Tuesday, February 24, 2015 WOW-Zine

Hi, ladies! Are you ready to get away for a few days and relax in a beautiful house in Lincoln City? If so, have I got a deal for you!! The weekend of April 11th-13th, you can join 39 other women for our annual women's retreat. Our guest speaker this year is Gina Detweiler, from Central Oregon. Our theme is Hope, an Anchor for the Soul. Who doesn't need a little more hope in their life? For those of you who have never joined us before, here's a picture of the "rustic cabin" (ha ha!) where we stay. 




For only $80 for the weekend, you can sign up to go. That cost includes Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast and dinner, and Sunday breakfast, plus exquisite accommodations. Registration opened this past Sunday and we've had a great response. When you give me your $80 check (made out to Wapato Valley Church), you are considered registered and get to select your bed. On March 22nd registration will widen to include those who don't attend Wapato but have come to retreat in the past. A week later, if there's still room (we're limited to 40 ladies), I will open it up to your friends or family who have never joined us. Please note that this is a child-free weekend. No nursing babies. In the past several years, I've offered a mini retreat at my house a few weeks later, but I will not be doing that this year. I will be carrying registration forms with me at both Bible studies and at church from now until we fill up, so you can catch me easily. I sure hope you're able to join us!

Thank you for being so understanding when I had to cancel both women's Bible studies last week due to being so sick. Yesterday was a big turn-around day for me, and I'm anxious to get back to meeting together weekly. We just barely got started in our new study, Higher Ground, two weeks ago. Just a reminder to those of you who attended, that we're supposed to memorize this verse to be able to say together this week: "You were shown these things so that you might know that the Lord is God; besides him there is no other." Deuteronomy 4:35. And we were also going to share times that we've been especially aware of God's presence, protection, and/or provision since we last met. 

Common Grounds meets Wednesday at 6:30 PM, and Christine is bringing snacks for this week. The Perk will study the same lesson on Thursday morning at 9:30. There is no one signed up for goodies this week, so please let me know if you'd like to provide something.

I know our main focus is on the up-coming retreat, but I'd also like you to be planning ahead for our Feminini-Tea on Saturday, May 16th. We weren't able to do one last year, but want to be sure we have it this year. This is an opportunity for you to bring your daughters, grand daughters, etc, as well as friends, to join us for a couple hours as we celebrate spring. I'll be letting you know more details as we plan them, but please put this date on your calendar. We will need a lot of women to host a table, which means providing dishes, tea cups, etc. This is always a potluck-type affair where everyone (except the table hostesses) brings a tea food to share. Maybe the weather will be as nice in May as it's been for the past few weeks! One can hope, right? (Which is your reminder to sign up for retreat!)

Until next week,
Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcraft@gmail.com     971-285-6699

Tuesday, February 17, 2015 WOW-Zine

Hi, my dear friends. This will be extremely short as I can just barely hold my head up for five minutes at a time. It's been ages since I've been this sick. That starting to feel better thing I had going one last week was certainly short-lived. I relapsed and got sicker than ever. Went to the doctor yesterday and have a respiratory infection, so now I'm getting by with Jesus and drugs! 

I've had to cancel life for this week and just concentrate on getting well. I feel terrible about it, but am cancelling both Bible studies this week. There's just no way I can do them, nor would you want to be around me. So let's plan on meeting together next week, instead.

I certainly hope to be well by Sunday, which is when our retreat registration opens up to those who attend Wapato. I don't have enough energy to rehash the details right now, so I'll just paste in what I wrote about it last week: Retreat is coming! Retreat is coming! I hope you're making plans to join us at Lincoln City April 10th-12th for Hope: An Anchor for the Soul. The cost is a phenomenal $80. Registration (which means you've paid in full) begins soon. We do a three-tier approach, broken down like this:
Sunday, February 20--Open to women who attend Wapato
Sunday, March 22--Open to other women who have attended retreat in the past
Sunday, March 29--Open to family and friends who have never attended
Remember, we are limited to the first 40 people that sign up.

So bring an $80 check made out to WVC with you on Sunday, and you'll get to register and select your room.

Oh, one of the missionary families we support, the Foldens, are now living in the Forest Grove/Cornelius area. They just had a new baby and a move and have been through some recent hard times. If you would like to provide a meal to help them out, please call Cheri Morey at 503-830-8876. I'm too sick to do the TakeThemA Meal coordination that we usually use, so we're going old-school with this one!

Until next week,

Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director

sherrieashcraft@gmail.com     971-285-6699

Tuesday, February 10, 2015 WOW-Zine

Would you believe I originally thought I'd have this sent out before most of you had your first cup of coffee or tea this morning? And now here it is, 5 PM, and I'm finally writing. It's been one of those catch-up kind of days. I'm hosting two meetings at my house tonight (Life Group and the Women's Ministry Team) and after having been gone for a week, then sick on my couch for 5 days, then gone for the weekend and all day yesterday--let's just say I've needed to do a bit of cleaning around here!

I'm excited that we'll be starting our new Bible study, Higher Ground, this week. Bring your Bible and a notebook on either Wednesday night at 6:30, or Thursday morning at 9:30. Both groups meet at the church. I just found out today that the band for the Valentine's shindig needs to practice at the church on Wednesday night, so Common Grounds will meet across the street at the annex this week. Jody is up for bringing snacks for that, but you'll need to bring your own drink. Carol R. is bringing something yummy for Thursday morning. Thank you both!

Speaking of Valentine's, this Saturday evening is the Heart to Heart dinner and concert at the church. Feel free to wear something a bit fancy if you'd like. You can still purchase tickets ($12.50 per person) from the church office, or reserve them by calling Susan at the church (503-985-3351) by Wednesday (tomorrow). And you don't have to scramble to find a sitter. Childcare (including dinner) is available for only $2 per child at the annex. Again, let Susan know if you're using that service. Dinner is at 7, but the doors open at 6:30. By the way, proceeds from the evening will go to benefit a 3-year-old girl named Paisley. She has a genetic mutation that promotes cancer growth. Invite your friends to come with you!


Retreat is coming! Retreat is coming! I hope you're making plans to join us at Lincoln City April 10th-12th for Hope: An Anchor for the Soul. The cost is a phenomenal $80. Registration (which means you've paid in full) begins soon. We do a three-tier approach, broken down like this:
Sunday, February 20--Open to women who attend Wapato
Sunday, March 22--Open to other women who have attended retreat in the past
Sunday, March 29--Open to family and friends who have never attended
Remember, we are limited to the first 40 people that sign up.

Until next week,
Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcraft@gmail.com     971-285-6699