Fasting & Feasting - The Jesus Diet

It's been a month since BC had it's Inspirational Day.

Saturday, April 30th greeted us with beautiful and warm sunshine.

Some of the Japanese Cherry trees on the streets around Sherbrooke Mennonite Church were still loaded with blossoms.

We started the morning with a short Memorial Service, remembering our 27 sisters that went to meet their Lord & Saviour since last year's Inspirational Day.

A rose in memory of each loved one!

Our song leaders: Rachel Cornelsen and Charlotte Froese

After a special musical tribute by our two song leaders, we moved on to a short business session where we approved the following items:

1. - a new logo for MCBC Women's Ministry

2. - a new fund raising venture with the ONEbean Coffee Company
3. - a renewed commitment including $$$ to Mennonite Women Canada

We also informed the ladies that MCBC Women's Ministry now has a Facebook page which is slowly gathering a few friends.

We asked the women if they had received a copy of NEW Mennonite Women Canada "Connections" issues and by far the majority had actually received a copy and those that didn't got it in the Program Booklet for the Inspirational Day. The response to the new layout and all the stories in the issue were very favorable and encouraging.

We took a nice long lunch break which allowed time for lots of visiting and even a walk around the neighbourhood.

The meal was healthy and delicious but left the women waiting for more..... in particular, dessert or "Platz" even though there was a wonderful fruit centerpiece on each table that was actually meant to be our dessert! Are wondering what else was on the menu? ...well, let me tell you!
Remember the title? "The Jesus Diet"? ---- prepared was a menu of foods that Jesus could possibly have eaten during his time on our broken planet.

A delicious lentil soup and pittas filled with a seafood (tuna) salad was the main course. There was an assortment of nuts and olives and, of course, the fruit platters.

Our beautiful dessert platters!

After lunch everyone reconvened in the sanctuary where the afternoon Worship Service began with an explanation about our yummy meal and everyone could hear the "ahhaaa" and a few schuckes from the audience.

Suddenly things made sense! Such fun!!!

We then proceeded with the program as outlined --- songs, verbal and visual presentations and an offering.

Above are two special music treats -
on the left - 3 generations of the
Pavez family from
First United Spanish Mennonite Church, Vancouver ---
and on the right 2 young Schroeder sisters from
Sherbrooke Mennonite Church singing"I love Jesus better than Ice-Cream" Pizza or Borscht.

Our three speakers from left to right -

Pastor Ingrid Schultz, Dr. Helen Eng and Katrina Goertzen

Our special guests, each an expert in their own field, taught us about how to take care of ourselves.

Nutritional Wellness - our first speaker Katrina Goertzen (Nutritionist) instructed us about the value of good nutrition, clean and unclean foods - including a very appropriate PowerPoint presentation.

Physical Wellness - Dr. Helen Eng (General Practitioner) spoke on the importance of our physical well being, the "dos and don'ts" when traveling abroad and yes... the need to exercise!

Spiritual Wellness - Pastor Ingrid Schultz from First United Mennonite Church concluded our afternoon sessions with a short meditation based on Psalm 34:8-10 and Luke 5:33-35.

After the offering, our fall retreat at Camp Squeah was introduced and each woman received a retreat registration brochure which can also be found online here. The afternoon program concluded with an invitation to next year's Inspirational Day which will take place on Saturday, May 5th at Bethel Mennonite Church.

We hope that our event was a blessing to those that attended and are grateful that through our humble offering we can also bless 3 additional ministries; Camp Squeah, the MCC Refugee Food Bank and the Samuelito Day Care Centre in Bolivia.

Ohhh .... and the "Platz" and coffee?
Yes, we still enjoyed them before going home! ! !

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Note: When the program was done and the women were still mingling, a mother and daughter walked up to me and informed me that they were visitors from Bolivia. They wanted to let me how much it meant to them that MCBC Women's Ministry and the Sherbrooke Planning Committee had decided to support the Samuelito Day Care Centre. Apparently, both of them , as well as, a number of other women in attendance were quite familiar with the Centre.

God works in mysterious ways! To Him be the Glory!