NEWS
cont. Women’s Days February & March 2011 London l Harrogate ‘As a first timer I was very impressed. I went by myself, but made new friends on the day. The speakers were engaging and the theme was excellent: spiritual, inspiring and very moving. An emotional rollercoaster of a day – it certainly won’t be my last.’ Dawn Jenkins, St John the Divine, Menston, West Yorkshire
‘Each speaker brought a fresh perspective to the subject of the day. I left determined to be more active in making a difference to people’s lives, and wanting to serve Jesus more.’ Jane Lister, The Beacon Church, Camberley
‘It was one of the most amazing days ever. To see so many women together in one place showing their love for the Lord was so inspiring, and I spent most of the day in tears.’ Elizabeth Farley, Fallings Park Methodist Church
‘Saturday was remarkable for me and my daughter. The sessions were amazing and it was as if God was using a megaphone to speak to me and encourage me. As a result I have made up my mind to commit to going to Kenya to help train women.’ Jan Fowler, Beverley Baptist Church, Yorkshire
‘Both morning and afternoon sessions were inspirational: truly Spirit led. My friend brought our elderly mums along and they thought they would be too tired for the whole day but they didn’t want to leave. Mum’s comment was it was truly uplifting to see so many Christians worshipping in one place when it appears that our voice in the media seems so small. She went home and this morning told her Muslim carer all about the conference!’ Julie Wright St John’s Thornham, Middleton, Manchester
‘This has to be the best Women’s Day yet: fantastic teaching and worship as well as time for ministry. One woman, who had never been to any New Wine event before, not only wants to come to the Summer Conference but has felt inspired to start an afterschool club. Can’t wait for next year.’ Pauline Thomas, St Mark’s Woodthorpe, Nottingham
UPA & Inner-City Church Leaders’ Forum March 2011 Hothorpe, Leicestershire ‘The forum has been a great encouragement to me as I work in a UPA and realise that I am not alone in my experiences. I have also been strengthened by the teaching from the various speakers who encouraged us, biblically, to continue working in these important areas for the Kingdom.’ Dave Bishop, St James Church, Brownhills
‘I went to the prophecy sessions and three out of the four people gave me words of knowledge about a new position I have applied for, and been offered. It was a great encouragement to me.’ Anon
‘It was encouraging to be around people who are reaching out into difficult and challenging communities. The UPA network reminds us that we are not on our own but we are united and in this together. It’s a God-given privilege to serve the poor and not a fringe benefit.’
Anon
At the 2010 New Wine Leaders’ Wives’ event, a generous offering was given to support ColOmbian women facing unimaginable injustice and cruelty. Find out how this has made a difference Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) is involved in bringing justice to the persecuted church in Colombia. Pastors are being murdered or disappearing at a rate of about 30 a year, as a result of the 60-year-long internal armed conflict between guerrillas and paramilitaries. In October 2009, Anne Coles, Head of New Wine Women, joined CSW on a trip to Colombia to meet with some of the pastors’ wives and widows. They spoke of armed groups seizing and shooting their husbands in broad daylight, and their children receiving death threats via their mobiles. The women were left homeless, churchless and penniless, with fatherless, traumatised children to care for. Anne recounted their stories at last year’s Leaders’ Wives’ event, and the women responded powerfully, writing letters of love and comfort to the women of Colombia, and donating around £5,000 to support them. 8
A Colombian justice and peace charity subsequently collected project ideas from the pastors’ wives, who had drawn up plans to enable them to make a living and support and educate their children, and carry on with ministry. Idia Miranda Reyes is one of these women, whose husband William disappeared in 2008 without a trace. She is a woman of extraordinary courage and perseverance; in the midst of this dire situation she says, “I have come to know a God with whom I am in love. I used to only know God as the King of Kings, the Creator of all things, but now God has conquered my heart. I drink him in every day. For that reason I can laugh, I can smile, I can love. I can tell people how God’s love has been for me and that it can be that way for them.” Some of the money raised will help Idia find a location and set up a home for other pastors’ widows and children in a similar situation to her. Other women will use their gift to open up small businesses to earn an income and employ their children, selling household equipment, Christian literature and stationery. Another woman will run a fishing business and one an internet café. The women are so thankful to God, and to the women of New Wine, who reached for their pens and their purses to help their sisters in need in South America.