My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Women's Ministries
Our goal is connecting women. Join us in Bible study, in events and activities, as we gather to deepen our relationship with Jesus and with each other. See below for some of the upcoming offerings in Women's Ministries.
GROUP EMAIL LIST If you are not currently receiving email announcements for Women's Ministries news and events, and would like to be added to our list, please email Carolee Peterson to be included.
FALL GATHERING SIGN-UPS COMING SOON!
What is it? On Monday evenings and Thursday mornings, a collection of women’s small groups meet to worship, learn from God’s word, and share in each others’ lives. Our corporate time contains worship and teaching, and then we break into our small groups. Childcare is provided for the Thursday morning group.
What will you be studying this year? Our first term, which runs through the end of November, will be spent studying out of the book Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream, by David Platt. We are very excited about this study, as it is extremely thought-provoking, challenging and applicable. If you want to see your faith sharpened and deepened, join us! Our second term will be spent doing a study called Living the Parables of Jesus. Our first and second terms build upon each other, so we are looking forward to a year of growth in Christ, in the good company of other women.
When?Monday pm Gathering begins September 13th, 7-8:30 pm. Thursday am Gathering begins September 16th, 9:30-11:30 am.
How do I sign up? You can sign up using the registration form below. Be sure to click your specific “event.” We will also have paper sign-ups after church only for those women who do not have children in the Thursday morning Gathering. Otherwise, we need your sign-ups to be online.
JESUS IN THE WORKPLACE Are you a woman employed in downtown Santa Barbara? Goleta area? Do you want to live out the call to be salt and light in your world? Join us for a once-a-month lunch group to talk and pray, about how to better bring Jesus into your workplace. Two groups will begin in October -- one in downtown SB, and one in Goleta, locations tba (probably a park... maybe a restaurant in bad weather...)
Downtown – 1st Tuesday of every month or Goleta – 2nd Tuesday of every month
Sign up using the registration form below. Be sure to click your specific “event.” Questions? Contact Bonnie Fearer.
OUR NEXT STORYNIGHT Join us for a special evening on Monday, October 4th. Food, fun, and a wide open door for bringing friends! We will hear one woman’s story, and this time it will be our own Lauretta Patterson. You won’t want to miss it. Sign up using the registration form below. Be sure to click your specific “event.” Questions? Contact Bonnie Fearer.
IS THERE A WAY TO HELP? Why yes, thanks for asking!!
Gathering: We need people to help with our kids!! They just need loving for 2 hours each Thursday. Trust me, you will feel blessed in spades. Please contact Bonnie if you can help.
StoryNight: We always need help with set-up and clean-up. Let Bonnie know if you can help.
HEADSHIP – ONE WOMAN'S PERSPECTIVE To read this article by Bonnie Fearer, from the July 2008 edition of Community News, click HERE.
PAST STORYNIGHT RECORDINGS Hear one woman's story and be encouraged in your faith. Our past speakers are archived here for you to enjoy if you've missed one, to download and send to a friend or to send the link to someone you think might want to hear a particular woman's story.
WHY JOIN A WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY For information, contact Bonnie Fearer.
Did you know that women now outnumber men in the American workforce? Amazing really. Did you know that, among those employed women who are married with children, most of them will still be the primary “hands-on” parent with their children’s school activities, and the primary keeper of the household (laundry, cooking, etc)? Women’s roles have changed drastically over the past 50 years. You may notice that things have been added onto our plates without much being taken off -- and all of those changes have come with the cultural message that “You can have it (do it) all.”
Obviously, the number one reason women will give for not joining a women’s Bible study is: “I’m too busy.” ---No doubt! Another reason sometimes lurks in the background, and that is the fear that a women’s Bible study will be a fluffy social time with small talk and not much focused study (translation: a waste of precious time).
It has been both humbling and amazing to me that I get to work with the women of SBCC. I am constantly inspired by the intelligence, the creativity and the leadership of the women around me. However, I notice a couple of other things: increased isolation in women due to demanding schedules; and what I would call a “spinning compass” in terms of Christian identity. Are we defined by our faith in Jesus -- or by our job, and our various roles and responsibilities?
What I see is that, with respect to faith, women are hungry for three primary things:
Fresh reminders of who they are in Jesus;
Explanation and application of Scripture. We don’t want to be told only what it means, but how to apply it.... today!
Companionship for the journey.
I am thankful that SBCC takes very seriously the discipleship of women in their faith. If you feel your compass spinning, it may be a sign that the demands of life have confused your priorities to first be a disciple of Him. We all need calibrating; we all need to receive it directly from God’s word; and we all need the encouragement of others to stay on the narrow path. So... these are some great reasons for joining us on that journey.
WOMEN'S MINISTRIES BIBLE STUDY & EVENT REGISTRATION… PLEASE scroll down to register using the e-form provided.
Questions? Email Bonnie Fearer.
