Tuesday, January 28, 2014

It's almost TIME! Registration for our What Not to Wear retreat opens this Sunday! You won't want to miss out on this special time at Lincoln City April 11th-13th. The cost is only $80, and when you hand your money to me, you're then able to take a look through our Book of Rooms and select where you'd like to sleep. Attendance is limited to 40, so sign up as soon as you can. This first tier of registration is for those women who attend WVC. On March 9th, any remaining spots will be open to your friends and family who are not part of Wapato. (I'll remind you when the time gets close!) If you haven't been to The Dawn Treader house with us before, here's a link to see what you'd be getting into!
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p290753

As usual, both our Bible studies are meeting this week, and we'll be studying James 4:13-5:6. There's a lot of meat to chew on in this section, so be sure to wear your dentures! For Common Grounds (Wednesday, 6:30 PM) Dianne is bringing our snack. The Perk will meet at 9:30 Thursday morning, and Karen will be our MIC, with Stephanie providing a little something for us to eat. Thanks for your help, ladies!

Valentine's Day is coming soon, and you know what that means! The annual dinner and concert at the church will be on Saturday, February 15th. So you'll be able to go out and celebrate with your honey on the 14th, and then with a wonderful group of friends on the 15th. Tickets are $12.50 per person and can be paid for at church or by stopping by the church office when Susan is there. Childcare will be available at the annex for only $2/child, which includes their dinner and lots of fun. This is a wonderful event to bring friends to, and a great chance to dress up and have fun! Proceeds will be given to the youth to help defray costs of different events throughout the year. 

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

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

It's another sunny day in these parts, so I hope you're able to get out there and enjoy a bit of it! I keep wondering when the rains are going to hit, and how long they're going to last. I'm a little scared that since we haven't had much rain this month, once they start, they won't let up until the end of June!

What Not to Wear hits the Oregon coast April 11th-13th, and you won't want to miss it! Our WOW retreat at Lincoln City is only $80 for the weekend, and well-worth both your time and money. If you've never been to one of our retreats, this should be the year you decide to attend. It's a wonderful mix of fun, spiritual challenge, relaxation, and bonding. Registration begins on the first Sunday of February. You are considered registered once you give me your money in full. (Checks to be made out to WVC but handed to me. Cash is also accepted.) Our guest speaker, Laurie Scheffield, is a lot of fun and I know you'll enjoy hearing what she has to share with us, based on Psalm 139. 

This week we'll continue in our study of James, Mercy Triumphs, as we take a look at Chapter 4, verses 11 and 12. Common Grounds meets Wednesday night at 6:30, and Viv has volunteered to provide goodies for us this week. On Thursday morning at 9:30 the gals from The Perk gather. Child care is provided. This week Kristen S. is our MIC, and Nicole is bringing snacks. Both of these groups study the same lesson each week, but one may work into your schedule better than another. So pick one, and come join us!

Until next week,

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

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Happy Tuesday morning to each of you. I hope your week has gotten off to a great start and that you, like me, are enjoying our spring-like weather. What a great chance to spend time outdoors walking, doing a little prep work in the flower beds, or playing with the kids. Especially since we know these days won't last!

This Saturday, 10 AM at the church, is the baby shower for Hollie Banks. She's having a sweet little girl, and we'd like to bless her with our love. She needs basic things like diapers, but it's always fun to get something special for the new baby, so feel free to bring whatever you'd like. A light brunch will be provided. Laura needs to know how much food to prepare, so please contact her to let her know you're coming.

Both women's Bible studies meet this week, and I'd love to have you join us. There's never a bad time to come for the first time! Common Grounds is Wednesday at 6:30 PM and Janet is bringing snacks. On Thursday at 9:30 AM The Perk (child care provided) meets, and Sharon is bringing our nibblies (yes, that's a newly-coined word!) and Stephanie is the MIC. Thanks to each of you for helping out. This week we'll be studying James 4:7-10 plus watching part of Beth Moore's DVD. We always have a good time together, so I hope to see you there.

Speaking of having a good time together, make sure you've got our annual Women Of Wapato Retreat on your calendar for the weekend of April 11th-13th. Our theme is What Not to Wear, and yes, it's based on that fun TLC television show with Stacey and Clinton. Our speaker, Laurie Sheffield, from Lake Bible Church in Lake Oswego, will be leading us in a wonderful weekend of discovery based on Psalm 139.
Registration opens: Sunday, February 2nd
Cost: $80 (must pay in full to hold your spot; checks to WVC, but handed to me)
Location: Lincoln City
Because the house can "only" accommodate 40 people, we have a tiered registration system. For the first five weeks, it is open to women who attend Wapato, but on March 9th it will expand to you being able to bring friends and family members if there are still available spaces. (Which there almost always are.) Just a reminder that we are unable to accommodate any children outside the womb.

So, that's that for this week! 

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

Tuesday, January 7, 2014 WOW-Zine

Hello, ladies! I've been looking forward to sitting down with my cup of coffee and visiting with you a bit. The kids are back in school, perhaps all your Christmas decorations are back in the attic (does anyone really have an attic??), and it's time to get back to normal life. Here's a great thought from blogger Holley Gerth:

Finding People Who Will Move You ForwardHolley, 2014-01-03 14:56 Who will share your life this year? Research has shown that how you answer that question will impact your well-being more than any other factor–even income, where you live, or your life circumstances. Boat Photo by zieak So choose wisely when it comes to the people you surround yourself with in 2014.And there’s a certain kind of relationship you can be looking for more than any other. I’ve nicknamed them “O.A.R.s” and that stands for One Another Relationships. Picture someone sitting in a boat with an oar in each hand. In order for the boat to move forward, those oars need to be in sync and pulling in the same direction. Each person in a relationship is like one of those oars and God is in the middle–the center of the connection. O.A.R. relationships are about… Encouragement Support Cheering Each Other On Being there in the Hard Times Too And, most of all, LOVE {John 13:34} No relationship is perfect but we can all be purposeful this year about who we join with in the journey of our life. And that can make all the difference.Who helps you move forward in God’s purposes and plans for your life? Who can you help do the same? One of the ways we Women of Wapato can be OAR people for each other is by joining one of the Bible studies offered during the week. Some of your deepest relationships might easily get their start here. Common Grounds meets Wednesday evening at 6:30, and The Perk on Thursday morning at 9:30. (Childcare is available on Thursdays.) We are continuing our Beth Moore study on the Book of James, Mercy Triumphs. Have we ever been blessed and challenged by what we've studied so far! This week we'll have discussion only (no video) covering James 4:1-6. No one has signed up to bring snacks for this Wednesday's session, so please let me know if you'd like to fill that gap. Karen is bringing them for Thursday morning, but I have no volunteer to be the Mother In Charge (MIC) for our childcare that morning. Again, let me know if you can serve that way this week.  We've got a baby shower coming up, and this is your invitation! Hollie Stamps is having another little girl. She's been coming to Wapato for about nine months and is part of the Common Grounds group. If you haven't met her yet, you'll want to, as she's a keeper! Her baby shower will be on Saturday, January 18th, 10 AM at the church. A light brunch will be served, so please follow this link to let Laura Fordyce know you're coming and to find out more details about the shower. http://www.evite.com/event/00FFE4F4EKUZSYQ4UEPDOSUOVWPEXA Speaking of showers, I want to let you know about a new way we're going to handle them. You gals are very loving women and at least two or three of you are pregnant at any given time! Your Women's Ministry Team is always excited to know there's a new little one on the way. We're going to continue throwing a baby shower for those who are having their first Wapato baby, meaning this is their first baby since attending Wapato. (May be their third child.) For those who have already had the thrill of a Wapato shower, we will bless you with a $25 gift certificate instead of a shower, plus you'll get those delicious meals provided by our women after you're home with your newborn. (The meals themselves are almost enough incentive for me to get pregnant!!) Of course friends and family can give a shower in their home for women who have already had one at Wapato.   Retreat is coming! Retreat is coming! (Is that an oxymoron?) Save the weekend of April 11th-13th to join us at "our" gigantic house in Lincoln City for a precious weekend together. Our speaker, Laurie Sheffield from Lake Bible Church in Lake Oswego, will be speaking about What Not to Wear. What fun we're going to have with that theme!! We have been able to keep the cost to $80 once again. Do you have any idea what a phenomenal deal that is?! It's unheard of. (Except you heard it here first!) Registration will open  on February 2nd. The full price must be paid to me (checks made out to WVC with "retreat" in the memo) in order for you to be registered. Once you're signed up, you're also able to select your sleeping arrangements, so it's first come, first served. In March we'll open registration up to your friends and family. Just a reminder that our policy is this is a women's-only event--no babies are able to be accommodated. For those of you who are unable to attend for that very reason, we will have a mini-retreat at Ashberry Lane the first weekend in May, where your babies may come learn too! So, I think I've given you plenty to think about for this week. See you at Bible study! Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director sherrieashcraft@gmail.com    971-285-6699

Tuesday, December 31, 2013 WOW-Zine

Happy last day of 2013 to all of you! It's hard to believe, isn't it? You know, I don't think we  need to be wasting our breath debating whether global warming is real or not or how fast the polar ice caps are disappearing. Instead, we need to begin an investigation into how the days, weeks, and months are slipping away so quickly! How do they evaporate right before our eyes?When I get put in charge of running the world, that's what I'll spend my energy on. Seriously, I hope you've all had a special time, in one way or another, during this holiday season and that you're ready to jump into a new year.

Just a few reminders in this WOW-Zine. This Friday at 6 PM is our Undeck the Halls event at church. Bring along $5 for pizza and help us store our lovely Christmas decorations for another year. (Please let me know you're coming so that I get enough pizza.) Then, beginning around 7 PM, we'll have our first Game Night of the year. Bring a game and a snack with you, and let's have fun together!

We are providing some meals for Christine and Aran Hoffmann to welcome the arrival of little Isaac to their family. There is only one day left to fill, and that's next Monday. You can all race to 
http://www.TakeThemAMeal.com/meals.php?t=BKUG0811 and sign up for that evening. Christine is asking that meals be delivered between 4-5 PM. Thanks for helping out, ladies!

Our first baby shower of the year will be for Hollie Stamps on Saturday, January 18th, at 10 AM at the church. This is your personal invitation to join us in celebrating this little blessing. More details will be forthcoming, but put this on your calendar now.

We're still on break from our Bible studies, but they will resume NEXT WEEK, January 8th and 9th. As we continue through our study of the Book of James, we'll be discussing James 4:1-6. Mark your new calendars now to remind you to come join us on either Wednesday evenings at 6:30 for Common Grounds, or Thursday morning at 9:30 for The Perk. 

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

Tuesday, December 17, 2013 WOW-Zine

Are you a little bit busy, ladies? Yep, that's what I thought. So this will be short and to the point.

Both Bible studies meet this week, and we'll be finishing up James chapter 3. We are halfway through the study now, but it's never too late to jump in. Common Grounds is Wednesday at 6:30 PM, and The Perk is at 9:30 Thursday morning. Adrienne and Pam are bringing snacks on Wednesday, and Kristen S. is on for The Perk, with Anastasia the MIC. 

After we meet this week, there will be no women's Bible studies until the first full week of January--the 8th and 9th.

A big thanks to Amy for hostessing such a wonderful WOW Christmas Party last Saturday night! Wasn't that fun?? If you missed it, well, you missed it! So much good food and laughter. I just love our ladies!

I need to hear from you regarding the Undeck the Church party on Friday, January 3rd. This is when we take down all the beautiful decorations, and to make that job a bit more palatable, we toss in some pizza and soda. But, that means I need to know how much pizza to purchase, so I need you to contact me. It costs $5 a person for that. We'll meet at the church at 6 for de-decorating and eating. Then at 7 we hope even more ladies will show up for our first Game Night of the year. 

Our first baby shower of the year will be for Hollie Stamps on Saturday, January 18th, at 10 AM at the church. This is your personal invitation to join us in celebrating this little blessing. More details will be forthcoming, but put this on your calendar now. 

Those of you who keep good tabs on our Women's Ministry schedule will realize that a Sew 'n Sew event was planned for that day. Because of some health issues Shellee is dealing with, that has been put off indefinitely. 

Since next Tuesday is Christmas Eve, I won't be sending a WOW-Zine out that day. So let me just take this opportunity to wish all of you a very merry Christmas. I'm so blessed to have all of you in my life!

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

Tuesday, December 10, 2013 WOW-Zine

It's your week to SHINE, ladies!

WHAT: WOW's SPARKLY SWEET & SAVORY PARTY
WHEN: Saturday, 6 PM
WHERE: Amy's, 7755 SW Bracken Dr., Cornelius
BRING: A sweet or savory dish to share for dinner, PLUS a wrapped sweet or savory item for our gift exchange.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS:
~ Wear something sparkly
~ Bring slippers or carry your sparkly shoes to change into once      
you're inside, so we don't track mud in.
~ If you'd like to carpool, meet behind the church at 5:30 PM. We'll leave from there at 5:40, so don't be late!

Our Women's Bible Studies meet this week and next, and then we're off until January 8th and 9th. So don't miss out on our last two times together this year! We'll be looking at James 3:3-12 this week. I'll see you at Common Grounds Wednesday night at 6:30 (Rita is providing snacks) and at The Perk Thursday morning at 9:30. (Carol R. is bringing snacks, and Keisha is our MIC.) Both groups meet at the church.

On Friday, January 3, 2014, we'll be taking down the church Christmas decorations for another year. This is not an activity for only the Women's Ministry Team, but something we'd like you to help with. We'll meet at 6 PM for pizza and soda as we un-decorate, and follow it up with a Game Night! If you can't make it there until 7 for games, that's perfectly fine. We just thought it would be great fun to start the year off having fun together! Please let me know if you're coming for pizza and soda so I can get enough. Cost is $5. (Women and teen girls only.)

April may sound like a long way off, but it will arrive sooner than you expect! It's not too early to start planning ahead for our annual Women's Retreat at "our" house in Lincoln City. That happens the weekend of April 11th through 13th. Cost will remain at only $80 once again. Just a reminder that this is a child-free event, meaning that even nursing babies are not able to come. We know that many of you nursing mothers miss the retreat, so I'll be doing something special in May for those not able to come to retreat. 

As you continue in the busyness of this time of year, here's a great thought for you from our friend, Holley Gerth:

Grace for Your Unmerry MomentsHolley, 2013-12-09 13:00 photo by steve p200 Confession: Sometimes I have a bad attitude at the holidays{please tell me I’m not the only one}. I want peace on earth but then I wind up feeling tempted to run over people with my shopping cart when they’re rude. I want to spread cheer but then I get PMS and just want to spread chocolate on every surface I can find. I want to shine brightly like the lights on a Christmas tree but then I get too busy and just want to say “lights out” so I can get some sleep. I used to feel guilty about this quite a bit. What kind of person was I if I got all grumpy at the most wonderful time of year? And besides that, it’s the birthday of Jesus. Surely I must be a heathen and not know it. Dang. But then I realized this: Even if the holidays are here I’m still human. And there’s not some super-spirituality switch I can flip on like the lights on the Griswold’s house at Christmas. No, ma’am. Struggling at the holidays is just proof that what Christmas is all about is true: I need a Savior. And the same grace that covers me the rest of the year is there for me in my unmerry moments, too. Does this mean I just do and say whatever I want? Nope. But it does mean that when I mess up and fall short of the expectations of myself and others, it’s okay. It’s not a time for guilt and condemnation. It’s a time for celebration because the moments when I fall are when the message of Christmas means most of all. Crazy? Yep. But so is sending the Son of God to be born in a manger. The whole gospel is full of surprises and upside-down thinking. That’s the wonder of it all. So if you’ve been threatening to give yourself a lump of coal for Christmas because you just can’t seem to get it together, take it a bit easier on yourself today. Remember that you’re loved, accepted and that God doesn’t want perfection from you. Instead he wants to give you whatever it is you need–perhaps a bit more patience, some laughter and a lot of extra grace. And you can share all of those good gifts with your friends, family and even the person you thought about running over with your shopping cart, too. Until next week, Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director sherrieashcraft@gmail.com   971-285-6699