WOMEN IN ACTION

Being part of the sisterhood has boosted myself confidence; I used to be someone who is easily discouraged by anything. I couldn’t face up with the negativity that I will hear from other people, looking down upon myself used to be the best thing I could ever do. However the sisterhood changed my inner being and how I should behave, reading all the messages from the V- Woman and how different their testimonies are, I saw that I could be a better person too and it all have to start from within. I did really punish myself because of my low self-esteem but now I know how the beauty of being me is and how to love myself. God has really made me to be self confident in what He has given to me. I managed to change my looks to be beautiful inside and out, I thank God for the Sisterhood it has given me a second chance to appreciate who I am.

After weeks of preparation, Sisterhood South Africa presented its first official pledges to Sisterhood on 11th April.

Twenty young women have been selected to become the first pledges to Sisterhood in South Africa. Dressed in beautiful evening gowns and escorted along a red carpet, they were officially acknowledged at a gala event at the Oppenheimer Gold Room in Gold Reef City on Sunday, 11th April 2010.

The pledges to Sisterhood were presented with certificates recognising the effort they had put in to tasks they were given during Rush Month. The purpose was to honour those who presented themselves as women of God by living as a positive example at home, at work and in the Church, not only accepting corrections but also making changes to their character and their life style.

Mrs Marcia Pires introduced the aims of the Sisterhood and the significance of the occasion during her speech.

“When the Sisterhood was formed in December 2009 by Ms Cristiane Cardoso and Ms Evelyn Higginbotham, they saw how young ladies spoilt their lives and were easily influenced by what they watched on television. The Sisterhood was intended for young women, aged between 15 to 30 years, married or single, to learn how to be women of dignity who were God-fearing. So many things happen in the world today including teenage pregnancy and young women engaging in sex before marriage, resulting in many destroying their lives. This project was introduced in many countries to help young women not only in
their spiritual lives but also to teach them how take care of themselves. This will showcase young women who can be an example of a new and better life for all young women,” said Mrs Pires.

The pledges to Sisterhood were called up individually to be presented with a bracelet of Sisterhood and a certificate testifying to their pledge status. A slide show reflected all they had done which enabled them to qualify for this honour.

“It was a night not to be forgotten by the first 20 pledges to Sisterhood in South Africa. There is however still a chance for the second group to qualify during Rush Month in August. Ladies, prepare yourselves,” said Mrs Pires.

For us, this date marks a very special day on our calendars for it is the first anniversary of the start of Women in Action (WiA). What better way to celebrate one year’s work than by reaching out a helping hand to those who may not have any reason to rejoice on Mother’s Day.

We are going to make a donation to one non-governmental organisation which assists women and children Find out who we’ve chosen in the next issue.

Meanwhile, we are inviting you to pledge your support for this cause by obtaining one of the beautiful pieces of jewellery made by our pastors’ wives or a WiA bag in exchange for a donation to WiA.

When you offer your gift to a special woman, do not forget to mention that it was made by hand with love and care. These are not ordinary gifts for Mother’s Day because all proceeds from donations will help to feed a woman or child in need.

More than a gift, you are showing your alliance to a cause.

Over the past year, during so many events we have shared, we have emphasized that WiA would not have achieved what it has without the support of our church members.

With your continued encouragement and prayers, we will be able to exceed expectations and reach out to many more people in need.

Mother’s Day will always be a signifi cant milestone for WiA and we pray that it unfolds into a new year of hard work, surprises and blessings for others.

Let us work together and take action.

God bless you!

Marcia Pires

This is a very curious expression. All of us are in a quest for time. We all have lots of responsibilities and tasks and challenges and commitments and plans and dreams for one single day and one common complaint: lack of time to grasp all we want, to reach for all we planned, to achieve all that was entrusted to us. Read the rest of this entry »

“Meanwhile, God’s ways have not changed and those who have decided to live by them will not suffer the consequences of a Hollywood brain-washed society existent today. That’s when we thought about the Sisterhood came about…

‘What if we start working with a group of young women in the church who have decided to be different? What if we give them all we know about being godly and of God?”

Cristiane Cardoso

And that was the beginning of Sisterhood in Houston, Texas by the end of October 2009 and by the beginning of the New Year, the idea was launched worldwide. In South Africa we felt honored to be one of the countries chosen to host the very same project and we run our first Rush Week and Rush Month during Summer of 2010. Out of 80 applications received, 62 young ladies have embarked in the journey towards Sisterhood participating of the Rush Month and after a very tough process of selection, based exclusively on the results of tasks presented, we manage to separate our 20 First South African Pledges. Last 11^th of April, 2010, at Opperheim Gold Room, Gold Reef City Park, these ladies had pledged to Sisterhood before family and friends.

You will be able to follow our full coverage of this event on our next edition knowing that this post is an invitation for you, or for your sister, daughter, friend to join our next Season having Rush Week taking place at the last week of July.

To our First Pledges…. Congratulations and our blessings for your growth into a Young Woman of God!

Once again we are about to celebrate the Pass Over and there is no greater Event in all Christian Calendar than to revere Easter Season.

However, I feel a common lack of celebration spirit in many women for this particular holiday. During Christmas there is a great deal of consideration to everything related to it: decoration, gifts, wish cards, supper, making amendments with others, reuniting friends, seeking for unity, forgiveness, commitment and, honestly speaking,  there is nothing wrong about that. Read the rest of this entry »