We turn the calendar to March tomorrow and count the days to spring… the change of seasons always makes me ponder. Winter has been wild this year, blustery blizzards, awesome snow piles, lots of snow days for the kids. But perhaps as the snow has piled up, so has the stuff of life. Tough circumstances, windy relationships, piles of to-dos and commitments. Need a change of pace? Want to find some refreshment and a different landscape? Join us for Breakaway, our spring retreat at the beach… April 16-18th at the Atlantic Sands Hotel in Rehoboth Beach, DE. Our guest speaker is Laurie Cole, founder of Priority Ministries, with Who is Grace, and Where do I find her? Come away and break from your regular schedule, a breath in routine to create space for rest and refleciton. We'll celebrate friendship - new and old, sunrise worship and a few surprises. You'll experience ocean breezes to awaken your spirit, sandy walks ont he beach in springtine, dynamic teaching from God's Word, laughter… and more! REGISTRATION BEGINS TODAY and runs through March 14th. Download an information flyer and registration form. Questions?email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). |
Are you feeling winter? Are you feeling the cold?  After this crazy snowy, windy week, come in from the cold of winter and be warmed… in body soul and spirit. Snowflake Cafe Saturday morning, February 27th, 9:00am - 12 noon Escape the cold winds of winter and come in for a morning of spiritual inspiration, stimulating workshops, pampering and friendship. To download the Snowflake Cafe Program and workshop descriptions, click here to DOWNLOAD. This is a FREE event, bring along a friend!
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Escape the cold winds of winter and come in for a morning of spiritual inspiration, stimulating workshops, pampering and friendship! This year's program of workshops has something for everyone... an ideal time to bring a friend. For some classes we have terrific exercise, women's health, gardening, and nutrition. For a hands on fun we have making creative DVD movie memories and glass tile jewelry workshops. For spiritual challenge… workshops on deepening your relationship with God and finding spiritual fuel for your life, understanding and navigating the Old Testament, and finding and sharing spiritual encouragement. DOWNLOAD a program of our workshops an our schedule for the morning. Snowflake Cafe is from 9am-12noon. We will begin our morning with some special cafe, sparkling fruits and treats, and a few surprises. You can pick from two sessions of workshops and we will conclude our moring with personal sharing from Kathy and Sara Bley, who will talk about walking through the winter storms of life. This is a FREE event, but we will need you to register so we can plan workshop space. Register in the main lobby or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) Come and join us, and be warmed, in body, soul and spirit! |
We are seeking wisdom for our marriages, and invite you to join us for a special evening of heartfelt sharing, challenge, inspiration and encouragement. We are gathering at the home of Jen Maggiore, 827 Dover Court Place in Downingtown, on Wednesday, January 27 at 7:00pm. All of us face seasons within our marriages. Scripture presents God's design for us, and God calls us to encourage each other in our homes. Come and hear the stories of six of our women, each growing through unqiue circumstances in marriage.  Love knows no limit to its endurance no end to its trust, Love still stands when all else has fallen. -I Corinthians 13:7-8And now abideth: Faith, Hope, Love, all three and the greatest of these is Love. -I Corinthians 13:13 This is My commandment that you love one another as I have loved you. -John 15:12 |
 2010 has arrived and we wonder, what will it bring? We think of new hopes and the anticipation of a fresh start. There is an eagerness, despite the chill of early winter and after-holiday quietness from a pile of celebrations. Perhaps the question should rather be, what will I bring? Consider joining us at these 2010 upcoming gatherings just for women:
Join us in the new year… connect and find encouragement, insight, wisdom and friendship. All women are welcome! Questions? input? contact Louann Rodgers, 610.431.0300 x109 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) |
Thank you for your hands and feet —you have helped touch our community by your generous serving and hard work. For the past two weeks we have blanketed our community with hands on service in over 10 different organizations. We have painted, packed lunches, made handmade baby blankets, shopped, wrapped, delivered, visited the infirmed, provided for foster care children, organized and cleaned warehouses ... we have worn our workboots and served with our whole hearts. I have said several times this week it has been crazy busy, a bit exhausting, but joyfully so! You have shared generously, compassionately, and incredibly joyfully… in the words of a staff manager at one organization we served this week, "You have served as though you wer Serving together with you has been absolutely JOYFUL... you truly have shared Christmas from the heart! Thank you for helping to bring Christmas to our community. Thank you for extending your heart, your care and the love of God to so many. Have a blessed, joyful Christmas!
Together we served: SAFE HARBOR - CHESTER COUNTY WOMEN'S SERVICES - SALVATION ARMY - BRIDGE OF HOPE - GOOD WORKS - CHESTER COUNTY YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES - WEST CHESTER FOOD CUPBOARD - SPECIAL OLYMPICS - COUNTY CORRECTIONS GOSPEL MISSION “Whatever you did for one of the least of these…you did for me”. Matt 25:40
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This has been a year of walking together. We are walking in Truth as we study God's Word, walking in Friendship as we connect and encourage one another, and walking in Service, extending God's love to our community. For the next two weeks we are putting on our workboots… We are stopping all ministry activities and gatherings to bring Christmas to our community, mobilizing over 500 women in hands on service with 10 organizations right here in Chester County. We are calling this Christmas from the Heart, going out in teams to serve in a wide range of efforts… sharing resources, stocking shelves, cleaning warehouses, filling a food pantry, helping with administrative work in local service offices, providing lunches, making baby blankets, packing duffle bags, stocking parenting supply closets, purchasing medical and pantry supplies, and buying Christmas presents for the children of all the incarcerated women in our county's prison system. Truly, our shoes will be workboots, filled with precious, willing feet, tender to the heart of this season, to sharing love in care and service. With such a variety of opportunities available, there is truly something for every one of us.
Questions? Want to get plugged in? Call Maureen at 610.324.1067 or Louann at 610.431.0300 x109. Download [PDF] flyer with service descriptions. |
| "Whatever you do for the least one of these, you do for Me." Matthew 25:40 We are busy preparing for Christmas From the Heart, In Randy Alcorn's book, The Treasure Principle, he challenges the reader to consider our abundance and how God intends His people to handle the money He entrusts to their stewardship. "God intends for us to invest it, in ever increasing proportions, for the expansion of His kingdom—not ours. God also intends for us to learn what it really means to trust Him, as He prompts and enables us to give "even when the bottom line says we can't."" This year let's be radical and purposeful. Let's let the overflow of God's love pour out from us to those less fortunate in our community. As Steven Curtis Chapman says in his familiar song Christmas it's all in the Heart, "It's in the love heaven gave, the night our Savior came and that same love can still be found wherever you are…'Cause Christmas is all in the heart, and the joy can still be found, wherever you are…" Let's make an impact on our community—for the sake of the gospel. Let's be women walking in service. DOWNLOAD a PDF description of service opportunities. Questions? email us. Sign ups begin this week.
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Karen Hicks shared with us a teaching on the History of Israel through a Biblical timeline, and we followed the footsteps of God's chosen people from the time of the Patriarch's through current day. We were amazed and blessed to learn more of our God's character through history… Elohim, Mighty Creator, El Shadday, God Almighty from whom all blessings flow, and Yahweh, Covenant Lord. Karen's teaching is something you don't want to miss—we were impressed by the depth of the thread we saw thru history, by the power of the words of prophets we see now in history. We are thankful for a God who draws us to Himself and a God we can know as Convenant Lord. We are humbled that He loves us with an 'everlasting love.' (Jer 31:3) TO DOWNLOAD [PDF] SLIDES OF THE TEACHING CLICK HERE TO BEGIN MP3 AUDIO FILE OF THE TEACHING CLICK HERE Another alternative to hear the teaching: you can view the teaching slides and recording of the History of Israel, right here onsite in the Chapel. Just contact Megan for a convenient time.
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As long as you are walking in TRUTH… We are anticipating all God has for us as we begin a new year of Come, bring a friend and join us as we walk together thru the circumstances of our lives with eyes on God's Word and hearts set for truth. All are welcome, ages 18-108!  Women's Bible Study meets weekly on Tuesday evenings, 7-9pm (Jr High Youth also available at this time), and Wednesday and Thursday mornings, 9:15-11:15am (infants-Kindergartners Kids Club available, plus Homeschool students on Wednesdays). Click HERE to download a description of the choices for study track and small groups. "We have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God." -Colossians 1:9b-10 |
Mark your calendar now for next Book Discussion night, 7pm in the Main Lobby: Click here to download our current Summer Reading List and more information about our Summer Book Club. Questions? Email Eve or call the women's ministry office, 610.431.0300 x109. We hope to see you this summer!
"A book is like a garden, carried in your pocket" - unknown author |
| This spring we are digging for wisdom. We are digging deep in God's Word for truth for each day… wherever life happens! Join us for our Spring Study which begins this week, a FREE, 3-week teaching study by Beth Moore from the book of Proverbs on wise living. We all need wisdom for the busy, chaotic demands of everyday life. As women, we are relationship oriented, and we set the tone in our homes and establish patterns in our families, the workplace, and in the community. Come and join us for great teaching on wisdom for living, wisdom for friendships and wisdom with words. God is going to grow us this spring! CLICK HERE to register. Study is offered three different times during the week:
There is no homework or cost [childcare is available for a nominal fee] for this study, but your registration helps us plan seating. Questions? Call 610.431.0300 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). |
| There are celebrations all around us… we see it in the brilliant colors of new growth and exploding vibrancy across the landscape. We hear it in the voices of birds and the sounds of garden sowers and lawn mowers. We are celebrating too! We're celebrating a year of study in the rich soil of God's Word. We're celebrating hearing from God and seeing Him move among us. We're celebrating growth. We're celebrating joy. Join us for our Spring Celebration Days, ALL women are welcome:
We'll enjoy a springtime buffet, worship, special music, friendship and connection. Come and hear from women as we share our stories. You will be inspired and encouraged. Bring a friend and celebrate with us. Questions? Call Louann at 610.431.0300 x109 or email [click here to email]. |
God calls us to relationships, to encourage one another in purposeful ways. Scripture is overflowing with examples of mentor relationships and spiritual friendships … Moses & Joshua, David and Jonathan, Elijah and Elisha, Naomi and Ruth, Paul and Timothy, Paul and Barnabus, Elizabeth and Mary, Jesus and the disciples! Can't make it to the workshop but want to know more about mentoring? Email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or click HERE to get more information. |
 The business of a new year is upon us...remember to allow for time to replenish yourself and be with friends. A gathering of girlfriends can be just what you need when your schedule gets hectic, and a fun theme for that gathering makes it even better. We have a new schedule for Girls Night Out for 2009 packed with themes ranging from marriage to tasty food sampling. I'm especially excited about the Girls Night Out we have planned on January 28th…Wisdom for Marriage. It's the perfect time of year to focus on our husbands - Valentine's Day is next month - and the panel of women coming to speak with us bring a wealth of knowledge and experience. Each of the women have a specific situation in their marriage that they are so gracious to share with us. One of these situations may be something that you are facing in your marriage. Come and hear what these wise women have to say. It should be a very special evening. If you've never been to a Girls Night Out before, it is an informal gathering of women who meet a someone's home for connection and friendship. Everyone is welcome and there is no need to RSVP. Feel free to bring a friend or two or three! Next month, we will be discussing The Shack by William P. Young. Join us for our Winter Book Club on February 25th. I hope to see you at Girls Night Out. If you have questions, comments or ideas for a future Girls Night Out, call me at 610.518.3852 or click to email. "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work; If one falls down, his friend can help him up…though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." - Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 |
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Events
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Are you feeling the cold? All women are welcome to join us on February 27th, for Snowflake Cafe, a morning of warmth and encouragement. 
Last week we were inspired and challenged to learn of a God who has shown himself throughout history to be a God of providence, protection, promise and blessing. 
Summer is here and we are having some terrific reading and some fabulous conversations! 
Pressures of household budgets, single parenting, aging parents, peer pressure, career questions, raising children, newly married… the role of a woman in today’s society is demanding, changing, and more confusing than ever. If ever there was a day in which the voices of godly women need to be heard, it is today.