Our aim this year is “ Going deeper with God; growing deeper with each other.” It’s only September and already we have had two great events for the ladies. We started the session with a Breakfast ably prepared and served by our men – Thank you! We then moved to the Minor Hall for a time of worship led by Sophie and it was amazing how her choice of pieces dove-tailed with what Gail Curry (Director of Baptist Women) was speaking on. She used the familiar miracle of the Feeding of the 5000 to encourage us all to use our gifts, however small we feel they are. There was a challenge from the Titus 2 principle of older women supporting younger women who face challenges with young families and can benefit from us getting alongside them to encourage, support – even practically by maybe offering to babysit and to pray specifically too – and this applies to us all, as everyone is older than someone else! Following this, several more ladies signed up for the Ladies Time Out – first overnighter which we had been planning for several months. Forty of us – a mixed bunch – headed off to The Moyallon Centre in the Portadown countryside to benefit from time out – from cooking, housework, kids, Saturday morning runabouts and to take time together as a group of ladies to worship, pray, relax but more importantly spending time studying God’s word. Christine Lamont very ably led our four sessions – the first starting at the beginning – “Be Holy as I am Holy” looking at God’s attributes and how we are called to be “set apart” and what this looks like. The next morning was “Women of the Word” – practically looking at ways to dig deeper into the Bible and the necessity of this. “The Word of God can be in the mind WITHOUT being in the heart, but it CANNOT be in the heart without first being in the mind.” – R.C Sproul Following a coffee break we then got into small groups to discuss and share together what prayer means to each of us and how, when where we do this. We can learn and support each other from being open and honest and realising we all face similar challenges. We then took time to pray together in the small groups which was special. We have all taken “a woman” home with us to continue to pray for! After lunch and a couple of hours free time when we went to Ballyduggan Pottery, the local Christian bookstore (enormous!) and for a walk – our final session was on “Women of Wisdom.” By then some were fading… but Christine led us to the story of Abigail from 1 Samuel 25.and lessons we can apply to our everyday lives. This was very helpful – look out for the interests of others, if you are out of order you need to apologise, being submissive to the bigger “God” picture, fearing the Lord and how it brought a new perspective to her relationship with her husband. Thanks to Sophie who led the worship – we learned a great Rend Collective piece as our theme called Boldly I approach – check it out – such lines as A Thousand years, a Thousand tongues are not enough to sing His praise! Thanks to Ruth who provided the evening entertainment – 4 very competitive teams facing one minute challenges! Thanks to David and Mark who took care of everything in the kitchen which was a real treat! I feel we have come home refreshed, inspired, encouraged and challenged – and are already thinking about the next one! (do we have to wait until next September??) What’s next? Thursday 1st October @ 8pm – Jude Law is coming to share with us. This will be evangelistic so think about who you could bring along. Saturday 17th October – Irish Women’s Convention (sold out) Thursday 5th November @ 8pm – Prayer, Praise & Promises – a time of worship,testimony, sharing and prayer. Saturday 14th November 10am-12noon in Mall -Coffee Morning – proceeds to Real Hope (Barbara Moisevici – Romania) Dessie Creelman will have a bookstall there. Thursday 6th December – Christmas Celebration (details to be confirmed) What else? 1st Tuesday of each month at 10am – Ladies Bible Study – led by Sandra Houston in Joan Wallace’s home. If you are free, why not join up? Prayer Clusters – several of our ladies meet together once a month or so in groups of 3 or 4 to pray and share together. If you would like to join a group or change your group, then please see one of the Committee as we would love to help link you up! These can be a real blessing and support to each other and that’s something we could all benefit from. If you have any ideas or suggestions for future events – please speak to one of us. “Now to HIM who is able to do IMMEASURABLY more than all we ask or imagine, according to His POWER that is at work within US” Eph. 3.20