PMS
Physical *
Mental
* Spiritual
IN THIS NEWSLETTER
"Be Encouraged"
A devotion
by Nancy Chin
"Moms on the Move"
An article by Ruth Chu
"How You Can Help!"
Ideas for helping moms at BCEC
UPCOMING EVENTS ON MENTAL HEALTH
Saturday 2/5, 10am
Newton Campus
"Depression: Facts and Myths" with Mary Lum
Saturday 3/19, 10am
Newton Campus
"Understanding and Caring for Aging Parents " with Dr. Pendleton
of Gordon-Conwell.
UPCOMING EVENTS ON SPIRITUAL HEALTH
Saturday
4/30, 10am
Newton Campus
"Nurturing the spiritual life of your children" with Miltinnie Yih
Therefore, encourage each other...
This month's newsletter is on "Encouragement". This builds on our theme this year of connecting women to women to help each other. Nancy Chin writes a devotion helping us to be encouraged in the midst of trials and tribulations. Ruth Chu writes an article about women in our church who have helped and encouraged others by their actions. We also include a list of how you can encourage one another too.
You can encourage us too! We hope you enjoy receiving
these newsletters, and we love to hear from you! Feel free to
email us any feedback and comments.
A devotion by Nancy Chin
How has your new year started? Are you still living each day with joy and anticipation or are you already weighed down by the trials and tribulations in life? Have you been betrayed by a friend? Or perhaps ridiculed by people you thought supported you? Or have you been misunderstood lately? What about the demands of your family? Is it overwhelming? And are you feeling unappreciated for a job well done by your family or boss?
The trials and tribulations are inevitable in life and we cannot change them. However we can choose NOT to respond in discouragement. Romans 15:4 says that "for everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."(NIV) When we read the accounts of people with similar problems as ours in God's Word, we begin to understand the character of God and learn how He worked in their situations. The more we know God and appreciate who He is, the more we are encouraged and have the endurance to press on. God provides support and encouragement through His Word in all our trials and tribulations.
Upcoming Events on Mental Health
Depression: Facts and Myths
with Mary Lum
Saturday 2/5, 10am-12pm,
Newton Campus (Chapel)
For those who are interested in learning more about depression, or know friends who are dealing with depression, or who just have the winter blues! All welcome.
Mary Lum is a licensed mental health counselor at South Cove Community Health Center, and graduated from Trinity Evangelical Seminary in Chicago in 1997. Mary is married to Pastor Jack and is the mother of Jack Jr.
Please contact Bernice Cheung to RSVP.
Understanding and Caring for Aging Parents
with Dr. Raymond F. Pendleton
Saturday 3/19, 10am-12pm, Newton Campus (Fellowship Hall)
Dr. Pendleton is a professor of psychology at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and Interim Pastor of Tremont Temple. Currently, Dr. Pendleton is president of the Willowdale Center for Psychological Services in Hamilton, Massachusetts. Much of his time is spent teaching at Bible conferences and in local congregations on the subject of family life and marriage.
Dr. Pendleton is a member of the American Psychological Association and the Massachusetts Psychological Association. He is a licensed clinical psychologist and is included in the National Register of Health Service Providers in psychology.
Please contact Bernice Cheung to RSVP.
Our Ministry Team this year:
Jeanie
Chou
Ruth Chu
Julie Wong
Eun Ju Kim
Bernice Cheung
(Director of English Women's Ministries)
To find out more about our ministries, please contact us!
by Ruth Chu
Over the past year, BCEC has been blessed with a big baby boom. As many new mothers transition to this phase in life, they find fellowshipping with other challenging in the midst of feeding, diaper changing, doctor visits and the like. Some of the mothers have shared how they regrouped and encouraged each other during this time of busyness. Here are some of their insights:
Helping one another
- A number of small group Bible Studies have set up a meal plan rotation where the group members bring dinner during the first two weeks after the birth of the baby. This helps alleviate the stress of trying to cook for new parents, while they discover the joys and struggles of parenting.
- Some women (married or single) have offered informal services to lighten the burden of chores that a mother of a newborn faces. Services include cleaning, babysitting, or running errands. Such help provides relief for the mother while she seeks some rest or some downtime.
How You Can Help
You don't have to be a mom to help moms cope with a new baby!
Here are some ways you can help and encourage:
- Sign up to provide meals for a mom during the first few weeks.
- Visit a new mom (call first!) and hang out with her. She probably really wants company!
- Offer to run errands, or to do chores around the house.
- Keep an eye out for moms who don't know many people at church. They might really appreciate a helping hand or someone to talk to!
We want to be a community who loves and helps each other out. We are hoping to establish a more formal network of women who can help new moms so nobody gets left out. If you'd like to join our network, or are interested in coordinating, please contact Bernice Cheung.
Visit our new web site at: http://www.bcec.net/womensministries/