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South
German Union Holds Retreat (EUD)
Women’s
Ministries Retreat in Germany
July 23 to 26, 2004
A major retreat
organized by the Women’s Ministries Department of the South
German Union was held at the medieval castle Wernfels in Bavaria
under the Motto “Hold on to Your Joy.” The castle was
filled to capacity with more than 220 participants and the retreat
became even an international meeting.
Apart from the
women from the conferences of the South German Union participants
came from Austria, Switzerland and the North German Union. There
was even a delegation of ladies from Croatia and Slovenia and a
participant from Sicily.
Noelle Vitry
and Heather-Dawn SMall stand with union and conference WM directors
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Our
main speaker, Heather-Dawn Small, associate director of WM
at the GC, was welcomed enthusiastically. Noelle Vitry, WM
director of the EUD, was also present as was the South German
Union President, Günther Machel and his wife Monika.
The respective interpreters Marion Graser and Annette Wagner
and our technical assistant Alex de Jong were just as important
for the success of the meetings.
The retreat
began on the Friday night with a motto song “Hold on
to your Joy” composed and written by Roland Graser.
Heather-Dawn Small’s introduction to the theme “Don‘t
let anybody steal your joy” opened our minds to the
importance of joy in our lives. As the holy hours of the Sabbath
began we were reminded of a special way of greeting the Sabbath. |
On Sabbath morning
we enjoyed music and dialogues concerning friendship among women.
A team of young ladies from Reutlingen led by Veronika Schulz had
prepared a programme that touched our hearts.
Then it was
time to present our new devotional book “Moments of Joy.”
Gerd-Laila Walter and Hannele Ottschofski told us how this book
had come to be. 85 German-speaking authors had contributed 217 devotionals
and the rest were translated from the GC WM devotional books. Almost
1000 copies passed hands to the women during the retreat.
In her sermon
“Be prepared for the Joy Stealer” Heather-Dawn Small
reminded us to give our lives to God. In the afternoon Claudia de
Jong interviewed representatives of the WM projects for women in
different countries. Erich Lischek from ADRA Germany and Christa
Hang-Lüdke told about what is being done for the women of Afghanistan.
Marion Pichler reported of the work for the Afro-Indians by ADRA
Austria. Conchetta Caruso told about the beginnings of WM in Sicily
and Nadja Djidira reported on WM in the Adriatic Union.
Romemarie
Müller represented the women who had formed an evangelistic
team with Global Evangelism in Romania. She told about the
wonders she had experienced which made it possible for her
to be part of this project. The team of 9 women with one male
supporter held 6 evangelistic campaigns in Romania and came
back full of enthusiasm.
Gerti
Weck reported on the evangelistic meetings held in Coburg,
northern Bavaria. A small church with mostly older members
were thrilled to welcome an average of 15 guests to each meeting.
Maybe other churches will be encouraged to try evangelism
themselves. The afternoon ended with an appeal by Claudia
de Jong to serve God with all our gifts.
In the
evening we had again the joy of hearing Heather-Dawn Small’s
presentation of the “Back-up Plan”. We laughed
and cried alternately during her talks. Jesus Christ has not
promised us a calm crossing, only a safe landing. |
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Participants
at the Women's Ministries Retreat
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Sunday morning
began with physical exercise and a devotional with Noelle Vitry.
Then women in leadership positions were acknowledged for the work
they had done and new leaders introduced. The morning closed with
another presentation “Bringing back your joy.”
On Sunday afternoon
the participants could choose between 7 different workshops. In
the evening we were impressed by the testimonies of many women who
told of their varied experiences with God and his church. On Monday
morning Vera Syring reminded us in her devotional to let our light
shine and we all had the opportunity of lighting our own little
candle.
Many women shared
their musical talents with us so that the whole retreat was a wonderful
experience for our ears, hearts and minds.
The closing
theme “Joy for the Journey” encouraged us to trust in
God and to present to Him all our problems, to praise and thank
Him.
We hope to see
many of these women again at the next international retreat in 2006.
Ingrid
Naumann
WM director, South Germany Union
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