POTTER'S FIELD--Michael Rozell
and his wife, Pam (left), with Rose
Neumann. [Photo by Mary Allgood]
By Deena Murray
COSTA MESA, California--"We felt so blessed to be a part of your weekend," said Michael Rozell, keynote speaker with his wife, Pam, about the 2000 Women's International Conference May 19 to 21 in Costa Mesa.
Two hundred women from three countries, 17 states and more than nine denominations met to laugh, cry, share and learn.
The Rozells have a ministry called Potter's Field, and they presented a message Saturday evening, May 20, illustrating the conference theme of "In the Master's Hands." Michael, a potter by trade, showed the women how God shapes and molds us by demonstrating his skill on a potter's wheel. (Potter's Field will also do a presentation at the festival in Palm Springs, California, Oct. 14 at 2 p.m.)
Under tents by the pool, the mistress of ceremonies, Thelma Davis, and Brenda Townsend welcomed everyone to the conference. After a worship session presented by the Pasadena Women's Ensemble and a welcome by Tammy Tkach, guest speaker Fay Angus shared her experience of being molded by God while a teenager in a Japanese internment camp in Shanghai, China.
She told of her anger toward God, and then how God brought into the camp a man with a Bible who reached her. One cold, snowy morning, God used a Japanese guard to touch Fay's heart as he sang "Onward Christian Soldiers," in Japanese, while on duty.
That evening at the conference, a non-Christian woman accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior after discussion with other women.
Saturday morning opened with the musical group Between the Lines followed by guest speaker Kathleen Hart. Kathleen spoke on Taking Control of Your Attitudes and Actions. She asked the women to consider whether they allowed others to control their attitudes and emotions by allowing themselves to react to situations. She also shared that women are called to be a blessing.
After the morning message, the women chose from six workshops: Divine Discipline: Within the Master's Hands, by Mitzie Farmer; Secure in the Hands of the Master: Facing Rejection, by Belinda Falk; In the Master's Hands... We Can Use Our Time Wisely, by Terry Davis; Abiding and Growing in the Master's Hands, by Kathleen Labedz; Help! I Need More Time in the Master's Hands, by Anne Stapleton; and God, Women and Chocolate: Our Divine Destiny in the Master's Hands, by Deena Murray.
Sharing sessions followed the workshop time. These allowed the women to share openly about a particular subject with a facilitator. Subjects included barriers to faith, commitment, depression and anger, being a friend to adult children, self discipline, forgiveness, the names of Jesus, spiritual growth partners, stepping out of our comfort zones, two beliefs in one family, our fantastic God, life-threatening illness, and raising difficult children.
After lunch, the women had free time to shop at the mall across from the hotel, take naps, fellowship or to do an optional Bible study on faith. Some joined for the Bible study in a conference room, while others met with their roommates or friends.
After the Bible study, Jan Weiner, overall conference coordinator, facilitated a women's ministry discussion forum.
One of the visiting women flew to the conference from Georgia, formerly part of the Soviet Union, after seeing the information about the WCG on the Internet. Unfortunately she had some dental problems and was in pain and missed most of the conference. Saturday afternoon she had to be moved to a hospital. With God's healing power, the hospital released her within five hours and she joined the rest of the women on Sunday.
Saturday evening began with a sit-down dinner. Each table centerpiece was a decorated clay pot custom made by Lorna Davis. In addition, each woman received her own flower pot created by Diane Appleton and the women of the Bellflower, California, congregation.
During the meal, Diane Siston played the harp as background music. Before the keynote message, Don and Joanne Sharp led a worship service with a group from the North San Diego congregation. Then the Rozells gave their presentation on how God shapes and molds people.
Sunday morning began with a praise session by the Oasis Praise Band. Guest speaker Tammy Tkach gave a message on Caring for Your Clay Pot. She shared with the women how they need to take daily care of their clay pot, their bodies, that God has given them, physically and spiritually. God wants us to enjoy life, and we need to keep ourselves filled, she said.
After Tammy's message, Mittie Mansker sang "He's Always There," and the the Corona, California, Fellowship Players did a re-enactment of the various encounters between Jesus and women in the New Testament. From there, Richard Parker and Lou Davies conducted a communion service as it might have been done during the first century.
The weekend wrapped up with the women being invited to meet in Des Moines, Iowa, for the 2001 conference. Then forming a large circle around the room, everyone joined hands and sang "Women of Faith."
POTTER'S FIELD--Michael Rozell
and his wife, Pam (left), with Rose
Neumann. [Photo by Mary Allgood]
SMILING FACES--Women and children
at Women's International Conference.
[Photo by Sheila Graham]
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City, State/Province Country Zip/Postal Code
Audiotapes (may not be copied or reproduced) Suggested Quantity Total Cost
Proceeds will be used to offset the cost of women's ministry conferences. Donation
Entire Set (total of 10 tapes) All prices are in U.S. dollars $50
In the Master's Hands $ 6
Fay Angus (guest speaker)
Taking Control of Your Actions & Attitudes $ 6
Kathleen Hart (guest speaker)
Caring for Your Clay Pot $ 6
Tammy Tkach (guest speaker)
Abiding & Growing in the Master's Hands $ 6
Kathleen Labedz (workshop)
Divine Discipline: Within the Master's Hands $ 6
Mitzie Farmer (workshop)
God, Women & Chocolate $ 6
Deena Murray (workshop)
Help! I Need More Time in the Master's Hands $ 6
Anne Stapleton (workshop)
In the Master's Hands ... We Can Use Our Time Wisely $6
Terry Davis (workshop)
Secure in the Hands of the Master: Facing Rejection $ 6
Fearlessly--Belinda Falk (workshop)
Women's Ministry Open Forum & Discussion $ 6
Shipping for Audiotapes
United States--included in the cost of tapes
International (in U.S. dollars):
Canada $ 3.50
Mexico $ 5
All other countries $ 11
Shipping
Grand Total
Make checks payable in U.S. dollars to Southern California Women's Ministry
Mail payment and order form to
Glendora Women's Fellowship, Box 2222, Glendora, California, 91740-2222
Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 2000