Youth witness inspires
Youth helped fire Welsh Presbyterian Carol Clay's commitment to mission in the run-up meeting to the CWM Assembly in June.
My journey of faith began over 50 years ago as a small child in a Methodist Sunday school in the north east of England.
My life was filled with the many activities of church and was moulded by dedicated people who devoted time and energy to nurturing the faith of the young people. They were not afraid to give our group responsibility and leadership.
I cannot claim to have had any blinding flashes of knowledge but I have experienced a slow maturing of faith and a reliance on the Lord in demanding and difficult situations.
Diversity: Women at the CWM pre-Assembly were refeshed by learning and worshipping with each other and the youth from CWM's worldwide family of churches.
Through motherhood, running a business with my husband, taking responsibility for church youth work and eldership and lay-preaching and working with church women I have felt a quiet prompting of the Holy Spirit.
Assembly
The women's pre Assembly meeting - two days of discussion, Bible study and worship to encourage our participation in Assembly - was combined with the youth pre-Assembly. Meeting with them reminded me of my childhood days and confirmed for me the way the Lord works through young people.
The youth worship sent out a challenge to us as we looked at the call of Jeremiah in Jeremiah 1.6-7. The boy says: "Ah sovereign Lord, I do not know how to speak, I am only a child," But God replies, "Do not be afraid of them for I am with you and will rescue you."
We were reminded to put our trust in the Lord, to dream big, for God will provide the means and the strength to carry out his work.
Women dream but usually have visions of the practical and possible within our own capabilities.
The pre-Assembly study of Mark 5.1-20 about the healing of the demon possessed man, challenged us to recognise where we were coming from and to consider the tombs in our lives and the legions that possess us and to face up to our nakedness. This was a challenge to me personally to confront any demons or fears that I may have and to ask to be clothed in the righteousness of God so I can be a true disciple for the Lord.
Solidarity
The solidarity and sisterhood with women from all over the world was one of the most profound experiences at the pre- Assembly. In quiet conversations as well as in groups we found that we had many things in common. We all felt a great concern for the role of women in church life and the seeking of ways to find our full potential in the service of the Lord.
I was also made aware that I have to face the difficult task of being sensitive to people and recognising that not everyone thinks the same as me.
Meeting together in a large group to discuss our statement to the Assembly made us aware that women's voices are still not being heard or accepted. Although some progress has been made there still needs to be forward movement.
It was difficult at times with such a large group for everyone to make a full contribution in the time provided but we trust that we were guided by the Lord and will be encouraged and supported to share the good news in the future.
It was moving for me to share worship with youth and women, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the youth Training in Mission programme, and to listen to the inspiring stories of women and young people in the CWM family.
The message I took home was that we are part of a loving, sharing, caring community of people from different cultures and that we are all seeking ways to share the love of Jesus with a needy world. The challenge is to step out of the safety and security of my building to take the message to my family and community.
Click here to read the CWM Assembly 2006 women's statement.