Encounter event gathers women from around the diocese
We had a fantastic morning at Encounter on Saturday 21 February with around 250 women gathering for worship and teaching in St John's Moira.
Our guest speakers (pictured above) were Tash McBride (Home for Good and Safe Families) and Priscilla Reid from CFC Belfast .
Tash spoke on the story of Hagar in Genesis 16. Because Sarai, wife of Abram, was barren, she gave her Egyptian maidservant, Hagar, to Abram to conceive a child on her behalf. Once pregnant, Hagar despised her mistress, leading Sarai to treat her so harshly that Hagar fled into the wilderness. An angel found Hagar by a spring, instructed her to return and submit to Sarai, but promised that her descendants would be too numerous to count. In response, Hagar became the only person in the Bible to name God, calling Him El Roi ("the God who sees me").
Tash reminded us that God seeks us out, even when we hide, and is present in our wilderness experiences. She challenged us to allow God to see us and once seen to be someone who sees others and becomes a well for them in the wilderness.
After a break for brunch, Priscilla also turned to Genesis and Sarai’ story, highlighting that while Sarai behaved badly, she was both vulnerable and insecure. Priscilla invited us to relate to others with grace and tenderness, not having walked in their shoes. As she spoke of God’s faithfulness to both Hagar and Sarai, Priscilla shared affirming prophetic words from the front.
Ministry continued with the prayer team as the morning ended with worship.
Once again, we were hosted with great generosity by the folks at St John's. A big thank you to the rector, Canon Joanne Megarrell, the catering team and to George who managed all the AV. Thanks also to the worship team and The Book Well.
