The Spring Gathering of the Presbyterian Women

PW Spring Gathering 2009 The Spring Gathering of the Presbyterian Women was an absolute delight, one you should not have missed. In tandem with the gorgeous weather of the most perfect spring day outside, beautiful spring floral arrangements created by Sophie Stone and her flower arrangement class graced the whole premises inside. The Women’s Association of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Paramus very graciously hosted the event, treating the women with coffee & donuts upon arrival, and a lovely lunch in their auditorium. Meanwhile in the sanctuary, fruitful seeds were being planted by the illustrious minds of Dr. Wanda Lundy of First Presbyterian Church in Edgewater, and Pastor Julissa Alvarez-Garcia of “Primera Iglesia Presbiteriana Principe de Paz” of Shrewsbury N.J. What a team, joined together by God’s will, they each brought to light through Divine intervention thought provoking reminders of how we each have been appointed to bear much fruit.

 

Dr. Lundy entered with a beautiful grapevine using it as a fine example of how we in our personal lives can nurture, water, build strong roots, train, prune and bear the fruits of our own spirits. She stressed the importance of pruning all those areas that separate us from growing in Christ. Equally of importance was the need for everyone as branches to remain connected to the vine so they will bear much fruit spiritually. She also challenged everyone by asking them to come up with strategies of how they can become better bearers of fruit.
 

Pastor Julissa lead the women in a most inspiring Bible Study from John 15:1-11, the message Jesus gave us from the upper room. Every branch that does not bear fruit Christ clears away, and every branch that bears fruit Christ cleans, that it may bear more fruit. All Christ wants for us is JOY, and our joy will be full when we abide in Christ and Christ in us. The women were reminded that when we all bear much fruit this is our way of glorifying God.

Each of the women were given 3 prompts, a paper dove, a colorful ribbon and a highly polished stone. The paper doves were placed on a flowering branch, each person wrote a fruit of the spirit that they wanted to see grow within themselves. The women then festooned themselves with the colorful ribbon as a reminder that we all are branches and must cling to the vine. The polished stone was a reminder that we do not want to be like a stone with a hard heart that does not change and cannot be pruned.

To view more pictures from this gathering, please click here.