, as a woman, as a Christian. I have learned much about forgiveness, about endless ongoing love through difficult times, about laughter, about deep joy, about God’s incredible faithfulness.

God works through folks like you, through folks like me. God is faithful to and through us!

Physically, Pharaoh’s daughter, is garbed in royal clothes; emotionally she is garbed with grace. In our Biblical story, three women – three heroes. Gathering as women today: birth mothers, perhaps some other adoptive mothers, sisters and perhaps even a few regal princesses in the crowd. All of us: garbed in God’s grace, wrapped in God’s compassion.

Garbed in God's Grace ! ! !

2010-07-07T12:19:00.007-07:00

Inspirational Day 2010!

Saturday, May 1st at Emmanuel Mennonite Church in Abbotsford.

The day started of with sunshine and with expectations of seeing old and new friends.
The decorations were ready and waiting for the women to arrive.
The tables for the meal were beautifully set and each of them had an angel as a centerpiece. Each one different and beautiful. They even came from different ethnic groups!

The women always make the most of the visiting opportunities
and registration line-ups is one of those, orrrrr.........

....waiting for the program to begin! ! !

Our event was well attended - - - 186 women in total.
Some came only for the program but most stayed for the meal fellowship as well.

Marlene Friesen (EMC) lighting the candles in memory of our sisters that went home,
to be with our Lord, since our last Inspirational Day in Kelowna 2009.
We had received 23 names from our MCBC Congregations.
The Memorial time was led by Vanj Thiessen (EMC).
I will post her inspiring thoughts in a day or two.
(Have to keep you all coming back to this site! :-))

Every Life has a Story!

To introduce our main topic, we first had 3 testimonies from sisters that
experienced the Grace of God in a very real and tangible way.

1. Lot's Wife - Not looking back!

2. Pharaoh's daughter - a mother through adoption!

3. Ruth - caring for an aging mother-in-law!

(Some of these stories will also be posted in the coming weeks.)

Our guest speaker, Jeanette Hanson, MC Canada Witness Worker in China,
pulling it all together in her speech about how each of us is
"Garbed in God's Grace" based on Ephesians 3:7

Enjoying a yummy meal together and having fun while doing so...
by guessing who our Biblical visitor were.

Promoting our Fall Women's Retreat at Camp Squeah - October 15 - 17!
Our special guests at the retreat will be Feather Janz (right side and sitting)
and singer Lisa Adrianne (also sitting)

These were our Biblical guests, can you guess who they were?

Allow me!

2010-06-09T20:32:00.003-07:00

Received this nice little write up from Mennonite Women Canada president, Erna Neufeldt.
She asked that I post this on our blog site. She sent the picture as well!

Flowering pear tree!

Spring flowers,

new growth,

and new initiatives

in British Columbia (BC)

Congratulations Waltrude and women of Mennonite Church British Columbia (MC BC)

Mennonite Women Canada (MW Canada) is very pleased to have a representative from BC on our Executive again. This results from the creation of a Women’s Ministry by MC BC chaired by Waltrude Gortzen.

Waltrude has been a guest at our Executive meetings for the past 2 years. We have learned to appreciate her enthusiasm for the Christian sisterhood, her energy and her sense of humour.

I look forward to meeting as many of you as can come to the MW Canada Annual Meeting and Workshop July 1, 12:30 at Ambrose University College in Calgary, the site of Mennonite Church Canada’s Annual Assembly. For your information you need to register for this meeting in order to get a meal ticket.

Blessings,

Erna Neufeldt, President,

Mennonite Women Canada

Email: neufeldte@yahoo.com

Checking in ! ! !

2010-06-02T14:08:00.006-07:00

I know that there are probably some of you out there that are waiting and wondering where the "Inspirational Day" update is, right?

I am working on it and will post pictures and a write up and a few days.
Have just not had the energy to do anything. Came down with a nasty bug and have been dealing with that for the last 2 weeks.

After the Inspirational Day was over and we had our debrief meeting and everything was more or less done, I guess that I just "crashed and burned" as Janette Thiessen at the MCBC Office described it! :-)

I am feeling a lot better and will be back to normal in a few days, I'm sure!

In the mean time, you ladies need something to read right?
Well, check out this link:
http://www2.canada.com/courierislander/news/story.html?id=e8819361-7942-4e7b-a8f9-84303dae1c84

The story you will find there is about one of our MCBC Women. Some of you will already have met her, either in your own church or at our annual ladies retreat at Camp Squeah!.

Enjoy!

For real?

2010-05-05T14:04:00.002-07:00

I've been stuck at home today trying to shake a fever and aches and feeling bored this afternoon, I followed up on a news report I heard on the radio about a house on the Winnipeg market with a record asking price. Here's part of the description from the MLS website: "From the sweeping suspended staircase and sumptuous main flr Master to the stunning infinty pool-this home IMPRESSES! 13,200 sq ft raised bung w/2nd storey & walkout overlooking a magnificent back yard development & panoramic lake views. 5 Brs & 9baths. Elevator access to all flrs. You'll be wowed w/the amazing huge windows,beautiful wide plank oak flrs,custom millwork,limestone accents,Great rm 24 ft ceiling & THE ULTIMATE GOURMET KITCHEN. The dinrm has a remarkable wet bar w/onyx counter & onyx back lit wall panels..." And it goes on. Also, potential buyers are assured that the house has a "state of the art" security system with 24/7 360 degree video surveillance. If this is a "dream house" do our dreams make sense? And if we need to protect our property with 24/7 360 degree video surveillance is that really a dream come true?

Spring and stuff collide!

2010-04-21T09:03:00.006-07:00

Perhaps I've finally caught the spring cleaning bug? There is something about the warm breeze and sunshine streaming through my dirty windows that makes me long to scrub and clean all the winter grunge out of my home.

(You must understand that I've rarely, if ever, had this urge - I run outside from spring to fall, merrily ignoring all but required house cleaning until I'm confined to the house again come winter. I don't really enjoy house cleaning or get great satisfaction from a gleaming floor. Defective genes I guess!)

But first, I have to get rid of the stuff that has collected! We have a couple extra dressers that have a place but aren't really needed, some clothes that will head to a thrift shop someday soon, a few books that someone else might enjoy. It's all good stuff and it all has a use but it's quickly becoming clutter in my house.

How do I get all this stuff? Why do I hesitate to let it go? Will I really use this stuff some day? Why am I still asking that question after this stuff has sat around for a couple years? Why is it so hard to deal with stuff?

This and That!

2010-04-06T20:47:00.003-07:00

Happy Easter Everyone!!! Thank God for letting His one and only son, Jesus die on the cross for our sins!!! We are free because of this! Praise the Lord!!!

At our ladies Bible study we just finished a Beth Moore study on The Patriarchs :) I found it fascinating since I am newer to going to church and reading more serious! We are going to do another one soon!

Melinda M, her husband Jason, their son Gilford and their daughter MacKenzi; from our United Mennonite Church in Black Creek, welcomed their new son/brother, Hudson Thomas to the world on March 31st around 5:30pm at 8lbs 10oz!!! Congrats and blessings!

On my last posting we were on our way to our Annual General Meeting and with prayers it went really well! It was even done by lunch time :) lol

We must continue to pray for the World with the mine cave-ins, earthquakes, tornadoes...Everything that Satan has is being thrown at the World and we need to be putting our armour on every day! Thank God that we know where we're going when it's time, but continue to spread God's Word and praying for those who still need to be saved! Never give up, never forsake! You never know when that little seed of knowledge that you have planted may take root!!!!

Inspirational Day! ! !

2010-04-06T20:46:00.001-07:00

Would love to see everyone there!
It will be a great day!

The dawn may take some time

2010-03-30T12:44:00.004-07:00

Last night I posted on Facebook that there is a big hole on the street and a deep trench through my front yard where work is going on to connect water and sewer to the new house we're building. I added: "I guess it's progress that things get torn apart to get put back together." One of my friends commented, "Sounds theological to me!" I hadn't really meant it in that way but it is a week that we Christians contemplate things torn apart before they are put back together - that death comes before resurrection.

I'm sad this week that things are torn apart in my friend Carla's family - Carla's big sister Eileen died last week, too soon we would say. I think of the gaping hole in my yard and know that the piles of dirt will fill it up again either today or tomorrow - but I know that it will take longer to put things together for Carla and her family. We need to walk tenderly with those who grieve without rushing them to the Resurrection. The dawn that emerges from this darkness takes time but we can be hopeful. We can hope because the One who walked the path to the cross walks with those for whom things are torn apart.

21 Days

2010-03-18T19:38:00.003-07:00

A friend recently shared the sermon message at her church. The pastor challenged the congregation to consider how their lives might be different if they knew they only had 21 days to live. It made me think. What would change in my life if I knew I only had 21 days? Would I stop doing some things? Would I start doing other things? How would I relate to my family? Friends? Colleagues?

I've been mulling this over for a few days and here's what I've come up with: I would get up earlier and enjoy sunrises that I rarely see. I would stop and enjoy sunsets that I miss by being busy with other things. I would thank God for the many gifts He has given me. I would bless others with the money and possessions that I would no longer need. I would make sure my nephew knew that blowing bubbles is a simple thing that makes nearly everyone smile. And I would make rhubarb pie for my husband.

What about you? What would your 21 days look like?

ATM

2010-03-05T11:00:00.003-08:00

I'm using a devotional book for Lent called, "There's no ATM in the Wilderness." The reflections are written by a variety of people who are active in the United Church of Canada. There is a Scripture passage, a reflection, a prayer and ideas for journalling or action. Last night's text was from Mark 12, especially the first part of verse 17: "Jesus said to them, 'Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's'" One suggestion in the journal reflection part caught my attention: "John Wesley suggested praying before spending money. What if, every time you spent money, you simply asked the question: Remembering it's not really mine, is this how I want to spend God's money?" Something to ponder.

A Bright Sunny Morning!

2010-02-20T08:01:00.003-08:00

Good morning everyone!!!! My name is Mary and I am from the United Mennonite Church in Black Creek :) It has taken me a bit to get on here but I've gotten my act together, well, a little bit, hee hee, and signed on up. My husband and I (and my mom) are on our way to Church for our Annual General Meeting today that will be full of information and of course elections...now that will be interesting! lol Cal, my husband, and I have been married for almost 14 years (I'm 37 yrs). I just wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself, and also ask for prayer for our Church as we go into our AGM :) I will be doing some more blogs with poems, thoughts, prayers, and such as time goes on! Thank you and God bless!!!!!

Giving Up or Adding On?

2010-02-10T06:35:00.003-08:00

I was chatting over lunch the other day with a young woman I know. She and her husband have been married a few years and have faithfully given up something during the Lenten season. Chocolate, coffee, going out for restaurant meals and movies, that sort of thing. She said that this year they had been kicking around ideas. TV maybe? They didn't watch it much anyways. Restaurants? Done that already. Ditto chocolate and coffee. What to give up that would be significant and a sacrifice?

Then inspiration hit. What if, instead of giving something up, they added something on? 40 days of something extra? She's going to run outside daily. He is going to walk the 1.5 km to and from work. Normally going to work means using the ATV or car but for Lent, he will walk both ways. February and March in southern Ontario are still firmly in winters grip. It’s below zero with snow and ice covering the ground. Green grass and flowers won’t be seen until April normally. Committing to run or walk daily is not for the faint of heart.

I'm impressed by their determination and creativity to honour Lent and the idea of sacrifice. As for me, I haven't firmly decided yet. What about you?

Another perspective on Giving Thanks

2010-02-05T07:28:00.002-08:00

I went out for coffee with my friend Willard yesterday afternoon. Because Willard lives in Ontario, we don’t see each other often and this was the first time we meet in person after he experienced the earthquake in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti last month. Willard works for World Vision Canada and was on a partnership tour with church leaders from Atlantic Canada in Haiti. The hotel in which they were staying was damaged but they were not injured. Because someone at the hotel had some emergency medical training in their background, word went out that there was a doctor at the hotel and Willard and his colleagues were faced with streams of injured people coming to them for help. They tore lots of bedsheets to make bandages but Willard said in email that it was such a helpless feeling to face such an overwhelming need to which he could not fully respond.

I’ve known for a long time that Willard is a person of generous heart and spirit. He feels experiences deeply and reaches out in whatever ways he can to help. Over the years as a pastor, and now working for World Vision, he has done mission trips to many places of incredible need. The impact of these trips led him to produce a small volume of table graces for World Vision called “Thanking God with Integrity: Table Grace in a world of hunger.” He writes in the introduction, “when sensitized to the global inequity concerning access to food, simply thanking God for ‘our’ food feels terribly inadequate.” Acknowledging this, Willard has written these prayers to express thankfulness in light of a celebration of response and purpose.
Here is one of the prayers from his book:

Lord grant that we may eat this food in peace;
guarded from guilt and protected from shame.
Cause this food to become nutrients that
feed the spirit of generosity and sustains a life of service.
Then, Oh Lord, we receive this food not only in peace
but in true worship.
Amen.

What do you think about giving thanks?

Welcome new MFC staff in Abbotsford!

2010-02-05T07:23:00.002-08:00

For those of you who live in or around Abbotsford, I just want you to know that Mennonite Foundation of Canada has new staff in the Abbotsford office. Arnie Friesen is the new Stewardship Consultant and Irm Nickel is the new Admin Assistant. MFC is all about helping congregations and individuals connect faith and finances and offers good resources for will and estate planning, charitable gift planning and financial literacy from a Christian perspective. Unfortunately, Arnie & Irm are working in the midst of drywall dust as the MFC office in the Golden Age Society building is renovated but I'm sure they would be happy to meet any of you who drop by!

Yippeeeeee! Number 4 ! ! !

2010-01-20T21:07:00.004-08:00

I am so excited!
We have another lady joining us!

Now we'll see who will be the first to post something.

Number 3 ! ! !

2010-01-14T13:15:00.004-08:00

We have a third contributor that has agreed to keep us reading and coming back to visit this blog.
Again, I am not telling you who she and will allow her to intoduce herself to us!
You will just have to stay tuned! :-)

Time for Thanks

2009-10-13T13:33:00.003-07:00

Thanksgiving has come and gone - it was hard to be thankful for the weather here on the prairies where it seemed we were going to skip right over fall directly into winter. It's just one more lesson that we can't just expect gratitude to be based on the externals around us - gratitude is an intention of the heart.

I have a copy of a prayer in my office that keeps me grounded - I'm not sure where I picked it up or who the author is (if you know, please enlighten me). I thought I would share it with you on this day after Thanksgiving:

Expressing Gratitude: Communal Prayer

Gracious God, in the busy-ness of our days, we forget to
thank you for all that is good in life.
Our blessings are many and our hearts filled
with gratefulness
for the gift of living,
for the ability to love and be loved,
for opportunities to see the everyday wonders of creation,
for sleep
for water,
for a mind that thinks
for a body that feels.
Thank you, too, for things in our lives
that are disappointments.
Things that seem challenging, unfair, or difficult.
Times when my heart feels stretched and empty,
and pools of tears form in my weary eyes.
Still we join in gratitude that you are as near to us
as our next breath.
In the midst of turbulence, we are growing and learning.
In the silence,
we give thanks for unconditional and eternal love.
Amen.

Wall Quilts

2009-09-14T21:49:00.009-07:00

As you all must know by now, yesterday Camp Squeah's new buildings were dedicated. They are amazingly beautiful! The rooms are gorgeous, as is the new Administration Building!

Administration Building!

But there are a lot, and I do mean a LOT of empty walls ! ! !
A call to MCBC Artists went out some time ago and I did find 2 beautiful art pieces, hanging proudly on 2 walls! But there could be so many more!

So here is their latest brainstorm!

Since this is a Mennonite Camp and Mennonites are known for their wonderful quilting abilities; they want quilts.
Not bed quilts but WALL quilts!
The above is a photo of one of the new rooms with art work by Jon Janzen (SMC), son of Garry and Diane Janzen; MCBC Executive Minister.

It is just beautiful! But..... see the wall where the desk is?
See the electrical box? Well..... all the rooms have a similar box and that is what they would like to cover with a quilt!

Here are the sizes and how many are needed:

36" x 36" wall quilt - - - 9 needed
60" x 60" wall quilt - - - 3 needed
36" x 60" wall quilt - - - 1 needed
32" x 32" wall quilt - - - 2 needed

They are hoping that the pictures in the quilts will represent/symbolize/remind us of Camp Squeah in some way. There is no time limit.

Should more quilts than needed, suddenly, make their appearance....... not to worry! It will give them the pleasure of being able to change quilts, as the seasons change during the year ! ! !

Now, go and find a quilting buddy/partner and start your project!

May you have many fun times ahead! God Bless!

Ohhhh... and just in case you are thinking that you are not a quilter???? Don't be discouraged!
They are still waiting for other forms of art to make a home for itself at Camp Squeah, what ever your genre is! Painting, metal work, ceramic work, carving, pottery, etc, etc, ... and even quilting! :-)

Don't be shy! Show us what you can do!

The painting below was done by Peter J. Hildebrand, also from (SMC) Sherbrooke Mennonite Church.
I should have gone closer to take the picture but I like the red wall behind it! It just gives the painting that something extra! If you look closely, you will see that it is Camp Squeah!

And finally...... don't forget to click here and fill out the Mennonite Women Canada "Task Force" Survey! Or at the top of this page! Thanks a bunch!

Summer is OVER! ! !

2009-09-09T21:16:00.004-07:00

Summer has gone by so very fast and now it's B-A-C-K to W-O-R-K once again! ! !

Mennonite Women Canada "Task Force" is busy working on the final push to figure out what our Canadian Mennonite Women want, as far as, Women's Ministry is concerned.

We, the "Task Force", have worked hard and prepared a rather comprehensive survey. (12 questions :-)) From the results of it, we hope to make some recommendations to the Mennonite Women Canada Executive but first, all of you have to help us by answering the survey!

So please chick H-E-R-E NOW! It will take you maybe 5 minutes! :-)

The Survey has already been sent to all our MCBC churches.
Soooo.... if you don't have in your mail-slots this Sunday or next, then make sure to ask your office administrators for it.

It will also come to you as an insert in the next MCBC "News 'n Notes", due out a bit later this month.

I have also posted a link on the "Facebook"(MCBC Women's Ministry) group so there really is no excuse for you not to take a few minutes and answer our questions.

If you have any questions, you know where to reach me!

Thank you, one and all ! ! !

Fall Retreat Weekend ! ! !

2009-06-24T12:36:00.012-07:00

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Time creeps up quickly after a busy summer!

MCBC WOMEN’S MINISTRY RETREAT WEEKEND

October 16, 17, 18, 2009

Our speaker this year is Sheila Klassen-Wiebe,
Associate Professor of New Testament at

Canadian Mennonite University. Sheila will be speaking about

“The Women Who Walked with Jesus”.

Come and experience the beautiful new facilities at Camp Squeah!
Lovely rooms available (no stairs and wheelchair accessible)

The "Silent Auction" is always a big hit –
start working on those items to bring along for the sale!

This year we will be providing the ladies with a Service Project during the weekend!

Join in and make a blanket for charity!

You can contribute some fleece fabric, 2 pieces that are 60x60 in. large.
You chose the colour and the pattern!

Or you can donate funds toward a blanket, and/or donate your time to help make one!
The blankets will be given to the girls at the Spirit Bear Center Society! www.spiritbearcenter.com
Make sure you bring your scissor with you!

Enjoy the beautiful surroundings, go for a hike, read, bring a craft,
relax, catch up with old friends and make some new ones.

Registration (and more information) will be available on-line
beginning August 1, 2009 www.squeah.com
Deadline to register is October 2, 2009

YOU WON’T WANT TO BE LATE!
One other thing to consider....
if you are unable to attend....
...maybe you may want to SPONSOR someone?
...or contribute to our "Bursary Fund"?

The "Bursary Fund" has been available for many years!
If you know of someone who would like to attend but cannot afford to participate,
please, let us know and we will help, as best we can!

Inspirational Day 2009

2009-06-12T22:03:00.014-07:00

Saturday, May 2nd.
A cool but sunny morning and women are arriving at their appointed pick up locations.

Lots of chatter and laughter can be heard as they great each other and get ready to board the buses.

Destination.... First Mennonite Church, Kelowna, in BC`s beautiful Okanagan Valley!

112 women are exited to visit their Christian Sisters in Kelowna for a day of food, worship and a bit of fellowship. A little short on the fellowship, since the clock is ticking for our bus drivers, but still enough time for some quick visiting around the tables while enjoying a great meal that was waiting for us upon arrival.

Our very comfy coaches in the parking lot of First Mennonite Church, Kelowna.

When we arrived at the church, the tables were beautifully set and the meal was ready and waiting for us.

Very tasty, indeed! Yum!

Ladies lining up and enjoying their meals!

Visiting around the tables!

More visiting!

An then the afternoon program started!

The topic was "Facing Life's Challenges with Courage".

Peggy Hiebert introduced us to the speakers.

Five women from First Mennonite Church, Kelowna, shared their life altering experiences and how their faith in Jesus Christ sustained them through the journey.

1. The loss of a spouse.
Fran Siemens

2. Living with and recovering from cancer.Reatha Thiessen

3. Living with a special needs child and the loss of this child.Jacqueline Neun

4. Being a refugee and having to move from country to country.Margaret Doerksen

5. Losing a home not once but twice, first time because of war and
the second time because of the Kelowna Summer Fires of 2005.

Gertrude Loewen

A group of ladies had also prepared some special music for the event.
It sounded beautiful!

The singing was followed a time of remembering Sisters that have gone to meet their Lord & Saviour. This is always a very special time during the annual Inspirational Day. This year, 33 special ladies were remembered by the lighting of a candle when their name was read.

In the background reading the names are Ann Wiebe and Helene Wieler.

Lighting the candles are Gerda Dueck and Helga Nickel.

Remembering!

After the Memorial Service the invitation to next year's Inspirational Day was extended by Elinor Neufeld from Emmanuel Mennonite Church in Abbotsford.

Then, Grace Epp, chair of the Women's Retreat Committee invited all the ladies to the

Fall Women's Retreat at Camp Squeah, Oct. 16 -18.

We are hoping that many of our senior ladies will consider coming back to the retreat weekend now that we have such wonderful new accommodations at Camp Squeah.Hope to see you there in October!

Cleaning Poem

2009-05-15T19:27:00.004-07:00

The little tidbit below was sent to me by a lovely computer friend and I thought that I would share it with all of you out there. Hope you like it!
Also, please keep your eye on this page!
There will be new stuff posted, over the next few days!

My Cleaning Poem

I asked the Lord to tell me
Why my house is such a mess.
He asked if I'd been 'computering',
And I had to answer 'yes.'

He told me to get off my "chair"
(Actually it said "Butt" but I wasn't sure I should use that word.)
And tidy up the house.
And so I started cleaning up...
The smudges off my mouse.

I wiped and shined the topside.
That really did the trick....
I was just admiring my work...
I didn't mean to 'click.'

But click, I did, and oops I found
A real absorbing site.
That I got SO way into.
I was into it all night. <>

Nothing's changed except my mouse
It's very, very shiny.
I guess my house will stay a mess...
While I sit here on my hiney!!

I love my Computer because my Friends live in it!
Thank you for being my e-mail buddy and friend!

Now if only you would all become my "blogging buddies", too! :-)

Brainstorming ! ! !

2009-03-19T10:49:00.004-07:00

Months ago, a challenge was put out there!

Any woman that would like to take part in a brainstorming session
about Women's Ministry....
....should come and talk to me!

What could it look like?
How will it evolve?
Is it something that is even needed or wanted?

Strangely enough, not a single person came and grabbed a hold of me,
....telling me that they simply could not wait
....to sit down and talk about Women's Ministry. :-)

It came to where a decision was made!
Some ladies would just get a personal phone call and...
....yes, we had our first brainstorming session Monday evening, March 16th.

For personal and last minute reasons,
the group ended up being smaller that first expected;
....still, a lot was discussed
...and some good suggestions and ideas were presented.

We are having another brainstorming session around the middle of April.

Would love to see some ideas and suggestions in the comment box!

Where does Women's money go?

2009-03-16T14:50:00.005-07:00

After reading Sherri's new post, my daughter sent me this short video and I just couldn't help myself; I had to post it here.
It is just for fun and I know that this is not the only thing our money is used for!

Women & Money

2009-03-13T11:24:00.005-07:00

Dori and I have prepared and led a day-long presentation for women about money. The first was the end of February in BC. Judging by the seminar evaluation forms, women found it helpful. The next one is in Ontario at the end of March.

What is the problem with money? Why do some women feel money is a mystery they can't solve? What is it about money that sometimes makes our knees shake? How can we help each other manage our money wisely?

If you are willing, please consider posting or emailing your questions, queries and thoughts about money. I'll try to answer or I will point you to someone who can.

You'll also be helping Dori and I prepare future presentations to women.

Thank You!

2009-02-21T21:39:00.010-08:00

After spending yesterday and today at the MCBC Annual Meeting, I am sitting here, feeling encouraged and for that I say "Thank You"!
So many of you came and spoke to me; telling me that you are looking forward to our Kelowna Inspirational Day, on May 2nd.
We sent home an envelope to each church today and in it you will find all the information you will need to get to Kelowna. Make sure that you get the information out to all your ladies at your church.
The first thing that you will need to do, is to sign up for the bus trip there!
The cost of the trip is $40.00 per person and it includes your lunch when you arrive at the church and a bagged snack for your way home.
We are also planning some fun while you are on your way to Kelowna!
Depending on how many of you sign up, will determine how many buses will be going.
Buses will leave from Peace M. Church, Richmond; Living Hope Christian Fellowship, Surrey; Eben-Ezer M. Church, Abbotsford and Eden M. in Chilliwack.
If you are driving there with your own vehicle, you will still need to register. The Kelowna women need to know for how many ladies they need to be prepared for.
The cost for food only is $12.00.
Make sure to put this date on your calendar and join us for a day of worship, food and fellowship!
Registration deadline for the bus is April 1 and if you need only the food, you need to be registered by April 22nd.
You can register through your home churches; the MCBC Office @ 604-850-6658, ask for Janette; you can contact me, Waltrude Gortzen by leaving me a note in the comment box or you can contact First Mennonite Church in Kelowna at 250-762-4522 or e-mail the church at kfmc@telus.net
This should get you registered one way or the other! :-)

I will remind you again, once we get closer to our event!

That's all for now!
Hope to hear from you!

New Beginnings!

2009-02-16T21:21:00.014-08:00

WOW! It's February 16th already!
Can't believe that I have let so much time go by since I last posted something.
So very sorry about that!

Christmas has come and gone with all the business that the season brings every year.
Sure hope that everyone out there had a very blessed Christmas Season.

Now then.... I think that I really need to bring you up to date!

October 27, 2008!
The date that MCBC Women's Ministry was officially acknowledged as a new and emerging ministry by the MCBC Leadership Board. Praise the Lord for new beginnings!

Now we have to deal with a number of question that do not have any answers yet.
For example, what will this new ministry look like and who will be leading it in the future?

For the time being, until July 2010 when my term on the Canadian Women in Mission "Task Force" ends, I will try to be the person accountable to you and to the MCBC Leadership Board.
I am hoping that there are a few of you out there that would be willing to sit down with me, maybe over a cup of coffee or tea, and discuss how this ministry will take shape.
If this is something that might interest you, please feel free to contact me or come and talk to me at this weekend's MCBC AGM at Cedar Valley Mennonite Church in Mission.
I wrote a short report for the AGM Booklet that I had hoped to link to this blog but for whatever reason I am not able to link a document! :-(
Generally only AGM Delegates get to read the reports and I thought that our MCBC Women might all want to read it, so it is coming to you via the AGM this weekend. It will be sent along with your delegates and hopefully copies will be made for all of you in your home churches.
And, since all our previous BC Women in Mission Presidents always wrote at least 2 yearly letters, I have also written a letter to all of MCBC Women and this document is also coming home to you with your delegates.

I am also still actively looking for more contributors to this blog.
Sure hope that I will find some budding writers, very soon!
And speaking about blogs, the latest news from Canadian Women in Mission is that they have also started a blog. Check it out mennowomencanada.blogspot.com
Now how exciting is that?
Welcome ladies ! ! ! I have added you to our list of blogs!

On a personal note, to end up this post with, we welcomed our 5 grandchild. :-)
Emerson Aiden Gortzen joined us January 31, 2009. Everyone is doing well!

Our newest blessing! Also a NEW beginning!

Sooooo..... these were some of the highlights over the last few months.

PS. Will try to be more efficient from here on!

Welcome ! ! !

2008-12-09T09:51:00.003-08:00

Are you paying attention?
Did you notice?
We now have a second contributing author to this blog.
A warm welcome to Dori Zerbe-Cornelsen.
May the Lord bless you and inspire you!

Room for joy?

2008-12-05T11:19:00.001-08:00

There are many reasons for anxiety and discontent out there these days. Perhaps that’s why my eye was attracted this evening to the following headline at CBCnews.ca: "Joy to the world is contagious: study." According to the study, we’re more likely to be happy if we are connected to other people who are happy. In fact, researchers say, "Whether you're happy depends not just on your own actions and behaviours and thoughts, but on those of people you don't even know."

If that could be true, I wondered, what are the ways I can imagine growing the joy around me? At home I need to remember that immediate circumstances that can annoy me or try my patience are temporary – I love the members of my family and need to communicate to them (more than I maybe do) the incredible joy I experience being part of their lives. At the office, I can express my appreciation for the good work of my colleagues and be more encouraging as we share common goals. In my congregational context, I would like to express my gratitude more openly for those who have taken on leadership roles to administer, challenge and nurture our life together. And in general, I can smile more often, say thank you more genuinely, and notice all of the ways the people around me, including strangers, share their joy.

Maybe paying attention like this is precisely the way I can prepare my heart to give Jesus room this Advent season…and heav’n and nature sing!

Blogging for the first time...

2008-12-05T11:16:00.002-08:00

Thanks to Waltrude for inviting me to be part of this blog. I live in Winnipeg in a house that’s just across the street from the BDI – the home of the creamiest shake in town, they say. I share the household with my spouse and two teenage children and a small dog who is pretty old and crotchety these days. Like Sherri who sent her first blog in October, I work for Mennonite Foundation of Canada that wants to help people connect faith and finances, encouraging FAITHFUL JOYFUL GIVING. It’s something I’m pretty passionate about.

I have lots of connections in BC so I’m really pleased to participate in this blog. I’m always open to your responses!

Aprons ! ! !

2008-11-26T21:25:00.006-08:00

The History of "Aprons".

Some good and motherly housekeeping lessons to be learned here!

The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath, because she only had a few, it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and they used less material, but along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.

It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.

From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.

When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids.

And when the weather was cold, grandma wrapped it around her arms.

Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.

Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.

From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.

In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.

When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.

When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.

It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes.

REMEMBER:
Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool.
Her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw.
They would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron.

I don 't think I ever caught anything from an apron.

~~~~~~~~~~

The above little tidbit was sent to me by a friend and I thought it was just too cute not to share it with everyone. Hope you liked it!
Waltrude

This is a picture of my paternal Grandmother, Margaretha Nikkel nee Born.

As a small girl I remember her always wearing an apron.
After my Grandparents moved to Canada, my Oma retired her apron.
Said that an apron was great for life on the farm but not appropriate for city living. :-)
Hmmm, I wonder ? ? ?

Who is Painting on Your Canvas?

2008-10-28T21:15:00.018-07:00

Women being encouraged to be creative!
Women re-learning how to play, without guilt attached!

Women came from near and far.
The laughter of old friends greeting each other could be heard all over as the women started to arrive on Friday evening.
There were several mother-daughter duos. There were a number of first time participants.
Old and young, enjoying each others company, playing and praying together.

Everyone was registered and name tagged on Friday evening.

Some very serious Scrabble players on Friday evening.

“The Call to Creative Living” was the topic for the 2008 MCBC Women’s Retreat at Camp Squeah, with an attendance of about 90 women that came to listen to Betty Spackman, Christian artist, teacher, author and curator. Betty enriched us with two wonderful presentations.

Betty Spackman - Guest Speaker

Saturday A.M. - “Art and the Christian Community”

We are called to be co-creators with the Creator. We are created in the image of the Creator and therefore, each of us has the responsibility to be creative, through which ever gift God has given us. Our biggest stumbling blocks, as Christians, are FEAR and the false belief of having to be modest. We should let the love of creativity overcome our fears and learn to enjoy our creative gifts. Spackman’s favourite quote is; “Fear is NOT a Factor”! “It does not matter what others say or think. If we know that God loves us, we will do what He has called us to do. No matter where or what!” says Betty.

Saturday morning discussion group!

Before the afternoon session began there was time to enjoy the wonderful fall weather. Go for a walk or simply sit outside and enjoy the sunshine.

"He lets me rest in fields of green grass and leads me to quiet pools of fresh water." Psalm 23:2

Saturday P.M. - “Creative Work and Play”

We don’t feel safe to go out and play. (Being Creative) but when we do, we are rewarded with a feeling of well being and happiness.

She says that “Playing can be a difficult and dangerous leap of faith for many Christians who desire to “tell the truth” with their hearts/God given gifts and talents.”

“How sad that we seem to allow the gift of imagination only to children.” Spackman.

She says that art is very hard work, indeed, but the trick is not to lose your sense of wonder. The enemy will try to steal your gift but he can’t get at them if you have given then to God, the Creator. (1Cor. 1:26-28)

Besides having a great speaker for the Retreat, there were also a lot of other things provided for the ladies. Blessings Christian Marketplace had set up a few tables and made it easy for the women to purchase a book or two.

Heidi Epp facilitated a great workshop called “Who is drawing on my canvas?” and everyone who participated in the workshop, came away having learned new things about themselves and each other.

A movie (The Pearl Diver) was presented on Saturday night and is now highly recommended by everyone that watched it.

In conclusion, the Sunday morning Worship Service, with sharing and singing, led us to a very moving Communion Celebration.

Grace Epp leading us into Communion time.

It was a wonderful weekend of making new friends and meeting old friends, again. A time to share our burdens and joys with each other. A time for Worship and renewal in MCBC’s “Place of Refuge”.

Camp Squeah Lodge

The little Chapel in Woods!

The colours at this time of year are majestic!

Simply breath taking!

Time to go home! To be continued next year!

God willing!

What Will The Future Hold?

2008-10-19T00:19:00.020-07:00

Yesterday, a month ago, September 18th, 2008, the Canadian Women in Mission "Task Force" had just finished an all day meeting in a Board Room of Mennonite Church Canada offices in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Seven women from across the country meeting to discuss the future of Canadian Women in Mission.
Is Canadian Women in Mission still important today?
Are the Canadian Mennonite Women still interested?
We know that the older generation is emotionally tied to this Ministry but how can we cultivate enthusiasm in the younger generation?
Will we still be important to future generations? And how?
These were the questions being asked and discussed.
Each of us coming from a different province, with very different experiences and levels of involvement in Women's Ministries, it was amazing how quickly we started to connect.
Primarily because we have the common bond of being followers of Jesus Christ and I know the Holy Spirit was with us as we sat around the table and started to get to know each other.
We all felt that it is still, very important for Canadian Mennonite Women to be able to serve and support each other, in their local churches, as well as, throughout Mennonite Church Canada.
The "Task Force" has the strong desire to keep the provinces connected with each other and Canadian Women in Mission is the venue through which this can be achieved.
Do we need to make some changes in order to stay alive and active?
Most likely!
What will these changes be and how will they be implemented?
Well, that is what we are discussing!
The process will take a while and the "Task Force" will be meeting a few more times over the next year or so. Canadian Women in Mission will deliberate over the suggestions and ideas that the "Task Force" will present to them and then report through various ways to the Canadian Mennonite Women.
It will be an interesting journey and we ask that you keep the "Task Force" in your prayers as we work through the mandate that was given to us.

Left to right:
Front row: Irene Bartel - Saskatchewan (Recording Secretary);
Marguerite Jack - Alberta (Chair Person); Liz Koop - Ontario;
Back row: Justina Heese - Manitoba (Assistant Chair);
Ruby Harder - Saskatchewan (Canadian Women in Mission Rep.);
Waltrude Gortzen - BC; Myléne Melaçon - Quebec.

Shop for a Cure?

2008-10-08T14:55:00.006-07:00

Recently, I’ve received a few flyers and personalized mass-invitations inviting me to support a particular cause by shopping. The first I received was from a clothing store advertising a ladies night where, for every $65 I spent, $5 would go to support breast cancer research. The flyer left me with the uncomfortable feeling that I was being manipulated.

I have no argument with the cause – in the past year breast cancer has been diagnosed in 3 women I care about. While it might have been an honest attempt by the retailer to support a worthy cause, I doubt it. For a number of years, we’ve been encouraged to purchase many items in pink and the manufacturer or retailer (or both) will send funds to breast cancer research. When you read the fine print, there is often a maximum dollar amount that will be sent and the percentage of each sale is tiny. You don't actually know that your purchase contributed to the cause.

Is this the best way to show we care? By shopping? Are we to sooth our need to help our fellow citizens by consuming? Or is this pure manipulation on the part of retailers and manufacturers? By appealing to our altruistic impulses, can they more easily separate us women from our money? I've bought pink and I've struggled with whether or not I should.

What do you think? Do you buy pink? Why or why not?

Thanks for inviting me!

2008-10-06T15:10:00.006-07:00

Hi There!

I'm really pleased that Waltrude asked if I would like to participate in this blog! (And I confess that I've never blogged before!) I think it's a fantastic way for women to stay connected with each other since life seems to be busier and it's just plain hard to meet over a cup of tea sometimes!

I'm married with two step-children that are now in their late teens. We live in southern Ontario where I work for Mennonite Foundation of Canada (MFC) - a public charitable foundation that encourages us to be generous. It's through work that I connected with Waltrude. We (MFC) are working on an information day for women about money and that interested Waltrude - would we be interested in connecting to women in BC through her blog? Sure! So I suspect that many of my posts will have a connection to money, faith and generosity - tying those three together is part of who I am and why I love this job!

I'm planning to get my first post up this afternoon. Be sure to let me know what you think!

Have a fabulous Wednesday!
Sherri

Number Two!

2008-10-06T13:56:00.003-07:00

We have another contributor that has signed on and eventually we will be hearing from these ladies! You will just have to stay tuned! :-)

Get-away Weekend!

2008-09-03T11:07:00.014-07:00

MCBC Women's Ministry Retreat Weekend
is coming up fast!

October 24-26 at Camp Squeah! ! !

Make sure that you are free to attend and that you are registered! Click here to register and don't forget to bring a friend or maybe your Mom, daughter or even your grand-daughter!

If you have not seen a registration yet, here is a little sample of what will be happening there.

The topic for the weekend is
"The Call... to Creative Living"
Guest Speaker is Betty Spackman

The Silent Auction is back by popular demand!
So bring your items to sell and get ready to bid!

All proceeds go to Women's Retreat Bursary Fund!

There will also be an organized craft project for you to take part in. Make sure to mark it when you register, if you are interested. It will cost between $5.00 to $10.00 to cover materials. Pay at craft time!

Also, if you are an avid reader, make sure to bring a few extra dollars so that you can buy some new material. Blessings Christian Marketplace (Book Store) will once again have their wonderful display of books, gifts and more. Click here to look at their on-line store!

Cost for the weekend is as follows...
Full weekend (total cost $120.00)
($10.00 off if you register by September 30)

Saturday only (total cost $55.00)
Includes: 2 speaker sessions, lunch, dinner and great fellowship.
If you are coming for Saturday only please arrive by 9:00 a.m. and feel free to stay after dinner to enjoy friends and fellowship.

There is a lot more happening over the weekend but you will just have to read about it on the actual registration, or better yet, register and find out for yourself! :-)

But, if you need to know even more, before you register....

These are the ladies that can help you...
Grace Epp: 604-940-3368
gepp@dccnet.com
Debbie Fleming: 604-856-7376
rdf@telus.net
Cassandra Wolff:
rcwolff@telus.net
Wendy Weiss:
wendy@thewebpresents.com

See you here!

Ohhhh..... almost forgot something!
Please come prepared to discuss your hopes and dreams for a possible

NEW MCBC Women's Ministry.

Number One! ! !

2008-08-21T22:00:00.002-07:00

And we're off!
Our first contributor has joined us!
Keep your eyes on this blog to find out who it is. :-)
She will be introducing herself, shortly!

I hope to add a few more names to the list of contributors, very soon!

It's been just over a month since the first post on this blog and I am so pleased at how many of you have checked out this site.
Please, do leave comments! Just click on the word "comments", that you can find under each post, and when the window opens, just start to write! It's easy! Trust me! It really IS easy!

Greetings!

2008-07-15T08:42:00.002-07:00

In the name of Christ, I greet you!
ALL of the women in Mennonite Church BC!

Right about now you are probably wondering what this is all about, so let me start at the beginning with telling you a bit about who I am.

Item 1

Who am I?My name is Waltrude Gortzen. Some of you know me as Trudy. I am a long standing member of Sherbrooke Mennonite Church in Vancouver. My husband and I have just moved to Abbotsford, 7 months ago and are presently searching for a new home church.
This last May, I accepted the call from Canadian Women in Mission to be part of a Canada wide Task Force that will look at how to connect today's women; in our provinces, as well as, throughout Canada.

The Task Force has been challenged to come up with some new, "outside of the box ideas", on how to connect our women, once again. This is one such idea! :-) And it is only an experiment, for the time being.

My hope is that you will explore this idea, think about it for a while and then get back to me with your thoughts and suggestions. Let your imaginations take flight!
You can leave comments on this blog or you can e-mail me at wgortzen@gmail.com.

Item 2

BC Women in Mission

As you already know, a year ago, July 2007, MCBC Women in Mission was disbanded. This means that we no longer have an official structure that addresses or looks after the women in Mennonite Church BC.

Right now you're thinking but, but..... "We do still have the MCBC Women's Inspirational Day and the Women's Fall Retreat!" Yes, we do and hope to keep on having these two events, as long as, there are women and congregations out there that are willing to plan and work on these events.

Item 3

Why a Blog?

My thinking is that this is the way our younger generation communicates, today!
Facebook and/or blogging.
This allows connections without leaving the home. It builds friendships, as well as, building a new way of being a community.
Robert J. Suderman, general secretary of Mennonite Church Canada and author of "God's People Now!" writes the following: "There is nothing that is not included in God's restoring and reconciling work, and therefore there is nothing that is not included in the agenda of God's people." Pages 80 & 81 in the chapter called "The Calling of the Church".

So then .... why not add a blog to the agenda of God's people?"

My hope is that we will be able to enlist contributors to this site.
- Christian women who are pastors or in some sort of leadership position within Mennonite Church BC or in their own home church.
- Christian women who are professionals, of any chosen field.
- That we will be able to present many topics and concerns that are relevant to today's Christian Mennonite Woman and then proceed to discuss the topics, open and honestly!
- That there will be many of us, out there, that may be encouraged to start their own blogs and by doing so, we will get to know one another, from north to south and east to west.
- That through this virtual world, we will be witnesses of God's all encompassing and never ending love for all of humanity.
- That, in this new way of communicating, we will also want to MEET each other and thereby promote growth at the MCBC Women's Inspirational Day and the Fall Retreat, those, also being the two places where we can continue discussions that may have appeared here, on this blog.

Item 4

A few ground rules.

This is a work in progress!
At the moment, this blog is open for comments to everyone and will stay open until early September 2008.
Up until and after September, this blog will go through a number of changes, as we explore together.
There will be more pages coming that will be linked to this site.
As you leave your comments, we ask that you be kind to each other and NOT use inappropriate language.
We do, however, welcome your opinions, suggestions and ideas.
Tell us what you would like to see here!

Item 5

Task Force

As a member of the Canadian Women in Mission Task Force, I will have to report back to them about what our visions and ideas are in BC. I ask, all of the MCBC Women, to come along with me on this journey, as we explore new ways and ideas on how to re-connect our women, in new and exciting ways.
I ask for your prayers; that I may do well in this position, as I represent, all of you, on this Task Force.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post and then praying about this new ministry and it's possibilities.

Your sister in Christ!