Top Row - Mal Wall (Treasurer), Ken Oliver, Bill Cairns, John Jones, Jim Swanner. Seated - Stephanie Conrad (VP), Cliff Stone, Ed Shuster (New President!), Jenny Rasmussen (Sect.)

I recently got an email from someone in our home church after we sent in a tithe check.  She said, ' Hi Friends - Hope you are well and still have enough energy to do God's work with Sewers.....'

I couldn't let that go by, it was just too funny.  So I replied as follows:

'I had to laugh when I saw how you spelled SOWERs.  When you are not sure, just think, 'Is Donna sowing seeds or working with the septic system?'  We do sew things sometimes, too. (Which makes some of us Sewing SOWERS, right?)  At a dinner/music show in Phoenix, the host has introduced our group more than once as though we take care of hogs -- pronouncing it SOURs.  Seeds, toilets, hogs -- hard for folks to know what to do with our name!

Donna Pease #2263 

Ed and I worked the Center for Intercultural Training  (NC-358) project in Union Mills, NC recently. During the last week we were there new students (families)came for missions training. One family with three children came in on Saturday. While exploring the campus, the three children, from 5yrs to 9yrs, came across the Cross that a Sower had cut out of a dead tree trunk. While looking at the cross, the oldest child knocked off half of the crossbar. The children immediately ran.  Ed saw them running away and figure they had broken the Cross.  A few minutes later here comes the three children and Mom. Ed went over and told them that with a little Gorilla glue and a few screws the old rugged Cross could be fixed. Mom apologized for the children. She said they had come home and told her what had happened. When Mom got ready to leave, the oldest boy spread is arms out in the shape of the Cross and ran down the road yelling, "I am free, I am free". I laughed, but how true his statement is, because of that Old Rugged Cross we are FREE!   

In His Service, Darla Blanks #2410

We are so happy to report that Tom and Janey Bills (#2656) have graciously offered to fill the Area 5 (1/2 Texas) Area Rep position. Thank you, King Jesus! As they take over their duties, I would be remiss in not offering a HUGE thank you to Gary and Jolene Hambrick (#2557) who have filled that position (most excellently!) for the last 8 years! 

God is Good! All the time, God is good!

Stephanie Conrad, Project Coordinator

215-343-9678

conrad2509@sowerministry.org

We all know that there are lots of resources available for spreading the good word about the SOWER ministry. There are brochures and business cards, videos and decals. (And PLEASE take advantage of those things!) But  we also know there is nothing like your personal testimony to encourage others to expand their service to the Lord through SOWERS.  Recently Roy and Mary Welsh (#797) were interviewed by the Maine Seniors magazine. Check out the full article where they testify to the blessing of being a SOWER! What a wonderful way to share their testimony!

 

WHEN

WHO

 

WHERE

Trinity Pines Conference Center, TX-434, Trinity, TX

 

COST

Camping - $22.00/night

Rooms - under $35.00/night

Meals - Dinner on Monday and Tuesday - $14/per person

Other meals will be shared or "pay as you go" 

 

Contact Nancy Franges to register

sower2043@yahoo.com

724-902-0316

 

Want to lend a hand?

We'll need lots of help!

Have a idea to share?

We'd love to hear what you would like in a reunion!

  

Contact Gary and Stephanie Conrad for more information! 

215-343-9678

 

We're really looking forward to heading south and working several SOWER projects this winter. We always enjoy the work and reconnecting with our SOWER friends, old and new.  But I must confess that after we've worked a couple of projects in a row, the reading of the "Welcome SOWERS" at our opening meeting gets a little old. Why do we have to read that at EVERY project?

Signed,

Almost has it memorized

 

Dear Almost,

I feel your pain! After a couple of projects in a row, it's easy to sigh, "Again?".  The Welcome SOWERS document has been put together to summarize the general policies and guidelines of our ministry.  And through the test of time, these guidelines enable our monthly projects run smoothly.  While some of our servant workers do several projects in a row, others can only do one or two a year.  And though it might seem repetitive to those who have been working for a while, it's always a good reminder for everyone on a project.  And sad to say, even with that verbal reminder each month, some folks still come in early, circumvent the GL and ask for special parking spots from the host.  Truth be told, the Welcome SOWERS could be replaced with "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.  And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets."  (Matt 22:37-40) But I guess until we get all that right, we'll need to keep reading the Welcome Sowers!  It's really a good way to start a project , and if you want to mix it up a bit, try reading it in reverse order!

 

And let us not grow weary of doing good [or reading Welcome Sowers], for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

 

Blessings,

Sam and Sally

 

Do you have a question for Sam or Sally? Contact them at samandsally@sowerministry.org. They'd love to hear from you!