Thank You!

Thank you to all the churches who have registered so far!

Atkinson Faith
Colorado Springs Heritage
Colorado Springs Mountain View
Denver First
Fort Collins Foothills
Greeley
Naponee
Oshkosh
Red Cloud

If you haven't registered yet, it's not too late! See the post below for registration details.

Just thinking about...OUTREACH!

Just this morning I was reading an e-mail from a relative of mine who is a missionary in Papua New Guinea. She was describing an upcoming outreach event they were undertaking as follows:

Monday they took a bus to Lae on the coast and (hopefully) Wednesday boarded a boat bound for Oro Bay. After a night on the boat, they land and take a bus to Popendetta, another bus to the Afore district, and then walk 2 hours to a village to sleep. Besides Bibles, they took guitars, extra strings, lanterns, loud speakers, microphone, car battery, and ace bandages sent by some of you. They’ll spend 10 days walking in the Afore area, another 2 days in Popendetta on their way back, and then return. Our team has been praying that the Lord will bless their skits, songs, and sermons to His glory.

Can you imagine the passion they must have for their people to know God that they are willing to do all this just to have an opportunity to share? I must admit…I was convicted.

As women's ministry leaders, many of us are in the middle of planning outreach events for our women, and encouraging them to invite their co-workers, friends, neighbors and relatives. I know that it is sometimes discouraging if women within our ministries don't take advantage of these opportunities for outreach that we leaders work so hard to provide. But my encouragement to you today is not to give up. Your next outreach event may just be the open door that will eventually change a woman's eternity! (And most of us won't have had to walk for 10 days carrying a car battery to make the event happen!)

Have a blessed day!
Dawn

Just thinking about...CHANGE!

It seems that life is always full of changes, but sometimes we come to those seasons of life where many big changes come all at once and we just have to hang on for the ride! This year seems to be one of those years for me. I never dreamed that God would call me to begin pastoring a small church in Fort Collins. In addition to new personal responsibilities, a new home, a new community and a new school for my son, my daughter left yesterday for her first year of college—in Indiana! Although all these things are good things and very much directed by God, they are all big changes nonetheless. I am so glad that in the middle of chaotic-feeling seasons we can hold the hand of our God who never changes! God’s word assures us that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” This also means that the promises we find in His Word are just as true today as the day they were spoken or written. They never change or expire!

I am aware that many of you have gone through or are going through big changes in your life that may not be as positive or as pleasant as my big changes. Give yourself permission to grieve and keep your hand tightly in the hand of our very big God who never changes by hanging on to one or more of His promises!

Now it’s your turn. What is a promise you are hanging on to today in the middle of your ever-changing life? Encourage your sisters in the Lord today by sharing your promise. Be assured of my care and concern for you. You are loved!

Dawn

Note: Some of you may be confused about my new responsibilities and how they fit with my position at Greeley Wesleyan. At GWC I am employed part-time as Director of Women’s Ministries. My remaining time is spent as solo pastor of Foothills Wesleyan Church, a small congregation going through a re-focus process to help us reach the people in northwest Fort Collins with the good news that God loves them! I appreciate your prayers as I endeavor to balance these two areas of ministry.

Kickoff Ideas from Oshkosh!

Vonnie Lutz shares the following kickoff ideas...thanks Vonnie!

During the summer, our women's leadership team meets for a "marathon" meeting. This can last up to 6 hours so we set aside an entire day, an evening & morning (with a fun sleepover), or one very long evening meeting. By the end of this meeting, we've set a tentative schedule for at least 8 monthly outreach events (OASIS-like), monthly leadership team meetings, selected offering projects for each month, planned our annual Craft Show fundraiser, and planned the kick off event (usually held in August) in detail. Of course, we also have lots of fun and brainstorming along the way -- and good food!

The key to helping us carry out all of our plans, though, is to assign two team members to each event. (We pair inexperienced members with more experienced ones.) The pair is responsible for researching ideas for their event, including theme, decorations, food, program, helpers, etc. They present one or two suggestions to the rest of the team at the leadership team meeting prior to their event. Then the rest of the team helps to "flesh out" the ideas and shares responsibilities to carry it out. Having the ideas at the beginning of the meeting really helps to save planning time for the team. It also gives everyone a chance to suggest ideas they would like.

These photos were taken at a western-themed event we hosted called "Spur One Another On." A local gal does a hilarious impersonation of Dolly Parton and was a sensation! We had also included a time of line dancing to Christian music, races on stick horses, and a western barbecue. Of course, we also included a short devotional on Hebrews 10:24. Cowboy boots, saddles, etc. were used as decorations and women were encouraged to wear their western outfits. Great fun!!

Automatic Blog Update Notification

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Don't Forget to Register!

Each local church is encouraged to register with the Wesleyan Women office. You registration fee of only $75 provides you with a terrific resource manual which includes new programs, outreach ideas and many other resources, as well as providing support for our General Wesleyan Women organization. You may register online at www.wesleyan.org/women.

District Women Support "Change for Children" Project

This year our "Change for Children" offering will help supplement teacher's salaries in rural Liberia. These salaries help keep schools open that World Hope has built and that children from the child sponsorship program attend. These offerings can be sent to our District WW Treasurer, Lita Lauber. We would also like to hear about the creative ways your church uses to collect this special offering!

Naponee and Red Cloud Host Fall Nebraska Wesleyan Women's Retreat

The Nebraska Wesleyan Women's Retreat will be held October 17-19, 2008, at the Holiday Inn Express in North Platte, NE. The retreat will feature guest speaker Joanne Wallace, as well as praise and worship by the Wagner Family from Red Cloud, NE. Registration is due by October 5. Questions regarding registration can be directed to Dawn Hartel at 970-330-3600.

GWC Teams help with Memory Book Project

Two teams of women from Greeley Wesleyan Church visited South Africa to help with the Memory Book Project. The first team, led by Sue Budensiek, went in June and the second team, led by Dawn Hartel, went in July. Both teams help people who are living with HIV/AIDS find hope and healing by telling their stories using pictures and journaling, along with lots of stickers! The first team worked with individuals who were dealing with late stages of the disease. The second team worked with young and middle-aged moms who have received the diagnosis but are receiving treatment, as well as grandmothers who are caregivers for their grandchildren due to the loss of their parents from the disease. As a result of this project, some began a personal relationship with Christ, and others were overjoyed and received much encouragement from having someone sit next to them, listen and help them record their stories. For many, the book they created becomes their only legal document stating their last wishes.

The two teams thank the many people who were praying for them during their trip, as well as supporting them during their many fundraising efforts this past year. As with most every mission trip the ladies felt blessed beyond anything they had to offer to others, but are thankful for the opportunity to share God's love in this part of the world in support of this very special project.