CAPPUCCINO CHRISTMAS:
Mark your calendar for this wonderful women’s outreach event on December 5th. General ticket sales begin November 13.

It was the day after a dear friend's funeral. I walked into a local Starbuck's, ordered and paid for my specialty coffee and walked out to my car. After my next stop, I suddenly realized that I didn't have that yummy "tall, extra hot, non-fat, decaf, no-whip mocha" in my possession. In fact, I had simply walked out after paying for it, instead of waiting for it to be made. For a moment, I contemplated my sillyness and whether or not I wanted to head back there and pick up my now lukewarm coffee, if it was still sitting on the counter there at all. Thankfully, I've learned to laugh at myself over the years, so back I went. The barista and I had a good chuckle about it and he generously offered to remake my coffee drink so it would be piping hot again. I let him. And I told him a bit about my week. Actually more like my summer - a season marked by some difficult times - losses of dear people, other friends who are hurting and some illness of my own.

The truth is, there are those seasons where difficulty seems to come in waves that pummel us and can leave us in a bit of a fog. Grief, pain, illness, injustice, hunger, fear, loneliness, anger - these are some of the emotions that can shape our view of life in this world. We need something to hold onto when circumstances leave us reeling. We need a light to guide us through our fog. That light is Jesus. He is the truth that guides our way. Paul's invitation to set our hearts and minds on things above, not on earthly things reminds us that it's our view of things that can make a difference in the midst of life's circumstances.

This fall, our large group Women's Bible Studies on Tuesday mornings and Wednesday evenings will be doing a study together aimed at guiding our way through the fog of this world and its daily, sometimes soul numbing grind to the Kingdom Life available to each of us as we follow Christ. This practical, in-depth study of Colossians 3 will serve as a roadmap to transformed living, which is why we're calling it "Living it Out." There will be a large group teaching time, followed by discussion in small groups - an opportunity to share authentically and crawl into each others hearts as fellow companions on this pilgrim journey. If you're serious about living your life as God intends, you won't want to miss it.

Register after services August 28, September 11 or 18.

Women's Retreat

There's a large picture of a bunch of women from our church hanging on my office wall. It was taken last year at our women's retreat and I absolutely love it. that's why you'll see it here and on our Women's Ministries Facebook page. The beauty of the trees flanked by the pristine blue of the lake and snow capped mountains in the background beckons me and I find myself wanting to be there again to breathe in the crisp air and drink in the wonder of God's creation. But I'm struck by another beauty in that photograph that stands out to me even more. It's the faces of the women gathered as one. These are my people. My peeps. The ones I get to do church with - do life with. We are friends. We are co-laborers and journey companions. We are shaping one another through our conversations and actions with each other. We have Christ in common and that bonds us in a sacred, mysterious way. And I feel great love and gratitude to God for these amazing women. And can't wait to go away for a weekend with them again. Soon!

Our next women's retreat is April 29-May 1. If you joined us last year, you know how wonderful it is to carve out time and space to get away with each other and with God. And if you've never come, or perhaps haven't come in awhile.....maybe this is the weekend for you to do so. We'll be talking about the heart change that God desires for us and works in us, and what happens as a result. You'll surely be inspired by the women who share their heart with you as they speak in the sessions and by the beauty of our gorgeous location on the banks of Lake Tahoe. We'll play, relax, eat, nap, learn, laugh, create, discover, eat, converse; did I say "eat"? The food is yummy, as are the incredible snacks. And gifts - who doesn't like gifts?

I hope you'll consider joining us, and being in the group picture we take this year - a snapshot of our "family" of women. Spaces are filling up fast - register soon after one of our services or in the office during the workweek. Hope to see you there!

Welcome, 2011!

It's a brand new year, and we've got all kinds of things happening for women at Oak Hills. Check it out:

1. New communication vehicles - we have a variety of ways to keep you in the loop of the latest happenings in Women's Ministries:

This blog, of course. As well as other postings on our church website.

Our email, instant update list. If we don't have your email address, let us know by emailing lorraine.rothenburg@oakhills.org.

Our various Facebook Pages - Oak Hills Church and Oak Hills Church Women's Ministries. There is also a Facebook Event page for our Oak Hills Church Women's Retreat. Look for us on Facebook and "Like Us", and become a Friend.

And, as always, you'll find information about women's happenings in our church bulletin.

2. Tuesday Morning Women's Bible Studies - begin on Feb 1 with three different study options:

The Seven Pillars of Health led by Debbie Luz

Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream led by Sue Young

Hebrews: An Invitation to Intimacy led by Lynn Derrick

Registration begins in our lobby on January 23.

3. Women's Retreat: Mark your calendars - April 29-May 1. We're beginning the planning for our awesome time away together. Watch for registration to begin in late February/early March.

4. Dinner By the Dozen: This is something new! We piloted our first one last November, and it was a blast! Designed to help women get to know each other better, these dinners take place in homes (and yes, there are 12 women there) and include feasting and luxurious time to get to know each other over just one dinner. If you would like to host a dinner in your home, let me know - I can even help you with the guest list and co-hostess if you like. If you'd like to be invited to a dinner, let me know that as well! Hopefully, soon we'll have these going on with women all throughout the church. lorraine.rothenburg@oakhills.org

5. Body and Soul: This exercise class on Monday, Wednesday and Friday continues to happen on our church campus. It's a wonderful workout led my our own Teresa Harbert. For more information, contact her at tharbert@sbcglobal.net.

6. Small Groups: There are a number of women's small groups meeting throughout the week. For more information or to get connected, contact me - lorraine.rothenburg@oakhills.org.

Happy New Year, 2011!