Happy day after Easter, everyone! I hope you had a wonderful celebration yesterday. Isn't it interesting that even though Easter is such a pivotal part of our salvation, it's much easier to "pull off" than Christmas is? Not many, (if any at all) decorations to pull out of the garage and embellish the house, no lights to string from the eaves, no tree to put in the middle of the living room and watch as the needles slowly fall, day after day. No gifts to buy, hide, and wrap. No, just a lot of chocolate bunnys and ham to eat, and a not-very-difficult meal to produce. Easter is a good holiday in many ways!
Of course, we all know that Easter is the celebration of the resurrection of Christ. It's a reminder that all is not as it appears. That though things around us may look bleak and impossible, there is always hope. And nothing says "hope" like victory over death. Aren't you thankful for God's wonderful plan! How did you celebrate Easter this year? Was there anything that made it especially meaningful for you?
We were able to join our newlyweds, Dave and Christina, and three out of five of the grandkids over at their new house in Tigard. To me, it was a graphic picture of Easter. Both their previous marriages had ended in the death of a dream and they had gone through some very dark days. But when God's timing was perfect, He brought them together and blessed them with a new love and life. They are one happy couple!
Common Grounds meets this Wednesday at 6:30 at the church. This is our next-to-the-last meeting for the school year, so you really don't want to miss it! For those of you who were there last time when we talked about taking time to rest and think of God's goodness to us, have you taken the time to write your own personal psalm? I would love it if some of you are able to do that and maybe even share a few "verses" of it on Wednesday night. It doesn't have to be fantastic writing, but a simple expression of your heart to God. I know it would bless all of us.
Don't forget the mini-retreat at Ashberry Lane on May 13th and 14th. One more lady took me up on the offer last week, so I only have openings for two more women. First come, first served! And such a deal at only $20. You can find more information in last week's WOW-Zine.
WOW's Movie Night is headed your way on Saturday, May 14th, at 7 PM. Lots of goodies to share, good connecting time with each other, and a fun movie to watch. Put it on your calendar.
I'll be speaking for a Salem women's retreat this weekend at Camp Tapawingo. Anybody ever heard of that place? It's new to me, and I'm looking forward to seeing what it's like. But looking forward even more to sharing with these women about being Daughters of the King. It's been a fun challenge to work up material for four sessions, and I could sure use your prayers.
Speaking of prayers, Darci is in surgery right now as I write this. Please join in praying that this is a successful surgery. She'll have to go back again to get the other kidney worked on, but we really want her to get over the terrible pain she's been plagued with for months. Get well soon, Darci! (And if you'd like to help prepare meals for her family, check out the website at http://www.takethemameal.com/. The code is simply #1234, and the family name is Stevens. Let's show them a little love during this time.
Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcraft@yahoo.com 971-285-6699
Monday, April 25, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011 WOW-Zine
Welcome to Tax Day 2011. What a way to start the week, with not only it being a Monday, but the day taxes are due this year. And who knows what else is going on in your life today? Perhaps you and your husband had an argument before he took off for work. Maybe you yelled at the kids on their way to school. Or the household pet left an odoriferous surprise in the middle of the kitchen floor for you to discover first thing this morning. Whatever happened, your day may not have gotten off to the perfect start you wished it to have. The fact of the matter is that life rarely goes perfectly. It's designed to have ups and downs that challenge us in our response to what happens. But in Psalm 118:24, the writer says, "This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." That's so easy to do when everything is going our way. But on those other kind of days, the ones where life is throwing us curve balls, we have a decision to make: grumble or rejoice. It's oh, so easy, to do the grumbling. We can do that without even thinking about it. But to choose to rejoice shows a woman of real character. We've seen over and over in our study this year that we always have a decision that must be made--will we simply react to things based on our emotions, or will we make that difficult choice to obey God in every circumstance. Even on Monday mornings!
I'm hoping three more of you will choose to be part of the mini-retreat here at Ashberry Lane the weekend of May 13th and 14th. You can read more about it in past editions of the WOW-Zine, but a brief synopsis is as follows:
Where: Ashberry Lane (my house at 24090 Wapato Sch. Rd in
Gaston)
When: Friday, May 12th, potluck dinner at 6 PM, through late Saturday afternoon.
What: A Beth Moore video series entitled Loving Well. This is the same material we used at our beach retreat in March.
Why: So those of you who couldn't make it in March will have the opportunity to have the same teaching that the rest of us did. Plus, it's a great change-of-pace, and a wonderful way to get better acquainted with other women.
Cost: Only $20. Checks may be made out to Wapato Valley Church
Please let me know as soon as possible if you'll be able to make it. So far I have Nicole P, Nicole C, Carla, Carol, Kyndra, Laurie, and Cathy F that have said they're coming. I'd love to add you to the list!
We don't have Common Grounds this week, but mark it on your calendar for Wednesday, April 27th at 6:30 at the church. We had a great time together last week, as we discussed the Biblical mandate to choose to put rest in our lives. It's a hard thing to do, isn't it? But so very important. Pastor Rick Warren, who wrote The Purpose-Driven Life, encourages us to:
Divert daily--choose a temporary mental, emotional, or physical diversion to do each day. It may only be for 5 or 10 minutes, but can be very refreshing.
Withdraw weekly--take time each week to draw back from your busy life. It might only be for an hour or so, but it gives your soul time to be refreshed. The point is to practice this discipline every week.
Abandon annually--plan a real vacation, even if it has to be close to home. Find a way for your whole family to have a change of pace.
Movie Night is headed your way on Saturday, May 14th, at Ashberry Lane. This will happen right on the heels of finishing the mini-retreat. We'll start at 7 PM with snacks and visiting, and start the movie by 7:30. As soon as I figure it out, I'll let you know what we'll be watching!
Our final meeting for Common Grounds will be on May 11th, which is two weeks earlier than originally scheduled. It turns out that I have the opportunity to get away from town for a few days and experience a little rest, and I'd like to take advantage of that. So on Wednesday, May 11th we will meet at 6 PM at the church for our end-of-the-year potluck. Bring something to share with everyone and we'll eat together, then finish our last session of Self Talk, Soul Talk. At that time I'll also be able to announce some of the activities we'll enjoy this summer, and then our new study for Common Grounds will start again in September. Don't miss out on any of the fun!
Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcraft@yahoo.com 971-285-6699
I'm hoping three more of you will choose to be part of the mini-retreat here at Ashberry Lane the weekend of May 13th and 14th. You can read more about it in past editions of the WOW-Zine, but a brief synopsis is as follows:
Where: Ashberry Lane (my house at 24090 Wapato Sch. Rd in
Gaston)
When: Friday, May 12th, potluck dinner at 6 PM, through late Saturday afternoon.
What: A Beth Moore video series entitled Loving Well. This is the same material we used at our beach retreat in March.
Why: So those of you who couldn't make it in March will have the opportunity to have the same teaching that the rest of us did. Plus, it's a great change-of-pace, and a wonderful way to get better acquainted with other women.
Cost: Only $20. Checks may be made out to Wapato Valley Church
Please let me know as soon as possible if you'll be able to make it. So far I have Nicole P, Nicole C, Carla, Carol, Kyndra, Laurie, and Cathy F that have said they're coming. I'd love to add you to the list!
We don't have Common Grounds this week, but mark it on your calendar for Wednesday, April 27th at 6:30 at the church. We had a great time together last week, as we discussed the Biblical mandate to choose to put rest in our lives. It's a hard thing to do, isn't it? But so very important. Pastor Rick Warren, who wrote The Purpose-Driven Life, encourages us to:
Divert daily--choose a temporary mental, emotional, or physical diversion to do each day. It may only be for 5 or 10 minutes, but can be very refreshing.
Withdraw weekly--take time each week to draw back from your busy life. It might only be for an hour or so, but it gives your soul time to be refreshed. The point is to practice this discipline every week.
Abandon annually--plan a real vacation, even if it has to be close to home. Find a way for your whole family to have a change of pace.
Movie Night is headed your way on Saturday, May 14th, at Ashberry Lane. This will happen right on the heels of finishing the mini-retreat. We'll start at 7 PM with snacks and visiting, and start the movie by 7:30. As soon as I figure it out, I'll let you know what we'll be watching!
Our final meeting for Common Grounds will be on May 11th, which is two weeks earlier than originally scheduled. It turns out that I have the opportunity to get away from town for a few days and experience a little rest, and I'd like to take advantage of that. So on Wednesday, May 11th we will meet at 6 PM at the church for our end-of-the-year potluck. Bring something to share with everyone and we'll eat together, then finish our last session of Self Talk, Soul Talk. At that time I'll also be able to announce some of the activities we'll enjoy this summer, and then our new study for Common Grounds will start again in September. Don't miss out on any of the fun!
Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcraft@yahoo.com 971-285-6699
Monday, April 11, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011 WOW-Zine
Hello, ladies! Thanks to all of you who came out to our first tea last Saturday. Forty-two women and young ladies graced the room as we enjoyed beautiful table settings, wonderful food, and a fun program.
I see I missed taking pictures of all the tables with all the ladies seated at them, but this will give you an idea of what the event looked like. Shall we have another tea next year?
Common Grounds will be meeting at 6:30 this Wednesday evening at the church. Even if you've never come before, it's not too late! It's such a wonderful place to connect with other women and develop great friendships. What will we be learning to tell our soul this week? "Chill out! Be at rest, oh my soul." Join the rest of us in figuring out just how to do that.
I still have openings for three women for the mini-retreat happening here at Ashberry Lane the weekend of May 13th and 14th. Let me know if you want one of those spots.
On the evening of Saturday, May 14th, WOW will have a Movie Night at Ashberry Lane. (We'll finish up the mini-retreat and head right into movie night!) Bring a snack to share and we'll meet at 7 PM. I'm open to movie suggestions.
That's all the news for this week. Looking forward to seeing a lot of you on Wednesday night. Feel free to bring a friend along!
Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcraft@yahoo.com 971-285-6699
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2010 WOW-Zine
This blog is a day late and at least a dollar short this week! Last week was jam-packed with company, my husband's birthday, wedding rehearsal and the wedding for Christina (our daughter), and taking care of five kids. I just didn't have it in me to get something written yesterday, as I was still exhausted. But life is getting back to normal today, so here I am!
WOW's FemininiTEA is this Saturday morning at 10. We've been saying you can dress up in a fancy outfit, wear a hat and jewelry, or maybe even a boa. But perhaps dressing up is not you cup of tea! You know what? That's perfectly okay. If you'd rather come in your jeans or slacks, that won't bother anyone at all. We just want everyone to feel comfortable and ready to enjoy an hour or two together. So dress to the nines (whatever that means) if you'd like, or wear your usual Saturday attire, or something in between, but just come! Remember to bring a tea-type food to share buffet style. Perhaps little sandwiches, fresh fruit, scones, cupcakes or muffins. We will gladly eat anything! This event is for females who are at least eight years old, with no cut-off at the other end of the spectrum! If you haven't already let me know you're coming, please contact me no later than Thursday night. We want to make sure we have enough seating for everyone. Hope to see you there! BTW, coffee will not be served, so if you need a java jolt in the morning, make sure to have some before you come.
Guess what? Your Women's Ministry Team has already got the beach house reserved for our Wapato Women's Retreat next year. And there are some changes! We're moving retreat back a month, so the dates are April 13-15, 2012. Years ago Wapato retreats were held in April, and the date gradually moved forward. The first weekend of March has been traditional for a number of years, but we are now changing that. One big reason is that it is so hard on the women that have to come after work and drive through the dark and stormy night. Holding our retreat in April means we can experience Daylight Savings Time on March 11th, Spring Break the end of March, Easter on April 8th, and our fantastic retreat the following weekend! Yes, sports teams will be up and running by then, but just plan ahead to have your kids where they need to be.
Mark the date on next year's calendar as soon as you get one! This will also enable people to use tax returns to cover their costs. :-) And we have a better chance of nicer weather.
Common Grounds will meet next Wednesday, the 13th. We're getting near the end of our study for the year, but it's never too late to join us. We always have a good time, and if you're new to the church, this is a great way to meet people.
Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcraft@yahoo.com 971-285-6699
WOW's FemininiTEA is this Saturday morning at 10. We've been saying you can dress up in a fancy outfit, wear a hat and jewelry, or maybe even a boa. But perhaps dressing up is not you cup of tea! You know what? That's perfectly okay. If you'd rather come in your jeans or slacks, that won't bother anyone at all. We just want everyone to feel comfortable and ready to enjoy an hour or two together. So dress to the nines (whatever that means) if you'd like, or wear your usual Saturday attire, or something in between, but just come! Remember to bring a tea-type food to share buffet style. Perhaps little sandwiches, fresh fruit, scones, cupcakes or muffins. We will gladly eat anything! This event is for females who are at least eight years old, with no cut-off at the other end of the spectrum! If you haven't already let me know you're coming, please contact me no later than Thursday night. We want to make sure we have enough seating for everyone. Hope to see you there! BTW, coffee will not be served, so if you need a java jolt in the morning, make sure to have some before you come.
Guess what? Your Women's Ministry Team has already got the beach house reserved for our Wapato Women's Retreat next year. And there are some changes! We're moving retreat back a month, so the dates are April 13-15, 2012. Years ago Wapato retreats were held in April, and the date gradually moved forward. The first weekend of March has been traditional for a number of years, but we are now changing that. One big reason is that it is so hard on the women that have to come after work and drive through the dark and stormy night. Holding our retreat in April means we can experience Daylight Savings Time on March 11th, Spring Break the end of March, Easter on April 8th, and our fantastic retreat the following weekend! Yes, sports teams will be up and running by then, but just plan ahead to have your kids where they need to be.
Mark the date on next year's calendar as soon as you get one! This will also enable people to use tax returns to cover their costs. :-) And we have a better chance of nicer weather.
Common Grounds will meet next Wednesday, the 13th. We're getting near the end of our study for the year, but it's never too late to join us. We always have a good time, and if you're new to the church, this is a great way to meet people.
Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcraft@yahoo.com 971-285-6699
Monday, March 28, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011 WOW-Zine
It's very late, but it's still Monday, so this blog will count! I don't know if anyone noticed I didn't post last week. I decided to take the week off from blogging, as I was taking care of Lili and Josh while their mom and sister were on the Mexico mission trip. We had a fun week playing--the beach, swimming pool, Oregon Aquarium, OMSI, etc. How could I possible fit in writing to you?
But spring break is over and life gets back to normal, right? Well, not exactly. This is wedding week. Between hosting out-of-town guests, celebrating my husband's birthday, and last-minute wedding details to help with, this week is another crazy one. Crazy but good!
And we've got some crazy-good events coming up soon. This Wednesday is Common Grounds at 6:30 at the church. Even if you've never attended before, it's not too late to join us before we break for the summer. This week we'll be discussing the importance of remembering the things God has done in our lives. And I've got a great hint to share with you about how not to worry!
Do you have Saturday, April 9th marked on your calendar? You should, as that's when we're having our FemininiTEA at 10 AM. You should have received an evite for that event, so if you didn't, please drop me a line and let me know. My mother said there were a whole lot of advertisements that came along with her invitation, so if that happened to you, I apologize, but don't know how to avoid that. This event is for females ages 8 and above. It's a chance to dress up and spend a couple hours with other girls and women. If you would like to host a table, please let me know. We will have a buffet of tea-type foods, so please bring something to share as we welcome Spring and enjoy the morning.
If you were unable to attend the WOW retreat a few weeks ago, I'm offering you a mini-retreat the weekend of May 13th and 14th. John got our hot tub up and running for the season, so we'll have a chance to relax after listening to the teaching of Beth Moore via video as she shares on Loving Well. The cost is only $20 and checks can be made out to Wapato Valley Church. Please let me know if you can make it. This event is for women of WVC.
Speaking of retreat, I haven't seen a single photo from retreat. What's up with that?? I didn't take any pictures because there were so many other cameras running around, so I'd really love to see some of those charming photographs! We have a WOW page on Facebook, so I believe they could be posted there.
So, what did you do during spring break? Remember, if you leave a comment you get to pick a candy during Common Grounds, as well as have a chance at selecting a little gift from the basket. (Must be present to win!)
Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcraft@yahoo.com 971-285-6699
But spring break is over and life gets back to normal, right? Well, not exactly. This is wedding week. Between hosting out-of-town guests, celebrating my husband's birthday, and last-minute wedding details to help with, this week is another crazy one. Crazy but good!
And we've got some crazy-good events coming up soon. This Wednesday is Common Grounds at 6:30 at the church. Even if you've never attended before, it's not too late to join us before we break for the summer. This week we'll be discussing the importance of remembering the things God has done in our lives. And I've got a great hint to share with you about how not to worry!
Do you have Saturday, April 9th marked on your calendar? You should, as that's when we're having our FemininiTEA at 10 AM. You should have received an evite for that event, so if you didn't, please drop me a line and let me know. My mother said there were a whole lot of advertisements that came along with her invitation, so if that happened to you, I apologize, but don't know how to avoid that. This event is for females ages 8 and above. It's a chance to dress up and spend a couple hours with other girls and women. If you would like to host a table, please let me know. We will have a buffet of tea-type foods, so please bring something to share as we welcome Spring and enjoy the morning.
If you were unable to attend the WOW retreat a few weeks ago, I'm offering you a mini-retreat the weekend of May 13th and 14th. John got our hot tub up and running for the season, so we'll have a chance to relax after listening to the teaching of Beth Moore via video as she shares on Loving Well. The cost is only $20 and checks can be made out to Wapato Valley Church. Please let me know if you can make it. This event is for women of WVC.
Speaking of retreat, I haven't seen a single photo from retreat. What's up with that?? I didn't take any pictures because there were so many other cameras running around, so I'd really love to see some of those charming photographs! We have a WOW page on Facebook, so I believe they could be posted there.
So, what did you do during spring break? Remember, if you leave a comment you get to pick a candy during Common Grounds, as well as have a chance at selecting a little gift from the basket. (Must be present to win!)
Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcraft@yahoo.com 971-285-6699
Monday, March 14, 2011
Monday, March 14, 2011 WOW-Zine
Welcome to your first Monday of Daylight Savings Time! Everybody seems to have an opinion about this annual event. Some people hate the change, finding it hard on their bodies to wake up while it's still dark outside. They just feel discombobulated. Others, like myself, can hardly wait until DST is in effect. I don't mind it being slightly darker in the morning, but absolutely love the longer hours of daylight. (We have more daylight hours to watch it rain!)Whatever your opinion, there's no way to avoid the inevitable, so you might as well make the most of it.
I'm sure you'll want to also make the most of Wednesday evening and come out to Common Grounds at 6:30 at the church. Talk about a fun way to spend time! I only got halfway through the lesson two weeks ago, so this time I think we'll be able to finish up our discussion of anger and/or hope during difficult times. It's something we all deal with, and the more we know before slamming against the hard times of life, the more we have the potential to go through them gracefully. So please join us for a time of visiting, goodies, study and discussion.
Our FemininiTEA is headed our way at 10 AM on Saturday, April 9th. This will be a really fun time for females of all ages (8 and above) to gather together to celebrate spring. We're looking for several more of you to say you'll be a hostess for one of the tables. That involves adopting a table--providing china dishes, cups and saucers, maybe a teapot, and a centerpiece for the table. Many of us have these treasures hidden away in a cupboard in our homes. Now it's time to bring them out and share them with others! Those who don't decorate a table are asked to bring something to share in a buffet format. We won't be doing breakfast foods, but more tea-type delicacies. I'll provide some suggestions as the date nears, or you can go online and look up possibilities. I'll be sending out evites in the near future, as we'll need to know how many tables to plan for.
Coming up in May (the 13th and 14th) is our mini-retreat here at Ashberry Lane. Up to ten Wapato women who were unable to attend our March retreat in Lincoln City will have the opportunity to do a make-up retreat at my house. (No, Chrissy, it has nothing to do with Mary Kay!!) We'll begin that Friday evening with a potluck dinner, followed by the first DVD session of the Beth Moore video series, Loving Well. Those of us who were at the beach retreat were really challenged by Beth's messages. Wouldn't it be wonderful if all the women of our church were exposed to the same thing? The cost will only be $20. You can either bring an air mattress and sleeping bag and spread out upstairs (which will be bare since Christina will be married and out by then) or could even go home to sleep Friday night. We will be finished before dinner on Saturday. Our house doesn't have beach access, but we do have a lovely deck and hot tub, plus 15 acres of forest for any quiet time you might need. So please, let me know as soon as possible if you'd like to attend.
Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcraft@yahoo.com 971-285-6699
I'm sure you'll want to also make the most of Wednesday evening and come out to Common Grounds at 6:30 at the church. Talk about a fun way to spend time! I only got halfway through the lesson two weeks ago, so this time I think we'll be able to finish up our discussion of anger and/or hope during difficult times. It's something we all deal with, and the more we know before slamming against the hard times of life, the more we have the potential to go through them gracefully. So please join us for a time of visiting, goodies, study and discussion.
Our FemininiTEA is headed our way at 10 AM on Saturday, April 9th. This will be a really fun time for females of all ages (8 and above) to gather together to celebrate spring. We're looking for several more of you to say you'll be a hostess for one of the tables. That involves adopting a table--providing china dishes, cups and saucers, maybe a teapot, and a centerpiece for the table. Many of us have these treasures hidden away in a cupboard in our homes. Now it's time to bring them out and share them with others! Those who don't decorate a table are asked to bring something to share in a buffet format. We won't be doing breakfast foods, but more tea-type delicacies. I'll provide some suggestions as the date nears, or you can go online and look up possibilities. I'll be sending out evites in the near future, as we'll need to know how many tables to plan for.
Coming up in May (the 13th and 14th) is our mini-retreat here at Ashberry Lane. Up to ten Wapato women who were unable to attend our March retreat in Lincoln City will have the opportunity to do a make-up retreat at my house. (No, Chrissy, it has nothing to do with Mary Kay!!) We'll begin that Friday evening with a potluck dinner, followed by the first DVD session of the Beth Moore video series, Loving Well. Those of us who were at the beach retreat were really challenged by Beth's messages. Wouldn't it be wonderful if all the women of our church were exposed to the same thing? The cost will only be $20. You can either bring an air mattress and sleeping bag and spread out upstairs (which will be bare since Christina will be married and out by then) or could even go home to sleep Friday night. We will be finished before dinner on Saturday. Our house doesn't have beach access, but we do have a lovely deck and hot tub, plus 15 acres of forest for any quiet time you might need. So please, let me know as soon as possible if you'd like to attend.
Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcraft@yahoo.com 971-285-6699
Monday, March 7, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2010 WOW-Zine
WOW! All I can say is WOW! What a wonderful weekend we had at the retreat in Lincoln City. The house was everything we were hoping for, and we'll make reservations to return there next year. The rooms were spacious and beautiful, the kitchen well-appointed, the hot tub relaxing, and the 42-seat theater the perfect place to watch the Beth Moore video series Loving Well. We both laughed and cried as we were challenged to take seriously the commandment to love one another. Beth is a wonderful communicator with a passion for truth and a healthy sense of humor added to the mix.
Those of you who attended were very gracious in your thanks and appreciation for all the work that goes in to putting a retreat together. It takes months of planning and many, many womenhours of work to pull off something like this. Thanks to the Women's Ministry Team for working together like sisters, each doing their part. Janet can make delicious food for a group like it's nobody's business. Amy did such a beautiful job designing and creating the Loving Well. (Wasn't it fun to get home a read such affirming notes from other people?) Darci made those cute name tags to help us get to know each other better, and Susan took care of our needs for the communion service Sunday morning. (You probably didn't notice that she'd made the bread in the shape of a fish.) Karen made sure our coffee cups were never empty and she filled in in many areas behind the scenes. Debbie led one of our discussion groups. Tech Tami did an invaluable job of running all the equipment and not breaking anything! And those of you who attended seemed to go out of your way to include others and befriend those who were new to our group. And we can't forget Sherri B and her music assistants, Jennifer and Heidi. And Marci with her generous gift of homemade soaps for each of us. My heart overflows with gratefulness for the giving women God has blessed our group with.
Those of you who weren't able to come, still have the chance to get in on a lot of this as we have our Re-do Retreat at Ashberry Lane (my house) in Gaston the weekend of May 13th and 14th. Because it's in my home, I'm limiting it to ten women, and I'd like it to be women who attend Wapato. In other words, this will not be open to people outside the area, but for our local body. I've had several women tell me they want to attend, so if you'd like to join them, please let me know right away. It will only cost $20.
Remember saving the date of Saturday, April 9th? That's when we're having our WOW FemininiTEA. Yep, you read that right. Females from age eight and above are invited to tea at Wapato Valley Church from 10 to noon. We're asking for women to adopt a table to hostess and decorate with their own china. So far, Marcie, Becky, and Anita have signed up to do that. Let me know if you'd like to be added to the list. I'll be sending out an evite for each of you to respond to so we'll know how many tables to plan for. Breakfast will not be served, but there will be plenty of tea-type snacks.
Well, I must admit I'm pretty worn out from such an exciting weekend, so I think this is all for this week. I didn't take any pictures at the retreat, as there were already so many cameras floating around. So if you've got good pictures to share, please feel free. There were some great photo ops ... I'm just sayin'!!
Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcraft@yahoo.com 971-285-6699
Those of you who attended were very gracious in your thanks and appreciation for all the work that goes in to putting a retreat together. It takes months of planning and many, many womenhours of work to pull off something like this. Thanks to the Women's Ministry Team for working together like sisters, each doing their part. Janet can make delicious food for a group like it's nobody's business. Amy did such a beautiful job designing and creating the Loving Well. (Wasn't it fun to get home a read such affirming notes from other people?) Darci made those cute name tags to help us get to know each other better, and Susan took care of our needs for the communion service Sunday morning. (You probably didn't notice that she'd made the bread in the shape of a fish.) Karen made sure our coffee cups were never empty and she filled in in many areas behind the scenes. Debbie led one of our discussion groups. Tech Tami did an invaluable job of running all the equipment and not breaking anything! And those of you who attended seemed to go out of your way to include others and befriend those who were new to our group. And we can't forget Sherri B and her music assistants, Jennifer and Heidi. And Marci with her generous gift of homemade soaps for each of us. My heart overflows with gratefulness for the giving women God has blessed our group with.
Those of you who weren't able to come, still have the chance to get in on a lot of this as we have our Re-do Retreat at Ashberry Lane (my house) in Gaston the weekend of May 13th and 14th. Because it's in my home, I'm limiting it to ten women, and I'd like it to be women who attend Wapato. In other words, this will not be open to people outside the area, but for our local body. I've had several women tell me they want to attend, so if you'd like to join them, please let me know right away. It will only cost $20.
Remember saving the date of Saturday, April 9th? That's when we're having our WOW FemininiTEA. Yep, you read that right. Females from age eight and above are invited to tea at Wapato Valley Church from 10 to noon. We're asking for women to adopt a table to hostess and decorate with their own china. So far, Marcie, Becky, and Anita have signed up to do that. Let me know if you'd like to be added to the list. I'll be sending out an evite for each of you to respond to so we'll know how many tables to plan for. Breakfast will not be served, but there will be plenty of tea-type snacks.
Well, I must admit I'm pretty worn out from such an exciting weekend, so I think this is all for this week. I didn't take any pictures at the retreat, as there were already so many cameras floating around. So if you've got good pictures to share, please feel free. There were some great photo ops ... I'm just sayin'!!
Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcraft@yahoo.com 971-285-6699
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)