newsletter

September 2012

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resourcing women of the cbwc

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“Tend  and  Befriend”  http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2000/05/000522082151.htm    

 

A  UCLA  study  noticed  that  when  men  feel  stressed,  they  tend  to  isolate  themselves  (the  man-­‐cave  syndrome!)  where  women  are  more  likely  to  gather  with  other  women  or  draw  close  to  their  children.  As  most  studies  on  stress  used  men  as  subjects,  it  was  assumed  that  “fight  or  flight”  were  the  key  responses  to  stressful  situations.    It  wasn’t  until  more  women  were  included  in  studies  that  “tend  and  befriend”  was  recognized  as  a  beneficial  coping  strategy  with  actual  chemical/biological  benefits.    When  we  feel  overly  busy  and  pulled  in  many  directions,  the  idea  of  attending  a  retreat  or  taking  time  to  join  a  women’s  gathering  or  Bible  study  at  church  doesn’t  seem  that  appealing.      Yet,  when  we  do  take  the  time  to  gather  and  especially  to  laugh  as  well  as  share  together,  our  stress  levels  decrease  and  the  weekly  tasks  ahead  become  much  more  manageable.    Connecting  with  other  women  is  definitely  good  for  our  health  and  state  of  “shalom”  or  wholeness.        As  loneliness  and  isolation  continue  to  be  issues  facing  women  in  North  America  while  we  struggle  to  meet  the  demands  of  home,  work,  community  and  church,  it  is  important  to  remember  that  it  may  not  be  so  much  what  we  do  together  when  we  gather,  but  the  fact  that  we  are  together  and  that  can  make  a  difference.  

Baptist  Women’s  World  Day  of  Prayer  –  November  5    

This  year’s  theme  is  “In  Step  with  the  Spirit  through  Joy”  and  the  focus  will  be  on  the  Asian  Continental  Union.    The  resources  available  to  plan  your  day  of  prayer  are  excellent  and  can  be  found  at  www.bwawd.org  or  in  the  latest  issue  of  Tie  Magazine  found  at  www.nabwu.org.    You  could  make  a  day  retreat  out  of  the  material  or  a  special  gathering  for  the  women  of  your  church.    If  you  cannot  gather  on  Monday,  November  5th,  then  pick  another  day.    It  is  also  good  to  try  to  connect  with  other  Baptist  churches  within  and  beyond  the  CBWC  to  enlarge  the  circle  of  support  for  our  global  Christian  sisters.    There  are  Bible  studies,  prayer  guides  and  testimonials  all  easily  accessible  for  the  planning  of  a  successful  event  and  your  offerings  can  make  a  difference  in  the  ministry  of  women  in  our  Asian  continent.    Another  great  way  to  connect!    A  Way  to  Make  a  Difference  R.E.E.D    Postcard  Campaign      Tell your elected officials that you want to see prostitution treated as a form of violence against women. Gather your community group, church circle, book club, class, etc. and fill out the postcards together. It's a great way to learn and take a step towards collective action! To order postcards contact info@embracedignity.org. For  more  information  check  their  website  :www.embracedignity.org  (Michelle  Miller  works  with  R.E.E.D  and  is  part  of  our  CBWC  family)      

FOCUS  is  written  by  Faye  Reynolds  for  Women  in  Focus  of  the  CBWC.    Check  out  our  website  at  www.womeninfocus.org  Director:  Faye  Reynolds,  freynolds@cbwc.ca   (403)  381-­‐2925    President:  Sandi  Smoker,  sandi.lee.smoker@gmail.com  (250)  245-­‐5092  Project  funds  should  be  sent  Attention:  Julia  Hamilton  at  the  CBWC  office.  Make  cheques  payable  to  CBWC  and  clearly  designate  the  WIF  project  intended.    CBWC:    Suite  1100,  550—11th  Ave  SW  Calgary,  AB  T2R  1M7   Friendship Outreach Character Unity Service

Productivity  verses  Relational  Wholeness    

A  recent  Barna  Group  study  looked  at  the  general  factors  that  bring  women  joy  and  satisfaction,  especially  in  the  area  of  spirituality.  In  asking  about  areas  of  sin  and  struggle,  the  traditional  “seven  deadly  sins”  of  Christianity  were  not  high  on  women’s  radar.    Rather  than  envy,  lust  or  gluttony,  women  identified  disorganization  and  inefficiency  as  their  greatest  personal  struggles.  

What  does  this  say  about  our  spiritual  walk?    Is  God  calling  us  to  be  highly  effective  and  efficient  in  our  life  with  Him?    I’m  having  trouble  finding  the  Bible  verse  to  support  this  priority  or  calling!    Perhaps  one  of  the  reasons  that  we  have  trouble  taking  time  away  is  that  it  doesn’t  seem  the  best  use  of  time  to  accomplish  great  things.    

The  Barna  study  also  revealed  that  any  disappointment  women  experience  in  life  is  centered  on  relational  failure,  not  financial,  moral  or  ethical  failure.    Is  there  some  disconnect  between  our  need  for  relationships  and  the  belief  that  we  must  be  productive?    Do  the  two  compete  and  leave  us  feeling  frustrated  and  torn?    

Perhaps  this  is  why  Jesus  affirmed  Mary  taking  the  time  to  sit  at  his  feet  and  listen  while  scolding  Martha  for  running  around  in  her  productive,  efficient  way.    Yes,  there  are  things  that  need  to  be  done,  but  at  what  cost  when  the  very  Source  of  peace  and  joy  is  present  and  inviting  us  to  sit  at  His  feet?    Retreats  may  not  be  everyone’s  cup  of  tea,  but  if  it  is  just  time  holding  you  back,  consider  if  this  might  not  be  just  what  you  need.  

Regional  Retreats  for  a  day  or  a  weekend:    BC-­‐Yukon  Autumn  Celebration:    Saturday,  September  29th  at  White  Rock  Baptist  Church:    9:30  am  –  3:00  pm.    Theme:    “Packing  your  Suitcase  for  Life’s  Journey”  with  speaker  Brenda  Pue  from  Arrow  Leadership.  Brenda  uses  humour  and  stories  to  lead  us  all  into  thinking  about  the  things  we  need  to  “pack”  in  order  to  leave  a  godly  legacy.      

Alberta  Fall  Retreat:    October  12  –  14th  in  Canmore  Alberta.    “Crowned  with  Beauty”  is  the  theme  and  the  speaker  is  Regine  King  (a  very  royal  name!)  who  is  a  survivor  of  the  holocaust  in  Rwanda.    You  will  find  her  story  incredible  and  won’t  want  to  miss  this  beautiful  time  of  worship,  sharing  and  healthy  laugher  together.    Registration  limited  to  120.    

Saskatchewan  Connection  ’12:    October  17  –  19,  2012  at  Arlington  Beach  Camp  and  Conference  Center.    The  theme  this  year  is  “One  Good  Thing”  based  on  Mary  and  Martha.    The  speaker  is  Jaqueline  Almeida  of  Speaking  You  Consulting.    Jacqueline  is  all  about  helping  people  that  are  going  through  difficult    or  unforeseen  circumstances  and  who  recognize  their  need  for  healing,    and  to  shift  perspectives  to  begin  again.    All  registration  forms  and  more  information  are  available  on  our  website  at  www.womeninfocus.org.    We  also  have  a  new  Bible  study  available,  Seven  Meditations  on  Creation  for  your  small  group  ministries.    The  material  is  based  on  the  time  we  spent  together  in  Canmore  and  has  been  adapted  for  the  local  church  setting.    UPDATE  on  Pingping  Ren:      Canadian  Baptist  Women  supports  one  foreign  student  who  shows  great  potential  in  mission  and  ministry  in  her  native  country.    Pingping  from  China  is  going  into  her  third  year  of  studies  at  Crandall  University  in  Moncton.    She  had  a  great  summer  helping  the  women  of  Ontario  and  Quebec  in  a  variety  of  programs  from  VBS  to  SPARC  programs  as  well  as  their  two  week  mission  venture  to  Misstissini,  Quebec.    She  has  been  a  great  asset  to  their  ministries  and  now  excited  to  return  to  her  studies.    Thank  you  BCY  women  for  your  support  on  behalf  of  Women  in  Focus.    Pingping  continues  to  be  a  blessing  to  all  who  meet  her.