Women's Conference
High Leigh Christian Conference Centre

Over 70 ladies enjoyed the 10th Annual Worldwide Church of God women’s conference at High Leigh Christian Conference Centre, Hoddesdon, near London, 9-11 February 2007.  High Leigh is a large, renovated Manor House and all the rooms were comfortable with central heating (welcome after driving through the snow) and en suite facilities.  The ladies were welcomed in their rooms with chocolates in a swan (our token motive) container and a welcome note after checking in and receiving a folder and gift bag of goodies.  Before dinner there was time to meet and greet friends over a cup of tea in the lounge.  The meals throughout the weekend were generous and delicious, served family style by pleasant staff.

The Theme was “A Celebration of Joy”, and the whole weekend echoed joy, from friends reunited to the many vignettes or Pearls of Experience shared by the speakers.  Our Friday evening session began with lively Worship led by Sarah Anderson, who was also responsible for the PA & Technical things like PowerPoint during the Conference.  In keeping with the theme, all the worship sessions contained songs of ‘Joy’.  Shirley Henderson then welcomed all the ladies, young & old, and from near & far--two ladies had even travelled all the way from Sweden!  Shirley’s talk was interactive as she led the ladies through words to describe joy, movements to express joy, and causes of joy.  Elation, gladness, happiness and delight cannot fully express the spiritual aspects of inner joy.  Shirley reminded us of the many scriptures that deal with joy, dwelling on several to illustrate that the source of true joy is Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith.  The evening finished with hot chocolate and chatting in the lounge before we retired happily to our beds.

Ann Nadim

Shirley Henderson

Both mornings an inspirational sheet was posted under our doors to welcome the day with joy as well as a Prayer Meeting before breakfast.  Saturday morning’s Worship was led by Tina Sullivan and included two songs with movement:  Shirley led us in signing to “Awesome God” and then did a Worship Dance to the Hymn “Be Still”.

We had eight Vignettes of Joy before lunch--4 before the coffee break and 4 after.  Ann Nadim led off with “Accentuate the Positive”, and shared the joys learned through her own situation.  She showed how laughter helps bring joy even in the midst of severe illness.  She gave examples of three other people who triumphed over and found joy in adversity; a man who climbed Mount Everest even after losing both legs, a lady who learned to ski with one leg, and Christopher Reeve, paralyzed from the neck down, who said, “It’s what you do after a disaster that can give it meaning.” Ann encouraged us to remember that in the difficult times of life. Next page

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