Monday, January 23, 2012 WOW-Zine

It's another Monday--time to remind you of what's ahead for the Women Of Wapato. Those of you who missed out on our bowling party Saturday should be kicking yourselves! We had so much fun, learned some new dance moves "guaranteed" to bring about a strike, got a little exercise, and ate a wonderful lunch. We'll have to do it again!

This week we've got ZUMBA at 4:15 today and Wednesday, and at 5 PM on Tuesday.  We won't meet on Thursday evening, as I will be gone for the afternoon and not back home in time.


THE THURSDAY PERK will meet this week at 9:30 AM. At Common Grounds last week we had a very interesting discussion about a lady named Herodias, and her daughter Salome, as found in Mark 6:14-29. It's fun to look at these stories with fresh eyes and not through the camera of a Hollywood movie director. 

COMMON GROUNDS meets next Wednesday, February 1, at 6:30. Ladies, you really need to get your game on. The Thursday Perk gals are beating you, attendance-wise. Something happened when we took off several weeks for Christmas break, and some of you have still not recuperated from it! Time to get back into your routine. We'll be studying a familiar story--The Woman at the Well. But as I hope you've seen through all these women we've looked at this year, there are always new things to be gleaned from these stories. So read John 4:1-38 and be ready to dig into the truths God has for you that you can learn from this woman. 

Wapato's Valentine's Dinner and Dance is slated for the evening of Saturday, February 11th. That's just around the corner! Tickets can be purchased from Becky or any other youth worker and cost $10 a person. It's the best deal in town! (And I'm not just talking Gaston, but the surrounding areas!) You'll enjoy a scrumptious dinner, special music and dancing, as well as great conversations around the table. This is always one of the high points of the year, as far as I'm concerned. You can get all dolled up in heels and a fancy dress, or just wear nice slacks and a top--whatever you'd like to do. Childcare is provided for a suggested price of $2 per child, and that includes their dinner over in the annex. All money made from this events goes to help fund youth events. So come out and support it and have a romantic evening in the process!

By now, you should all know that our SeaSide Escape retreat is coming up April 13-15th at our beautiful beach house in Lincoln City. (I posted the VRBO # in last week's WOW-Zine so you could check it out if you've not been there before.) Cost is only $80, which includes two night's lodging and dinner on Friday and Saturday as well as breakfast on Saturday and Sunday. Just a reminder that registration will open on March 1st for women who regularly attend Wapato. Two weeks later we will expand registration for those who attend one of our Bible studies, and then if we still have room after that, we'll open it up for you to bring other friends. We are limited to a total of 40 women, and all ladies will be staying at the house and not going to motels. So be planning ahead, as you must pay in full to hold your spot. Through the story of Sarah and Hagar from Genesis, we will discover how God is active in our own lives. At each session we'll use an item you'd find at the beach to make this connection. It's a different style of retreat than what we've done in the past, and your Women's Ministry Team is looking forward to what God is going to do while we're there. 

We also have another event available to you that is closer to home. In fact it's almost in your own back yard. The annual Selah conference is at George Fox University in Newberg on Saturday, March 17th. If we can get together a group of ten or more ladies, the cost is $33 for the day, including a sack lunch. We've gone for several years in the past and it's always been worthwhile. This year's topic is Getting Unstuck and speakers will address that from many different angles. If you would like to go, please let me know as soon as possible. 

So, I think that does it for this week. By the way, I'd love to get together with each of you on a one-to-one basis. Interested in going out for coffee? Just give me a call and I'll make it happen. Or you may find me calling you! I'd love to pick your brain about other things you're needing from Women's Ministries. Perhaps a Bible study in addition to those already offered? One that involves homework? Or a time for women to get together specifically to pray for each other? Or ...? Let me know what you're thinkin'. I want to help provide things that will help meet the needs of you women, but I need your help in knowing exactly what that is. Let's talk!

Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcraft@yahoo.com   971-285-6699