Virtue & Valour
This year we are celebrating 20 years of Everywoman conference. Our annual gathering of the girls - go the girls!! We’ve hung bras across the auditorium, given away double beds, laid wet muddy grass for a tropical theme, laughed, cried, been healed, delivered, and worn bright bold lipsticks!!
This year it will be fun to stroll down memory lane. I wonder what’s been pivotal for you over the years? In 2005 I was a young mum, my boys were 3 and 4 years old, and we were newly appointed into the senior leadership role of the church. Now, both my sons are married to two beautiful young women, the house is empty, and we’re familiar furniture around the church. So much has changed.
In the early days I was stressed out, sleep deprived and unsure of myself. Jackie played a crucial role in keeping the women's ministry and conferences organised and running. It really was her baby for many years. I’d have a great idea and she’d beaver away to make it all happen! Thank you Jacks!! Over the years, encouraging the girls and seeing them grow and develop, has been my greatest joy. Twenty years ago few women were speaking, leading, and contributing in church life - now they’re everywhere and kicking butt. There are exceptional women, across all our locations and C3 churches, doing all manner of incredible things in and outside the walls of the church.
This conference will be our last in this format under my charge. Gasp.
Why?
1.The obvious - it’s been twenty years!!
2.I feel a new expression of local gatherings is in the wings.
3.I want to create space for younger women to come through and do their thing.
I think there is still a need for a place to be encouraged in our faith as women. From where I sit we all seem to be a bit overwhelmed by life. Our younger women still need to be taught about who they are in Christ, how to stand in faith in light of secular culture and thinking, and how to navigate the difficulty and suffering that life will inevitably throw at them. Our older women still need to continue to step up and lean in. To overcome their fears and disappointments. To value themselves and their God stories enough to stand up, speak up, and pass on all they have learned. I just think that space looks a little different in 2025 and I want to make room for that.
So this year Everywoman 2025 will be EPIC. We're going to be running a bunch of extras and thinking about ways in which we can spoil you more than usual. Our theme is Virtue & Valour. A phenomenal combo! Virtue is not a puritanical term. It is about having a Christlike character. Faith, hope and love are virtues that should hallmark our lives. Valour is what we need to live a virtue filled life. We need courage, bravery, and a fearlessness in Christ, to stand for virtue.
What is my hope for this year? My prayer, as always, is that women would stand strong in their faith - loving Jesus and those entrusted to their care. I would love our fruit to be plentiful in showing off the goodness and grace of our incredible God. So let's get busy in the gathering.
Looking forward to seeing you in June
Much love
Ps Fi xox