Merry Christmas from BC - Part TWO

"Unwrap Your Gifts"

October 17 - 19, 2014

Finally!
Warning! This is a long post with lots of pictures and to see the pictures better.... click on them! 

Arriving at Camp Squeah on Friday morning, we were ready to get to work! 

We were hoping to stay dry while 'schlepping' all our Christmas decor into the Main Lodge but first we had to take care of some other details...... details like filling all our colourful socks with chocolates and candy canes, cookies and a cookie cutter and oh yeahhh ... the matching second sock! For some reason this surprised many of the women, go figure! ! ! ! :-)  

          

After lunch the group that had been enjoying Camp during the week, were finally on their way and it was now our turn to get ready for the ladies that were coming.....soon! 

We were so thankful that a few of our weekend participants had volunteered to come early and help us with the decorating. (Laura Loewen, Mary Goertzen, Lydia Bergen and Elli Koehn (Guenther)) The Staff at Camp also came to help set up the tables, chairs, stage and sound system.

WHAT??? did you think that it was the Christmas Elves? 

Well... I guess these were our Elves this year! 

Our Silent Auction, once again,  had lots of goodies to offer. A special thank you goes to Cynthia Williams for stepping in to help. We could not have done it without you! 

The women are always so generous with their donations for our cause which is to help assist women that may otherwise not be able to attend! 

The Three Kings are on their way! 

Just look at our cute Christmas Stockings!     And look at the pretty baskets?
They raise funds for Mennonite Women Canada's 'Spiritual Growth Assistance Fund'. It helps support women studying to go into the Ministry. 

The women are coming and the fun is starting! 

To begin with we will "Unwrap our Gifts" with a Gift Discernment test and discover the gifts that God gave us!                                                          Cheryl Dyck (Planning Committee Member) prepared the a copy of the test for every women that was present on Friday night. You can download the test HERE  It is a very good and comprehensive test.                                                            
Once the test was done it was time for visiting and getting reacquainted with old friends and making some new friends!  
It was a great start to our Christmas Weekend!

Saturday was going to be a busy day! 
The women had a choice of 3 workshops to enjoy or to go for a walk, read a book, visit or take a nap.

In the Emory Lounge - - -  
Christmas Cup Cake Decorating with Elly Isaak - owner of Elly's Studio of Cake Design

In the Fraser Lounge - - - 
Arm-knitting with Amanda Salmon, who stepped up when our committee member had to be in class and could not be present. Thank you, Amanda.
This turned out to be a very popular workshop and rather challenging even to those that are long time knitters! It messed with their minds just a tad! :-)

But in the end they all mastered it!

Lydia Bergen sporting her new scarf! 

In the Main Lodge - - - 
A writing workshop with our special guest April Yamasaki.
It was a 'creative writing' session where she encouraged everyone to write their Spiritual Story.
You can read her full report of our weekend retreat HERE 
She also told us the wonderful story of the 3 Kings. Learn more about it HERE. 

The workshops were all well attended and the women really enjoyed them and they learned something to take home with them! Some new GIFTS to share!

This year we also enjoyed hosting 2 young international ladies.
They are here via MCC's International Volunteer Exchange Program (IVEP) under the leadership of Sophie Thiessen Eigbike.









Sophie with her 2 girls - Kathryn Friesen from Brazil and Nila Amallia from Indonesia!
I've been told that they really enjoyed their time at the Women's Retreat! 




Before dinner, everyone gathered to take our annual group photo. This year we wore Christmas sweaters
Our two Christmas Trees can hardly be seen but you can spot the Stars!

It gets very animated when 120 women settle in to take a group photo!

it comes with lots of laughter and some serious togetherness!!!

Sporting their lovely Christmas sweaters

La Vern Klassen and Kim Tiessen.

3 generations!
l-r: Cynthia Gortzen Williams,  I am in the middle
and my Mom - Gertrude Nickel

Committee Member Candice Corder.
Behind her - our Secret Santa Gifts!  

The photo session continued for quite a while. It is impossible to show all the pictures here.

Once the photo session was over it was time to enjoy our Christmas Dinner! 

 Turkey with ALL the trimmings. 

It was delectable! 

Our much loved Worship Team
L-r: Carla Hordyk, Cheryl Heinrichs,
Dorothy Friesen and Elly Federau

After dinner was done it was time for some Christmas Caroling, a Live Auction and to share some gifts that God has blessed us with.

It sounded beautiful! ! ! 

Showing and sharing more of God's many Gifts to us! ! !

Our Auctioneer - Heidi Epp showing off her
gift of humour. The Santa sitting on her
shoulder was crafted by our Hmong Sisters.

Laurie Johnson - crocheting 

La Vern Klassen - singing

Theresa Batz - painting

Hilda Barg - bag making

Many other gifts were shared, each special in their own way, card making, photography, etc.
Thank you to everyone that shared their gift with the group!

Ohhhhh.... and did you know that we celebrated 50 years of Women's Retreats at Camp this year? 

This is one of many poster boards of memories of years gone by! 

All those present at this year's retreat received a celebration bookmark!

The top is the front and the bottom is the back!
And, yes, it is a horizontal bookmark! :-)

The Christmas cookies that the Kitchen Staff baked for the ladies.
50 packs with 4 different varieties of cookies for a donation!
They were all gone in a flash!  

Ornaments were also collected and gifted to
"The Thunderbird Motel" Project
You can watch a video abut this Ministry  HERE

The Planning Committee decided to do this in honour of our 

50th Anniversary of Retreats in Hope, BC.

We had a nice collection of all sorts of ornaments! 

Thank you, to everyone that donated an ornament! 

We also have had one BIG weekend prize for the last number of years.
This year's winner was Gladys Huber.
Mary & Joseph with Baby Jesus and
The Three Kings!  

The Planning Committee with our retreat speaker
April Yamasaki 
Thank you for a wonderful time and we look forward to hosting
April again in 2015 for Part Two!
October 16 - 18, 2015

Merry Christmas One and All! ! ! - Part ONE!

As a child, did you ever wish that everyday could be like Christmas? Maybe 'Unwrap a Gift' every now and then during the year? I mean, everyday would just be a bit much to ask, right?

Well, this past year has been all about Christmas! Imagine, 12 months of planning and shopping for Christmas! YES, since November 2013 we have had Christmas on our minds and not just because Christmas comes around every year but because we decided to plan a full blown Christmas Retreat for 2014 when our original retreat plans fell through.

We have had so much fun! ! !  With the 2013 Christmas Season only just beginning, it gave us the opportunity to shop for decorations, candy canes and yes, even chocolates that were nicely packed away in our freezers.                                                                                               Several times over the past few years the idea of a Christmas Retreat had come up but it just never worked out but this time we had to make some new plans fast and Christmas it was! 

Being at one of our planning meetings you would think that we all had a bit too much eggnog but luckily there is none available during most of the year and we were safe. We knew that the Ugly Christmas Sweaters had to be part of our fun and some great Christmas cupcakes and cookies, too!                     

It was promptly decided to connect with Camp Squeah's kitchen and find out if they would be willing to bake some Christmas Cookies for the ladies to purchase at the end of the retreat weekend. 

The staff happily agreed AND they were also willing to prepare a full Christmas dinner for the women for Saturday evening of our weekend. 

The next thing that needed to be done was to find a speaker, on rather short notice I might add, but when we spoke with April Yamasaki, (Senior Pastor at Emmanuel Mennonite Church in Abbotsford) and told her a bit about our plans, she barely hesitated and gave us a resounding "YES"!

Things were coming together nicely! 

We booked a workshop with Elly's Studio of Cake Design to learn how to decorated Christmas Cupcakes and one of our committee members volunteered to teach us how to do some arm-knitting!

Christmas Caroling was a must, as well as, the Christmas stockings and gifts!

The one thing that needed another brainstorming session was the overall theme for the weekend. 

It took a few cups of coffee and some animated discussion but then inspiration hit, and when it's right, you just know it!  

Christmas and Gifts = "Unwrap your Gifts"  DONE! 

But the fun didn't stop after all this decision making. The shopping continued! 

Door prized, gift baskets, birthday gifts and socks, lots of colorful socks were bought that would be our Christmas stockings.

As October came closer the registrations started to arrive. 

Last minute preparations were underway, such as baking 'Pepper-nut' Cookies (Pfeffernuesse - a small German Spice Cookie usually baked only at Christmas) They were part of the goodies in the Christmas Stockings and it would take a mountain of these tiny cookies!  

A mountain of cookies!
It took 3 of us about 6 hours just to bake all these cookies!
2530 cookies! Yes, we counted them! 

All packed and ready for the Christmas Stockings!
They also came in Gluten Free! 

The registrations kept coming! MANY registrations - online and by snail-mail!
From late August to early October, going to the mail-box is one of my favourite things to do! :-)

To be continued! 

2014 Fall Women's Retreat

Almost time to retreat! ! ! 

Celebrating 75 Years - 1939 - 2014

MCBC Women's Ministry - Inspirational Day 

This report should have been posted for a while already but life gets busy and things sometimes get in the way ..... good thing that Amy Dueckman - BC Report to the Canadian Mennonite already sent in her report a few weeks ago and you can read about it HERE

But, here on our blog you will see many more pictures and some bits and pieces that Amy did not have space for in her article.

So ... take some time to look at all the pictures and get to know some of our MCBC Women. 

Here we go...... 

Saturday, May 3rd with the sun shinning brightly, the women started to arrive at 

Emmanuel Mennonite Church in Abbotsford ready to celebrate our big occasion.

Registration line up started at 9:30 am.

Getting their name tags and program/annual report books.

Our friendly Worship Team from Living Hope Christian Fellowship in Surrey
l-r: Cheryl Heinrichs, Elly Federau, Dorothy Friesen and Carla Hordyk 

Cheryl Dyck from
Cedar Valley Mennonite Church in Mission
welcoming all the women.

To help us celebrate, we had invited 5 past BC Women in Mission presidents to help us reminisce and remember some of stories that shaped us and led us through 75 years of serving others and our neighbours across the street and around the world.

Mary Bergen

Mary Bergen served from 1980 to 1984.
She told us that after having been asked to consider taking on the position, she decided to first go back to school and learn English. A year later she accepted the position.
Her home church is Eben-Ezer Mennonite Church in Abbotsford.

Sue Kehler

Sue Kehler served from 1994 to 1996.

She highlighted some BC Women in Mission history which included the booklet

"History of BC Women in Mission 

1939-1976" 

It was compiled by a committee of 5 women.
Sue was one of the 5.
Her home church is Emmanuel Mennonite Church in Abbotsford.

Marie Rehsler

Marie Rehsler served from 1996 to 2000.


Her home church is Yarrow United Mennonite Church in Yarrow.


P.S. 
I will be adding some more info here as soon as I get it!                                                                  Waltrude 

Helga Rempel

Helga Rempel served from 2000 to 2002.
Quote: "The shortest road between 2 people is a smile!"
She started her talk by donning her hat & talking about by gone days when ladies would buy new hats for the Annual Inspirational Day. (What a beautiful sight that must have been! Waltrude)

Helga spoke about "Courageous Women of the Bible" by Linda Gehman Peachy, commissioned by MW Canada & USA
This study uncovers the stories of biblical women who acted with unflinching courage - women who sought justice, spoke truth & witnessed God’s love. The women profiled in this study serve as models to encourage & challenge us today.
She also reminded us about the many examples of courageous women of faith & courage in our Mennonite heritage, women who helped shape us, who led by example. Our mothers, ladies in our churches, missionaries etc.,  and we thank you all of them.

"Let us not grow weary in doing the Lord’s work."

Her home church is Eben-Ezer Mennonite Church in Abbotsford.

Veronica Thiessen 

Veronica Thiessen served from 2002 to 2007
She told us about her mother always waiting with great anticipation for the annual Inspirational Day.
She also shared about her journey with breast cancer and how after having had surgery she received over 200 get well card during her stay in the hospital and the staff asking her if she was some sort of  VIP. She said no but that she had many wonderful friends that were praying for her.
Her home church is Yarrow United Mennonite Church in Yarrow.

Lee Dyck

Lee Dyck - MCBC Moderator bringing greetings from MCBC and thanking the many women that baked, sewed, catered or put on Mission Programs to raise funds that were then sent to BC Women in Mission to help with overseas missions around the world or provided financial help to pastors during their studies, as well as, supporting many missionaries in the field.
Her home church is Eden Mennonite Church in Chilliwack.





Lunch time! 
Our meal was catered by Karen Bergen (Catering by Karen)

Up against the outer walls of the gym we displayed years of poster boards containing pictures of past Inspirational Days including Memorial Boards, as well as, years of  fun memories from past Retreat Weekends.

After lunch, a few pictures were taken.
Our 5 past BC Women in Mission Presidents that were present at our celebration followed by an invitation to join them in a group picture. Thank you, Ladies!

Thought it would be an opportunity to add the picture below at this time!

After lunch we all gathered in the Sanctuary again and where we had the privilege to welcome our special guest - Karen Martens Zimmerly - Mennonite Church Canada Denominational Minister.
She reflected on the second part of the verse found in 1 Samuel 7:12 - "Thus far the Lord has helped us." and spoke about how we stop to remember and mark special milestones such as our 75th Anniversary Celebration.

Before returning to the gym to partake and enjoy a special celebratory anniversary cake, we marked the occasion by taking a group photo of all the ladies present.

If anyone would like to have a copy of this picture,
please leave a comment at the end of this post! 

And a closing song led by our Worship Team!

Look at this pretty cake! ! !

And it was delicious, too! ! ! 

MCBC Women's Ministry Committee
l-r: Cheryl Dyck, Waltrude Gortzen, Rita Siebert

Another group picture! 

Cheryl serving cake! 

Cake & Fellowship 

And to finish up this very lengthy post.... here is a poem that was part of the program booklet.

Thus far the Lord has helped us

 Thus far the Lord has helped us

HE has brought us safe thus far.

Thus far, His faithfulness has

paved the way for us,  and made it light.

To Him, who with His blood,

purchased us to be HIS own,

be eternal praise and honor!

Thus far, HE has given strength,

Has covered and protected in storm and wind,

Thus far, he has spread

His everlasting arms over His child.

His Love shall always be praised,

It has never left us disappointed and never alone!

Thus far, HE has faithfully blessed

The work entrusted to our hands;

Thus far, HE has given open doors

To those who by faith, look to Him.

Worship the Lord and bring Him Thanks

He conquers; He reigns in holiness and power.

Thus far! And what will be from here on?

Go forward in faith! HE walks with you,

HE who thus far has guided us,

holds our hand for every step.

Praised be Christ Jesus, at all times

the same yesterday - today - forever!

Author Unknown  

Translated from German into English by Ellie Loewen.

An Offering of Love

An Offering of Love
Women’s Ministry Worship Team

Dedicating this, with overwhelming gratitude, to a “Worship Team” that is willing, available and ready to serve MCBC Women’s Ministry!

Spring 2011… as the Retreat Planning Committee was finalizing the retreat details, one large piece was still missing…. who would lead the worship singing?

Having been decline by several congregations, Living Hope ChristianFellowship in Surrey, BC accepted our invitation. Praise the Lord!

Four lovely women joined us for the retreat weekend. They came with joyful hearts, prepared to serve the Lord with their voices, instruments and inspired readings to complement their songs and our weekend theme.

Sunday, as the retreat was wrapping up, having heard many positive comments regarding the Worship Team, I lightheartedly asked Cheryl if the group would consider becoming the ‘official’ Retreat Worship Team ---- to my surprise and without hesitation she said YES!  

Since then they led the Worship Time for the 60^th Anniversary of Mennonite Women Canada (July 2012 -Richmond, BC) and have also taken on the annual Inspirational Day.

We are so blessed to call them our ‘official’ Women’s Ministry Worship Team!

Asking for this interview…. these are some of the comments from the team….. followed by the whole interview below the picture!

Cheryl… “We desire to be a blessing to our church family. We believe that out of thanks to God we are to use our gifts to serve where we have been called to serve.”

Elly… “Our job is to help people worship.”   

Carla… “The Lord has given everyone a part! My approach is doing this as an ‘offering of love’ toward the Lord and let Him use it as He sees fit”  

Full interview will also be posted on our Mennonite Women Canada webpage.

Waltrude Gortzen

MCBC Women’s Ministry Rep

Photo by Waltrude Gortzen – May 4^th, 2013

Inspirational Day – Eben-EzerMennonite Church, Abbotsford, BC

Left to right: Carla Hordyk – keyboard; Cheryl Heinrichs sitting on the Cajon & Team Leader;

        Dorothy Friesen – vocals; Elly Federau – guitar. 

Actually, they all sing! 

Worship Team Interview – March 2014

  

1.      Have you always been interested in Music, Worship Leading and Singing?

Cheryl – Yes, I think I can safely answer for all of us that we have been interested and involved in music ministry and loved music from when we were young.   We have all come up through the more traditional church system of playing, singing in church and in choir.  For Carla, Elly and myself we then progressed to leading congregational singing and then to worship leading in the more modern, and wider definition.   We all deeply love the Lord and see our different roles in church ministry as physical acts of service to God as our response to His love for us. We desire to be a blessing to our church family and we believe that out of thanks to God we are to use our gifts to serve where we have been called to serve.

Elly – For most of my life I have had an interest in music.  I’ve been a worship leader at Living Hope Christian Fellowship for 20 years. I knew that God had given me a talent and that I should use it to serve Him and the church. I believe it’s a calling.

   

2.      Can you tell us a bit about this work you do. 

      Cheryl – Elly and I are 2 of the regular worship leaders for our congregation and Carla was also a   regular worship leader for our congregation for many years. As worship leaders we believe that we   are called to be lead worshipers in our lives beyond the church walls first.   It is out of our own deep and growing personal relationship with Jesus that we then humbly desire to inspire each congregation we serve to worship the living Jesus and meet with Him personally. We strive to teach the congregation biblical truth and the hope of the Word of God through the songs, scriptures, prayers and responses we incorporate into our corporate worship times. We work together with the speakers/preachers to teach and preach a Spirit- led and God-honouring message... and as a rule we rely completely on the leadership of the Holy Spirit to guide us to the same truth whether it is spoken or sung.

Elly – As the Worship Team, our job is to create an environment for people, using the vehicle of music, to meet with God.  Our job is to help people worship.    

3.  When did the idea/suggestion of becoming MCBC Women’s Ministry official Worship Team first come to you?

Cheryl – I was approached by Waltrude a few years ago about the opportunity to serve the Women's Ministry in the area of leading worship. I did not hesitate in saying yes, trusting that the Holy Spirit would also provide me with a team that would be willing to join me in serving in this ministry. I have been so incredibly blessed to serve side by side with such an amazing and deeply committed team of godly women! Cheryl

Elly – I can’t remember exactly when but we have lead worship at the MCBC Women’s retreat for several years now. 

4.      Was it a difficult decision to become the Women’s Ministry Worship Team and to serve in this manner?

Cheryl – No, it was not a difficult decision for me to say yes to this ministry opportunity because I feel I was already being called to serve the larger church in the area of leading worship.   The timing of this ministry opportunity fit that vision perfectly.

Elly – Definitely not.  

5.      Do you enjoy being part of Women’s Ministry in this way?

Cheryl – I love leading these amazing women in worship. It is soooo inspiring to worship with the larger church family and to express our love for Jesus in such a corporate setting. It is truly a privilege that each of us on the team share. We each feel so blessed to be able to add our gifts to the larger body of believers and see what God is doing in our midst!

Elly – Very much so!  It is such an honor and privilege to serve our ladies in this way.  And it’s a lot of fun, too! It’s great knowing that we are part of a larger church and it’s a great opportunity to meet other women.

6.      How do you see your faith playing a role in this work that you have chosen?

Cheryl – Faith plays an integral part in leading worship both as a team and as a leader.  Our faith is our inspiration to sing, play and lead.  We believe that corporate worship is an outward, unified expression of love and thankfulness to Jesus, who loved us first and completely.  Our love and our worship is centered on a real, and personal encounter with Jesus.   GOD is the author of the songs we sing. The Holy Spirit is the real worship leader whom we submit to in how we lead the congregations as a team and in whom I trust for my inspiration, discernment and wisdom as I lead.  We don't want people to focus on us as a team and certainly not on me as a leader but rather we desire that all glory and honor and focus is on Jesus, the Son of God and our Saviour and on the Almighty God.

Elly – It is central. Like I said before, leading worship is a calling. Worship is a lifestyle, i.e. our whole life, how live the whole week is worship. We honor God with our whole lives.  Leading worship on a Sunday morning, or any gathering, is an extension of what we do during the week.

7.      What are some of the challenges?

Cheryl – There are always challenges in any area of ministry. Coordination of media support and technical skills have proved to be the most challenging for me. However, these areas of challenge have also resulted in highlighting how amazing God is... For He makes all things work together in a way that will bring Him glory and honor and praise. It isn't what we do that shows His powerful presence but what He does when we can't that leaves us the most awe-struck and amazed and blessed. The other single greatest highlight for me has been the time spent praying.... for the events with the women's ministry team, praying before leading worship, praying before each practice with my worship team and praying as I prepare.... And then to be a witness to seeing the Living God move amongst His chosen daughters as they worship together in unison and touch them visibly..... That is a priceless gift.

Elly – Some logistic stuff-it would be nice to have a sound tech as part of our team.

8.      What are the high lights?

Cheryl – I totally agree with Carla in saying that we totally serve out of love for our Lord Jesus and love for our sisters and brothers in Christ. We are passionate about worshipping God with our gifts and blessing His church in the broader sense. It is very much our desire that we become less so that God can be more... That we seek to inspire people to meet with God and worship Him in an honest and authentic way and that He be able to flow through us to bless His church. We are a part of the body of Christ and want to give Him glory and honour, praise and thanksgiving.

Elly – Seeing women engaged in authentic worship-when you can tell they are connecting with God. Women gathering together and lifting their voices and hands in praise to God is something special.

  

And to finish… a short note from …

Carla – I am just a piece of the puzzle… a small part of the whole worship in singing experience and really enjoy it.  The Lord has given everyone a part and my approach is doing this as an offering of love toward the Lord and let Him use it as He sees fit.  I believe I could probably say with confidence that "less of me/us and more of you Lord" is the attitude of our team. We desire for Him to use us in a way so that others can worship Him in spirit and truth and be able to express their thankfulness and love for Him in an environment that is conducive to this…and it is a lot of fun to be together with a large group of women, singing praises to our amazing heavenly Father!! 

***************

The top part of this interview can also be found in the March 2014 issue of   "Connections"  !!!! 

Celebrating 75 Years

Please, come and join us as we celebrate 

"75 years" 

of God's faithfulness towards us!

All women are welcome!

See more information below the poster.

Contact your local MCBC Church Office 

or register online by clicking 

HERE

Cost is $20.00 per woman (lunch included) 

and you need to purchase your ticket by no later than 

April 28th.

Childcare will be provided but you need to pre-register 

your child by April 28th as well!

Cost is $20.00 per child + $10.00 

for each additional child of the same family.

An Offering will be taken!

And if you can, please bring an extra .75 cents!

Our aim is to have a "Celebration Collection" that will go specifically towards the "Pennies & Prayer Legacy Fund". 

It helps support 

Christina & Darnell Barkman in the Philippines 

and Taryn & Nathan Dirks in Botswana.

You can also contact me at waltrude@shaw.ca for tickets.