Soup and Serve was a unique and different experience for our women. It did focus on fellowship or teaching. It focused on putting faith into action. Micah 6:8 says "...And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with our God." That verse puts the focus on not just walking with God but acting justly and loving mercy. We got to put that verse in action.
Women got the opportunity to shop at a marketplace that featured organizations that support getting women out of poverty, trafficking, and providing aftercare for trafficking. There were so many cool things there made by women around the world! If you would like to read more about these organizations you can check out Restore Innocence, Mavuno Market, Women at Risk, Women's Bean Project, and ALC Crafts.
Our lunch consisted of several soups, fruits, veggies, pumpkin muffins and many tasty desserts. The table favors had a wooden spoon with a few of the soup recipes! While we finished our lunch we got the opportunity to hear briefly about the organizations in the marketplace. There are so many more things to know about them. Yet, we tried to be as nonspecific as possible to respect the young ears in our audience. Please take time to check those links out if you want more information.
Just a few of the many people who helped with the food!
We then split up to do service projects and a seminar on fair trade.
Jill did a great job leading a seminar. Next time we need to allow more time for her to talk! It was such a broad topic and there were so many questions. Jill did a great job at presenting research yet conveying we all need grace on this issue. Unfortunately, not all the companies and corporations in this world follow the heart of Jesus. We live in a world full of imperfect people, including ourselves. Jill presented companies that do a great job in ethical business practices and some who do not. We all shop at the companies and may work at them. Remember that these companies do employ a lot of great people - many of whom are in our own congregation. The problem is not with them but we can be informed consumers and pray that the corporations change their business practices.
It takes a lot of research to find why corporations may get "bad grades." It may have to do with human trafficking and slavery which is what we in Women Ministries are passionate about. But there are other factors that we need to take into account. The grades are also based on how companies treat animals and the environment. The bottom line is that we need to be informed. We need to listen to the specific convictions God gives each of us and do our best to follow the convictions God has placed on our hearts.
We are never going to be perfect consumers. I have to admit that there are some things that I plan on changing but there are other things that I may decide not to change at the moment. It is a journey for all of us! For those of you that attended - thanks for being so active and engaged in the conversation! Seek God and pray for wisdom in this manner!
The service project went well! We had 38 blankets made for the foster kids that will go up to Royal Family Kids Camp. Many of our women also wrote encouraging letters. One such letter from a middle school girl conveyed that she would be praying that as they are wrapped up in this blanket that they would remember how much Jesus loves them!
It was a great event and we were thrilled so many of you were able to put your faith in action!
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