Southeast Region Update

regional review
Oct 252011

The Southeast has the best Administrative Coordinators!  With their help, the Southeast region has 100% accountability of their quarterly reports.  This is not just collecting numbers to collect numbers, but there are benefits at every level of PWOC.

PWOC International

  • Helps the PWOCI Chaplain fight for funds to support PWOC
  • Qualifies the need for new chapels and chapel related buildings
  • Quantifies the size of each region
  • Identifies trends in attendance
  • Tracks child care/children’s ministry

Regional

  • Allows a regular time to touch base, admin to admin
  • Identifies trends in attendance
  • Provides visibility of where to best apply resources and assistance

Local

  • Allows a regular time to touch base, to include voicing concerns to the Regional level
  • Identifies trends in attendance

As you can see, these quarterly reports are very important for the vitality of the PWOC ministry!

 

Submitted by Sarah Rufenacht, PWOC SE Administrative Coordinator

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Just Take the Next Step

President's Pen, Real life stories, Testimonies
Sep 282011

Submitted by Beth Mills, PWOCI President

One of the greatest challenges of the military lifestyle is creating authentic friendships. Just when I feel like we’ve really got some solid friendships developing, I learn that either they have to PCS or we have to PCS. This is one reason why I’ve loved PWOC so much. As I’ve developed close friendships while serving with other ladies on a board at my local PWOC or while praying with them in our Bible study care group, I know the Lord will watch over us and keep us until we meet again. The regional and international conferences are so refreshing because old friendships are renewed and we can catch up with one another again, even if it is only for a weekend.

Some of you know my PWOC story. When we came into the Army, my tongue-in-cheek motto was “Make friends or die”. I took my kids to a homeschool PE swimming class. The other moms and I began to form a friendship and on several occasions they would talk about whatever was going on in PWOC. I usually tuned out during that portion of the conversation; I wasn’t interested in another Bible study, let alone a large group of women. One of my new friends was getting ready to move (of course!) and she said the first thing she was going to do when she got to Germany was find the local PWOC because she knew that she was guaranteed to have instant friends. At that moment, I decided I’d take the next step and go to PWOC that summer.

What my friend said is still true for me today. PWOC is where I find instant friends, but I have to take the next step if I want to create an authentic friendship and not just another acquaintance. Mixers and ice-breakers are not my favorite activities, but I’m learning that they’re a great vehicle to starting a friendship. We find out some pretty crazy stuff about one another-like who’s been a contestant on The Price is Right or who’s taken a journey by caravan in the Sahara Desert! We also find out some things we have in common with one another that we might not have known had we not participated in that mixer. When I find that touch-point where I have something in common with someone new, I take the next step in our friendship and engage her in conversation. I often find that we have even more in common.  It becomes easier and easier to take the next steps after I’ve taken the first few-the next step of praying with one another in Bible study; the next step of meeting for coffee or lunch in one another’s home; the next step of asking for or extending forgiveness when it’s needed; the next step of bearing one another’s burdens and sharing one another’s joys. The next thing you know, one or both of you will have moved on to the next duty station and be separated for months or years. But there may be a time during one of the PWOC conferences when you’ll hear that familiar scream and run with arms wide open for the PWOC hug in the lobby! And that’s just a tiny taste of the amazing homecoming we’ll all experience together at the Wedding Supper of the Lamb!

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There's a New Girl in Town

President's Pen
Jul 072011

Submitted by Beth Mills, PWOCI President

There’s a new girl in town. Have you met her yet?  I’m guessing she’s somewhere between 18-25 years old. Her name? It might be Megan or Jasmine or Haley. She and her husband have only been married a couple of years. They’re already on his second deployment and they just had a baby.

Her vocabulary may be filled with words like “fair trade”, “organic”, “sustainable”. Her lightning-fast thumbs are skillfully developed from sending thousands of text messages. She can surf the web to find any kind of information faster than you can say, “I’m not sure where you can find that information…”  She even has her Bible on her iPhone. She’s come to chapel once or twice. She definitely wants a deeper connection with God; she’s just not enthusiastic about the traditional chapel setting.

She’s been invited to PWOC, but she thinks it’s a little too formal. She’s not really interested in a packaged Bible study with prefabricated questions that lead you to the “right answer.” She’s more interested in figuring out how to cope through this deployment and sleepless nights with her baby girl. She’s trying to figure out how to be a good mom and live well on her tight budget.  She wants to talk through the issues of life, connecting with other people like herself.

We first introduced you to the “new girl in town” at the 2010 PWOC International Conference. You’ve heard of Baby Boomers, Busters, GenXers, etc.  Megan is part of the “Millennials” or “Mosiacs.” Although no one completely fits into these categories, there are certain trends in each generation which help us discover innovative ways to reach them with the Gospel. I encourage you to get to know Megan personally–in your neighborhood, your unit, perhaps in your chapel. Rather than focusing on how to “reach out” to her, make the effort to “reach in” to what she has to offer. It will require making some changes to the way you think and do things, personally and in PWOC.

If your installation hasn’t already done so, start a Facebook page[1]. It’s a great way to send out information as well as networking people in community. Consider offering a short class on a hot topic like “Healthy Living” or “Organic Gardening,” weaving in Biblical truth. The Bible is very practical! As you trust the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you, you’ll be amazed at the opportunity you’ll have to engage God’s Word during these studies. In these small groups, create a safe atmosphere for “being real.” Pray for one another and with one another. We’ll all be enriched by the relationships we develop as we discover new ways to experience God together.

The PWOCI president update is posted the first Wednesday of every month. For comments please email president@pwoc.org

[1] We have instructions and guidelines for setting up a Facebook page in the Resource Library at pwoc.org.

 

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Consider an Evening PWOC Bible Study

Local Limelight
May 272011

Many PWOCs host weekday Bible studies, but this often excludes women such as active duty soldiers. Pray about the unique needs at your installation, and consider hosting an evening Bible study. Depending on your crowd, you might even offer dinner and/or childcare.

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Serving the Local Community

Local Limelight
Apr 082011

Perhaps you’ve heard it said that “they don’t care what you know until they know that you care.” Here are a couple of fun, easy ways to reach into the lives of women within PWOC and the surrounding community. Consider building a team, or teams, who are willing to offer their time and talents to help with home decorating, organic gardening, cooking lessons, etc.  Any of these could be great projects for your local Outreach Coordinator, or anyone who has a passion in these areas, to organize.

Tell us what your local PWOC is doing!

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Developing Life Skills

Local Limelight, Resources
Apr 012011

His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.

2 Peter 1:3

Many women today are hungry for practical, hands-on skills, as evidenced by the resurgence in trends such as canning, bread baking, organic gardening, knitting and more. The women of PWOC have a lot to offer in these areas. In lieu of, or in addition to, a traditional monthly program with a guest speaker, consider hosting a “How To” workshop in a community location. This will provide an opportunity to serve the surrounding community, and let a broader audience meet the women of PWOC.

Tell us what your local PWOC is doing!

_____________

Local limelight is published every Friday. For comments and submissions please email the Blog Manager.

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Create a Good F.I.T

Local Limelight
Mar 252011

“We Are Workers Together for Christ” –PWOC Motto

Ft. Riley has a tremendous program in place to develop future Bible study leaders, who are called FITS – Facilitators in Training. In this set-up, current teachers are paired up with FITS, who might function as an administrator for the class, and substitute when needed. This is a great way to give confidence to those who think they might like to teach but lack the confidence, or those who are young or new in Christ and looking to add “tools” to their spiritual toolbox. This same concept can be cross-applied to other jobs within PWOC, adding assistants to current positions, or breaking jobs town into smaller pieces to allow everyone to participate and feel a sense of belonging. This also helps fulfill the 3rd and 4th Aims of PWOC, to develop women’s gifts and involve them in chapel work.

Tell us what your local PWOC is doing!

________________

Local Limelight is posted Friday of every week. Please send comments and any testimonies to Blog Manager

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Create a Coffee House Hour

Local Limelight
Mar 182011

Submitted by Jenn Cook, PWOCI 3VP Communications

Starting your morning PWOC with coffee & chat time can be a great way to build relationships and friendships. One PWOC, in an effort to bridge the generations for God’s glory, provides coffee and snacks (with paid childcare) from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m., with regular PWOC beginning at 9:00 a.m. This move has led to many meaningful conversations where unofficial mentoring, discipleship, and “spiritual mothering” have taken place. Perhaps this idea, or some variation, could be useful for your PWOC.

Tell us what your local PWOC is doing!

 

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P-What?: 8 Ways YOU can Share PWOC in Your Community!

Leadership Development, Leadership Wednesday
Feb 232011

Submitted by Jenn Cook, PWOCI 3VP Communications

Have you ever been chatting with a lady at the commissary and asked if she attends PWOC and she replies “P-What?” Have you driven around your base and wondered how many of the ladies could be blessed if they only knew that PWOC existed?  Do you wonder how you can reach out and share PWOC with those ladies and help promote your local group more effectively?

The communications team offers a few simple ideas that can help anyone spread the word of this amazing ministry called Protestant Women of the Chapel (or simply PWOC) on your local military installation:

• Invite your neighbors to come along with you.

• Express your enthusiasm about your local PWOC on facebook.

• Volunteer to insert flyers into the Sunday bulletins at all your chapel services.

• Hand out PWOC business cards advertising the local meeting day, times and location.

(Or add this information to your personal contact cards!)

• Attend your Base’s Newcomer’s Briefing and share PWOC.

• Ask if your local PWOC has a t-shirt and wear it proudly in your community.

• Use the words of your mouth to spread the news of PWOC.

• Join your local PWOC’s publicity team.

If you’re already on the Publicity team, try these ideas:

• Create a walking billboard (called a t-shirt) advertising your PWOC.

• Provide flyers and PWOC information cards for women to share.

• Recruit volunteers to hang flyers in offices such as ACS, Lodging, Housing, or at the   Commissary and PX/BX.

• Advertise meeting times on the installation’s scrolling marquees.

• Promote events with news releases to your local or AAFES radio stations.

• Raise awareness by sending information to your installation or local TV channel.

• Place ads in the installation’s military newspaper

• For more ideas and helpful downloads visit the Publicity section of pwoc.org located under Resources.

Since  PWOC is a part of the Chapel Ministries, always coordinate with your local Chaplain Advisor for permission and helpful advice when advertising in your military community.

The Communications Team would like to hear from you. If you have creative ideas that have worked in spreading the news and advertising your PWOC, please send them to: communications@pwoc.org.

Remember, a personal invitation is the most effective advertising! Think about what brought you to PWOC for the first time. Are you utilizing that kind of publicity?

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Get out of the Boat

regional review, Testimonies
Oct 262010

Submitted by Stacie Dorris, Southeast VP

Last summer, (2009), our family moved from Ft. Leavenworth, KS back to Ft. Bragg, NC.   I started attending the local PWOC where they were studying, “If You Want To Walk On Water You Have To Get Out Of The Boat”, by John Ortburg.  This book reflects on the passage in Matthew 14 where Christ bids Peter to meet him on the water.  God used this study in a powerful way to reveal His calling on my life.

First, I was challenged to facilitate a workshop at the Southeast Regional Conference 2009.  I had facilitated local Bible study classes but had never facilitated a workshop at conference.   This was a huge step for me.   Once out of the boat I found myself saying, “What am I doing? I can’t do this.”   Like Peter, walking on water seemed an impossible task.  Little did I know, this was only my first step on the water.

While at conference, God began to speak to my heart regarding serving on the Southeast Regional board.   As the regional Chaplain prayed for the women who would be serving on the upcoming regional board, I heard the Holy Spirit whisper to my heart, step out.   Then, one of the leadership selection committee members spoke and said, “I believe God is calling some of you to get out of the boat!”   I knew God was speaking to my heart.   I guess God thought, your already out of the boat just keep walking.   So, here I am, out of my comfort zone, out of the boat, walking on water serving as the Southeast Regional Vice President.

Let me share with you some of the lessons I am learning as I am out on the water.   First, as I mentioned previously, the first step is always the hardest.  Once you surrender to the call and step out God is so faithful and meets you there.  He grants you the grace, strength and vision to do what He is calling you to.   Like in the old Indiana Jones movie when Harrison Ford steps out over a cliff because he knows it’s the right path to take.    As soon as he steps out over the ledge, the bridge appears.   That’s the way it is with God.  “We walk by faith and not by sight.” (2 Cor. 5:7)    We take the step of faith and His strong arm appears and holds us up.

Secondly, I am experiencing God in great ways.   God has so clearly guided and provided for our conference site, speaker and praise and worship facilitator.  I can’t wait to share those stories.   I wouldn’t want to have missed this adventure with God for anything!  It is definitely more comfortable in the boat but it is certainly more exciting on the water!

Lastly, let me encourage you, if God is calling you to get out of the boat and serve Him within the ministry of PWOC, you can rest assured, He will met you there!

_________________

The Southeast region update is published on the fourth Tuesday of every month. For questions or comments please email southeastpresident@pwoc.org

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