EFCCL Women's Ministries Blog tag:www.efccl.org,2008-04-10:/womensblog//1 2010-03-09T17:06:46Z News, stories, and resources from EFCCL Women's Ministries. Movable Type Open Source 4.1 Hiker Chicks: March 2010 tag:www.efccl.org,2010:/womensblog//1.321 2010-03-09T17:01:58Z 2010-03-09T17:06:46Z It's finally warming up again outside, and the promise of spring is in the air! It's the perfect time to join with our Hiker Chicks on a two-hour hike through the Pleasant Valley conservation area. Meet up with the... Rachel S.

It's finally warming up again outside, and the promise of spring is in the air! It's the perfect time to join with our Hiker Chicks on a two-hour hike through the Pleasant Valley conservation area. Meet up with the ladies in the front parking lot at 12:30 p.m. after church on Sunday, March 21. We'll depart for lunch at Subway and then a two-hour hike. If you're interested in attending, need a ride, or have room for passengers, please contact Martha Schuelke at 847.854.8139.

We hope to see you there!

(image via Thomas Merton)

]]> Remember the Widows in Prayer tag:www.efccl.org,2010:/womensblog//1.320 2010-02-23T15:16:24Z 2010-02-23T15:28:57Z Almost two years ago, we posted an entry (click here to read it) about Widow Connection, a website full of resources and encouragement for women who have lost their husbands. Since then, we have received a number of comments there... Rachel S. Almost two years ago, we posted an entry (click here to read it) about Widow Connection, a website full of resources and encouragement for women who have lost their husbands.

Since then, we have received a number of comments there from women who are still healing from and coping with the pain of grief and loss. The following is a story that was recently posted:

My husband, Stephen Philip passed suddenly on 11-18-09 in a motorcycle accident we were married for 20 years and together for 26 years. Stephen was not only my business partner but my best friend. We had just hung up the phone and his last words to me were don't call me I am on the bike and will be home in 20 minutes. My biggest regret in all of this was not kissing him in the morning before I left work or telling him that I loved him. He was sleeping so soundly and I did not want to wake him. I am so grateful for this web site not only to share but to be reminded that I am not alone. We did not have any "human kids" just cats so it was truly was just us two. :( I miss him terribly so THANKS.

Take the time to remember widows and their families in your prayers today. If you know of other resources for widows, please let us know! You can also interact with your sisters in Christ by sharing words of love and encouragement in the comments on this blog entry.

]]> Hiker Chicks: February 2010 tag:www.efccl.org,2010:/womensblog//1.319 2010-02-11T16:18:55Z 2010-02-11T17:01:41Z Ladies, join us for another cold-weather hike on Sunday, February 28 at 12:30 p.m. We will meet in the church parking lot, stop by Subway for lunch, and then head to Moraine Hills State Park for a two-hour hike.... Rachel S. Moraine Hills State Park

Ladies, join us for another cold-weather hike on Sunday, February 28 at 12:30 p.m. We will meet in the church parking lot, stop by Subway for lunch, and then head to Moraine Hills State Park for a two-hour hike. Please contact Martha Schuelke (847.854.8139) if you are coming, need a ride, or have room for passengers.

(image via Thomas Merton)

]]> The 30-Day Challenge for Wives tag:www.efccl.org,2010:/womensblog//1.318 2010-02-09T14:53:41Z 2010-02-09T15:51:42Z Beginning in the month of February, we're encouraging the wives in our congregation to take the 30-Day Husband Encouragement Challenge, a program designed by Revive Our Hearts. The challenge boils down to two main ideas: 1. For thirty days, don't... Rachel S. Beginning in the month of February, we're encouraging the wives in our congregation to take the 30-Day Husband Encouragement Challenge, a program designed by Revive Our Hearts. The challenge boils down to two main ideas:

1. For thirty days, don't say anything negative about your husband to your husband or to anyone else.
2. Say something that you admire or appreciate about your husband to your husband and to someone else.

Each of the thirty days looks at a different aspect of one of these ideas. We've put together challenge packets with the material from all thirty days (plus a pencil and note paper, so you can journal the experience), so stop by our booth in the Welcome Center and sign out one of the folders today!

Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is worth more than precious rubies. Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She will not hinder him but help him all her life. — Proverbs 31:11-12 (NLT)

P.S. If stopping by the church isn't an option for you right now, click here to download a copy of the material directly from Revive Our Hearts.

]]> New Women's Bible Studies! tag:www.efccl.org,2010:/womensblog//1.313 2010-01-28T15:43:19Z 2010-02-09T15:43:50Z As some of our fall Bible studies draw to a close, we encourage you to look ahead to the start of some new studies! If you've been thinking about joining a study, now is the perfect time to do so.... Rachel S. As some of our fall Bible studies draw to a close, we encourage you to look ahead to the start of some new studies! If you've been thinking about joining a study, now is the perfect time to do so. Stop by for the first week or so and see what you think! We'd love to have the chance to surround you with encouragement and love as we grow together in Christ.

Starting January 30:
Just two days from now, our Saturday morning group will start working through Beth Moore's Stepping Up, a study on the Psalms of Ascent. This group meets every other Saturday from 8 a.m. 'til 10 a.m. For more information, call Donna Ricci at 815.479.8015.

Starting February 16:
The topic of "biblical womanhood" -- understanding what the Scriptures say about women and our role in society, in our homes, in our churches, etc. -- has been on our hearts for a long time now. We are excited to delve into Nancy Leigh DeMoss' book, Becoming God's True Woman, in our Tuesday morning group, which meets every week from 9 a.m. 'til 11 a.m. For more information, call Eileen Palsgrove at 815.459.7127.

Starting February 25:
Our Thursday morning weekly class (which meets from 9 a.m. 'til 11 a.m.) will soon begin working through Lies Women Believe, the renowned series from Revive Our Hearts. Nancy Leigh DeMoss will challenge fifty of the lies that commonly take hold of the hearts of Christian women and show "how to counter those lies with the Truth that sets us free." For more information, contact Laurel Wade at 815.356.5954.

]]> Hiker Chicks: January 2010 tag:www.efccl.org,2010:/womensblog//1.310 2010-01-15T20:09:24Z 2010-01-15T20:21:27Z We're heading back to Moraine Hills State Park on Sunday, January 31! Put on a few extra layers and join us for a two-hour hike after church. We'll depart from the parking lot at 12:30 p.m., stop at Subway for... Rachel S. We're heading back to Moraine Hills State Park on Sunday, January 31! Put on a few extra layers and join us for a two-hour hike after church. We'll depart from the parking lot at 12:30 p.m., stop at Subway for lunch, and then travel as a group to our destination. If you are interested in attending, need a ride, or have room for passengers, please contact Martha Schuelke (847.854.8139).

]]> Hiker Chicks: December 2009 tag:www.efccl.org,2009:/womensblog//1.306 2009-12-22T18:36:10Z 2009-12-22T19:35:14Z The weather outside is frightful, but bundle up on December 27 to join our Hiker Chicks on a two-hour hike at Moraine Hills State Park! Meet in the front parking lot of the church at 12:30 p.m. and bring... Rachel S.

The weather outside is frightful, but bundle up on December 27 to join our Hiker Chicks on a two-hour hike at Moraine Hills State Park! Meet in the front parking lot of the church at 12:30 p.m. and bring a picnic lunch or money for Subway. If you are interested in attending, need a ride, or have room for passengers, please contact Martha Schuelke (847.854.8139).

(Image via sensetheart.com.)

]]> Not Your Grandma's Tea tag:www.efccl.org,2009:/womensblog//1.302 2009-11-06T16:02:44Z 2009-11-06T16:20:35Z As you probably already know, our annual spring tea is no longer in the spring! We're trying something new this year with a Christmas tea, and we want you to be there. We've added some fun twists, so keep reading!... Rachel S. As you probably already know, our annual spring tea is no longer in the spring! We're trying something new this year with a Christmas tea, and we want you to be there. We've added some fun twists, so keep reading!

For starters, this isn't just for the old ladies club! No offense meant for those more mature among us, but floral hats are not required. Since the theme this year is "His Princess," however, you are welcome to come wearing a tiara or crown.

Second, we'd like to encourage women who may not have a gorgeous set of china to consider being table hostesses anyway. Use paper plates and mismatched tea cups, if that's what you have! Just get in the holiday spirit and let your inner princess shine! Of course we love the traditional settings, too, so choose whatever makes you most comfortable. You can even partner with a few ladies to host a table together!

Finally, we'll be welcoming a mother/daughter speaking duo to the event, our very own Debbie Richardson and Jen Gibson. They will be share a special message about being the daughter of our eternal King — each one of us is His princess!

Just a few more notes for our table hostesses: we can definitely pair you up with another gal if you want to co-host a table, and there is no pressure to fill up your table with family and friends. We have plenty of women who want to attend, and we just need you to provide a place for them to sit and enjoy one another's company!

* * * * *

Interested in attending or hosting a table? Contact Alvira Colbert today! Phone: 815.459.1095 x23 • Email: acolbert@efccl.org. Click here for price, location, and other details.

]]> His Princess: 2009 Christmas Tea tag:www.efccl.org,2009:/womensblog//1.301 2009-10-31T21:22:53Z 2009-10-31T21:23:51Z Our yearly Spring Tea has been moved! We will now be celebrating a Christmas Tea on December 19, so mark the calendar and start inviting your friends, family members, and out-of-town guests who might be around for the holidays! As... Rachel S. Our yearly Spring Tea has been moved! We will now be celebrating a Christmas Tea on December 19, so mark the calendar and start inviting your friends, family members, and out-of-town guests who might be around for the holidays! As usual, we will need several women to volunteer to host a table, so let us know if that is something you would be interested in doing.

Where: Bull Valley Golf Club, 1311 Club Road, Woodstock, IL

When: December 19 at 11:45 a.m. (This will allow fifteen minutes to peruse the beautiful tables before sitting down to eat and drink.)

What: Join with women from our church to eat, drink, and fellowship before hearing a special message from guest speakers Debbie Richardson and Jen Gibson. This is a great excuse to dust off your china (as a table hostess) and your pearls or to show off your goofy holiday sweater. This year's theme is "His Princess," so feel free to bring your tiara, too!

Who: This event is a time of fellowship for women of our church, but we encourage you to invite friends and family members, too! We'd love to see tables filled with 20-somethings as well as tables filled with 70-somethings. Don't be afraid to mix it up, either, and get three or four generations at one table!

Cost: Tickets will be available for $20 a person. Please talk to us if payment is a concern, and we will do our best to offer full or partial scholarships as necessary.

]]> Mix It Up 2009 tag:www.efccl.org,2009:/womensblog//1.300 2009-10-31T21:15:48Z 2009-10-31T21:24:41Z Last year's baking event, Mix It Up, was a huge success, so we're bringing it back in 2009. Clear your schedules for November 12 and 19 at 7 p.m. for two nights of fabulous foods and great new recipes. We... Rachel S. Last year's baking event, Mix It Up, was a huge success, so we're bringing it back in 2009. Clear your schedules for November 12 and 19 at 7 p.m. for two nights of fabulous foods and great new recipes. We will once again focus on Christmas breads and cookies, spending time baking and eating while sharing about beloved and favorite traditions.

Where: Evangelical Free Church of Crystal Lake, Dining Room

When: November 12 at 7 p.m. (bread demonstration); November 19 at 7 p.m. (cookie exchange)

What: The first night will be a demonstration by some of our talented bread makers, who will focus on holiday bread recipes. The second night will be a cookie exchange, a casual time to eat and talk and fellowship during this new holiday tradition.

Who: This event is geared toward those over the age of fourteen and is open to women from our church and our community.

Cost: Free! You will be asked to bring a number of cookies if you would like to participate in the cookie exchange, but there are no other fees.

If you want to get a head start on the baking and eating, request a copy of the Mix It Up 2008 recipe book from the church office, available for only $2!

]]> Holiday Craftathon 2009 tag:www.efccl.org,2009:/womensblog//1.299 2009-10-31T20:55:58Z 2009-10-31T21:11:44Z Craft away the holiday blues! We received so much feedback on our fabric gingerbread house — a display item for our Mix It Up baking event last year — that we've decided to dedicate three Monday nights before Thanksgiving... Rachel S. Holiday Craftathon 2009

Craft away the holiday blues! We received so much feedback on our fabric gingerbread house — a display item for our Mix It Up baking event last year — that we've decided to dedicate three Monday nights before Thanksgiving to creating this craft together! Join us November 2, 9, and 16 at 7 p.m. for this three-part project that will be ready just in time to give away as a gift or to keep in your own home as a decoration. Invite some friends, or bring your mothers, daughters, aunts, nieces, and cousins for a new family tradition.

Where: Alvira Colbert's home, 7515 Forest Oak Drive, McHenry, IL

When: November 2, 9, and 16 at 7 p.m.*

What: Construct a fabric gingerbread house with a removable top, which can be used year after year as a beautiful display item.

Who: This event is open to all women in our church and community. Invite friends of all ages!

Cost: You are welcome to buy your own fabrics and materials if you want to create a custom look. We will also provide a limited number of kits with everything you need at the cost of $15 per kit.

*This is a three-part project, but you can finish at home if you need the extra time or cannot make all three sessions.

]]> Fall and Winter Events tag:www.efccl.org,2009:/womensblog//1.296 2009-10-13T18:47:52Z 2009-10-31T21:34:59Z Woo! Women's Ministries has been on a roll ever since the end of August! We hosted 230 women at the Beth Moore simulcast, an event that was a huge encouragement to all who attended. The next week, we put out... Rachel S. Woo! Women's Ministries has been on a roll ever since the end of August! We hosted 230 women at the Beth Moore simulcast, an event that was a huge encouragement to all who attended. The next week, we put out sign-up sheets at the church-wide Ministry Fair to announce our fall Bible studies and to open registration for our Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) group. The week after that, MOPS and morning Bible studies launched, followed by the launch of the Tuesday evening Bible study on September 22.

Now that things are humming along nicely with our current ministry opportunities, we wanted to give you a heads-up about some upcoming events through December!

October Hiker Chicks Schedule: The weather is threatening to turn foul, but that's no excuse to stay indoors! Get off your couch and join our Hiker Chicks group on Sunday, October 25 at 12:30 p.m. for a picnic lunch followed by a two-hour hike at Prairieview Nature Trail. (RSVP if you plan to attend, need a ride, or have room for passengers.) We also invite you to join us for a one-hour prairie trail walk (departing from Martha Schuelke's house) on Friday, October 30 at 5:30 p.m.

Holiday Craftathon: Last year, we featured a fabric gingerbread house as a display item while we advertised the Mix It Up baking events. So many women stopped by to comment on it that we've decided to dedicate three nights in November to this one-of-a-kind craft project! Kits with all the needed materials (fabric, decorations, etc.) will be available for purchase, or you can bring your own materials and get creative!

Mix It Up: This was one of our favorite events last year, and we're happy to bring it back in November 2009. We will dedicate one night to learning about Christmas breads and the second night to a Christmas cookie exchange! If you want to get a head start on the baking, last year's recipe books are still available for $2 a piece!

His Princess: Christmas Tea: Our annual tea has been moved to December, and we're looking forward to starting a new Christmas tradition! Ladies of all ages are invited to this princess-themed event based on the words of John 15:16. We are currently on the look-out for table hostesses, but this does not have to be as scary as it sounds! You can provide a set of china and fine linens for a table of ten or start a paper plate table, complete with sporks and mismatched tea cups.

If you're interested in more information about any of these events, shoot us an email at womensblog[at]efccl.org, leave a comment on this entry, give us a call (815.459.1095), or keep checking back on the blog for more details!

]]> Hiker Chicks: September 2009 tag:www.efccl.org,2009:/womensblog//1.287 2009-09-10T18:49:33Z 2009-09-10T18:53:59Z Prairie Trail Walk Our one-hour prairie trail walk is scheduled for Friday, September 11 at 5:30 p.m. Meet at Martha Schuelke's house (240 Souwanas Trail, Algonquin). If you have any questions, please contact Martha at 847.854.8139 or schuelkemxn[at]juno.com Nature Hike... Rachel S. Prairie Trail Walk
Our one-hour prairie trail walk is scheduled for Friday, September 11 at 5:30 p.m. Meet at Martha Schuelke's house (240 Souwanas Trail, Algonquin). If you have any questions, please contact Martha at 847.854.8139 or schuelkemxn[at]juno.com

Nature Hike @ Hickory Grove Conservation Area
Join us Sunday, September 20 from 12:30 'til 4 p.m. as we hike the trails at Hickory Grove Conservation Area. We will depart from the church at 12:30 p.m. for a picnic lunch followed by a two-hour hike.

R.S.V.P. to Martha if you are coming, if you need a ride, or if you have room for passengers.

]]> Living Proof Live: Beth Moore Simulcast (UPDATED) tag:www.efccl.org,2009:/womensblog//1.258 2009-08-27T15:00:00Z 2009-08-27T17:25:44Z Beth Moore's Living Proof Live conference is just around the corner, but we're still accepting registrations for our simulcast event! Join us August 28 and 29! Friday, August 28: Registration • 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. Dinner • 6... Rachel S. Living Proof Live: Beth Moore Simulcast

Beth Moore's Living Proof Live conference is just around the corner, but we're still accepting registrations for our simulcast event! Join us August 28 and 29!

Friday, August 28:
Registration • 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Dinner • 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Conference • 7 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, August 29:
Registration • 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
Conference • 8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Coffee Break • 10:30 a.m.

Registration • Tickets cost $25 for the weekend. We are no longer mailing out tickets, but we are accepting payment all the way through Friday and Saturday! (Note: we cannot accept credit cards, so please bring cash or checks.) We'd appreciate if you called or emailed with your name and phone number, just so we have an idea of how many people to expect. Contact Rachel Sankey at 815.459.1095 or rsankey[at]efccl.org.

Dining • An optional dinner will be available on Friday evening, since many of our women are coming directly from work or other responsibilities. The cost for this dinner will be $6. This is available on a first-come, first-serve basis, as we are anticipating late registrations and will not be able to accommodate everyone. Concessions will also be available for purchase on Friday night and Saturday morning. (Note: we cannot accept credit cards, so please bring cash or checks.) Coffee, bagels, and donuts will be provided free of charge during the scheduled break on Saturday morning.

Childcare • We will not be providing childcare for this event.

Topic / Featured Guests • Beth Moore, the featured speaker of the conference, will be speaking on "Coming Home to the Heart of Your Desires" from Psalm 37. Travis Cottrell and his band will lead us in songs of worship. (Although our event will be a simulcast of the live conference, we will be joining with the women in Green Bay and women from hundreds of other simulcast host churches in fellowship and praise.)

* * * * *

For more information about this event, leave a comment on this entry, email us, or call us!

]]> Hiker Chicks: August 2009 tag:www.efccl.org,2009:/womensblog//1.257 2009-08-08T18:58:46Z 2009-08-08T19:00:39Z Get out and enjoy the beautiful summer weather with Hiker Chicks! Our next outing is scheduled for August 16. Meet at the church at 12:30 p.m. for a picnic lunch and then carpool to Hickory Grove Conservation Area for a... Rachel S. Get out and enjoy the beautiful summer weather with Hiker Chicks! Our next outing is scheduled for August 16. Meet at the church at 12:30 p.m. for a picnic lunch and then carpool to Hickory Grove Conservation Area for a two-hour hike. Then join us on August 21 at 5:30 p.m. at Martha Schuelke's house for a one-hour prairie trail walk!

Please contact Martha Schuelke (847.854.8139 or schuelkemxn[at]juno.com) if you plan to attend or if you have any questions!

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