A few years ago I experienced white water rafting. It was exhilarating though scary at times — our raft moved quite quickly. At one point we plunged down a five-metre rapid!

Recent events feel like that. Only days after the Women in Ministry conference ended, I flew to Croatia to try to see my mum as she was deteriorating rapidly. Sadly, I did not manage to see her alive, and instead had to organise and attend her funeral. She was an amazing woman. A very interesting book could be written about her 90-year long life, her reliance on God and witness to others. She turned 90 only five days before she passed away, which is another answer to prayer.

Still in mourning, my sister and I needed to clear the apartment she lived in for over 50 years.

Meanwhile, all around us, such unprecedented changes have been happening due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, which had the potential to leave me stranded in Croatia. Instead, a high price was paid to have me on perhaps the last flight out, before countries I had to go through closed their airports also.

It’s making me feel like I’m riding one of the white water rapids again and plunging several metres.

Even though it feels like that, I am also experiencing peace and I know that I am being held through the prayers of many people, for which I am very grateful.

May each one of you encourage and uplift each other, and pray for each other. Pray for the leaders of the countries around the world. Pray for healing and protection as James 5:16 ex-horts us to “pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”

A Different White Water Rafting ExperienceBY DANIJELA SCHUBERT

ADVENTIST WOMEN IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC

EDITION 20/4APRIL 2020

HELD - WOMEN IN MINISTRY CONFERENCE 2020

More than a year in the making and long overdue, the South Pacific Division’s Women in Ministry conference was held on the Gold Coast, Queensland, February 24-26.

Women pastors, chaplains, departmental directors, senior church administrators, theology lecturers and theology students gathered to connect, reflect and experience once again what it is to be held by God and each other.

The event started with welcoming video messages from the four Union presidents and the South Pacific Division president and concluded with send-off video messages from women pastors from around the world.

In between were times for reflection and digging deep into the Word of God, the sharing of experiences by long-time leaders in the field, learning, networking, enjoying good food and resting.

The event was aimed at sending a message to women in ministry: you are valued, you are needed, you are important to God and this church. The venue, the accommodation, the food, the decorations, the music, the presenters and the presentations all worked to achieve that goal.

The question that remained unanswered was: “When will we meet again? We cannot wait another 10 years for such a meeting!” The Women in Ministry Advisory Committee – the in-stigators for this event – will work hard to organise the next gathering in the next five years.

COVID COPING - WEEKLY CHECK-INKylie Cullinan has scheduled Friday meeting times during April for those who are needing contact. She explains "During this difficult and stressful time, we are all man-aging feels, juggling responsibilities and coping with change. Sycamore Lane would like to offer for the month of April a weekly catch up. This is an opportunity to think, learn and connect. We will touch base each week, offer some strategies, ideas and some challenges for the week ahead."

Please let Kylie know if you are able to join by emailing kylie@sycamorelane.com.au

There are two time slots on Fridays, 12noon and 4pm (AEST).

12noon link:

https://zoom.us/j/655290669?pwd=SmtqTWdSY2p5U3ZXMlY3eEZNNHhLZz09

4pm link:

https://zoom.us/j/153809107?pwd=dmtwaXgwRjc5Y0NmVFJlZzIyQzVuQT09

Please note this link will work for all of the sessions during this time.

Something was terribly wrong, but he didn’t know exactly what. He noticed smoke coming out of one of the truck’s tyres. Driving B-doubles is a serious matter and when something goes wrong with the truck, consequences can be dire.

With years of experience driving such monsters, and with the smoke subsid-ed, he was able to pull the truck into a petrol station. Here, he needed to wait for a mechanic to check the truck.

I could hardly believe what I heard were his next moves.

If I was a truck driver, I think I would be rather annoyed. Why didn’t those servicing the truck do a thorough job? How long will I have to wait? This is going to be a long day! I have plans for this evening, they will need to be cancelled! Ugh!

Instead, he decided that waiting was a great time to work on the rest of the truck: polishing the wheels. That’s because the front of the vehicle was already shiny from his regular efforts.

“You did what?” I asked, incredulously.

A mechanic checked the truck and declared it unroadworthy. It needed to be towed away. Yes, it was no longer in working condition, but it sure was shiny!

You see, this man doesn’t consider truck driving as just another job. Truck driving is his passion. Nothing will take away that passion and joy. It shines through in difficult circumstances. Even though his truck needed repairs it still looked clean and shiny because he is passionate about it.

When the replacement truck arrived, the driver cheerfully continued his work for the day.

Guess what he did when he parked this truck in the yard at the end of the day?

Yes, he polished that truck too!

When unexpected difficulties come your way, what is your attitude?

While difficulty is there, can you polish something so it will shine? And in do-ing so, let Jesus shine!

TRUCK SHINE by Danijela Schubert

EVENTS CALENDAR

2020

(POSTPONED DUE TO COVID-19)

MAY• 17-31 May

Bible Lands Tour

JUNE• 13 June

Women's Ministries Empahsis Day

JULY• 31 July-2 August

Australia GSC Breathe Women's Conference

AUGUST• 22 August

End It Now! Emphasis Day

SOS DONATIONSThe Women’s Ministry Scholarship Program is a global initiative designed to equip women as leaders in their fields of service by assisting with the cost of tertiary education. Our goal is to build up the church globally by empowering and equipping women.

Find out more: https://women.adventistchurch.com/scholar-ships/

Donate Now: https://scholarshipping-our-sisters.raisely.com/

"Truck driving is his passion. Nothing will take away that passion and joy. It shines through in difficult

circumstances."— Danijela Schubert [Truck Shine]

Christians for Biblical Equality is a non-profit evangel-ical Christian organisation for men and women that promotes a biblical basis for gift-based, rather than gender-based, service for men and women of all races, ages and economic classes. Their theology and mem-bership is largely evangelical and they cross denomi-national lines. They were established in Melbourne in October 2005. As part of CBE International they now have three chapters in Australia based in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth.

The CBE International publishes the academic journal Priscilla Papers. This year marks their 34th year of pub-lishing academic articles.

At the end of July this year they are hosting an interna-tional conference: “Men, Women, and God: Theology and Its Impact”. https://www.cbeinternational.org/content/cbes-2020-international-conference

At this time, CBE is proceeding with the 2020 con-ference as scheduled. They are carefully monitoring the situation and will provide an update should plans change.

They are offering a limited number of scholarships that cover part or all of the conference registration fee, lodging on campus at the London School of Theology, and meals during the conference. If you are interested in attending, apply by filling out the application form by April 15, 2020. More information here: https://www.cbeinternational.org/content/conference-scholarships

NOTE: KEEP MONITORING THESE SITES IN RELATION TO COVID-19. ONLY TRAVEL IF SAFE TO DO SO.

CBE International https://www.cbeinternational.org/

CBE International – Australia https://www.cbe.org.au/

CBE INTERNATIONAL

FIRE FIGHTING

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE AWAKE? BY KAREN CULLUM

'Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes...' v37 (Luke 12:35-48.)

What does it mean to be awake in our own lives?

I would suggest it's developing an awareness for spiritual things, not just earthly things that press at us from all sides.

It's being aware of our own foibles and tendencies that are stumbling blocks to our relationship with Jesus and with others.

It's knowing what feeds us spiritually and what drains us.

It's fighting to keep a heavenly perspective when all we see is the mountain before us here and now.

Too often we can fall asleep in our own lives, especially when things get comfortable.

I was thinking the other day about some beautiful kids I know, all of whom seem to have wisdom and grace and a thoughtfulness beyond their years. It hit me that without fail, all of them have been through very difficult circumstances from homelessness, to family violence, to the death of a parent, to moving to a new country.

It feels like these kids are awake in their own lives be-cause they know how fragile life can be.

I want to be more like them. In the middle of my com-fortable, soundly middle-class, affluent-compared-to-most-of-the-world existence, I want to wake up and see things like my Master Jesus sees them. That's my prayer for all of us today xx

“I never once felt unsafe close to the fires, as I know that my training is sound and I have complete faith in my crew members. I was, how-ever, on duty when two volunteer firefighters lost their lives when their truck struck a tree. This hit me pretty hard.”

Shanae Waring is a firefighter. Read her experience during the dev-astating fires in Australia and see if firefighting might be a way you could support your community.

https://www.associationofadventistwomen.com/post/shanae-waring

We are here to help women reach their potential!

Discipleship Ministries - WomenSouth Pacific DivisionLocked Bag 2014Wahroonga NSW 2076 Australia

Postal AddressLocked Bag 2014Wahroonga NSW 2076 Australia

General Conference Womens' Websitewomen.adventist.orgSouth Pacific Division Women's Websitewomen.adventistchurch.com

ContactDanijela Schubertdanijelaschubert@adventist.org.au

Shaylee Walshshayleewalsh@adventist.org.au

SPD Womenspdwomen@adventist.org.au

RESOURCES

Need to adapt your church to digital? The Church has worked diligently to guide you through that process. They have you covered from setting up zoom Sabbath school meetings to sending texts to your members.

Look at the resources the North American Division has created here: https://www.sdadata.org/goingdigitalcov-id19.html

ALL COVID-19 CHURCH RESOURCES

C L I C K H E R E T O D O W N L O A D

CHURCH@HOME

C L I C K H E R E T O D O W N L O A D

MAKING YOUR CHURCH DIGITAL

https://discipleship.adventistchurch.com/covid-19-resources/

https://disciple.org.au/resources/be-the-churchhome-social-media-re-sources/

The Discipleship Ministries team at the South Pacific Di-vision (SPD), along with the Australian Union Conference (AUC), have created a list of resources to help you connect during self-isolation. On the SPD Discipleship page the fol-lowing resources can be found:

• Home Church resources

• Sabbath School resources

• eGiving

• Children & Youth

• The Record

• Encouragement

• Following Jesus - Peter Roennfeldt

• World Changers Bible resources

This year we are focusing on love, God’s love. “Christ’s Amazing Love Moves Me” written by Heather-Dawn Small. It includes topics like “The Art of Friendship,” written by Lou Kinzer Blanchfield. Make your WMED day special! Find the resource pack here: https://women.adventistchurch.com/events/womens-ministries-em-phasis-day

WOMEN'S MINISTRIES EMPHASIS DAY

JUNE 13, 2020