November/December 2018 live magazine

live A Baptist resource for women on a mission November – December 2018 · $3.50

A CALL TO pause

Then Jesus said, ”Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” Mark 6:31a (NLT)

#GivingTuesday 2018

Fight trafficking by funding a rescue (p3)

ROOM TO PRAY

A fast over Advent (p10)

BAPTIST WOMEN’S CONFERENCE 2019 Information and Registration (p19)

live in this issue columns Connect to Mission 3 » #GivingTuesday 2018 6 » Great Canadian Bible Study 2019 BIBLE STUDY 16 Bible Study: A Call to Pause Connect with Others 18 » Lydia’s Daughters: A Conference for Women Pastors 19 » A History Moment 19 » We Remember 19 » CBWOQ’s Women’s Conference 2019

features Connect with gOD 7 Be Still My Soul A new way to end 2018 and begin 2019 8 Fasting as a Call to Pause Abide in Me 10 ROOM TO PRAY - An Advent Fast

a 12 Hold ^ Fast Pause for freedom 14 Baby Steps Walking and leading in Jesus’ presence

Cover photo: Unsplash.com/AnnieSpratt

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live • November - December 2018

cONNECTING Last month, I realized the value of a pause while running an errand at Dollarama. On one side of the aisle, Halloweenthemed wizard hats, brooms and orange pumpkin baskets lined shelves. On the other side of the aisle, Christmas tree skirts, ornaments, stockings and Santa Claus knick-knacks competed for my attention.

I wonder if doing mission feels like that to many of us: an unending list of projects to do, offered to us by great organizations that need our support to successfully bring Kingdom light to the least and most marginalized around the world. We don’t normally choose to pause and reflect, give thanks and prepare for what lies ahead; to make wise choices about where to invest our time and energy and funds.

This Christmas, I encourage you to consider Jesus’ example as you pause throughout December and join our Advent fast. Jesus confronted prejudice and unjust laws that marginalized women, lepers, prostitutes and tax collectors. He affirmed the true value of children in the economy of the Kingdom.

In the same way, we hope that Baptist Women shines Jesus’ light in dark areas: human trafficking, international projects focused on vulnerable children, the smaller Ontario and Quebec projects that need seed funds to grow and impact many lives—developmentally challenged children and their families; girls at risk; First Nations women . . .

Thank you for your amazing support of Baptist Women and its vision of drawing women to authentic experience of God and to an intimate connection to mission. Without you we wouldn’t be capable of following Christ’s example. 

VOLUME 91, NUMBER 6

live (formerly The Link & Visitor) began as The Canadian Missionary Link (1878) and Baptist Visitor (1890). Published bi-monthly by Canadian Baptist Women of Ontario and Quebec 5 International Blvd., Etobicoke, ON M9W 6H3 416-620-2954 Fax 416-622-2308 bwoq@baptist.ca www.baptistwomen.com Executive director Diane McBeth Editor and communications director Renée James 416-651-8967 rsejames@gmail.com Art director Donna Lee Pancorvo of GEPM Group Inc. (www.gepmgroup.com) Contributors Linda Ellsworth, Alison Latty, Terry Long, Morgan Wolf Circulation and subscriptions Subscriptions 416-620-2954 live@baptist.ca Subscriptions Individual: $20* (direct or through promoters) US & overseas: $39 All currency in $C unless otherwise noted.

The publication of comments, opinions or advertising does not necessarily imply CBWOQ agreement or endorsement. All material is copyrighted and may not be reproduced in print or on websites without permission. Advertising inquiries and freelance submissions should be addressed to the editor.

Member, Canadian Church Press.

ISSN 2293-5096.

Canada Post Customer Number 1008592.

We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada for our publishing activities. *includes HST

connect to mission

Photo credit: IJM

#GIVINGTUESDAY 2018 Tuesday November 27 #GivingTuesday is an annual global day of giving that gathers the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity worldwide.

In November 2017, Baptist Women took part for the first time ever in this global movement, inviting women to raise funds to support the SKILD Centre for Smart Kids With Learning Differences in Lebanon.

This year Baptist Women invites you to join staff and board on this #GivingTuesday and raise funds to support the rescue work of International Justice Mission Canada in the Dominican Republic.

Why this project for #GivingTuesday?

We will build on our history of effective work in the area of ending human trafficking and broaden our advocacy efforts as we learn about and get involved in rescue and structural change in the Dominican Republic. Most of all we will grow in prayer.

You’ll find the full story behind this project in the September/October issue of this magazine and on our website at baptistwomen.com/causes/advocacy We already have a matching donor who will match your gifts up to $4,000.

To get us ready for #GivingTuesday, here’s the story of one woman, rescued and being restored through IJM Canada’s work in the Dominican Republic.

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How do you take part?

1. READ the full story behind this project. You’ll find information in your September/October issue and on our website.

2. DECIDE how you want to give: online or via credit card/cheque a. If you give via credit card/ cheque, mail in your support before Tuesday, November 27 so that we can record your gift and have it matched. b. Don’t forget to specify #GivingTuesday on your cheque.

3. SPREAD THE WORD. Share about this project with your church, women’s groups, youth, family and friends. They may want to join.

4. GIVE. On #GIVINGTUESDAY go to our website. Donate.

For those who give online, there will also be an opportunity to give on Wednesday, November 28. We want as many people as possible to take part in this amazing project.

5. FOLLOW US. On #GivingTuesday check our Facebook group regularly as we’ll be posting updates on the campaign throughout the day.

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Liana’s Story SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic—Liana’s mother left when she was too young to remember. Her father died in an accident when she was eight. As a result, Liana was raised by her grandparents, poor farmers who live at a curve in the road where motorcycles race by and rattle the walls. In our home, they promised, you will never suffer.

When Liana was still a child, her mother would visit her.

“Everything went well for a time,” Liana remembers. “She treated us well, with lots of love.”

But her mother grew angry over time, drinking heavily and using drugs. “I didn’t want to talk to her anymore,” Liana says. Her grandfather tried to keep the woman away.

Years passed. The summer of her 14th birthday, Liana travelled to her mother’s town to reconnect with her. They had fun, and her mother pressured her to move in with her. Liana did, even enrolling in the local school.

Almost overnight, the house became a prison. In one of the most disturbing cases of sex trafficking IJM has encountered in the Dominican Republic, Liana’s own mother enslaved her and began selling her to men for sex.

Day after day—often multiple times a day—Liana was forced to

meet men young and old at hotels, in her home, and in local orange groves. Her mother stood by and supervised while they raped her. When Liana refused, her mom threatened to kill her, hitting her and even once grabbing a knife.

“I obeyed,” Liana remembers. “I didn’t want her to hurt me.”

A turning point Liana’s mother took her cell phone.

She was cut off from her grandparents, who couldn’t find the house where Liana was trapped. “When my grandfather would call,” Liana recalls, “I would begin to cry. [My mom] would take the phone from me and hang it up.”

Liana’s stepfather also helped run their lucrative sex business.

A truck driver, he hauled Liana to men around the country. One of them was his boss, Tito.* After abusing Liana multiple nights, Tito smuggled Liana home as his child bride.

Trafficking is so common in the Dominican Republic that such behaviours often do not even raise eyebrows. IJM’s teams are training Dominican police to proactively investigate trafficking and teaching churches to spot and report suspicious activity.

Fortunately, Tito’s mother met Liana and began asking questions.

When she learned what Liana had been through, the woman

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ordered him to return the girl to her grandparents.

Making justice possible Liana stepped back into her grandparents’ house after nearly five months of constant sexual and physical abuse. She told her grandparents everything.

Liana’s grandfather reported the crime to the authorities, even as her dangerous mother began threatening to kill him. Within weeks, officials found and arrested the woman.

Government prosecutors told Liana’s family the case was too big for them to handle alone. They referred the case to IJM. IJM’s legal team took Liana’s case and worked with local prosecutors to put her captors on trial.

IJM’s investigators helped police search for the fugitive stepfather, who remained at large for more than a year before he was arrested.

Liana was brought to a safe house run by IJM partners. IJM’s aftercare team provided Liana with counselling and traumafocused therapy, beginning a long journey of healing that will continue for years. And after the longest two years of her life, Liana is finally graduating from the seventh grade.

“With therapy, I’ve been able to overcome what happened to me,”

Photo credit: IJM

Liana and her grandmother, Lupina, make coffee after she has returned to their home.

Liana says confidently. “I think I have a big future ahead of me.

Now, I can see myself caring for children, like a pediatrician.”

On August 24, 2016 Liana’s mother was convicted and sentenced to 15 years in prison for trafficking her daughter. And in November, 2016 Liana graduated from IJM’s aftercare program, deemed “restored.”

On September 18, 2017 after advocating for more than a year, Liana’s stepfather was brought to court, found guilty and sentenced to 15 years in prison for the crime of sex trafficking. With this ruling, both of Liana’s abusers have been convicted.

Through the years, IJM’s aftercare team has walked with Liana to help her heal from trauma and regain self-confidence, providing her with tools that will help

develop her full potential. In fact, IJM’s team has been supporting her in any way possible to ensure she can live a life in freedom.

Today, she is living safely back in her community, enjoying the support of her grandparents and working to earn her high school degree in an alternative education program (equivalent to a GED in the United States). Liana is intelligent, sensitive and tenacious.

Her long-term goal is to become a lawyer or a doctor.

We have posted a link to a video showing the impact of IJM Canada’s rescue work in the Dominican Republic. Visit baptistwomen.com/ causes. with files from IJM Canada  *A pseudonym

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connect to mission

Great Canadian Bible Study 2019 Support an international project focused on the children of migrant workers in China Every year, Baptist women across Canada meet in small groups to do a pre-set Bible study that focuses on women from the Bible. Participants bring a small offering to support a joint project that lasts for three years.

Most women’s groups pick a date in January but any date that works for you and your women will do. Invite women to gather around and mine the lessons that Leah teaches us. Great things happen!

2019’s Bible Study: Leah, the Other “I want to know [Leah} and her story better,” writes its author Rev. Faye Reynolds,“ because I believe that in each of our own stories, we have known some level of rejection, manipulation and

unrequited love. In Hollywood fashion, [Leah’s story] has all the drama and intrigue of a great love story, except that there is no happy ending. Or is there?”

How the project will work The goal of this project is to help care for, and be educationally and emotionally supportive of 100 orphans and children of migrant workers. The children are part of four centres around the countryside of rural China.

“Left-behind children” refers to those under 18 who remain at home while one or both of their parents migrate to cities for work.

As stated in a recent Economist article, due to China’s astonishingly rapid economic growth and a host of other factors, the cost of living continues to rise. At the

same time, there are many new opportunities for work in the growing cities, particularly in factories. This is driving a massive exodus of younger adults from rural villages to the cities. When these men and women move to cities seeking work, their children most often do not go with them because childcare is unaffordable.

Hukou (household registration) rules have a devastating effect on families, with children being left under the care of their grandparents or even on their own.

Most left-behind children maintain irregular and limited contact with their parents. They often feel lonely, isolated and carry a deep sense of abandonment. There are over 61 million left-behind children in rural China.

You’ll find the Bible Study on our website at baptistwomen.com/ resources.  Photos courtesy CBM

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connect with GOD

Be Still My Soul A new way to end 2018 and begin 2019 Sometimes the most miraculous thing that we can do is make a way for a time to meet with God—like taking a journey to a sacred space of stillness, devoted to Him with our full attention, void of electronics and multi-tasking. It would be time to be fully present to Him long enough to experience a meaningful encounter.

Perhaps it is time for us to take a look at our impossibly busy calendars as Advent and Christmas approach and remember that all things are possible, even the miracle of free time, if we look really hard.

Stillness in the morning can position us to receive fresh grace for the day. With the dawn of each new day, by God’s grace, we turn away from being the people we were; by mercy with never-ending gratitude we receive afresh all who we are in Him; and by faith and hope, we start becoming the people we are meant to be.

Stillness with God allows Him to simply love us and to invade our awareness with that love. In stillness we learn to lay hold of His presence and we learn to carry that constant awareness of His presence with us comfortably and effortlessly wherever we go, whatever we do and whoever we are with.

Stillness with God does not just happen. It is a discipline of the mind and of the heart and of the will that only gets stronger with each step we take on that journey. Like all journeys, it takes some planning to set aside personal time. Even so, learning to still the soul is one of the best journeys you can take, and it has one of the richest yields in terms of destinations.

Why not embark on an intentional journey of stillness with God for the rest of 2018 and through 2019? You will love where it takes you. 

by Terry Long.

Terry was one of the plenary speakers and a workshop leader at this year’s Baptist Women’s Conference in April.

Photo credit: Joshua Del Rosario

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Fasting as a Call TO PAUSE Abide in Me

by Alison Latty Alison is the co-founder of cafechurch. She delivered a workshop at our April Baptist Women’s conference.

Listen to Alison talk about her experience of fasting and what God is teaching her at baptistwomen. com/resources. Our join our Facebook group and listen there.

Photo credit: Judy Ann Cazemier

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live • November - December 2018

I am an extrovert. Left to my own devices, I would spend 99.7 percent of my time around people because this energizes me. A vital part of the way I come to conclusions and make decisions is through speaking with people, and my capacity for this is huge. I am also results-driven, so I relish getting things done. Finally, I hold food dear. Very dear.

God created me this way, but He seems to be overlooking these important details as He relentlessly pursues me to develop a regular pattern of spending time with Him—just Him and me—in prayer and fasting. It’s a painful, delightful process that I have gone through for a number of years now, practicing making time with Him my priority, rather than just something I do now and then .

In Mark 6:31, Jesus asks His disciples to go with Him, by themselves, to a quiet place and get some rest—away from people—just with Him. It’s this same call that I heard God whisper to me about five years ago. “Abide with me,” He said. I knew I was hearing it, but I didn’t particularly do anything until I read a biography of a renowned intercessor, Rees Howells, who was born in Wales in 1879. I began to long for the same connection with God that Rees Howells had. The same devotion. The same intimacy with God and obedience to Him. I began to commit 30 minutes a day

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to God at 6 p.m., shutting myself away . . . no distractions. I also began to fast and pray once a month, on the first day.

I had never really considered fasting as something I should be doing before reading that biography, probably as there are so many things about it that challenge me. Fasting involves subjecting every area of myself to God in one go: my will, my mind and my emotions.

That, I believe, is why God responds so swiftly when I do it. He demands my all and there is no better way than fasting and praying to say, “Not my will, but Yours, not my thoughts, but Yours, not my comfort, but Your plan.”

As I have persisted and become more used to fasting, not eating for a while hasn’t become any easier. However, a heightened sense of God’s presence and a sense of being settled and still before God have developed. The fact is . . . He has always been there, but in acknowledging His presence I realize His power.

When Jesus said to His disciples, “Come with me, by yourselves,” they tried to get away, but people came from everywhere and they ended up feeding 5,000 people instead! Immediately after that, Jesus Himself withdrew to spend time with the Father. It was the way He recuperated from this event and it was the way He was empowered for what came next . . . as He caught up with the disciples by walking on the water, getting in the boat with them and calming the storm.

I now realize that God’s call, to “come with me by yourself,” is the most important call we will respond to in life. When we respond, we will get to know God, and we position ourselves to receive from Him. As we approach the end of 2018 and the start of 2019, there’s no better way than fasting and prayer to rest, recuperate and revive. Whether it’s simply one meal or longer, He will respond. 

Bernice’s Picks . . .

Bible Stories that end with a hug!

by Stephen Elkins On sale for $10 Women of the Word: How to study the Bible with both our hearts and our minds

by Jen Wilkin On sale for $12.99

All titles available from ReadOn Bookstore 5 International Blvd.

Etobicoke, ON M9W 6H3 Tel: 416-620-2934 Fax: 416-234-8840 E-mail: books@readon.ca www.readon.ca StoryBlocks.com

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ROOM TO PRAY - JOY TO THE WORLD An Advent Fast Advent, the four weeks prior to December 25, is the time many of us prepare for the celebration of God’s incarnation in Jesus Christ. The word Advent is taken from the Latin and means to come.

“The season of Advent means there is something on the horizon the likes of which we have never seen before… .What is possible is to not see it, to miss it, to turn just as it brushes past you. And you begin to grasp what it was you missed, like Moses in the cleft of the rock, watching God’s [back] fade in the distance.

So stay. Sit. Linger. Tarry. Ponder. Wait. Behold.

Wonder. There will be time enough for running. For rushing. For worrying. For pushing. For now, stay.

Wait. Something is on the horizon.”

Jan L. Richardson, Night Visions: Searching the Shadows of Advent and Christmas Why fast during Advent?

“Let every heart prepare him room.”

We hope this fast will: • centre us more deeply on Jesus in this busy season • remind us that Jesus is the One who makes all things new as we wait amidst difficult and demanding situations in our lives and in the world

the plan

1 2 3

Mark off the following four Sundays of Advent on your calendar. These will be the days on which you fast.

Decide that you will use that day to focus on Jesus and His birth.

Then choose how you will fast: • Give up a meal or two and use that time to read Scripture, reflect and pray.

• If you can’t fast from food for medical reasons, give up an activity and spend that time with God.

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Follow the prayer prompts and questions provided (or choose other Scriptures to direct your prayers.)

Keep a record (journal). Record verses, insights, answers to prayer as you reflect each Sunday.

Let Baptist Women know how it went. Perhaps your experience will encourage other women.

Reach out to our Facebook community or e-mail the office.

John 1:14 (NIV) “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

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ROOM TO PRAY - An Advent Fast PRAYER PROMPTS (Week 1) Sunday, December 2 Joy to the world, the Lord has come!

Let earth receive her King Let every heart prepare Him room And Heaven and nature sing.

(Week 3) Sunday, December 16 No more let sins and sorrows grow Nor thorns infest the ground He comes to make His blessings flow Far as the curse is found

John 18:37 (NET): Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this reason I was born and for this reason I came into the world—to testify to the truth.”

Ask the Lord throughout this day: “This season, what would you have me do in my heart and life to really receive you as king?” Pay attention to His prompts.

Then obey them.

Matthew 11:28 (NET): “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Ask yourself: “Where do I need to experience the Lord’s forgiveness and healing today? Where is there thorninfested ground in my life?” Pay attention to what God shows you then invite Him to forgive and to heal.

(Week 2) Sunday, December 9 Joy to the World, the Saviour reigns!

Let men their songs employ While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains Repeat the sounding joy Luke 1:46-48 (NET): “My soul exalts the Lord, and my spirit has begun to rejoice in God my Savior, because he has looked upon the humble state of his servant . . . he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.”

Ask the Lord: “How can I be more intentional about remembering all the situations in my life where I have seen You save me?

(Week 4) Sunday, December 23 He rules the world with truth and grace And makes the nations prove The glories of His righteousness And wonders of His love Philippians 2:5-8 (NIV): “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!”

Ask the Lord: “Do I live and serve with the humility needed to display Your truth, grace and wondrous love?”

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Hold^ Fast Pause for freedom

StoryBlocks.com

by Morgan Wolf Morgan is a writer from Calgary, AB. She blogs about her faith and writing at www.anothergratuitousmdash. blogspot.ca. Morgan has just published her book, Altruism in Gophers.

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The shortest distance between two points may be a straight line, but the quickest way to end a conversation between Christians is to suggest a fast.

No one—excepting perhaps small children with food aversions—wants to do it.

The word is more likely to conjure memories of lab requisition forms and having blood drawn than a divine encounter. Fasting is an old-school spiritual discipline that seems out of step with the current era.

Unless, of course, you’re a fitness guru chronicling your progress on Instagram—then Intermittent Fasting (IF) is all the rage. We might be willing to fast for medical necessity or physical transformation, but spiritual formation is a harder sell. We don’t know exactly what we’ll find there. Besides, fasting is optional and its effects are more intangible than Instagrammable.

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Though, perhaps, if our situations are particularly dire, we might consider it as a desperate ploy; a last ditch effort to get God to move when we have exhausted every other option. Even then, though— even when all is darkening around us—the fridge seems more comforting than the fast. The reason for this is simple. Fasting removes your natural coping mechanisms so that only God remains. All the noise of life fades into the background as the near constant reminder of hunger points to the One you are seeking.

Fasting is travelling a narrow path at a high altitude.

Each step—each moment—requires both concentration and exertion. It’s physical effort for a spiritual result. When you think about it, there isn’t much else like it.

And, like many of the ways of God, fasting is a

paradox. It is the conscious effort of subverting physical needs for the purpose of being fed. It is a moment within a moment. A secret thing between you and God. A conversation. A communion. A snuggle under His arm for comfort and rest. It is pressing pause on all that is pressing. The meals to be made, the chores to do, and the errands to run all fade into lower resolution while the spiritual conversation comes into sharper focus. It is an exchange of priorities. It is an act of faith that agrees that, “Man doesn’t live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” We can hear those words from Jesus and trust that they are true—it is another thing to hunger to hear the Word speaking particularly to us alone.

The trouble with the spiritual disciplines is that we turn them into religious duties because we do not know what they are for. We get caught up in the details— wondering if we can still have our coffee during a fast so as to avoid a caffeine headache—rather than rejoicing in the freedom being loosed in our lives.

It is in the heart of God to free His people from every chain that binds, every burden that crushes with its weight, and every evil oppression that torments. It is not His heart to tie us up with the legalistic details of when and how.

Is not the time without eating which I choose, a time to take off the chains of sin, and to take the heavy load of sin off the neck? Is it not a time to let those who suffer under a sinful power go free, and to break every load from their neck? (Isaiah 58:6 NLV) The purpose—as always—is freedom. It is our mental gymnastics—the never-ending internal monologue—that convinces us that the spiritual disciplines are about lack, rather than abundance. We fast to feast because the words proceeding from the mouth of God are better.  live • November - December 2018

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Baby Steps Walking and leading in Jesus’ presence

I remember the day my relationship with Jesus changed for good. I’d closed my eyes to pray and again—this had been happening for weeks —all I could see was a circle of charred tree stumps and blackened undergrowth in the middle of a forest. It was a National Geographic photo of forest fire devastation. The image didn’t surprise me though.

It was October 2015 and my husband’s recovery from a triple bypass had hit the eight-week mark.

Eight weeks in and I hadn’t yet dealt with the reality of his neardeath nor the other losses that had hit me hard in the previous

by Renée James 14 live • November - December 2018

year and a half: a family member’s alcohol and drug addiction; her son’s placement into foster care; my father’s series of mini-strokes; my husband’s closure of his business and the loss of that income.

That burned-out circle—that was my heart and spirit.

On this October day though, I also heard an invitation. “Could you stay here awhile? With me?”

That was Jesus and He had just asked me to pause with Him, for no other reason than to be in His presence and gaze, with Him, at that circle. No agenda. Perhaps I simply didn’t have the energy anymore to figure it all out and fix it. Perhaps all I had really wanted to do was grieve and howl, look

and listen, and I had only needed divine permission to do so.

Whatever the reason, I decided to say yes.

Almost every day since that October morning, I’ve kept silence with Jesus. In doing so, I also discovered a way to extend my times of silence with Jesus—prayer walking a labyrinth.

Walking a labyrinth as often as I could seemed a natural extension of my time with Jesus. I could now walk with Jesus, in silence, around that burnt-out circle.

A labyrinth is a circular path that leads you into a clear space at its centre and back out again. There is only ever one clear path in and out.

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the centre, must be at the centre and in fact is the centre . . . of all leadership, ministry and mission I do. You cannot enter a labyrinth and not see the clear space at its centre. Jesus is at the centre, waiting for me. Walking the labyrinth has oriented me to the true Centre; teaching me that leadership is never about me, or my agenda— or anyone else’s for that matter. It’s about Jesus. My leadership must always and only raise Jesus Christ high, in word and deed—that’s the only goal that counts.

Unsplash.com/Ashley Batz

It is simply one more tool for listening prayer. You walk a labyrinth with a Scripture verse, a prayer, a question, a burden, a relationship that’s on your heart . . . and as you walk and pray, you listen.

At the centre of the labyrinth, you pause and listen to what the Holy Spirit says to you. You then turn around and walk out of the labyrinth by the same path on which you entered.

Today, as I continue to walk labyrinths—drawn on canvas and laid out on church floors, or marked out by stones on the grounds of retreat centres in Ontario—I’ve found a pace and rhythm that has impacted my ministry leadership.

Jesus is the centre First, I’ve realized that Jesus is at

Pause Second, walking the labyrinth has taught me about the power of pausing. Before I step onto the labyrinth’s path, I stop. I reflect on why I’m walking the labyrinth: Who or what do I bring in with me as I walk? For what am I praying? Is there a Bible verse the Spirit’s prompting me to reflect on as I walk? I now bring variations of these questions into the ministry/ work I do for Baptist Women.

Most important, walking a labyrinth as often as I can has taught me the value of constraint. There’s a simplicity in walking that one path in and out again that makes me uncomfortable . . . and free, all at the same time. As I’ve walked, I’ve learned that my best leadership emerges out of constraint.

I honour Jesus when I choose to not perform; to not lead or serve out of a striving self-consciousness that, in the past, meant I would say yes to every project that crossed

my desk, rush to fix things and of course, trust no one.

Community The labyrinth constrains me to follow its way to the centre. Most of all, it’s taught me about community and the wonderful constraint that community can be on a leader. While I’ve often started a labyrinth walk where I’ve been the only pilgrim walking, others inevitably join. I walk in the company of others and I recognize that I’m not alone—others have walked this labyrinth before me and others will walk behind me.

I am hemmed in. Never alone when I walk, I’ve learned that I’m never alone as I lead. Yes, I feel the pinch of loneliness that most leaders do throughout their ministry years but I don’t lead alone. I lead always and only in the context of community. And that learning has helped me to relax and lead with hands that are far more open to laying down my agenda because I’m learning to trust the leadership of sisters who walk the road with me. They’re also walking to the same centre, to the same Jesus who waits for them.

As I walk and lead in the presence of Jesus, I’m learning to trust the One who invited me to stay with Him awhile and in whose presence my numb resignation and going-through-the-motions of Christian living has melted. My leadership is being made new. As am I. 

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BIBLE STUDY

A Call To Pause Called to Pause READ Mark 6:30-52 In the business of teaching the multitudes, healing the sick, feeding the throngs, and mentoring leaders-in-training, Jesus gave that same sweet call to His disciples.

Describe the unexpected outcome of His call to rest: _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ Now describe your daily schedule . _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ How to Pause READ Psalm 131 In order to “quiet his soul” (verse 2), what steps did David have to take in verse 1? _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ David found rest and contentment like that of a ________________ _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ Barriers to Pausing It is difficult to pause and rest when your soul is restless. Can you identify with David?

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READ Psalm 42, and note verses 4-6 and 11 Twice, David refers to the restless depression of his soul, and twice he states the solution: _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ In his audio series, Battles From the Boardroom of the Soul, Colin Smith (unlockingthebible.org) aptly describes the restlessness of the soul in terms of a board of directors, whose members are as follows: MIND – is anxious HEART – is heavy/betrayed/ broken IMAGINATION – is frustrated: dreams always end in failure CONSCIENCE - is keenly aware of issues that should not have happened MEMORY – Struggles with regret WILL – is frustrated. “I know what I want, but never get it.”

These six board members argue around the boardroom table of the soul, rarely agreeing, and more often than not, causing great stress and interfering with time management.

Describe the areas with which you can identify, and how you are affected today: MIND:

_________________________ _________________________ HEART: _________________________ _________________________ IMAGINATION: _________________________ _________________________ CONSCIENCE: _________________________ _________________________ MEMORY: _________________________ _________________________ WILL: _________________________ _________________________ But wait! There is one empty seat at this boardroom table! To whom does it belong? _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ And so there is great division in the boardroom of the soul which only the chair can manage and reconcile.

Throughout the Psalms, we recognize God as the “board chair” of David’s soul.

The Pauses of David READ Psalm 62-63 In 62:1-2,5-8 David determines to put his world on “pause” and wait .

BIBLE STUDY

HOW? _________________________ ON WHOM? ________________________ As a result of David’s determined inactive pause, God becomes the following to him: _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ In Psalm 63:1-8, David uses 13 active verbs to describe his interaction with God. Can you find them, and describe their importance? _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ Rewrite verses 1-8 back to the Lord as your own personal praise promise. _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ Remember David’s words in Psalm 131:2? “Surely, I have ________________________ _______________________ _______________________.”

The Invitation of Jesus READ Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus calls us to _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ Jesus calls all who _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ There is no “conversion” and rest without the turning of your WHOLE SELF. Conversion is bringing the WHOLE soul to Jesus.

Jesus commands us to take _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ Have you taken on the exclusive harness of Jesus? Do you need to detach yourself from the yokes of this world?

Name and describe some of the yokes that keep you from stepping into sole partnership with Jesus: _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ Surely the things that strap you to the world are much heavier than stepping into harness with Jesus, who promises to bear our burdens and lighten our loads as we tandem with Him. Jesus commands us to learn _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ Jesus invites us to enroll as students of Him. What might this look like in the daily schedule of your

life? _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ The Ultimate Promise (Verses 28b, 30b) “I will give ________________.”

“You will find _______________.”

So come to Him: MIND, HEART, WILL, IMAGINATION, CONSCIENCE and MEMORY, ensuring that He alone is “chair of the board.”

Now plan your PAUSES with Jesus in the business that is your life.

Paul sums it up perfectly in Colossians 3:15 “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body, and be thankful.”

“Ah—the Pause that refreshes!”

This Bible Study is loosely based on Battles from the Boardroom of the Soul, by Colin S. Smith, unlockingthebible.org. 

by Linda Ellsworth Linda is the member care coordinator for Christian Camping International, Canada live • November - December 2018

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connect with others

Lydia’s Daughters On September 25, 53 female pastors from our denomination gathered at Mount Hamilton Baptist Church for a special conference designed to support and encourage women clergy. Lead pastors, associate pastors, missionaries, chaplains, children’s workers and youth directors serving in churches from London to Montreal met to celebrate the call of women to ministry and to meet one another.

“It is wonderful to serve in a denomination that ordains women, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t challenges. Sometimes our women are the only female pastors in their associations and that can get lonely,” explained Rev. Leanne Friesen, who approached Baptist Women about helping coordinate this event last year. She was thrilled that Baptist Women were eager to use their resources to help women pastors meet and encourage each other. CBOQ also provided a grant covering travel expenses of any woman who needed it. It was important to organizers that any woman

who wanted to would be able to participate.

“Originally, when we planned this day, I said that I would be happy if 20 women showed up but that I would be thrilled with 30. I never dreamed over 50 of us would be here,” Leanne shared.

The day included two panels addressing the topics of calling and challenges for women pastors. An inspiring plenary presentation by Dr. Cynthia Westfall of McMaster Divinity College, focused on the role of Lydia in Scripture. Dr. Westfall pointed out that Lydia was a critical character in the life of the church, as she was not only the first convert in Europe, but also a leader of the church that met in her own home.

“Lydia, like many women in history, is often rendered invisible; yet she was a leader in her own right,” Dr. Westfall reminded the women present.

McMaster Divinity College affirmed the role of women pastors in our denomination, by generously giving each of the women who

attended a gift of a free course audit and a signed copy of Dr. Westfall’s excellent book, Paul, Women and Gender.

Perhaps the most meaningful part of the day was the time spent in small groups talking and praying with and for one another.

Women gathered around tables, and shared their own stories as they laughed, cried and mentored each other. Diane McBeth also took time to ask the women how Baptist Women could continue to support our female clergy. The first answer was: “More days like this!”

As one woman put it: “Today reminded me that I am not alone.

I didn’t know there were so many of us!”

Yes, there are many women serving as pastors in our denomination. We are thankful that they are serving God’s kingdom exactly where God has called them, and we are thankful that we can encourage these precious daughters who continue Lydia’s legacy of church leadership.  Photo credit: Joshua Del Rosario

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A History Moment “GOLDEN JUBILEE At the GOLDEN JUBILEE of the Society in 1926, these words appeared in The Link: “Fifty years hence those who follow us will be able to rejoice in the results of our labours and say ‘they were not unfaithful to the heavenly vision.’” This was a message from Mary Bates McLaurin.

Mrs. W.A. Batty, President at that time, suggested that “Maybe those who stand at the Jubilee 50 years from now may see the day when those who profess the Hindu religion will become Christian.”

We are the “children” and we pause and ponder the dream and the reality.”

From Step By Step - a Chronological History Baptist Women’s Missionary Societies of Ontario and Quebec prior to Amalgamation 1876 - 1953

We REMEMBER Each generation has the opportunity to fuel mission for the next. Did you know that if you include CBWOQ in your Will, your estate will subtract an equal amount in tax?

In Memory of Ruth Abbott, Tillsonburg Dealtry Bell, Ottawa Marjorie Crossman, London Enid Ripley, Stratford Phyllis Swaren, Ottawa Ruth Thompson, Toronto Dini Vandervelde, Midland IN HONOUR OF Margaret Branscombe (100th birthday) Helen Hales, Belleville (100th birthday) Joan Otto, New Dundee (90th birthday) Ruth Sheffield, Brantford (90th birthday)

CHOSEN | HOLY | CALLED: declaring the goodness of God CBWOQ’s Women’s Conference | Friday May 3 – Saturday May 4

Mississauga Chinese Baptist Church, 5220 Creekbank Road, Mississauga, L4W 1X1 Friday 6 p.m. registration opens | Saturday 8:45 a.m. coffee/tea | Saturday 5 p.m. conference ends On the following pages you will find information and a registration form for our 2019 conference.

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PLENARY SPEAKERS Rev. Cheryle Renée-Chapman Hanna is the 14th person to be called to lead Fourth Avenue Baptist Church in Ottawa and is the first woman to do so. She was awarded a Doctor of Ministry degree from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago and a Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary. Cheryle’s book Lessons for the Heart: 52 Ways to Share God with Children has recently been published.

Rev. Julia Bowering lives in Oakville, where she is the associate pastor at King’s Community Church. She is passionate about helping others discover their spiritual gifts and hear God’s voice. Her other loves are reading, hiking, being an aunt and traveling to new places.

WORSHIP LEADER Jenna Cowans is an established musician in the GTA. Growing up in a musical family, Jenna’s lifelong passion for music has thrilled audiences of all sizes across the GTA. She loves to worship through song, and currently serves as worship coordinator at Bayview Glen Church in Thornhill. www.jennacowans.com

Jenna Cowans

Rev. Cheryle Hanna

Rev. Julia Bowering Hotel deals have been secured.

See the January/February 2019 issue or check our website for details.

Workshop

Workshop Description

Facilitator Biography

1. Soul Sisters 2

Soul Sisters 2 will introduce a whole new set of sessions and you can try new spiritual formation practices. We will focus on growing in our ability to recognize Christ speaking. Designed for those who took the Series 1 workshop in 2017, plus those new to the Soul Sisters program developed

by CBWOQ.

Diane McBeth has been Executive Director of CBWOQ since 2014. Before that she served as Legacy for Ministry Coordinator, and as CBM global field staff in Angola and Bolivia.

2. Just Women: More than Meets the Eye

Women are complex, and women are simple. Our complexity lies in our variety of gifts, callings and opportunities; our simplicity in the power of the cross. Together we will look at a few of the simply complex women called into the Body of Christ and how their stories are our own.

Rev. Cheryle Hanna is our Friday night keynote speaker and pastor of Fourth Avenue Baptist Church in Ottawa. She is the recent author of Lessons for the Heart: 52 Ways to Share God with Children. www.lessons4theheart.com.

3. Practicing Faith: Praising God, Becoming His people (max. 16 women)

Learn to commit to different rhythms of spiritual practices instead of letting our often busy lives dictate the time we dedicate to God. This workshop will explore your own unique ways of meeting with Jesus, and look at how you can grow by engaging in a practice that works for you. Come away with practical tools to radically transform your life with sustainable spiritual rhythms that will keep you moving closer to Jesus.

Meghan Matthews is a passionate follower of Jesus, committed to the building of His kingdom.

Meghan works with CBOQ’s Next Generation Ministry and can often be found mentoring Kingsway Youth and leaders. Meghan studied Fine Art at OCAD University, and is happily married to a cool guy named Jon.

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Workshop

Workshop Description

Facilitator Biography

4. Cultivating Creativity ($5 material fee)

God has given us a need to worship Him, and one way we can do that is through artistic expression.

In this session, we will consider how God inspires us tp create. The majority of our time together will be spent creating your own piece of artwork to take home.

Tina Rae is the Christian Education pastor at Westview Baptist Church in London. She is married and a mother of two who loves to paint and play baseball in her spare time.

5. Beyond Singing: Planning and Communicating as a Worship Leader

There are many aspects of leading worship that contribute to facilitating authentic worship with your congregation. This workshop will explore how to plan a worship set that flows and how to effectively speak between songs. This interactive and practical workshop is for anyone interested or involved in leading worship, whether just beginning or experienced.

Rachelle Luk is a worship leader, music teacher, and Covenant Award-winning singer-songwriter. She serves as director of music ministries at Mississauga City Baptist Church.

6. The Call and The Lady Pastor (workshop open to women clergy)

“I was once told that when another pastor in the Rev. Leanne Friesen has been the lead pastor of city was talking about me he said: ‘She’s pretty Mount Hamilton Baptist Church for 13 years. good . . . for a lady pastor.’ We lady pastors know all about the unique ways that our callings and roles intersect with our gender. In this workshop, we’ll discuss the challenges and joys of ministry as ‘lady pastors’.”

7. Embodied Prayer and Presence (max. 16 women)

Bring all of yourself to Jesus—body, heart and soul. Learn to move and breathe your prayers freely and confidently before the Lord, involving the whole self. We will learn various prayer postures and a short movement sequence based on scripture. Dress comfortably for movement.

Laura Matthews is a movement practitioner and contemporary dancer who also serves as the program coordinator for Baptist Women. She seeks to connect and develop people whether coordinating an event or facilitating a movement experience for people of all ages.

8. Also . . . Chosen, Holy and Called A panel discussion on how to welcome, journey with and truly see our sisters and brothers who live with mental health challenges.

Our brothers and sisters in Christ who live with mental health challenges declare God’s goodness in ways that may surprise and challenge you.

Join Erinn Oxford and Joan Peacock as they share their personal experiences, then answer your questions, about how to welcome, journey with and truly see those with mental health challenges as chosen, holy and called.

Rev. Erinn Oxford is the pastor at The Dale Ministries in Toronto. Joan Peacock is Baptist Women’s newest board member.

9. Called to Pray: Dive deeper in Baptist Women’s prayer room (max. 10 women) *prayer room will be open during the entire conference

Spend an entire workshop session experiencing creative prayer centered on the words chosen, holy, and called, prepared by Monique Tatsu.

Slow down and meet with God unhurried at the interactive prayer stations and come away feeling grounded and refreshed.

Monique Tatsu attends First Baptist Church in Chatham, Ontario, and is hugely passionate about creative prayer and interactive conversations with God. She is married and has two beautiful children.

10. Dixon Ministry: Serve with your hands and expand your heart

Do you like to serve tangibly? Would you like to assemble tutoring kits for Dixon Ministry staff and volunteers to use this summer 2019 with newcomer families and their children?

Come and build kits with last summer’s CBWOQ short-term mission (STM) team and make tutoring a breeze for 2019. You will also hear more from Dixon Ministry staff on how to open your heart further to newcomer families in Canada and learn more about their work in the community.

This workshop will be facilitated by team members from our summer 2018 STM, and Dixon Ministry staff, who will share about their work in Toronto’s Dixon community.

Facilitated by Renée James, Baptist Women communications director and editor of live magazine

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Workshop

Workshop Description

Facilitator Biography

11A. CBM: Look what God is doing in CBM’s Chinese Ministries! (morning workshop only)

This workshop will WOW you as you hear what God is doing in the Far East. Come and hear stories of lives being transformed as people hear the Gospel for the first time. God is opening doors in areas where we would least expect it. This work isn’t without suffering and hardship but God is in the middle, working out His perfect plan. Come and be inspired!

Conrad and Fiona Kwok are team leaders for CBM’s Chinese Ministries. They live in Thailand but oversee CBM’s Chinese Ministries in Germany, Thailand, Hong Kong and China.

11B. CBM Moving forward—new partnerships, new initiatives (afternoon workshop only)

This workshop will introduce new opportunities Brenda Halk is CBM’s Strategic Associate working that have come to CBM and will show you how in Marketplace ministry and Women’s Initiatives. local churches have engaged with CBM to see Anne Drost is CBM’s Regional Rep within the CBOQ. mission and ministry accomplished. Hear about Marketplace ministry, Aboriginal engagement, SENT engagement and more. Learn how overseas engagement is changing the local church.

12. Young Girls | Old Souls: Program Demo Experience (afternoon workshop only, open to all ages) This workshop is also part of our NEW Youth-only track designed for young women 18 and under. See the full workshop description below

Women of all ages are welcome to participate in Jess Hartwick is 29 years young and lives in an activity designed to bridge the generational Welland with her husband, tabby cat and Shepherdgap. .

Husky. She serves as family ministries director at First Baptist Church Welland, and youth director at First Baptist Church, Dunnville. Jess has a passion for sharing the love she’s been given in Jesus with youth and young women.

NEW: Young Women TRACK (ages 18 and under) All 3 workshops included with your registration A. FRIDAY P.M. Late Night Soul Food Meet Jess in the lobby and head to a nearby restaurant for appetizers and convo (ages 18 and under).

What: An evening of fun and fellowship, good food and deep dialogue at a nearby restaurant Who’s invited: Young women (ages 18 and under) When: 9:15 p.m.-10:45 p.m. (after Friday night session)

B. SATURDAY A.M. Soul Food: Come to the Table (morning workshop only) (ages 18 and under)

Who are we created and called to be?

Led by Jess Hartwick Young women 18 and under are invited to a round table dialogue about what it’s like to live in a time when the self is idolized, and the world is trying to define femininity without knowing its Creator. We are chosen, set apart, a royal people with a divine purpose but the world doesn’t want us to believe it. May we talk?

C. Young Girls | Old Souls: Program Demo Experience (afternoon workshop only) (for women of all ages)

Women of all ages are welcome to participate in an Led by Jess Hartwick activity designed to bridge the generational gap.

In this workshop we will gather and find that we do, in fact, have common ground and something profound to share with one another: our practical gifts and talents, as well as, and most importantly, how Jesus has changed our life.

Our goal here is to see women participate practically, engage enthusiastically, and go home with a tangible experience that can blossom into genuine inter-generational discipleship and mentoring in their own contexts.

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Jess Hartwick is 29 years young and lives in Welland with her husband, tabby cat and ShepherdHusky. She serves as family ministries director at First Baptist Church Welland, and youth director at First Baptist Church, Dunnville. Jess has a passion for sharing the love she’s been given in Jesus with youth and young women.

CHOSEN | HOLY | CALLED declaring the goodness of God Registration 2019 Name________________________________________________________________________________________________ Mailing Address _______________________________________________________________________________________ City ________________________________________________ Province_______________ Postal Code________________ Phone (____)_________________________________________ Church and City _________________________________________________________________________________________ Age: q Teen q 20s q 30s q 40s q 50s q 60s q 70s This is my first CBWOQ event q Yes q No q I will use the nursery. Number of children _____ ages __________.

Nursery will only be open during workshops and plenary sessions and closed at all other times including breaks and lunch. q I wish to volunteer at this event. Please phone me with more information. Phone (___)__________________________. q Photo release: I agree to allow photos of me which may be taken at the event, to be used in all CBWOQ publications, and social media for the sole purpose of sharing about this conference with the Baptist community at large.

The program includes the brief transaction of annual business for Canadian Baptist Women of Ontario and Quebec. Voting privileges are open to women who are affiliated with a CBOQ church; subscribe to the CBWOQ purpose: “ to enable women to reach others for Christ;” register at least 10 days before the conference starts (Bylaw 4:26a and 37) and sign and date below. Please sign and date below only if you fulfill these requirements.

Signature ______________________________ Date ____________________________

Workshops

For all ages: There are 12 workshops offered during the conference. Each workshop is offered twice: once in the morning and once in the afternoon EXCEPT IF NOTED OTHERWISE. Please select your #1 choice for each time slot. Workshops are assigned on a first come, first served basis and are capped by room capacity.

My workshop choices: Morning: _____

Afternoon: _____

For young women (age 18 and under): There are three workshops designed with you in mind! q I am 18 or younger. I plan to go to the Young Women sessions: q A) Friday PM q B) Saturday AM q C) Saturday PM

Payment Mail-in registration deadline is Friday, April 22, 2019 q Lunch ticket $15 (per catered hot lunch) | 1 per registrant $___________________ q Food allergies? Please note here: ____________________________________________________ q Contribution to bursary/event fund*

$ ___________________ Receipt requested q Yes q No (Receipts issued upon request for donations of $20 or more) q Registration fee ($60 workshops, coffee breaks, event) $ 60 q I enclose a cheque payable to CBWOQ for $___________ If you would like to pay with credit card, please do not use this form, but visit www.baptistwomen.com to register and pay online.

Bursary application forms can be found online at baptistwomen.com. Your application must be received by March 11, 2019.

*This fund was established to encourage women to attend CBWOQ events and conventions. Guidelines and application forms are available from CBWOQ’s website: www.baptistwomen.com or the office at 416-620-2954.

Cancellation Policy: 1. Cancellations before April 22: Refund of registration minus $15. 2. Cancellations after April 22: No refund. Exception: In the case of accident or illness of the registrant, or a death in the family: refund minus $15. 3. Registration forms without payment: These are not considered registered. No lunch will be ordered and workshop choices will not be held. These persons are still very welcome to register and pay on the day of the conference, but will need to go offsite for lunch and workshops will be subject to availability. (There are many restaurants within five minutes drive of the venue.)

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“This Advent we look to the Wise Men to teach us where to focus our attention. We set our sights on things above, where God is. We draw closer to Jesus . . . When our Advent journey ends, and we reach the place where Jesus resides in Bethlehem, may we, like the Wise Men, fall on our knees and adore him as our true and only King.”

Mark Zimmermann in Our Advent Journey

Photo credit: Heather Elaine Smith

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