Courageous Women of the Bible

September will be here before you know it!  

Are you looking for material to use in your women's group?  or your Sunday School class?  or a Bible Study Guide for personal use or with a group of friends?  Be sure to check out "Courageous Women of the Bible" an 80 page booklet with 12 lessons, written by Linda Gehman Peachey and published jointly by Mennonite Women Canada (MW Canada) and Mennonite Women USA (MW USA).  It's available from MennoMedia or the Mennonite Church Canada Resource Centre.  



If you are interested in Bible Study Guides from previous years (since 1992) please let me know.  We do have some old inventory that is available for $5.00 per copy.  

Report from Alberta Women's Retreat

DESIGNED IN GOD'S IMAGE

Q:  What are you doing here?" 

A:  "I know the speaker and I wanted to hear her share."

Q:  "What are you really doing here?"

A:  "(Pause) I'm here because I need help..."

That is how speaker, Michelle Copithorne, challenged women at the Alberta Women’s Retreat at Sylvan Lake on May 24-26. She asked us to share with a partner about ourselves to break through the head versus heart dilemma. For where the head and heart meet, there is the soul, and we were at retreat to do soul work. The theme was "Designed in God's Image", a challenging thing for most women. In a culture obsessed with appearances, women are bombarded with images and advertising that remind us of our many inferiorities. Well, at least the inferiorities we think we have. Copithorne, through sharing her story, led the group through activities and discussions that went past the head and entered the heart.

Speaker, Michelle Copithorne

There is something sacred about a gathering of women, especially an intergenerational gathering of Christians. Being on the younger end of the spectrum, I was little nervous going to a retreat where there wouldn't be many or potentially anyone my age. But there has been something missing in my life since I moved back to Alberta. I couldn't define it before, but after this retreat, I think I know. It is sisters in Christ meeting and worshipping together, just women.  "Women have the gift and ability to go deep and go deep fast" I'm not sure who said that during the weekend, but it was true. There were 51 women on retreat, and I never saw someone sitting on the outside. Alone yes, but alone by choice; on the outside no, everyone was included. And what a wonderfully diverse group we were, with ages ranging from 20 to 80. Women from the Edmonton South Sudanese Mennonite Church, from the Calgary Chin Church, Holyrood, First Edmonton and First Calgary, Bergthal, Lethbridge, Foothills, women from the Lethbridge and Edmonton VS Units, and more friends from other places. I knew more women than I thought I would, but I left knowing them better and with new friends. "It was nice to have a group of younger women to be with, as a part of this weekend. We felt so welcomed by all the women at retreat.  The variety show, giant dutch blitz, and games -- all were inclusive of every person, age, race it didn't matter". Said Melissa Bueckert, summing up for a group of young women.

Tabitha Mut (on left)
from South Sudan

 There were four sessions over the weekend. Saturday morning session featured singing and sharing. Many people were touched by the sharing of Tabitha Mut. Tabitha is a recent immigrant from South Sudan, she arrived in Edmonton on March 20. "God chose our path here [to Canada]. Black and white we are together, our skin is different but our voices are the same. Our God is the same,” she said through a translator. Tabitha is a spiritual leader, a deaconess, and performs baptism rites. She is a remarkable woman, and even though she speaks no English, was able to communicate and laugh with us.

The phrase "where two or three are gathered, there God is" came to my mind, but I think we have to change it to say "that where 51 worshipping women are gathered, there the Holy Spirit will be also". Singing, laughing, crying and praying, this was the heart work done through the weekend. These were the soul activities we did together. Self reflection, building each other up and praying filled our cups to over-flowing. Sunday morning as we closed our worship with more sharing, Theresa Powoe from Holyrood church shared, "When we left Liberia to come [to Canada], I mourned my sisters. We would have retreats there as well, 500 women gathered together to worship and praise God. I had been told that there wouldn't be anything like that because everyone in Canada was too busy. I am so thankful to be here this weekend, as I have found the sisters I left behind."

Theresa Powoe from Liberia

There are more stories to tell, but you will have to find them. Ask around at your churches, find someone who went, and make plans to come next year. To those who attended remember what Michelle said in one of the sessions: "That God loves you at least as much as the person who loves you the most." Yes we ate tummy bread, but we left full of heart bread.

by Joani Neufeldt

Michelle Copithorne lives in Cochrane, AB and attends Foothills Mennonite Church.

Joani Neufeldt is a member of Lethbridge Mennonite Church and lives in Coaldale, AB.

The retreat was planned jointly by Alberta Women in Mission (AWM) and interested individuals from Mennonite Church Alberta (MCA) with the hope of bringing together women from existing AWM groups and all MCA churches.

Giant Dutch Blitz

Intergenerational fellowship

AWM display table

Update from Nathan and Taryn Dirks

Nathan and Taryn, Mennonite Church Canada Witness workers in Botswana, are also recipients of Mennonite Women Canada's Pennies and Prayer Legacy Fund.  I recently received an email from Taryn where she writes about the adjustments and challenges they have been dealing with since they left Canada in October.  The update has been posted on our web page under Stories/Interviews/Profiles.  They also have a BLOG you might want to check out.

The Barkman's latest newsletter

Darnell and Christina, Mennonite Church Canada Witness workers in the Philippines, are recipients of Mennonite Women Canada’s Pennies and Prayer Legacy Fund.  Their latest newsletter was recently posted on our web page under Stories/Interviews/Profiles.  
You might also want to check out their BLOG.  
Christina writes:

Hello dear friends and family....

I've attached our latest newsletter. Its been quite the month here, with an explosion down our hallway that's displaced us for nearly a month! But we are so thankful for all the love and support from friends here and at home.... thank you!

We'll be in BC for most of August! We are speaking at Peace Mennonite Church in Richmond August 4th and at Emmnuel Mennonite Church in Abbotsford on August 11. Hope to see many of you there! And send us an email/facebook if you want to hang out.... we'll start making some plans now :)

Love to all of you,

the Barkmans

Spiritual Growth Assistance Fund

Did you know that MW Canada has a scholarship program?  Our Spiritual Growth Assistance Fund (SGAF) assists women with the costs of academic and/or applied study at the Master's level in church related ministries such as seminary, theology, peace and conflict resolution.  All members of a congregation belonging to Mennonite Church Canada are eligible to apply.  Funding may be granted for part of the tuition costs (payable to the institution) at the discretion of the executive of MW Canada. First time applicants are giving priority and applications for continuing support are also considered.  The deadline for applications is June 30.  So if you are interested, or know someone who is, please contact MW Canada by email at presmwcanada@mennonitechurch.ca for an application form or go to our web page at SGAF and download it from there.

WMCEC Spring Enrichment Day - April 20, 2013

Surprise!  It’s a snow day!  Even that didn’t daunt 300+ women from attending their Spring Enrichment Day.  This year it was held on Saturday, April 20^th at Tavistock Mennonite Church.  Yes, it was cold outside, but so very warm and welcoming inside.  We began our morning with coffee and muffins, and a lot of socializing.  During the get acquainted and registration time, guests also previewed the display from Mennonite Women Canada, while enjoying a chance to speak with Liz Koop, the president of that group.  Meanwhile at the Women of Mennonite Church Eastern Canada table, I too had a chance to meet some people while I handed out the Church Rep’s information packet.  These contained WMCEC’s Annual Report Book 2012, the 61^st Annual Report Book 2012 for MW Canada and a copy of Connections Vol. 3, Issue 1 – April 2013.  Any that weren’t picked up that day were taken to MCEC’s event the following Saturday.  Failing to connect there, they would have been mailed.  By now, all should have been received.

Terri J. Plank Brenneman was the featured guest speaker.  She is the author of the Bible Study Guide entitled Wonderfully Made; Women, Faith, and Self-Care.  Terri broke her topic into two sessions 1) Remembering God’s Story, 2) Remembering Our Story.  The following recap cannot do justice to this spiritually uplifting day, but I will try my best.  I truly wish you could have been there.

Terri’s message began with a reminder that we are the resource for the world.  Each of us is uniquely qualified to touch specific lives.  She challenged us to list the Lord’s attributes as seen in various parts of the Bible:  Genesis 1 as the Creator, Genesis 2 as the Parent, as the Promise Keeper to Abraham & Sarah, as the patient Teacher, as the Deliverer, as the Law Giver, etc.  Of the adjectives/descriptors generated record 6 words that best describe God to you.  Record them on a bookmark for later reflection.   “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.  Love your God with heart, soul and strength!” was the mantra for the morning.

The afternoon session’s mantra changed to “Hear, O Women of Mennonite Church of Eastern Canada! Love the Lord your God with all your heart, your soul, your strength.  Learn to love your neighbours and yourself.  Trust in God’s plan for you and your uniqueness!”  With these powerful words, Terri encouraged us to write down 6 attributes, talents, or abilities that we possess on the reverse side of the bookmark begun in the morning.  Those are gifts that come from God.  She reminded us to embrace our own legacy and tell others of our faith stories. Not only will you fed and inspire yourself, but you will transform others, even as they transform you with their stories. We are “nourished and flourished by life.”  Hear, O Women of Faith!         

Acknowledgements and gratitude go out to the Tavistock Mennonite Church for being such gracious hosts, the ladies who prepared and served all the yummy food and beverages, the participants for braving the weather to attend, the hands that typed and copied the program, the pianist – Charlene Zehr, the song leader – Ruth Steinman, the devotional leader – Patricia Wagler, the special music group – Close Connection: Linda Holst, Brenda Wagler, Shirley Yantzi;  WMCEC – Florence Jantzi for Welcome, Invocation and Scripture reading, Kathryn Good for chairing the business session, Lisa Blackburn for Annual Financial Report, Marie Assad for Personnel Committee Report and introducing Dorothy Hamm (Program) and myself, Linda Wiens (Secretary),  MCEC – Brian Bauman for greetings,  MW Canada – Liz Koop MW Canada Report,  MSCU – financial assistance and, of course, our guest speaker - Terri J. Plank Brenneman.   

WMCEC Executive from L-R: Florence Jantzi, Lisa Blackburn, 

Linda Wiens, Dorothy Hamm, Marie Assad, Kathryn Good

Submitted by Linda Wiens 

Our American Sisters

Did you know that we (Mennonite Women Canada) have a counterpart in the US called Mennonite Women USA?  For many years our organizations worked together on various projects.

Some of you might remember the Window to Mission and Timbrel magazines which we produced jointly over many years.  We still jointly publish an Annual Bible Study Guide which is distributed to women's groups and churches across Canada and the US.  The Bible Study Advisory Council, with both Canadian and American representatives, chooses an author and oversees the editing process.  Every third year the author is a Canadian woman.

The 2014 Bible Study Guide, Courageous Women of the Bible, is soon to be released.  Ordering information will be posted here.

For more information about MW USA click here.

SWM Enrichment Day - April 27

In the following weeks I plan to post write-ups about the various provincial/area meetings that have been held across Canada this spring.  For over 70 years women's groups from each province have met once or twice a year to discuss business, listen to a guest speaker and fellowship with one another.  In the past number of years the women who attend these meetings (and the ones in our local churches) are getting older and there are fewer younger women in attendance.   This has not gone unnoticed and Mennonite Women Canada is constantly being challenged to find ways to encourage the participation of younger women.  --Liz Koop 

Saskatchewan Women in Mission (SWM) celebrated their annual Enrichment Day on Saturday, April 27, 2013 at Eigenheim Mennonite Church with 87 women in attendance. In the foyer, bedding plants on a garden bench depicted the day’s theme – “Like a Watered Garden” – while water trickled through several garden fountains, adding an auditory element to the visual display. 

Hosted by Eigenheim Women’s Fellowship, the event began with refreshments and a time of visiting. Morning worship included hearty singing led by Gwen Ens and accompanied by Donna Schulz, and a devotional by Lois Siemens. SWM executive officers were commissioned for another year of service during the annual business meeting. They are Myrna Sawatzky, president, Marilyn Neufeld, vice-president, Ruth Quiring Heppner, treasurer, and Verna Olfert, secretary. Naomi Unger and Lois Siemens continue on the program committee; the third position on this committee is vacant. Kathy Friesen, Glennis Koop, and Denise Epp form the nominating committee.  

Following lunch in the fellowship hall, Melita Hildebrand, gave participants a mental workout with a gardening quiz, and Marian Hooge Jones offered a physical workout with a series of gardening-related stretches and exercises. The afternoon session began with a devotional by Naomi Unger and special music by the Eigenheim women. Kaytee Edwards, representing MCC Saskatchewan’s gardening project, described her work of teaching inner-city children to grow their own food. SWM designated a portion of the afternoon’s offering for this project. Featured speaker Lavonne Dyck of Glenbush eloquently shared what gardening has taught her about faith in Christ. Then four women – Verna Olfert, Kristen Fehr, Renata Klassen and Rosalind Epp – shared their “100-word stories” about meeting God in their gardens. This was followed by conversation in the pews around the question, “What have you learned about God through gardening?” A memorial service, led by the women of Zoar Mennonite Church, Langham, honoured women who passed away in 2012. Refreshments and more visiting brought the day’s activities to a close.

 - Donna Schulz