Women's Ministry
pam@cumberland.org
The 2009-2010 Women’s Ministry theme “Gifted to Serve” was beautifully explored throughout Convention. One of the first gifts unwrapped was by the Reverend Lisa Anderson, chaplain at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. She spoke about the ministries and the wonderful sense of HOPE within St. Jude. She shared a few personal stories, and talked about her gift of ministry and service as a chaplain. She and the Reverend Mark Brown, another St. Jude CP Chaplain conducted a tour of the hospital for about 60 women on Thursday morning. While being a tour director is not really in their job descriptions, they were able to put a very personal touch on the work of St. Jude and their role in that ministry of healing body and soul. Lisa returned to Convention later that day to speak once again, this time during the Luncheon. She invited luncheon participants to give generously to the work of St. Jude, which they did - $2,575.62! The Reverend Annetta Camp unwrapped the gift of teaching on Wednesday morning. She led the group of approximately 180 women in a provocative study of Spiritual Gifts [pdf version]. Giving several biblical references to about 13 different gifts, she gave the participants a lot of food for thought. A Spiritual Gifts Inventory was part of her presentation. For most women the Inventory confirmed what they suspected about themselves, but for a few it was certainly an “Aha” moment. The entire group was divided up into about eight smaller groups and given a task typical of a local church session and then asked to begin to solve that issue, keeping in mind their particular gifts or strengths. While no one group completely solved the issue at hand, it was certainly a gift to try! Click on the link above for an outline of her presentation. A truly serendipity gift was the Missionary Panel on Wednesday morning. Robert Watkins served as the panel moderator asking the missionaries a few questions about their own person gifts for their particular ministries. We learned that Delight Hopson (Uganda) has the gift of hospitality and encouragement and that her husband Kenneth has a growing and strengthening gift in teaching and leadership development. We discovered that Glenn Watts (Hong Kong) has a wonderful gift of insight and perseverance as a teacher of English. We celebrated with Anay in her gifts of evangelism and as she is just now beginning her ministry in Guatemala at the medical clinic. And we were moved by the gift of passion and joy as Peggy Jean Craig told of her work in Southeast Asia last year, a ministry that captured her heart and life. Other highlights include the gift of vision, portrayed by Jo Ann Alexander as she introduced us to Eva Hughes, the visionary woman who started the Perpetual Membership Endowment in 1924, when she placed $30 with the Board of Missions, so that her apportionment ($1.20) would be paid in perpetuity! Three Patron Memberships were presented during Convention this year: Two to Mary Lyn Childs – one by her mother, Doris Hunter and one by Missouri River Region. Don Tabor presented his wife, Cheryle with a membership as well. For those who are curious about Mrs. Hughes’ original contribution – as of December 31, 2008 the Perpetual Membership Endowment was $786,910.64. The Patron Membership Endowment was $624,490.13) for $1.4 million dollars. If you're interested in bestowing a membership upon someone, click on the link to find the appropriate forms. And all it took was one simple gift of $30 to get it started!! Thursday morning found many Convention participants getting their hands and hearts involved in practical ministry with off-site work trips to Memphis Theological Seminary (where they dusted, sorted and cleaned), Dress for Success, and St. Jude. Others exercised their minds and shared ideas in several focus groups at the hotel: Gift of Administration (led by Nancy Gordon); Gift of Servanthood (led by the Rev. Larry Bagby); and the Gift of Thrift (led by Liz Terrell) One last gift we opened at Convention was the Gift of Generosity. Peggy Jean Craig moved us all when she spoke during the closing worship on Wednesday about the Vision School in Southeast Asia. Using a moving video and speaking from her heart, she told about the work of Sarah and David Lee, their work of evangelism, and the hope that this offering will bring to hundreds of lives living in darkness and poverty. The offering collected at Convention totaled $6,280.91. Offering is still being sent in, so it is not too late to give to this important ministry. Make your checks payable to Missions Ministry Team and mailed to 82017 Traditional Place, Cordova, TN 38016-7414. The account number is #504-00-000. There is just too much to put in one article – Moments with Melody (Melody Dierking, Missouri River Region), Music and singing led by Margie Vanderlaan (North Central Region), the beautiful Convention Banner designed and created by Red River Region, the Drama and Sticks ministry from Holly Grove CP Church in Brighton, TN, denominational representatives, table displays, and Fair Trade Chocolate!!! Make sure you don’t miss Convention next year when we meet in Dickson, TN to celebrate 200 years of Cumberland Presbyterianism. You won’t regret it! Check out some of the helpful resources for the upcoming program year... Theme Scripture —
I Peter 4:10-11 (NIrV): Bible Studies (monologues) Available in both English and Spanish! |
Date Last Updated: October 12, 2009 |
8207 Traditional Place, Cordova, TN 38016-7414;
Phone: 901.276.9988; Fax: 901.276.4578
Webmaster: pam@cumberland.org