Sunday, December 11, 2005

“Sistering”

This is a concept introduced to me by Rochelle Wheeler, PWOC National President from 2002-2004.

I recently was asked to explain the term and since I use the term in "Tea Time Thoughts" I will explain it here as well.

Sistering is a carpentry/woodworking term. Evidently, when wanting to strengthen a (post, wall, joist?) a carpenter will put another of the same kind right up next to the original one. This causes strength as the two support the burden of weight. This is a vivid picture of what we as Christian Sisters can do for one another. It’s a great picture of what a vital PWOC can be. We can “sister” each other in all areas of life….spiritual growth, parenting and etc.

I will do some more research and get an “accurate” definition and edit this – but this is what I remember from conversations and messages from Rochelle.

I’ve been in the military world long enough that I seem to have trouble speaking without acronyms. PWOC = Protestant Women of the Chapel – the military term for Women’s Ministry.

Tea Time Thoughts

The Christmas Tea at Chapel is now a part of history. The day went very well. I was blessed to have Shannon and Emma’s help. We managed to set up, decorate, and have tea ready to go in just under an hour. Whew! We kept things simple but elegant…and I found myself thanking God for the blessings of Dorreth and Nichole in my life over the past three years. It’s impossible not to reflect and I found myself in a nostalgic mood when driving away from the chapel.

Three years ago I had never attended a tea, let alone hosted one. On our way to our new home in Alaska, my mother and sister-in-loves (Heather and Sherri) treated the girls and me to an afternoon at their favorite Tea House in Eugene, OR. Before this, I had decided I didn’t like tea – and I didn’t. We had a pot of freshly steeped imported Vanilla Tea, with cane sugar and cream….scones….yummm it was wonderful and we were hooked. Our afternoon tea times at home are fond memories from Alaska. Alaska was a “tea” type of place….and God placed Dorreth and Nichole (both tea party planners extraordinaire) in my life during this season. I think I did them proud yesterday. From Dorreth I learned: the elegance of using REAL tablecloths, plates and silver; of making sure the water is “almost” boiling….and to slow down and take deep breaths . From Nichole (a professional caterer) I learned: to do as much ahead of time as possible. The tips from these two made it possible to pull up at 1:05 and be ready for guests at 2:00p.m.

The fellowship was sweet and I enjoyed getting to know some of my new sisters from this base in a deeper way. It is so hard to really “know” each other in this chapel setting where we see each other once a week. I’m excited that we are beginning a Bible Study in January. I’m praying this will provide more opportunities to build relationships. I’m also dreaming of a few fun things to do – yes, Ch. Hatcher may have been right – I do seem to have a “party spirit” about me.

The afternoon put me in a reflective frame of mind. I find myself wondering exactly where the boundaries are that God would set for me here, as far as ministry outside and inside the home. I have a passion to see women “sistering” one another, I have a passion to mentor and disciple women, I have a passion to see women growing deeper in their walk with the Lord and embracing an extravagant and wholehearted love for Him….but I also have a calling and passion for family and the ministry that I’m called to fulfill in the home. I know in AK that I spent about 30 hours a week in women’s ministry…that is far too many hours for THIS season in my life. My two adult daughters have moved on; I have a new young daughter and varying ages of mentoring within the home…

When we moved here Mike and I agreed that I would not get involved until at least January. We agreed that I would prayerfully consider my involvement in ministry outside of the home and that we would establish some boundaries. I’m excited as I see January approaching, and yet those boundaries are still a bit nebulous. I’m in prayer over this issue. I feel a drawing to be involved, God is birthing a vision for THIS group in my spirit, but I also am reluctant to give up the new found peace and order in our family life. I’ve noted that I tend to go “hog wild” or “do nothing”….at Malmstrom I was very involved in PWOC, in San Antonio I did nothing (and loved it), in Anchorage I was very, very involved in PWOC and here I have so far done very little…..there has to be a middle ground. If you are a praying sort, I’d covet your prayers as I listen quietly for His voice to confirm where the boundaries are for this season. If you have wrestled with this issue, I’d love to hear your thoughts…any Scriptures are welcome too.

I know that first and foremost my ministry centers on home. In a real sense helping in PWOC is a help to my husband (the Sr Protestant Chaplain on base)…and so is an extension of being his helper. I know my gifts and callings. I seem, however, to have a hard time doing anything “1/2 way”. Those of you who know me in real life are fully aware of this strength/weakness…so where is the balance? Are there clear-cut, common-sense, guidelines…or is this a matter of following the Shepherd’s leading very closely….I keep remembering Chaplain Ray saying “You Gotta Get Out of the Boat”. At times I think this is speaking to me to “get out of the boat of public ministry and stay home” and at other times it seems to be a call to “get out of the boat of your new found comfort zone”.

Ah well, though I’m not sure where any of this is going to lead me, I am invigorated to feel a stirring in my spirit.