Word from Cheryl Meakins About This Year's Theme

Proverbs 4:23 - "Above all else, Guard your heart for out of it is the wellspring of life."

Our theme for Arvada Covenant Women Ministries is "Guard Your Heart". You and I both know that relationships can be difficult to navigate, including your relationship with Christ. Stuff happens in life and we get hurt, by our friends, our family, and sometimes God. It is interesting that through this proverb God exhorts you to guard you heart, yet what goes unstated is that you are not to be guarded in your heart. Pain often leaves you with a reflex to guard against further pain. However, God wants you to wash the pain with His Spirit to cleanse your soul so you can always remain unguarded while you seek to guard. We look forward to a great year in Women Ministries as we learn together how to guard without becoming guarded.

God Bless,
Cheryl Meakins, Women Ministries Chair

Ice Cream Social

Our first event of the 2009-2010 year was an ice cream social to share about the direction of Women Ministries in our church. We are excited about the new changes to the ministry and were able to share that vision with close to 30 women! There is a growing curiosity about the role of Women Ministries in our church and the commitment we have to expanding our ministry and Leadership Teams. Besides hearing about the ministry, it was a great way to meet new women and fellowship while eating ice cream!

Look at our lovely table decorations courtesy of Linda Pelon. You'd never know she only spend $9 total!

Linda putting the final touches on the tables:

Cheryl Meakins sharing about our vision for Women Ministries:

Kinsey Ringenberg sharing about our various Women Ministry Team and our upcoming events:

Merry Whyman coordinated our food for this event and shared about her team, Hospitality.

Barb Hardison sharing about her Activities Team:

Jen Davidson sharing about the Women Entrepreneurial Group:Enjoying the Ice Cream:

Haven Powell came for the ice cream!Dottie House, Sherry Nagel, and Jen Davidson:

This was a great way to kick off the 2009-2010 year for Women Ministries! Thanks to everyone who came to hear about our vision. We look forward to incorporating new women in our ministry!

Steering Committee Planning Retreat

Every summer the Steering Committee of Women Ministries has a planning retreat to set the vision of the ministry for the year. This is an opportunity for us to connect as a team and to brainstorm new ways that we can reach the women of our church and community. We enjoyed the opportunity to spend two days at Julie Anderson's cabin near Twin Lakes. The first day we were able to settle in and do a hike before we started planning.

Linda P. and Cheryl are pictured here:
Linda T., Julie, Cheryl, and Sherry:
Cheryl, Linda T., Linda P., Julie, Kinsey, Sherry, and Barb:
Somehow, the least experienced cook of the group, Kinsey, got the privilege of planning meals. She is happy to report her meals did not induce any food poisoning.
Cheryl and Kinsey in the kitchen:

Merry was unable to be with us this weekend as she was recovering from an illness, but sent an amazing casserole for breakfast. It may be the casserole that we choose to use at our Advent Brunch this year! Be glad Merry is in charge of this and not Kinsey!

Enjoying Merry's caserole for breakfast:

Group picture before we leave:

From these pictures you may wonder if we ever got any work done. We'll never tell!

Looking forward to what the 09-10 year holds for Women Ministries!!