November 2007
In this issue:
Flo's Thoughts
Out on Thin Ice: New Directions
On the Web
Things to Celebrate
In-Town Retreat Chili
Flo's Thoughts
Have you ever placed five kernels of corn on each person’s Thanksgiving plate? We did this at our home some years ago and asked all present to name five blessings they were thankful for. As I remember, we heard typical responses: food, shelter, family, friends, and transportation. OK, they all count, but the exercise somehow felt rote. Did anyone say that a difficult person at school or work had made daily prayer for the relationship a necessity and that prayer had stretched personal growth? Did anyone remember being glad he or she had helped another during the year? As I age, I don’t want to become jaded about the blessings I have received from the Lord. Rather, I want to slow down and take some quiet moments to reflect. But when?
Busyness captivates us all; we mention our thanks to another and move on without much thought. Our parents probably prompted us to “say ‘thank you,” and we most likely passed those manners on to our children. Developing a thankful heart goes beyond rudimentary politeness, and if we propose instilling it in our children and grandchildren, we’ll need to cultivate it in ourselves first. You probably know that we all get 168 hours per week. Still, some days I just fritter time away and then chastise myself in self talk that does not suit God’s purposes for my sanctification. This Thanksgiving season you may desire to offer up a more grateful heart to the Lord. But how?
If you hostess the Thanksgiving feast at your home this year, cleaning, shopping, decorating, and cooking provide plenty to do. If you find yourself grumbling in the kitchen about all the work you have to do, how can you revel in the thankfulness this day should provide? Will you allow others coming to dinner to provide the appetizers or the pies? Incorporating others creates a fun but full kitchen! Sometimes the how of showing thankfulness just appears on your less stressed face and easier going manner. Everyone takes cues from the hostess. You set the tension level for the day. Wouldn’t easy laughter, retold family stories, and thoughtful remembrances encourage you and all present to have a grateful heart? You want to develop a more grateful heart. But why?
Do you know that this life is preparing us for eternity? In Psalm 30, David says, “You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.” (vv.11-12). The Thanksgiving holiday gives us a time to practice what we want to acquire as a year-round attitude of the heart. Take the time to list verbally, or in writing, the specific people, blessings, and trials the Lord has sent your way this year. You might call or write one or two people who gave sacrificially of their time and resources to you. Then pray a “thanksgiving-only prayer” for the ways the Lord helped you through various trials this year. Not only will you experience a richer Thanksgiving, but you will also be practicing for all eternity. Flo Wolfe
Out on Thin Ice: New Directions in Women’s Ministry
As the Session has drafted, and as Pastor Glenn has preached, SPEP wants to be “a place where Jesus mends broken lives with the goodness of God, and equips us to join him in his work.” As Women’s Ministry seeks to provide Bible studies, forums, and activities to edify and encourage women, we find ourselves trying new things. Frightening, yet exciting, isn’t it? We’ll keep some traditions but will move to add smaller venues, places where 6-8 women can gather and really enjoy each other.
In September, Women of the Bible Alive provided a night of live drama as three women acted out scenes from five women in Scripture. October 12-13, we tried our first in-town retreat. This new idea allowed us to have Pastor Glenn speak to us on Friday night and Micki play the bongos with the worship team. Beth Boyd could address us on Saturday, so we had two speakers at one retreat. Additionally, we had the benefits of going home at night to our own bed (or staying with a girlfriend), much lower costs, delicious meals, and SPEP’s great sight and sound facilities.
Both the September and October events provided large group venues. Our annual Christmas Brunch on December 8th will do the same. However, such large enterprises take many “woman hours,” and sometimes the very size of the event frightens shy women. Women’s Ministry wants to meet real needs women have rather than just creating more programs. The experiments of 2008 will center in providing a few smaller opportunities for women to share their lives with one another.
Picture a Chonda Pierce video playing, a fireplace warming the room, and chocolate as the only food group served. Got it? We’re calling it “Chonda and Chocolate” and it’s coming to a home near you in January. How about other stress-free nights of watching a chick flick and looking at it through your Christian eyes? Please give feedback to women in the church and see that Flo hears about your ideas. Glenn assures her that experiments will allow SPEPC to grow – sometimes by successes and sometimes by failures – but to grow in ways that honor Christ. He will mend us as well as use us to help in mending others, all to His glory. Flo
November 3 - National Housewife's Day
November 4 - the new Daylight Savings Time ends
Nov 18, 1857 - Rose Knox was born. She is recognized as one of America's foremost businesswomen. Co-founder of Knox Gelatin Co. Following her husband's death, she led company "in a woman's way," initiating five-day workweek, two-week vacation, sick leave.
In-Town Retreat Chili
White (Chicken) Chili
(Michelle Ward made it - adapted from Betty Crocker's New Cookbook)
makes 6 servings (about 1 1/2 cups each)
1/4 cup margarine or butter
1 large onion, chopped (1 cup)
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
4 cups cooked chicken breast, coarsely shredded
(I usually cook 2 boneless breasts in a little broth, and use 2 forks to shred it after cooking)
3 cups chicken broth
2 t. dried cilantro leaves (or 2 T. fresh, if you have it)
1 T. dried basil leaves
2 t. chili powder
1/4 t. ground cloves
2 cans (15-16 oz.) great northern or cannelini beans
Melt margarine in Dutch oven. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is tender. Stir in remaining ingredients. Heat to boiling; reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for at least one hour, stirring occasionally. You may, after cooking the onions and garlic, put everything in a slow cooker and let it cook on low all day, or overnight.
This chili is best served with tortilla chips, sour cream and some fresh chopped tomatoes. Shredded cheese is great too!
Questions? Comments? Send them to the Postmaster.