Women’s Ministry: Growing Together in Grace
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
Hebrews 10:24-25
This year we are celebrating 10 years of Grace Groups at Sheridan. That is God at work in our lives and a cause for celebration!
My original Grace Group of 4 lost a member about year 4 due to a diagnosis of Alzheimers. When she could no longer drive, we would occasionally go to her home to encourage her with some of the activities we knew she loved. Eventually that was no longer possible and so we added a new member and have been continuing to do all of the things Grace Groups can enjoy doing together. We apparently like variety as we meet at church, in coffee shops, or in our homes. We have completed numerous Bible studies and read books together that helped us be better humans. Occasionally we go to see a movie and discuss. We try new restaurants as we celebrate holidays and birthdays with lunch or dinner. We have gone away together for our own retreat and roomed together for Sheridan’s Women’s Retreat. We have shared in marriages of our children, births of grandbabies, death of a spouse, divorce of a child, big stuff of life. Through it all we have not neglected to meet together and encourage each other as sisters in Christ.
While this might sound cliquish, Grace Groups are not intended to be exclusive. It’s just that when you have shared in life’s most tender moments an unbreakable bond develops. And because we have that support at the core and are stronger for being together, we are all able to branch out individually into other areas of ministry and make an impact in our faith community and in the larger community.
Do you have a group of Christian friends to get together with regularly, to do life with? If being a part of a Grace Group sounds like something you have been looking for, do not hesitate to contact us for more information. Better yet, if you know of others who would like to form a Grace Group we can help you get started.
Gracious Lord, you promised where two or three are gathered together you would be in the midst of that. Thank you for the gift of friends who love, grow and share together and for being in our midst. Amen
This month’s devotion was written by Deacon Kathy Paisley. who guides Sheridan’s Women’s Ministry. Kathy is a certified Spiritual Director and while she is retired from full time ministry, she enjoys working part time with the Care Ministries, teaching a class here and there, and interviewing new members. Her favorite role is that of Mimi to Kane, Vayda, and Kai.