Women in the Church meeting

September 16, 2006

At the home of Sandra Brino, Southington

Welcome to start of our second year in the Women in the Church (WIC) ministry!  We began by going around the circle and introducing ourselves as there were some new faces. 

Review of the offices and ministry areas of WIC for 2006-2007.  Please see the full descriptions on the church website, www.christcpc.org.  Go to the Women in the Church section (button on bar at left), then go to Resources/Description of WIC offices.

Ø President:  co-chaired by Amy Sumner and Sandra Brino

Ø Vice President:  this position is open.  It is a 2 year position, moving into the President role in the second year.

Ø Treasurer:  Judy Schultz

Ø Spiritual Life Chair:  co-chaired by Fran Smith and Wini Baker

Ø Event Planning:  this position is open.  The church has activities coming in October with World Missions events as well as events around the holidays.  The woman in this role will coordinate the people who will help with set-up and clean-up for events.

Ø Communion set up:  chaired by Cara Smith; there may be a regular monthly Sunday open for a family to help with set-up.

Ø Women Connecting to Women:  chaired by Jennifer Weston. 

The Session and WIC are very excited about the Women Connecting to Women (WCW) role.  Jennifer will be the contact person for the church when needs are identified which should be responded to.  Examples include providing support to new parents, to those who are having surgery or have an extended illness; encouraging visitation of shut-ins; acting as a liaison to connect visitors and new members with others who share the same interests. 

The PresWIC Annual Women’s Retreat is September 29^th and 30^th.  It promises to be a wonderful time of refreshment and renewal.  If you are going and would like to carpool, please let Sandra or Amy know.

Review of the calendar for the year in WIC.

            September:  gathering held at Sandra Brino’s home on the 16^th

            October:  no meeting as there are many activities with the World Missions Focus for the month

            November:  planned for Saturday the 4^th, place to be determined

            December:  no meeting as there are often many holiday activities

            January:  planned for Saturday the 13^th, place to be determined

            February:  planned for Saturday the 10^th, place to be determined

            March:  Saturday the 10^th with a potential trip to Magic Wings Butterfly Farm in MA.

            April:  no meeting – please plan to attend the PresWIC luncheon instead

            May:  planned for the 12^th, possibly a Mother-Daughter Tea

            June:  tentatively planned for Saturday the 2^nd as later weekends may interfere with school

graduation and end of year activities

Discussion of possible activities for WIC, both as meetings as well as in service to one another and the community:

Ø Conducting a gifts or skills inventory.  Examples:  scrapbooking, stamping, gardening, cooking/baking, musical gifts, computer skills (technology help as well as programs such as excel, word, photo programs), sewing, evangelism, visiting, giving rides, etc.  Utilizing these gifts and interests to serve one another in the church.

Ø Service to agencies such as The Open Hearth in Hartford where Mike Woolworth is director or Birthright in Newington.  Possible ideas included putting together toiletry bags, volunteering at a soup kitchen, painting or decorating.

Ø Aid for Artisans:  Roksolana Luchkan works for this group and they often need volunteers, particularly for their holiday sale of third world artisans’ works (in November).

Ø Cooking Co-op:  Carolyn Boulay suggested a group cooking event where everyone shares in the cooking and all go home with meals prepared for freezing or enjoying.

Ø Shared Load:  would you be willing to help someone from church tackle a few projects that seem overwhelming alone?  Think of stripping wallpaper, organizing that overflowing closet, a small painting project, making simple home décor items (pillow covers, simple curtains, recovering chair cushions)…  Tasks are always more pleasant when you have a companion to help!

Ø Butterfly Conservatory:  Magic Wings in Deerfield, MA offers the chance to see magnificent butterflies from around the world, even to have one land on your shoulder!  A WIC day trip in March may be to visit Magic Wings, have lunch together and visit Yankee Candle before returning home.

The meeting ended by encouraging the women to consider what each would like WIC to be.  WIC is for the women of the church and the leadership welcomes all suggestions for improvement, activities or other ways to serve one another.