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Monday, February 28, 2011

Volunteer Empowerment!!!


While 19 people were actively volunteering this week (Feb. 24) in our WofH Children’s Ministry, we   asked the rest where they volunteer. Over 60% responded. Here is a glimpse of the community influence of women who attend Thursday mornings.


  • Canvassing for Heart and Stroke Foundation, at Heritage Park and for WofH
  • Volunteer facilitator, WofH
  • Infant Nursery volunteer 1/month   
  • Host group of teens 1/week for discipleship
  • Volunteer @self-managed condominium complex, 
  • Volunteer property manager for rental homes, 
  • perform 'acts of service’ to family & friends 
  • Editing for non-profits  
  • In nursery because I love babies
  • In Promise land, and small group leader for CSC, WofH 
  • 1 a month @children’s ministry
  •  I volunteer at my son's preschool  
  • I volunteer at my son's school & the Mustard Seed.
  • I drive a special needs girl to and from destination 
  • I lead/teach a group of people in a Life Group, I volunteer at my son's and daughter's schools 
  • Governor for Opportunity International, 
  • CEO for Harmony through Harmony, 
  • parent helper @ Menno Simons School, 
  • advocate for Compassion Canada  
  • Room mom at Bearspaw Christian School,  
  • Beddington Heights Elementary School 
  • Choir and Orchestra, 
  • cooking for people who are going through struggles  
  • Drive a lady home from bible study, weekly volunteering in the nursery 
  • I love to make cards and crafts to be sold as a fundraiser at my church
  • I volunteer as a Youth leader in our church leading a 'supergroup', 
  • I grade 7 & 8 boys & girls in south Calgary 
  • WofH facilitator, 
  • Cappy Smart Band Executive Secretary, 
  • volunteer in daughter's class, room parent for youngest daughter, 
  • help with Sparks
  • I volunteer in the nursery at Foothills Alliance
  • Looking to volunteer @ food bank, volunteer @ Mustard Seed,
  • volunteer @ Promise Land, volunteer @ choir & orchestra within CSC 
  • I collect donated baby items and give them to social workers on the post-partum units in Calgary hospitals. We call this initiative 'Swaddle Share'
  • Women of Heart 
  • Sunday School, Ecole Edwards School  
  • I will be cutting hair at the Salvation Army twice a month as a volunteer basis to help the people there to feel good about themselves by looking their best. 
  • On-line mentor, WofH, volunteer time to settle in immigrants  
  • Global Wonders (part of SA Foundation - home shows, speaking arrangements)
  • Calgary Home Schoolers’ Association, 
  • teaching every 2nd week @ Promiseland (ages 3-5) 
  • 1/week at Servants Anonymous Society
  • Connection Corner at CSC whenever needed
  • small group host/leader
  • I volunteer in the neighborhood by going around in the spring to pick up garbage. 3 women go around with garbage bags & gloves. The people look at us 'strangely' but after about 11/2hrs we have bags & bags. It is a very easy thing for anyone to do.
  • Volunteer in our church nursery on a regular  basis, 
  • take  my mother-in-law out one day a week (92) she loves being taken out. 
  • Help someone in my area who is going through a very stressful divorce - with encouragement, decluttering her house & help with legal stuff because I've just been through it.

Monday, February 21, 2011

February E-news

♥♥♥ OUR HEARTBEAT ♥♥♥
16 “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who
believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to
judge the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17 NLT
What a wonderful message for the day after Valentine's Day! We are the object of God's love! This newsletter was supposed to be sent in time, but I believe "better late if it can't be on time." Women of Heart exists because volunteers give their time, talents and skills to maximize our experiences. I am so grateful to serve you because of this dynamic group of people.
A new term began January 20 with many exciting possibilities. We are grateful for each new friend, and while we miss those who have had to give their Thursday mornings to other responsibilities, we continue to be grateful you joined us for a season and pray for an ongoing blessing from our time spent together. We hope that you will become more capable and courageous influencers in your home, neighbourhood and world.
Looking ahead - important things for this term:
• Feb. 17 - The Winter Potpourri class is hosting a Project Management Workshop by professional organizer, Georgina Forest. Guests are welcome to this event in the chapel 9:30-11 a.m.
• Feb. 17 - Teachers-Convention school age guests (older kids) have the option to check in with Courageous Camels (there will be enough adults and space) OR join you to share the experience of your class.
• Feb. 24 - next all-group event - we will hear stories from Angela Stockert, Irene Edwards and Justice Cafe. We will learn some interesting things from our facilitators. We will hear about a few behind-the-scenes items. You will have the opportunity to contribute valuable feedback. It is a highlight for me to enjoy this gathering of everyone together.
• Mar. 24 - all-group event - we have invited Wendy Lowe to be one of our speakers. She will have some amazing stories of brokenness and hope to inspire us. We will continue collecting quality journals for the centre to use to encourage women.
• Apr. 21 - all-group event - will feature a silent auction organized by the Justice Cafe. More details to follow.
With the sun shining beautifully and the snow melting rapidly, we can enjoy a balmy Calgary "stay-cation" instead of travelling to some other lovely destination.
This evening Bruce and I have the privilege of sitting with my family as my sister Joyce receives a life-giving and very hopeful infusion of a Stem Cell Transplant. We will be loving each other and loving God as we hope in His healing power.
I love Women of Heart!
Verna Ratzlaff (Your volunteer leader) Women of Heart Connecting | Transforming | Mobilizing Women doing life together, pursuing personal wholeness and using our influence for Jesus Christ.
Core values: faith, family, fun, growth, integrity, rest, stewardship