Sheila Graham
Simone Worthing
Naomi Parker
Joane D'Costa
"It was a delightful two weeks," said Tammy Tkach, "rich in spiritual food and fellowship with many sisters down under."
Mrs. Tkach and Sheila Graham, Women's Ministry Support coordinators, spoke at a round of conferences in New Zealand and Australia March 3 to 16.
Their first presentations were at a Ladies Day in the Auckland, New Zealand, church, Saturday, March 6, and at a women's conference the next day.
Noreen Thompson wrote that women conducted the entire service, including the prayers, worship-leading and speaking.
Di Toomer, women's ministry coordinator for Auckland, spoke first, then Mrs. Tkach and Mrs. Graham each spoke for 20 minutes, explaining what women's ministry is about.
On Sunday, 71 women met for an all-day retreat at the historic Ferndale House in Auckland. Some of the husbands served the morning and afternoon teas and lunch as well as did the dishes.
The women were able to relax and spend time learning how they are precious in God's eyes, which was the theme for the day, Noreen said.
Some of the women traveled a great distance to attend the retreat, including one who was sponsored by her congregation in the South Island.
From Auckland Mrs. Tkach and Mrs. Graham flew to Brisbane, Australia.
On the way to the pastors conference at the Summer Educational Program camp at Lake Moogerah, Ruth Matthews drove the two women to a koala sanctuary, where they spent several hours enjoying the Australian wildlife.
Both women spoke at the conference on Tuesday, March 9, updating the pastors and their wives on women's ministry and answering questions.
The next day they drove back to Brisbane and addressed 108 women at the Abbey Plaza Hotel.
The women also heard updates on women's ministry in India from Joanna D'Costa and Mary Zachariah, wives of pastors in that area.
They then flew to Sydney for a night's rest before speaking at a one-day conference with the theme, Living for the Lord, at the Epping Baptist Church. Fifty-one women praised God with music and enjoyed lunch prepared by the women themselves.
Dinner was catered, and the evening ended with two more presentations from Mrs. Tkach and Mrs. Graham.
The next morning, they flew to Melbourne. The theme for the weekend at Mountain Valley Camp was Our Guiding Light. One hundred thirty women attended.
Coordinator Bev Browning wrote that the retreat began Friday evening with praise and worship and an address by Mrs. Graham on Celebrating God's Love.
Mrs. Tkach spoke twice Saturday morning, with a tea break in between. Her topics were Do You Know Who You Are? and Following to Lead.
In the afternoon Mrs. Graham spoke on the topic From Legalism to Grace and traced her own walk with God and how he brought her from legalism to grace.
Then, a communion service was offered for those who wished to take part.
Four electives including three workshops were offered Saturday. The workshops were: Parenting, by Sheila Graham; Journaling, Kate Chivers; and women's gifts, Eva Larkin. Thirteen women also got together for prayer.
Mrs. Tkach addressed the group Sunday morning on Dancing in the Arms of God. She encouraged the women to make Jesus the center of their lives.
Mrs. Tkach and Mrs. Graham left for the airport as the women continued with their program for the retreat.
Their next stop was Singapore, where they toured the island country for an afternoon. After dinner with several of the members, they addressed about 30 members on women's ministry and answered questions.
"God is working a mighty work through our women all around the world," said Mrs. Graham. "It's inspiring to see the spiritual growth and the joy and love expressed during these retreats and conferences."
Following are some comments about the retreat in Australia.
Lynne Hardy: "Everyone is absolutely raving about the retreat. They just can't say enough positive about it. Full marks to Bev Browning and her team. It set our ladies on a positive course.
Sue Cramer: The entire weekend was full of joy, answered prayers, sharing, loving, healing and peace. All who went came away refreshed, uplifted, awed and more dedicated to God than ever before.
Raelene McNaughton: I was really struck by the seminar on spiritual gifts. I heard that gifts are God's way of touching another person through our actions.
We may not feel that our conversation, our cups of tea, our prayers are on a spiritual par with Jesus, but if God touches another person through that action, then Jesus is living in us and we have a spiritual gift we can share.
Sue Weir: To be able to hear Tammy Tkach and Sheila Graham speak live was so encouraging and inspiring.
They are mothers just like us. They both shared personal stories, hurts and difficulties about their own lives.
Hearing and seeing these two women was uplifting and reminded us that God truly is working with the women in his church.
Susan Regazzoli: One thing that struck me was how much healing was going on. Many of the women felt free to share their hurts with others and to ask for prayers.
I felt Tammy's and Sheila's messages helped us all to see that we are not alone in our trials.
They are such normal, real people, who have suffered quite a bit in their lives, yet are positive about what Christ is doing through and in us all.
They were encouraging us to find our gifts and do what we can to edify and lift up those in the church and out of the church who are suffering.
Sheila Graham |
Simone Worthing |
Naomi Parker |
Joane D'Costa |
HOSPITALITY IN SYDNEY--Frank and Naomi Parker
welcomed Tammy Tkach and Sheila Graham into their
home during their stay.
SINGAPORE MEMBERS--Tammy Tkach and Sheila Graham meet with some
of the members in Singapore.
Tammy Tkach and Nita Williams in
Auckland, New Zealand.
HOPPING GOOD TIME--Tammy Tkach pets a wallaby
at a koala sanctuary. [Photo by Sheila Graham]
Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 1999