Latest News

Member, Elder-Nominee to Travel to Bosnia
May 31--Dorothy Brownlee has been accepted into the Woman-to-Woman program and will travel to Bosnia later this year. Woman-to-Woman responds to the call for church women to experience solidarity with one another, to affirm the unity of the church in Jesus Christ and to join the common struggle for justice and peace in the world today.

Woman-to-Woman is sponsored by the International Disciples Women's Ministries and administered through the Office of Disciples Women.  First Christian Church will be supporting Dorothy as she departs on this important mission trip by helping to raise funds. Click here for more information about the Woman-to-Woman Ministry.

Women at the Well Begins Work Toward Prayer Shawl Ministry

Women at the Well, under the PATIENT and capable tutelage of Dorothy Brownlee and Charl Kappel have begun to develop their crocheting and knitting talents in order to produce prayer shawls and scarves for others. Our next meeting will be December 12 at Wendy Barbeau�s. We will continue our knitting and crocheting extravaganza (beginner�s warmly welcomed). And we will enjoy our Christmas party. If you want to know what to bring food wise, call Wendy at 277-4509. For recommendations on crochet hook or knitting needle sizes and yarn call Dorothy at 845-6909.

Report from the 2006 Women's Retreat

On September 8, nineteen women from our church traveled to Ripley, WV to attend the Spiritual Life Retreat of Disciple Women.  Instead of having on main speakers as in the past; we had several who spoke on the theme �Echoes, Whispers, and Shouts.�  Our own Maggie gave the books study on The Red Tent as part of the program. Dorothy Brownlee gave a skit each session as Gladys B. Tidings which was quite entertaining.  Our church was in charge of the prayer rooms ,and Julie Leath planned the rooms to reflect the theme of The Red Tent.                         

The Friday evening session opened with the parade of churches following a large cross.  Each church carried in a symbol of their church.  We carried in a wooden cross and a tool belt (John Cole�s) emphasizing that by the Light of Christ, we are a building, growing church.  We also carried in the dolls and bears for our service project. These items were on display throughout the retreat. 

There was lots of singing, listening to the Word, praying and studying throughout the retreat.  At night we had devotions ins and lodge.  Retreat is a very inspiring time and also lots of Fellowship, fun and laughter.  On Saturday afternoon, several workshops were available (Maggie and Andrea Brownlee conducted one) as well as the Region�s labyrinth, opportunities to walk, visit with friends, go to the Soul Caf�, browse the book store, pray, or rest.

One special thing happened this year.  Last year our service project was to collect personal care items to be sent to the troops overseas from WV.  One of the units that received our gifts sent the Region an American flag that flew over their station in Iraq.  The flag was passed from person to person at retreat so that we could hold it and pray for those service people.  It was very meaningful.         

Our service project this year was to collect bears and dolls for children who have been abused. These items�(36 garbage bags full of them!) were distributed around the state to agencies that help abused children such as police departments, sexual assault help centers, and other agencies.                     

There were 181 registered for retreat and 170 in attendance.  The Blessing Box offering of $3,635.86�our church contributing $553�and the World Hunger offering was $989.85.  Thanks to all who had a part in these offerings.                

Retreat is a wonderful experience and we wish more of you could come.   We hope we have aroused your curiosity! Respectfully submitted by Jean Sharp

Women Meet Next Week

August 3--The three women's circles will meet next week.  The New Eves meet Monday, August 7 at 6:30 p.m. at the home of Pat Snodgrass, the Rebecca circle meets at 10:30 a.m. in the church fellowship hall, and the new younger women's circle, as yet unnamed, will meet at the home of Sharon Pajak. For more information, call 304-242-1520.

Women Head to Mix in '06

June 20--Julie Leath and Rev. Maggie Sebastian leave for the Mix in '06 Women's event in Indianapolis on Wednesday.  The Mix in '06 Women's Event is a one time historic gathering of the Disciples of Christ Women's Quadrennial Assembly and The United Church of Christ National Women's Meeting. Julie and Maggie will return late Sunday. Click here for more information about Mix in '06.

Women Raise Nearly $365 for Missions

May 21--Women's Ministries (CWF) of First Christian Church raised $365 for missions at a book sale held yesterday. Click her to view photos of the sale.

Report from Women's Retreat

Sept. 22--A total of 193 women attended the Retreat at Cedar Lakes. September 9-11. It opened on Friday evening with a parade of churches following the cross. Rev. Dr. Cynthia Hale was the Resource Leader preaching three times Friday and Saturday.. She is the founding and Senior Pastor of the Ray of Hope Christian Church in Decatur, Georgia which has an active membership of 3,500 and an average of 2,000 in worship. Dr. Hale is a dynamic African-American woman who preaches from her heart and soul, making God�s Word come alive.
 

It was good to see old friends and meet new ones. The singing was tops . We also had prayer time and Saturday afternoon workshops. We had lots of laughs during the skits done by Dorothy Brownlee and Helen Edge.
Sunday morning our own Maggie gave the sermon in the form of a Bible Study. She taught us a new way to study the Bible.
 

We took articles for the service men and women � many of you participated in this mission project.
Offerings included Blessing Boxes $3,605.85; World Hunger $1,147.17; Love Offering (Week of Compassion-Katrina) $2,862; To mail boxes to military $2,083.66 for a total of $9,698.68.