I am very tired, but happy.
Last night I came home after a week of incredible fellowship, professional development, and worship at the SPD Women in Ministry Conference in the Gold Coast.
For many of the 132 delegates from around the SPD, it was our first time attending such a conference and its impact was palpable.
For the first time in a long time, we were able to “pause and be held” (the theme of the conference) – by God and each other, as we explored deep theological insights with Dr. Kendra Haloviak-Valentine, discovered Spirit-led gems in passages with Mrs. Lanelle Cobbin, and was moved by the testimony of Pr Esther Knott.
But we also connected with each other. I left feeling a deep sense of community with my fellow female colleagues in Victoria as well as my inspiring colleagues in Vanuatu, Fiji, Samoa, PNG, NZ, etc.
So thank you for sponsoring the women in Victoria to attend this event. As one of the organisers, it was heartening to see many of the women feel valued and affirmed and it was thanks to Conference and Unions who sponsored the women that we were able to have such a meaningful event.
Thank you for being one of the first Conferences to offer sponsorship for the women and for giving a generous allowance for our travel and accomodation.
And thank you for making space for women in ministry to thrive in Victoria. I pray that in the future we won’t need to have another Women in Ministry Conference because we are so integrated and normalised in the Church.
God bless,
Jinha