Welcome to our website for Women Ministries of the Central Conference!
SPRING CELEBRATION 2012 REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
Check your email inbox for the registration letter or email us to get your name added to our list.
To register on-line or download and print Spring Celebration 2012 Registration materials click on the WHATZ NEW link above.
We can now be reached directly by email at wmccares10[at]gmail.com. Please let us know how we can be of assistance in your church or with your connections across your District or the Conference.
Check out all the links and information on our site to become familiar with not only the VISION and MISSION of Women Ministries of the Central Conference, but also of the Evangelical Covenant Church. If you take your time to browse, you will find many resources which can equip you and the women of your church to GROW, SERVE and REACH OUT with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Welcome! Bienvenidos!
PLEASE CONSIDER SUPPORT
FOR OUR MINISTRIES !
Dear friends,
As the Advent season begins, I greet you in the name of Jesus. It is such a blessing to work with women with a faith connection. Thank you for the many ways you have encouraged me and our Central Conference Leadership Team over this past year. It has been a joy to serve you. Please always keep in mind that we are here to serve you. If you have any questions or joys! or frustrations, please do be in touch with us. You can always reach someone using our email: wmccares10 [at] gmail.com.
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN for Spring Celebration 2012, which takes place at Hillcrest Covenant Church in DeKalb, IL, on Friday and Saturday, March 16-17. It's so exciting to see the way this event has grown and changed! Women Ministries of the Covenant Executive Minister, Meagan Gillan will be bringing the word God has placed upon her heart, "The Secret to Real Refreshment" on Saturday, and classically trained flutist, Jillian Yu, will serve as worship leader (as they say ... back by popular demand following their 2012 participation).
In September at Covenant Harbor, we found renewal with the retreat theme "Let's Go There!" Toni Schwabe proved both wise and vulnerable as she used her own precious stories and solid scripture from the book of Nehemiah to bring us encouragement for our faith journeys. Women returned home equipped, renewed or some ~ transformed by God. The women of the Western Illinois District did a wonderful job of hospitality, thier retreat committee having done an outstanding job! The staff at Covenant Harbor was amazing in meeting our every need, even with some rain keeping the golf carts rolling hour by hour. Planning is already underway fo fall 2012, where Rev. Janine Davis of Detroit, MI, will bring our retreat message and vocalist, Kristy Wenberg, will serve as worship leader. All the details of the 2012 retreat will be available at Spring celebration 2012, March 16-17, in DeKalb. so make a plan to be with us. You will find registration materials and promotionals within this website or request them at wmccares10 [at] gmail.com.
Praying you are able to be drawn ever closer to Christ during this season of Advent,
and ready to allow Him to fully impact your heart,
Ann Richards
* Human trafficking is growing every year
* 600,000 - 800,000 people are trafficked across international borders each year.
* 80% are women
* 60% are minors
* The majority are enslaved in the sex trade
* You can help!
Greetings from our President
Report on the 2010 Walk to "Break the Chains"
Men, women and children participated in the 26 mile walk. The fund raiser was a huge success!
Many families came out to walk. Some walked 5 miles, some 15 miles and one 80 year old man
walked the whole 26 miles around beautiful Lake Geneva at Covenant Harbor Bible Camp in Lake
Geneva , WI . Sponsored by Women Ministries of the Central Conference, this walk was intended
to raise our consciousness about human trafficking, as well as bring in some necessary support
monies for New Day for Children, a home for rescue and healing of girls freed from sexual slavery.
At least 12 walkers raised $600 in entry fees alone.
There were signs erected along the path with balloons in the breeze to attract the attention of regular
groups of path walkers. One woman actually came back to ask how she could walk for
"Break the Chains." Others slowed down on the path to read the facts about human trafficking,
so lots of information was disseminated.
Brenda Myers-Powell, Co Founder and Chief Operation Officer of the "Dream Catcher" Foundation
of Chicago, herself a former prostitute, from an early age and an intervention specialist with the Chicago Police Department spoke about the desperate need for recovery shelters for the girls 10-17 years old. There are almost none in the area at all!
That was the main focus of the Break the Chains initiative for funding for "The New Day for Children" located in southern California. Brenda touched their hearts with her story of how she prayed to the Lord to send an angel who'd rescue her and care for her. And how certain individuals, first a doctor and them some women assisted her at the shelter showing her love and acceptance and carried her along to wholeness in Christ.
Churches are encouraged to take time during worship or Sunday School to view the "Break the Chains" video available from the denomination so that our congregations are aware of this terrible criminal circumstance. Our youth need to be aware of how to be safe. Let's be educated about what is being done to rescue these young girls, and play our part.
Dear friends,
It's a really exciting time now as registrations are beginning to roll in for Spring Celebration 2012, which takes place at Hillcrest Covenant Church in DeKalb, IL, on Friday and Saturday, March 16-17. It's wonderful to see the way this event has grown and changed! Women Ministries of the Covenant Executive Minister, Meagan Gillan will be bringing the word God has placed upon her heart, "The Secret to Real Refreshment" on Saturday, and classically trained flutist, Jillian Yu, will serve as worship leader , with her worship team from 2010 ... as they say, "..back by popular demand following their 2010 participation! Will some women be with us from YOUR church? We sure do hope that's possible. This year's break-out sessions include some really rich presentations by outstanding Women Ministries leaders, clergywomen, NPU grads and missionaries. Please click on the link above to obtain or even download all the details and registration information of this mid-March event.
At the same time as women are registering for Spring Celebration 2012, the women of the Western Illinois District are already meeting monthly to plan this fall's retreats at Covenant Harbor! Themes are being developed and logos dreamed up while workshops are being developed and leaders contacted. It is a God-led ministry of equipping and encouragement. Rev. Janine Davis of Detroit, MI, who will bring our retreat message is working on her travel plans, and vocalist, Kristy Wenberg, our worship leader is beginning to pull her team of musicians together. ALL the details of the 2012 retreat will be available at Spring celebration 2012, March 16-17, in DeKalb so make a plan to be with us. You will find registration materials and promotionals within this website or request them at wmccares10[at]gmail.com during late March 2012.
The 5-state area which makes up Central Conference is rich with women of faith and it is such a blessing to work with women with a faith connection. Thank you for the many ways you have encouraged our Central Conference Leadership Team over this past year. Please always keep in mind that we are here to serve you. If you have any questions or joys! or frustrations, please do be in touch with us. You can always reach someone using our email: wmccares10[at]gmail.com.
Spring Celebration is also a time of transition as my 3-year term is coming to a close and our President-Elect, Thelma Lawson, will be stepping up into the President's seat, so to speak. Thelma will begin her 3-year term on March 17th with her consecration into service. She will bring her own giftedness and deep faith to lead the Central Conference women and I am filled with anticipation to watch what God will do through her during that time. It will be special ~ of that I'm sure.
Ann Richards
Batavia Covenant Church, IL
Raise funds for New Day for Children, a new shelter providing housing and counseling care to young girls
rescued from sex trafficking in North America.
From the Desk of our President
