Dear Sisters in Christ,
This fall is promising to be HOT! I am not talking about the weather.I am talking about the changes at RRPC. There is much afoot at RRPC with all the new ideas and plans that are coming out of the strategic planning process and I hope that you are right in the middle of them.
The leadership council for the women's ministries is working hard to help make sure that the 2010-2011 calendar year is in line with the new initiatives. Here are just a couple of things that are coming your way.
A brochure has been developed which will outline all the major ministries and opportunities available to women at RRPC. They will be placed thru-out the church and can be used as an outreach tool. Look for them soon.
We are initiating a new professional women's book club/study. Our first book will be "A Perfect Mess" by Lisa Harper. This is a perfect book to start with. This group will meet in September after labor day. There will be more information sent out about the first meeting at which the group will decide where and how often to meet. The books are available so let me or Lauren Vannuci know if you want to participate and we will get the book to you. Anyone is welcome to attend but the focus is to try and minister to our women who work outside of the home.
We have also been working on a regional conference retreat. We see this as a ministry to all the women of small churches in our presbytery who are unable to coordinate this type of event. This event is tentatively set for March 25th-26th. The speaker is Melanie Cogdill who is an editor for the Christian Research Journal a publication from the Christian Research Institute. She is a trained speaker for the leadership training from the National PCA Christian Education and Publication Committee who oversee all of the women's ministries.
The book of John, a study by Kathleen Nielson, has been selected for this years Tuesday morning Bible Study. Ms. Nielson is one of my favorite Bible Study authors and was also a speaker at a previous RRPC women's retreat. I have also heard that Barbara Brownlee and Martha Williams do an excellent job at leading this bible study. I am jealous of those who can attend. I know you will really enjoy and learn much in this study. There is a bible study time for the pre-school children of those who attend.
We are continuing our Woman to Woman dinners with 2 planned for the fall and 2 for the spring.
We are also going to have a Christmas Brunch/Ornament exchange. This is scheduled for Saturday December the 4th. I love looking at my Christmas tree each year with all the ornaments from dear friends at RRPC. I have some from children that were in the choir when I directed the children's Choir. I have them from mission trips that I participated in. They all bring back great memories of the faithfulness of God as I see those children now grown and living to serve the Lord. We will wrap up the year next spring with a luncheon the last Saturday in April.
Deborah Newsom has agreed to chair a committee to promote outreach. She will serve as a liaison to
those who are involved in ministries outside of Riveroaks. This will provide an avenue for your endeavors for support and assistance as needed.
Our Mercy committee has piloted the use of the "take them a meal" website for user friendly organization of meals for families. It has been well received and hopefully we will continue to use this as an effective method of providing for our families in need.
Care Groups are continuing to be a major force at RRPC for the intimate fellowship that we all desire. I can
not encourage you enough to treat yourself and join if you have not already done so. Contact Gwen Hannah if you need more information.
A directory of the women of the church along with their areas of ministry and talents will be placed on the new website. This is due largely to the work of Clare Jones. This will hopefully promote mentoring and give us access to those who are equipped to provide us with help in time of need. It will be a protected page that you will need to gain access via a password but the directions are provided on the new website.
Our housework includes a major endeavor to look at some of the policies in regards to our nursery. The deacons are working to make the lay out of the nursery safe and we are working to create policies to provide for a healthy, fun place for our covenant children. You should see a request soon for more volunteers to help in the nursery.
As you can see there is a lot going on this year and it is fun and exciting to see the Lord move in and among his people We are hoping that you will all use the website to keep informed of all the new and not so new things comming your way. Let me know if there is any way that I can be of service to any of you or if you see a need that the women of the church need to address.
With a great love for you all in Christ,
Nancy
