2016 dwm winter newsletter

1. NCDisciplesWomen
EmbracingLifewithHope!
Winter
2016
Greetings NC Disciples Women!
A New Year has arrived, and what a gift it brings! As I write to you,
I am celebrating Epiphany! I enjoyed Advent as the time of waiting and
anticipating the Messiah’s arrival. Meditating upon Hope, Peace, Love, and
Joy can illuminate God’s love, as we end one year and receive a new one. I
loved giving and receiving gifts, eating holiday goodies, and hearing the
beautiful music of Christmas, however, in the midst of the festivities, I felt
a sensation within—expecting something more. I was expecting the
breaking forth of Christ in a New Year. I was expecting new revelation of
who Christ will be to us in 2016, and it all climaxed with the manifestation
of New Year’s day!
In Matthew 2:1-12, the Magi diligently sought for the Christ child,
and after a time, they found him. Their expectancy; their sensation of
something more was satisfied. And satisfaction (finding the new life we so
desperately need), granted by Jesus Christ, gives way to a different path.
The Magi returned to their home country by a different path. May it be so
for us in 2016! As we continue our journey homeward, may we discover a
different path for life and ministry to accompany a new revelation!
In the first few days of this New Year, we find ourselves again in a
state of anticipation, as we await God’s revelatory grace during our
February 19-20 Study & Fellowship Retreat at Camp Caroline; our March
11-13 SERF (Southeastern Regional Fellowship) at Christmount, our April
22-24 168th Regional Assembly in Greenville, and our August 12-14
Retreat at Christmount. We, the NC DWM Cabinet, have lots to do before
we reach our first event, but in the same way that Christmas always comes
and somehow we’re always ready, each DWM event will come…and I
know we’ll be ready.
May your hearts be filled with Hope, Peace, Love, and Joy as we
await your presence among us. Until then, Happy
New Year!
Rev. Valerie J. Melvin,
Associate Regional Minister

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PRESIDENT
Joann W. Williams, Greensboro, NC
j_williams44@bellsouth.net
336.379.0274
VICE PRESIDENT-ELECT
Mary Evans, Kinston, NC
mwevans1953@gmail.com
252.521.6074
RECORDER
Bonita Newsome, King, NC
bonitanewsome@gmail.com
Bonita.newsome@stokes.k.12.nc.us
336.983.9855
PR/SERF COORDONATOR
Connie Hance, Winston-Salem, NC
chance1@triad.rr.com
336.813.7777
YOUTH/YOUNG ADULT
Emily McLawhorn, Snow Hill, NC
Mclaw930@gmail.com
252.814.5171
LEGISLATIVE COORDINATOR
Daisy Chambers, Winston-Salem, NC
daisychambers@att.net
336.725.6596
WORSHIP DIRECTOR
Angel Lorton, New Bern, NC
aandj@suddenlink.net
252.671.7551
STUDY DIRECTOR
Rev. Dr. Penny Ziemer, Goldsboro, NC
pbziemer@gmail.com
919.920.4192
SERVICE DIRECTOR
Rev. Melissa Acres, Goldsboro, NC
melisacr9@aol.com
919.738.8798
OUTREACH COORDINATOR
Ruth McCoy, Greensboro, NC
missruth@bellsouth.net
336.691.0951
WOMAN-TO-WOMAN
Lisa Belue, Ayden, NC
lisah95@earthlink.net
252.746.9631
ALBEMARLE DISTRICT
Jennifer Small, Washington, NC
jen.small@yahoo.com
252.402.8520
CENTRAL DISTRICT
Joann Washington, Winston-Salem, NC
joannwash@aol.com
336.767.6157
Josie Douthit, Kernersville, NC
Josie.douthit@gmail.com
336.817.9514
COASTAL PLAINS DISTRICT
Tonnette Artis
tonk97@yahoo.com
252.315.5306
MILL CREEK DISTRICT
Maere Kay Lashmit, Dunn. NC
5177@embarqmail.com
910.892.2639
PIEDMONT DISTRICT CONVENTION
Deborah Clark, Martinsville, VA
dlcljc@yahoo.com
276.618.0937
The 2015-16 NC Disciples Women’s Ministries Cabinet

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Greetings From Our President Joann Williams
NC DISCIPLES WOMEN
Greetings to the Women of North Carolina,
It is my prayer that things are going well in your respected area. What a time we had at Christmount and it is
my hope that you enjoyed your time spent there as well. We have another opportunity to convene in March
when we come together in for SERF.
Praise God for the safe return of Blanca Fassii as our Women to Women. She will start her visit to the
churches through your invitation in April to share her trip. In the meantime, don’t forget to reach out to our
past President and current Women to Women, Lisa Blue, who will continue to share her experiences until
March 2016.
I was honored to fellowship with Stokesdale Christian in October along with First Christian. This bond was
built at our Christmount Retreat. The relationship formed between the two churches was priceless. It would
be great to see more relationships built. We will have another opportunity when First Christian Church in
Winston Salem, NC host our Cabinet Meeting on February 6, 2016. Please mark your calendars now. I am
honor to serve as your President and I look forward to our continuous work together.
A special thanks to the cabinet for agreeing to come together so our Latham House Project could be competed.
I salute each of you for your vote.
As we continue fellowshipping throughout this holiday season, let us not forget the reason for the season. Re-
member to pray for those lest fortunate and lend a hand when you can in your churches or your neighbor-
hoods.
From my family to yours, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!
Always,
Joann W. Williams

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West side shingles removed East side shingles removed
New 30-Year Architectural shingles placed, clean-up completed, and
we have a new roof! The NC DWM Cabinet offers special thanks to:
Jennifer Small, Hillyer Memorial CC, FCC-Goldsboro, Ed & Annell
McLawhorn, Daisy Chambers, Stokesdale CC-CWF & CMF, FCC-
Washington, and FCC-Macclesfield for making this dream come
true! On to phase II!!!
The Latham House has a new Roof!
Phase I Complete...On to Phase II!
JustWomenis theofficial
study resourcefor
DisciplesWomen’s
Ministries. Thisquarterly
magazine forChristian
womenis published by
InternationalDisciples
Women’s Ministries.This
endeavorbeganwiththe
January 2009issue.
JustWomenmagazinehas
gonedigital! Joomag.com
isthe hostsiteforour
magazine.Wesold-outof
the regularpublisher-
printedissue of the 2015
JustWomenBible study;
anditwas thefirste-
versionoffering. The Bible
study aloneis availablefor
$6.99.Asubscriptionis
availablefor$18.99.Please
sendyourJustWomen
renewalformsandchecks
(payabletoJustWomen)to
IDWM-JustWomen,P.O.
Box1986,Indianapolis,IN
46206-1986.
www.discipleswomen.org

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Looking for You…Is Anyone Out There???
Oh, there you are…I have been looking for you. Yes, YOU! We have been missing
you and I am afraid you have been missing out. NC Disciples Women Ministries is a
holy sanctum where all women…did you hear that…all women of all ages come to-
gether as a community to share one another’s burdens, to comfort and love one anoth-
er, to feed our souls in the Holy Word, as well as participate in retreats and social ac-
tivities that increase the bond of fellowship as Christian women in our world today.
Hebrews 10:25 Living Bible 25 Let us not neglect our church meetings, as some peo-
ple do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming
back again is drawing near.
Yes, there are excuses. We have probably heard most of them. They go something
like this: Oh, she is too young to be in disciple women. That is just a group of old women; it is not for me.
I am too busy and I do not like meetings. Maybe I will join it someday. I just need a hot bath and five
minutes to myself.
Have you ever heard the saying if you want something done, ask a busy person? Well, let us look at our
priorities…all Christians know that God comes first. We fellowship together on Sundays and get busy with
our daily lives and the next thing you know, we are busy and God is on the back burner. He has moved
from the top of our list to way down on our daily list. Does this sound familiar?
But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Je-
sus, His Son, purifies us from all sin. I John 1:7 Women need community to nurture and grow in their
faith. We have friends who we share with and enjoy fellowshipping with and so we need to go further and
expand our faith through women’s groups…locally and regionally. If you have never been to a disciple
women’s retreat, you have missed heaven here on earth. Yes, it is true. The Holy Spirit dwells and thrives
at women’s retreats and gatherings. The love, the community of women, is like nothing else in this world.
Become a part of this community. Share and grow. Give yourself a blessing. Become an active member
of the NC Disciple Women Ministries.
Do you have ideas? Do you want to make changes? Do you want to form a group or community of young
women at your church? Let it meet YOUR needs. You can find interesting names for groups. A few sug-
gestions: GALs=Godly Always Ladies, J.O.Y.=Just Older Youth, LACE=Ladies After Christ’s Example,
L.I.F.T.=Ladies In Faith Together, SHINE=Serving Him IN Everything, or T.A.G=Touching All Genera-
tions. You do not have time for meetings? Create a Facebook page or a connection group through the dif-
ferent media on the Internet. Instant Share…Instant Care. Build a community for the young women in
your church area.
The size of the group and/or the age of the group does not matter. What truly matters is that YOU are hear-
ing God’s Word, seeking God’s Word, and living God’s Word. In being all that you can be as a Christian
girl or woman, you seek fellowship and community. You want to grow spiritually and you want to fellow-
ship with other Christians who can support you and guide you and encourage you. Romans 1:11-12: For I
long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you---that is, that we may be mu-
tually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.
NC Disciple Women’s Ministries…I am looking for you…ah, here you come. Blessings are on the way.
Looking for You! By Mary Evans, Vice President Elect
NC DISCIPLES WOMEN

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Remembering the Christmount Retreat 2015
NC DISCIPLES WOMEN

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Remembering the Camp Caroline Retreat 2015
NC DISCIPLES WOMEN

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From the Albemarle District….Jennifer Small, Coordinator
NC DISCIPLES WOMEN
FCC Washington
FCC Washington held a wonderful Christ-
mas General Meeting. Gifts were brought
for Operation Santa Claus for the Mental
Health Association, and Angel Tree gifts
were provided for the Salvation Army.
The ladies also included plans for cookies
and support for Christmas Village Toy
Store. Good job, sisters!
As FCC Plymouth ended 2015,
they were busy with a bathroom
remodel for their church, helping
with a soup kitchen and planning
for a gospel sing in February
2016. Their regular ministry in-
cluded sending cards, providing
condolence meals, and planning
their potluck Christmas luncheon.
They had installed Kathy Waters,
as President. We are proud of you
Plymouth!
FCC Elizabeth City, closed the year
collecting dimes for a sand dam for
Week of Compassion, helping their
church with a once a month feeding at a
shelter and all the “usual”’ taking care
of bereaved family, shut-ins and send-
ing out cards as needed and working on
a fund-raiser. Thank you ladies for
keeping the love alive in Elizabeth City!
What is your Women’s Group doing? Share it with
your District Coordinator for our next newsletter.

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DWM SERVICE PROJECT
SAFETY KITS
Regional Assembly 2016
The Disciples Women’s Ministry of North Carolina request your support in
a Service Project of Compassion to provide hygiene necessities for men and
women rescued from Human Trafficking situations. Bring your Safety Kits
to the Regional Assembly in April. The Safety Kits will be equally
distributed between Third Street and Eastern NC Stop Human Trafficking
of Greenville, NC.
Place the following items in a Gallon Zip Lock Bag:
Safety Kits (Women) Safety Kits (Men)
Bar of Soap Bar of Soap
Wash Cloth Wash Cloth
Deodorant Deodorant
Toothbrush Toothbrush
Toothpaste Toothpaste
Dental Floss Dental Floss
Small Brush Comb
Sanitary Pads Disposable Razor
Disposable Razor Life Savers
Life Savers
Our Goal is to collect 1,000 Bags
Please contact Rev. Melissa Acres
DWM Director of Service
Email:melisacr9@aol.com
Cell:919-738-8798
Getting Ready for Regional Assembly 2016

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Greetings, Sisters!
I hope you are enjoying using the 2015 DWM Study curriculum from the Spring 2015 edition of
Just Women entitled “Women of the New Testament: Finding Their Voices.” Our own Marilyn
Williams, who has begun her leadership role as President of International Disciples Women’s
Ministries, invites us in the stirring introduction to this study to “experience, discover, rediscover,
renew, rekindle, and refresh” our “spiritual” quests through exploring the lives of 8 New Testament
women.
The stories of these women – Anna, the Bent-over Woman, the Women at the Tomb, Mary, the
Mother of Jesus, the Canaanite Woman, the Mother of James and John, and the Woman Who
Anointed Jesus- are both challenging and comforting us! They reveal things hidden in our lives and
hearts we have forgotten or never recognized before. They call us to begin to “see” all of our lives
together in fresh, new ways.
Marilyn Vos Savant , who once held the distinction of being the American with the highest recorded
IQ, according to the Guinness Book of Records, once wrote, “To acquire knowledge, one must
study, to acquire wisdom, one must observe.” Study is never just about learning information or
facts, although that is one dimension of it. Deep study invites us to stop and observe, watch, listen
to, touch, connect with, and respond to. Sometimes study unearths the
wisdom of Richard Baxter who believed we should “study hard, for the
well is deep and our brains are shallow.”
One thing is sure. These lessons are not shallow! Our hearts and our lives
together will be deepened and enriched by this study. Written by women
from our denomination with expertise, experience and much wisdom, each
lesson includes an Introduction, a Bible Exploration, a Life Application,
and some suggestions for Further Action.
In addition, I have prepared a supplementary resource which should be
posted on the NC Regional DWM website by the time you read this. This
includes:
An Introduction to Nine Approaches to Reading the Bible
Some monologues, dialogues and poems which complement the texts
Some samples of “Other Voices” all around us which resonate with these Biblical women
Interest and gifts inventories
Devotional readings
I will be glad to visit your groups and share a program on subjects which may enrich your women’s
ministries. Just contact me at pbziemer@gmail.com or 919-920-4192. Subscription information for
this study is available at www.discipleswomens.org, JustWoman@dhm.disciples.org or Just
Women, PO Box 1986, Indianapolis, IN 46206.
In Love,
Penny Ziemer, NCDWM Study Chair
NC DISCIPLES WOMEN
From our Study Director

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You're Invited
Annual
DWM/CWF Luncheon
The W-2-W Quilt Drawing
Will take place at our Annual
Luncheon during the 168th Regional
Assembly at the Greenville
Convention Center in Greenville,
NC, April 22-24, 2016. Deadline for
receiving money and stubs in the
Regional Office is APRIL 1, 2016
Tickets will be sold at Regional
Assembly.
Quilt donated by Mollie
Renfrow Women’s Fellowship
Greenleaf Christian Church,
Goldsboro
Quilt name: ‘Word Up’
Quilt Size: 82x82
LEST WE FORGET!!
Greetings, Disciples Women of
North Carolina,
My name is Lisa Belue. I am
your immediate past president
of NC DWM, and I was your
Woman to Woman Representa-
tive to France and Italy in 2014. On Sunday, October 12, 2014 we
landed in Paris. We started our journey with a walking tour of Par-
is and ended with a wonderful worship service at Temple du Ma-
rais that evening. This was the beginning of a wonderful 10 day
journey through Paris, Rome, Florence and Torre Pellice.
While in France, we visited CASP Eglantine Shelter. This is the
focus of our Woman to Woman Worldwide 2014 Service Pro-
ject. The Eglantine Women’s Shelter welcomes pregnant and sin-
gle women alone or with children facing significant need. They
have the ability to house a total of 59 women and 89 children ages
0 to 16. Each family has a single room with a private bathroom.
Families are able to eat three meals daily in the Shelter’s common
dining area. The Shelter has a large multi-purpose room. This
room welcomes resident organized events, after school tutoring
courses, theme nights, and other activities. This room has a kitch-
enette and a computer area. The Shelter seeks funds to finance the
remodeling of the multi-purpose room to better serve the resi-
dents. The Disciple Woman-to-Woman Worldwide and Global
Ministries welcome gifts for a remodeling project that currently is
underway for the multi-purpose room.
The project includes:
· Installing an open eating counter area in the kitchen area
· Creating a reading corner with a library
· Creating a multimedia space with updated computers
· Development of a functional space for resident organized events
Gifts for our project may be sent to the NC Regional Office with
W2WW Eglantine Shelter Project noted in the memo line.
I look forward to sharing with your DWM/CWF all that we expe-
rienced. Please contact me at 252-746-9631 or
lisah95@earthlink.net to schedule a time for me to visit and share
with you and your group.
Lisa Belue, 2014 North Carolina Woman to Woman Representa-
tive to France and Italy
Our next Woman-to-Woman tour begins late spring with Blanca Faasii of
Gordon Street Christian, who traveled to Israel and Palestine. Sign up early!

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The DWM at St. Luke, Tarboro, NC
NC DISCIPLES WOMEN
The Sisters of St Luke Church of Christ (D.O.C.) have
been busy promoting health and well-being! Serving as
volunteers for a Community Health & Safety Fair held on
Saturday, August 8, 2015 in Princeville, N.C. The event
was offered by St. Luke Total Community Outreach
Ministry (TCOM), a St. Luke auxiliary. Numerous vendors
participated providing dental screenings and blood
pressure checks, offering health information on nutrition,
diabetes, cancer, heart disease, wellness and many other
health areas. Vendors also provided information and
products on fire safety, children ID kits, bicycle safety,
etc. The 4-hour event was very successful." The women
in red are CWF members.

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Paperwork: Application
 Recommendation from regional staff or constituency president. In absence of either position a recommendation
from the regional minister.
 A valid passport with an expiration date of more than six month after the date of the journey.
Physical:
 Able to walk up three flights of stairs carrying your own luggage;
 Able to walk a mile in 15 minutes without stopping;
 Able to go without alcohol for two weeks;
 Able to check pre-trip e-mails weekly, search the Web and print materials (either personally do this or have the
support system to do so) – e-mail address is required and;
 Ability to listen with brain as well as ears.
Personality / Spiritual: Flexibility
 Ability to put your wants aside for the good of the group’s schedule and needs;
 Ability to follow written and spoken directions;
 Ability to read a clock and be on-time, every time;
 Ability to be without electronic technology 24 hours or longer.
 Willingness to get along with those different than yourself;
 Willingness to go outside of personal comfort zone to be a help to fellow participants;
 Willingness to talk to outside groups and ask for their help either with your fund-raising or with donations for a
service project;
 Flexibility (the day may not always go as planned);
 Willingness to accept others who may be having a bad day;
 Realize (this isn’t a vacation trip) you may not have all the comforts of home (hot water, flushing toilets, and daily
showers) and you may not know the full extent of this until you arrive incountry — the potential for more
“camping” than “luxury” hotel.
 Willingness to share a room for two weeks with someone who may be very different from you in age, tempera-
ment, or background;
 Realize that your contact information will be published online as a speaker for the experience.
 Ability to put personal wants and desires aside and to participate fully in all activities—journaling, devotions, etc.
 Ability to live out of one suitcase for two weeks. This suitcase should be no bigger than 26”. Smaller is better. If
you have chronic medical issues (i.e. allergies, diabetes, etc.), you must be responsible for bringing enough medi-
cine with you for the entire trip. Please note, there may not be refrigeration and there may not be electricity.
Please note: None of the above guidelines are optional.
Diversity:
(Constituency participants are encouraged and may be in addition to regional participants)
 Age
 Ethnicity
 Regional and Constituency
 Life Situations
Woman-To-Woman 2016 South Africa & Ghana—Guidelines!
Before you apply, there s something you should know!!!!
NC DISCIPLES WOMEN

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Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
in North Carolina
P.O. Box 1568 509 Lee Street NE Wilson, NC 27894
Phone 252.291.4047 FAX 252.291.3338
Website: ncdisciples.org
January 19, 2016
Dear NC Disciples Women:
We are delighted to share with you the 2016 Woman-to-Woman Scholarship Application, along with two Recommendation Forms.
If you have an interest in being the North Carolina Woman-to-Woman representative to SOUTH AFRICA/GHANA , October 13-16,
please fill out the appropriate forms and return them to the Regional Office no later than February 1st
, so that we might select the NC dele-
gate and forward our recommendation to Indianapolis by February 15th. A member of the regional Woman-to-Woman committee or a pre-
vious Woman-to-Woman delegate is available to talk with each applicant personally to insure understanding of the covenant agreement
among Disciples Women in regards to international travels.
To complete the application process, read the guidelines for travel very carefully then give one of the Recommendation Forms to
your current minister and one to a colleague. Advise them to return the form promptly. February 1st
is the deadline. The number of women
allowed on the trip abroad is usually limited, so the sooner we receive your application and recommendations, the sooner we can choose a
representative and pass that name on to the Office of Disciples Women in Indianapolis. Please do not send an application to the ODW
without going through the NC process first, they will send it back to us!
The approximate cost for the trip is $5,000.00 (not including personal airfare to/from city of departure). Your NC DWM/CWF
works to fund this trip, the applicant chosen is encouraged to raise funds as well. Local congregations and mission-minded organizations are
always willing to help underwrite the trip. Some Woman-to-Woman delegates in the past have not had the money for such a trip, but through
the kindness of others, God made the way possible for them to travel. Go ahead and apply, you might end up with two stories to tell; 1) about
the amazing benevolence of God and, 2) about how trust and faith are key ingredients for a miracle.
After the trip, you will be asked to fulfill your part of the Woman-to-Woman covenant agreement, which is to prepare and present a
program to churches in the Region of North Carolina. These presentations will begin April of the year following your travels. This is tradi-
tionally when the DWM/CWF study material will include the country you visited as its mission emphasis. We will publish your logistical
information throughout the region and the DWM/CWF’s will contact you to arrange a time for a presentation. We highly encourage the
churches to provide you with a place to stay if an overnight stay is necessary, and pay your mileage at the CPI approved rate. When honorari-
ums are given, they are remitted to the Regional office to replenish the Woman-to-Woman travel fund which will offer another woman an
opportunity such as yours.
According to our former Woman-to-Woman representatives, experiencing Christianity in another culture is life-changing. Please
give this your prayerful consideration.
Application Timeline from the Office of Disciples Women:
February 15 - Application is due.
March 1 - Notice of Acceptance to participants and regional staff.
May 1 - Deposit of $600 and 2 copies of pages 1 & 2 of Passport due.
June 1 – 1/3 of balance of the registration fee is due and deposit is non-refundable.
Cancellations after this point are subject to airfare and hotel cancellation penalties.
July 15 – 1/2 of remaining balance of the registration fee is due.
August 15 – the balance of the registration fee is due.
**Due to the necessity of spending funds well before journey begins,
the balance must be paid by August 15 or we will need to remove you from the list of participants.**
Blessings~
Rev. Valerie J. Melvin
Associate Regional Minister in NC

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2016 WOMAN-TO-WOMAN WORLDWIDE
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
SOUTH AFRICA & GHANA
OCTOBER 13-26, 2016 / Cost: $5,000.00
North Carolina Regional DWM/CWF
PPLEASELEASE PRINTPRINT,, USEUSE EXTRAEXTRA PAPERPAPER IFIF NEEDEDNEEDED..
Name Age
Address
City/State/Zip
Phone ( ) Congregation
Describe your DWM/CWF activities at the local, district, regional and general levels.
Describe your church activities at the local, district, regional and general levels.
Describe your involvement in community activities.
What are your previous travel experiences?
What can you contribute as a member of the Woman-to-Woman group?
Do you feel comfortable speaking to groups of people?
What are your speaking experiences and presentation skills?
RELEASE FORM
I understand that if I am chosen to represent North Carolina on the Woman-to-Woman Worldwide trip, I should make myself available
for the following year to share my experience through visits and presentations to DWM/CWF’s and congregations in the region. I un-
derstand that I am responsible for my own insurance coverage, and I release the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in North Car-
olina of any and all liabilities. I further state that I have read the Participant Guidelines, understand them, and agree to abide by
them. I am aware that all reasonable basic precautions are taken by Woman-to-Woman Worldwide staff. Additionally, I agree to read
all preparatory materials.
Signed Date
*NOTE: First consideration will be given to women who have not participated in other Woman-to-Woman experiences. Please com-
plete the entire form. Incomplete applications may NOT be considered.
Return by February 1, 2016 to: Christian Church in N.C., PO Box 1568, Wilson, NC 27894
Ph. 252.291.4047/Fax: 252.291.3338 Attn: Rev. Valerie J. Melvin

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NC DISCIPLES WOMEN

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NC DISCIPLES WOMEN

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RECEIVING AND DEDICATING OUR BLESSING BOX OFFERINGS
Called to Be A Blessing (in unison)
Gracious God, we thank you for blessings that belong not to us alone, but to all our sis-
ters and brothers, since they, too, are created in your image. Let their need become our
need; let their hunger become our hunger; and grant to us also a portion of their pain,
so that in sharing ourselves, we discover the Christ walks with our brothers and sisters.
AMEN. (Hymnal: A Worship Book, #750)
Scripture: Matthew 5: 3-10, responsively
L: You’re blessed when you feel you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is
less of you and more of God and his rule.
ALL: YOU’RE BLESSED WHEN YOU FEEL YOU’VE LOST WHAT IS MOST DEAR TO YOU. ON-
LY THEN CAN YOU BE EMBRACED BY THE ONE MOST DEAR TO YOU.
L: You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less— that’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners
of everything that can’t be bought.
ALL: YOU’RE BLESSED WHEN YOU’VE WORKED UP A GOOD APPETITE FOR GOD. HE’S FOOD AND DRINK IN THE BEST MEAL YOU’LL
EVER EAT.
L: You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.
ALL: YOU’RE BLESSED WHEN YOU GET YOUR INSIDE WORLD— YOUR MIND AND HEART—PUT RIGHT. THEN YOU CAN SEE GOD IN THE
OUTSIDE WORLD.
L: You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really
are, and your place in God’s family.
ALL: YOU’RE BLESSED WHEN YOUR COMMITMENT TO GOD PROVOKES PERSECUTION. THE PERSECUTION DRIVES YOU EVEN DEEPER
INTO GOD’S KINGDOM.
Bringing Our Offerings
Singing Our Thanks: “Give Thanks” Chalice Hymnal, page 528
Prayer of Dedication & Benediction (in unison)
Accept , O God, the gifts we bring of spirit and of clay, Transform them into blessings on those we serve today. Rekindle deep
within us all the passion to fulfill the ministry disciples have, empower’d to do your will.
(words by Mary Anne Parrott, 1982, Chalice Hymnal, page 379)
Authored by: Rev. Gloria Hernandez Bucher, Bluffton, Ohio
For the full 9-page Blessing Box dedication, please us this link:
https://www.discipleshomemissions.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/DW-GP-2016-BlessingBoxDedication.pdf
To Process Your Offering ~
Regional Note: To receive quarterly recognition in the DWM Newsletter of your Blessing Box giving, please send funds to
the NC Regional Office, made payable to: Christian Church in NC, with Blessing Box denoted on the memo line Once your
funds are recorded, they are forward to DMF. Otherwise, use the procedure below and your funds will be recognized in
the NC Newsletter annually, during the Christmount Retreat.
Offerings may be converted to a check made payable to Disciples Mission Fund, labeled as Blessing Box offerings,
including your congregation and city, then mailed to:
OGMP-Treasury Services P.O. Box 1986 Indianapolis, IN 46206-1986
Offerings may also be made via the Disciples Mission Fund online system. Visit docgeneralassembly.webconnex.com/dmf for a secure
connection. In the “Special Designation” option select “Blessing Box” for proper processing of your offering.