111th Annual Women’s Meeting Morning Session Morning Session By Susan Tanner
he 111th Annual Women’s Meeting was held at Bonclarken Conference Center, beginning with breakfast sponsored by Catawba Presbyterial during registration. Emily Woodard then led an overview seminar on the 2027 study book, “Union with Christ.” Emily is a member of First Presbyterian Church in Columbia, SC, and is serving her seventh year as the ARP Wom- en’s Ministries Spiritual Life chair. She also hosts Bible conversa- tions with her favorite theological resource on the podcast, “I Asked My Dad.” Emily explained that the annual studies are selected by alternating between the Old Testament
and New Testament. “Union with Christ” by Sinclair Ferguson is not a Bible book study but a theo- logical study. She also shared additional study formats, including a DVD series from Ligonier, and Mississippi Valley Presbyte- rial hosted a break, followed by a fun presentation on the differ- ent awards available to churches, such as the Life Membership award. Vicki Marsh, past presi- dent, and Jane Shelton Dale, par- liamentarian, performed a skit.
Lori Lawing led Session 1, “Who We Are as Women in the
Church.” She is the wife of Rev. Morrie Lawing, ONA’s executive director. Together, they planted Ballantyne ARP in Charlotte in adult children, nine grandchildren, and three more on the way. Lori brings personal experience with the struggles, challenges, and joys of being a woman, wife, and mother who places her hope in Christ alone. - fects on the church.
“And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word,” (Luke 1:38).
Lori described submission to husbands as a heart issue and an attitude. She also explained how family dynamics in today’s culture affect the church. “A wise woman builds her home. A foolish woman tears it down,” Lori said. “We are in a culture where good is called evil and evil is called good. When looking at Scripture, we must consider the context and not isolate a single verse,” she said. “Women are not permitted to teach, that is God’s call for men. Our part is to ‘let them do this with joy’.” “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you,” (Hebrews 13:17).
Session 2 continued the theme of biblical identity by focusing on “Who We Are as Women in the Home.” “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he
and over every living thing that moves on the earth,” (Genesis 1:27-28). This verse is summarized in Genesis 2:7. Verse 18 says man needs a helper, “Then the Lord God “One purpose of creating woman is marriage,” Lori said. “Older women should teach what is
good. We should honor and support our husbands. We should do what God has asked us to do.” Lori closed in prayer, saying, “We need wisdom to navigate this current culture.”
Pages for the meeting were from Green- ville ARP Church. Catherine Tanner, Wren Schwager, Madeline Meachum, and Bella Mackey.
20 Meeting Meeting
Moderator Beard McAulay brought greetings, shared updates from Synod, and encouraged those in attendance. “Women’s Ministries is important. You are mothers of our children, of the next generation of pastors, elders, pastors’ wives, and elders’ wives. It isn’t just about Women’s
The Associate Reformed Presbyterian
111th Annual Women’s Meeting T
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