Dear Women of WBC,
Place 4 Women: Leadership Now and Into the Future!
Our search for a new Women's Director at WBC has begun. We are thrilled to see God at work as He leads us into an exciting new chapter and brings the woman of His choice to our church. In the meantime, I am so happy to announce the hiring of two key individuals as our interim team to help support all of you in Women's Ministry at this important time of transition at Wheaton Bible Church.
I want to welcome Kellie Kammes as our Interim Women's Ministry Director. Kellie comes to us with over seven years of ministry experience as the Director of Women's Ministry at Ginger Creek Community Church. She is a gifted leader, teacher and has a passion for the care and equipping of women. In support of Kellie's part-time efforts in leading women's ministry, we have also hired Amy Hogan on a part-time basis as Interim Program Assistant of Place 4 Women. As many of you know, Amy has played a key role as PFY Coordinator this past year and served in various roles in WBC's Women's Ministry. Please join me in welcoming this dynamic team.
Jeff Walser
Discipleship Pastor
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Finding a Sense of Direction
People experienced in Arctic exploration tell us that snow, ice and cold are not the greatest hazards of Arctic travel. The most serious problem is what is known as "white-out." It is produced by haze that blots out everything. You lose your sense of direction. Worse than that, you get disoriented. You can even lose your sense of balance. Since there is no horizon and you cannot see the ground, you become confused as to up, down and sideways.
Jesus promised to give us the Holy Spirit. Trying to live without Him in a wicked world can be as confusing as trying to navigate in a white-out. Without the Word of God, we are left without a sense of direction because there is no horizon and no pole star of absolute values. It is easy to become confused about right and wrong. The failure to use the Scripture as a guidepost has resulted in an ethical crisis in our world that affects every aspect of our lives.
Prayer Thought
Father, guide me in all the decisions I have to make today. May I take no action that does not meet the prayer test of Your approval. In a world of situation ethics, keep my life on course by showing me the direction of your Word.
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Providence with Nancy Barton
Who's better to speak to us of PROVIDENCE--the wisdom, care and guidance that comes from God--than our beloved former Women's Director, Nancy Barton? After her recent relocation to Grace Covenant Church in Austin, Texas, we feel blessed to be able to catch-up with Nancy and her new life.
How's life in Austin, Nancy?
Well, first of all I want to greet each of you and pray that you are experiencing in new ways the love of Jesus. May He become more and more real to you! I miss you and pray and trust that the Lord is hovering over Women's Ministry at WBC in such a way that you stand strong and courageous in the midst of change. As God made it clear to me over a year ago, "God is doing a new thing..." (Isaiah 43:18-19). He's doing a new and different thing at WBC...may you embrace that new thing.
Well, I must say, the transition to Austin has been so smooth. It's hard to believe I've been here two months this week! I have moved into a lovely condominium right next to the church office. It is only 60 steps to get from the entrance of my condo to my office! How's that for a commute? Our church sits high at the intersection of two major freeways, 360 and 183. It literally is the start to the Texas Hill Country, and I must say, just a beautiful view! The condo is temporary; hopefully, by summer I'll buy a house.
The city is marvelous. I've enjoyed taking regular walks down at Lady Bird Lake in downtown. I've also had the privilege of attending quite a few Longhorn basketball games, which were so fun. I am now a full-fledged Longhorn fan! I've enjoyed entertaining friends from Dallas, Michigan and Chicago while they were down on spring break. I've joined the Northwest Austin YMCA and have LOVED being back in the Y system. I must say, it's just great to be back in Texas in every way. And yes, the weather has been nice...
Tell us about your church.
Grace Covenant Church has been around for some 35 years. We're actually in the midst of a building campaign as well. We hope to have our new sanctuary up by next spring. It's fun to watch it being built daily! I love the people I work with and have loved meeting all the women. Our pastor, Matt Cassidy, has been there for 18 years, although not always as Senior Pastor. He's an amazing teacher of the Word of God! He trained under Jim Rose, now retired, who was my former pastor in Dallas at Northwest Bible Church. The church is also going through many transitions. I'm happy to be a part of that transition and offer what I can in ministering to not only women, but also the whole church. I have additional responsibilities in the area of spiritual life and worship. I serve on the Worship Planning Team and enjoy having influence in this important part of Sunday morning. There have been several different women's ministers at Grace over the years, so we do have some established ministry programs. I see my role as that of "remodeling" and taking it to the next level. There are many eager women ready to be used and equipped for ministry!
How have you seen God's clear leading?
Well, I must say God's hand has been all over this move. He has been in the process of preparing me for the "next thing." It has been so exciting to simply surrender my life to Him and watch what He can do. Since being away from so many friends, I've had to rely much more on the Holy Spirit to lead, guide and direct me every day, every hour as I start this new position. It's been a long time since I was "new" somewhere. It has been so great to see God guide me in coming, providing a place to live next to the church, becoming so quickly settled, and seeing the enormous blessing that follows obedience. He has been so faithful! I stand amazed at our awesome God.
In addition, I have seen how kind and sweet God has been in this transition. It is very hard for a single woman to pick up and leave her "place of residence" and start all over. I would and could only do it because God's leading was so clear. Over six years ago, I finally resolved to "give up" ever moving back to Texas. The Lord helped me embrace life in Chicago, knowing it was His plan. However, I was amazed at the gift of being able to go back to Texas near so many friends and some family. In addition, one of my closest friends from Dallas moved here a week prior to me. Another close friend from Dallas is moving here in the summer. I'm blown away at how kind God has been to give me such a network of old friends and move me back to Texas!
How can we pray for you, Nancy?
Thanks so much! I covet your prayers. Please pray that:
- I would live with a huge awareness of my need for God; to truly walk in humility and love before God and others.
- Praise God for the sale of my home; please pray for the right home for me to purchase.
- Pray for God to lead me as I lead women; that I would be sensitive to His voice, direction and guidance in EVERYTHING.
- Pray for women to find their niche in women's ministry and begin to soar!
Important Date Coming
Nancy Barton turns 50 on May 9th. I am sure she would love to get a note from her friends in Illinois. If you need her contact information, please email Erica Rinde.
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Women You Should Know: Mary Dunnam, Faith Amongst a Secular Business Backdrop
Mary Dunnam has attended Wheaton Bible Church since 2002, drawn to the church following her son Brett's connection with HERD. She and her husband, Sherman, will celebrate their thirtieth wedding anniversary this summer. They have one other son, Mitchell. Mary is a business executive with a 9 billion dollar corporation.
InTune: Mary, as a Senior Vice President with OfficeMax, tell us a little about your career responsibilities and how business activities conflict--if they do--with home/family/social life.
Mary: Twenty-six years ago, I joined Boise Cascade Corporation. Boise later went on to purchase OfficeMax in 2003. I currently have responsibility for an organization of 2,500 U.S.-based individuals who support all of our business-to-business and web/retail customers. Last summer, I added profit and loss responsibility for a high-growth, 250-person inside sales organization focused on mid-sized businesses.
I recognize my blessings and am both thankful for and mindful of the responsibilities I bear-as a Christian, a wife and mother, and as a career professional. However, I certainly don't feel I face a higher level of conflict than others who are "in demand" with home/family/social commitments. All commitments come with potential for great outcomes.
InTune: Is it difficult to maintain a Christ-like balance between the various "hats" you wear in your life?
Mary: No. I strive to live consistently regardless of "hats." Isn't that the challenge for each of us?
InTune: As a business executive working within a secular society, do you ever get an opportunity to share your faith?
Mary: In the course of the lives of 2,500 people, innumerable opportunities arise for me to share my faith. I aim to have a servant's heart in serving our people and our customers. In the past month, two of my local teammates have lost their fathers suddenly and one other lost his teenage son. It is in these unfortunate circumstances that God equips me to respond in support and prayer.
InTune: How do you use your time and talents in developing your spiritual growth at WBC?
Mary: In the past, I have assisted with a couple of the Christmas Teas and the early development of the Women's Ministry website. I have been participating in the Tuesday evening Place 4 You Bible Study since the fall of 2002. I generally can arrange my travel schedule to avoid missing the valuable discussion. This past winter session I enjoyed being with a group of extremely fine women in the study of the Tabernacle, entitled A Woman's Heart, God's Dwelling Place, which was marvelously co-led by Sharon Nelson and Toni Kulisek.
This year, I decided to add something a little different. I extended a 'virtual' invitation to six other women in my family who live in California, Illinois, Michigan and Virginia to participate via email in this Beth Moore Bible study that I enjoyed here at WBC. It was a great way to share an abiding faith, strengthen family ties coast-to-coast, and support one another in the most meaningful of ways. The weekly "discussion" started with an email to my family group highlighting a particular concept, a meaningful Scripture and prayer requests...the others then joined in sharing and responding. It enabled me to reinforce my spiritual growth all the more!
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A Taste of Home, Substitute This...
Replace meat in soup or salad with ½ cup protein-rich edamame. They're loaded with iron, too. Studies show soybeans may protect against breast and colon cancer.
Swap the mayo on your sandwiches for a thin layer of olive tapenade. You'll trade the saturated fat for healthier, unsaturated fats.
Substitute up to ½ of the butter or oil in your favorite cake, cookie or muffin recipe with the same amount of unsweetened applesauce. You'll save on fat and calories, but still have a moist, delicious treat.
Spoon 2 tablespoons of salsa onto your baked potato instead of 1 tablespoon of butter. You'll save 94 calories and 12 grams of fat.
Trade chips for a trail mix of walnuts, sunflower seeds and dried cranberries to pack in vitamins E & B, selenium, protein, iron and healthy fats. But stick to ¼ cup-the calories in walnuts add up fast.
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He Knows His Own
By Beatrice Goetz (Mother-in-law of Sandy Goetz)
You will need him in a troublesome day,
So seek His face and humbly pray.
When testing comes, not understood,
Just take them quickly to the Lord.
Though you in darkness walk one day,
Christ will be guiding all the way.
When testing comes, not understood,
The Scriptures still say, "God is good!"
He knows the path you take each day
And walks beside you along the way.
When you choose to let Him guide.
You'll find Him walking by your side.
But if you try to shut Him out,
There is nothing left but fear and doubt.
So will you walk in doubt and fear,
Or trust the Lord who walks so near?
He knoweth them that trust in Him,
And those who choose to walk in sin.
He wants to be your Shepherd, friend,
So let Him guide you until the end.
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What's Up?
Call to Pray: Come join other women to pray for the search of our new Women's Director, the church move and other needs of Women's Ministry. Meet with us Tuesday, May 13, 7:00-8:30 pm, in the Chapel for part or all of the prayer time. We look forward to bringing the needs of our ministry before God and watching Him work throughout the women of our church and our new community in Carol Stream. Watch for future dates as we intend to have this prayer time on a regular basis.
Harbor of Hope offers confidential support and hope for women experiencing difficult relationships. We provide education, resources and encouragement in a Christian setting. For more information, leave a confidential message at 630.588.7198. Please allow 24 hours for us to return your call.
M&M (Mentors and Mentees) connects women in a one-on-one mentoring relationship. If you are looking for someone to come along side of you to pray, provide wisdom, direction, encouragement, and practical skills in daily living, prayerfully consider M&M. Contact Kim Kowalski or Vicky Peach.
True Woman '08-National Woman's Conference
Oct. 9-11, 2008, Schaumburg, IL
Featuring Nancy Leigh DeMoss, John Piper, Joni Tada, Janet Parshall, Fern Nichols and more; co-sponsored by Revive our Hearts, Family Life, Moody Bible Institute and Moms In Touch. Get more info...
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Who's Needed?
Jubilee Village
Donations Needed
This life-changing ministry reaches out to young, single moms providing a supportive living community for those who might otherwise be homeless. With life-skill training, support services, education and spiritual development, these women are given the tools to make a new life for themselves and their children. Place 4 Women has partnered with Outreach Community Ministries to assist in providing for the many needs of this ministry. Find out how you can be part of this opportunity.
Hospitality Committee
Openings for the next few months need to be filled!
Serve on Sunday mornings at the Place 4 Women Connect Station. A welcoming smile is the key skill required. There are three separate, 30-minute shifts each Sunday. We would love if you could commit to a full month of service during one or more of the shifts, but we will work around your schedule. Contact Diana McClow, 630.690.7303.
InTune Writers
How about being a monthly or occasional contributor to InTune? You will work with InTune staff to supply articles, interviews and anything that might be of interest to the women of WBC. We would love to have your participation. Contact Daryl Fox, 630.724.0131.
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