Women at Central

By Debbie Schmidt

Maybe I was kind of a nerdy kid, but I always looked forward to the beginning of a new school year-all those pristine notebooks, new classes and teachers, the possibility of new friends and a year full of potential. I get some of that same feeling as I look forward to the beginning of our women's ministries in the fall.

This fall, Women on Wednesdays will have a fresh look as we move into the Courtyard for our opening gathering. We also have a great assortment of classes that will help you grow spiritually as you get to know other women and look into God's word together. Classes will explore questions like: what it means to be called by God; how we can live more and more in union with Christ; how we can let God shape our thought life; what our culture tells us about beauty and body image and what the Bible has to say about it. Women on Wednesdays meets every Wednesday morning, beginning September 12th, from 9:30 to 11:30 am.

On Tuesday nights at 7:15 pm, beginning on September 11th, the Tuesday Night Women's Bible Study (formerly GABS) will be meet at the church to explore how Jesus dealt with relationships-with family members, co-workers, friends and enemies. It doesn't matter whether you are new to Bible study or experienced; this will be an engaging study. You can come at the end of a busy workday and learn together with other women in a relaxed forum.

Our four Circles will begin a new study using a book co-authored by Central's own, Kathy Smith. The study is called Ready or Not: Following God's Call and will explore the issue of call in the lives of Jonah, the prophet, and Ruth. Circles are monthly gatherings that meet in the homes of a member or at the church. There are two evening Circles and two daytime Circles.

Every one of these ministries - Women on Wednesdays, Tuesday Night Women's Bible Study and Circles are designed to help women get to know one another as they learn together. There is time for informal conversation and for discussion over the study material. All of these groups are places where it is safe to ask questions, where friendships grow and where mentoring relationships can begin.

Maybe you're looking for a fresh challenge as the new school year begins. Every one of our women's ministries is open to any woman who is interested. If none of these times work for you, there are also small groups that meet at various times during the week. Stop by the Women's Ministry table or the Small Group table in the Concourse and get more information about these great opportunities!