Activate your life

Ladies conference 

WHAT A GREAT WEEKEND!! The Activate Your Life ladies’ conference in Northampton on 4–6 March was a wonderful time of spiritual and physical refreshment for the seven SBC ladies who went. Jane, Dawn, Dowega, Ola, Hilary W, Hilary H and I had a super time hearing from great speakers and praising God with over 200 other ladies in worship led by Cathy Burton (who did a concert at SBC several years ago which some may remember). As well as the spiritual teaching, seminars and devotions, there was time for walking, swimming, reading, quizzing, crafting, disco dancing and just chilling! We caught up with Jaz Potter, formerly at Jubilee Church and now in Ashford, who was one of the conference speakers. Pictures show some of us returning from a walk, and all of us at the gala dinner on the final night together with some new friends. 



Thoughts on the weekend from Hilary H: There's so much to be gained in getting away and spending time with other Christian women of all ages. I enjoyed getting to know SBC friends better and also new people from other churches. The hotel staff were welcoming and between us we made use of the gym, pool, jacuzzi and sauna as well as walks in the grounds at different times. I was surprised how much I'd missed worship in a large group, although I particularly gained from the gentleness of the early morning devotions. It was encouraging to know in a busy day we don't always need to be praying to spend time with God and it's fine to just Be; a good tip was deep breathing in time with ‘Be still, and know that I am God’ and perhaps playing a music track or, if like me silence is better, setting a mobile phone alarm. You really can Be with God any time, sitting, walking, running, anywhere.

And this from Dowega: I enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere and the strong presence of God, not just in the worship, but in the seminars and conversations I had with others. I went home with a strong sense of my identity in Christ and a deeper appreciation of being still. It was good to laugh in God’s presence too and hear transparent testimonies which demonstrated God continues to do wonders and is yet to do more in me. The food was tasty too, and there were options to burn it off with a good walk or swim, or… get back to bed and sleep. It really was a weekend to take from it what I needed, which was also some rest.

And finally just a few thoughts from Hilary W:

1. Wonderful opportunity to be with women of all ages and an event to take your friend, sister, daughter, mum etc.
2. Hebrews 10:25. Importance of meeting together as a community and encouraging one another in worship and prayer. This time was invaluable, especially after the last couple of years, to show the importance of reconnecting with each other.
3. Next time I will check the bedroom radiator though so it’s not creating a sauna throughout the night!
4. Being motivated to visit the gym early morning by a member of our group who I didn't know could spend 30 mins on a cross trainer!!
5. Women singing together with wonderful worship leader: Psalm 98:4… New songs we couldn’t stop singing around the meal table!
6. Quiz… well, less said the better.