About this year's conference

We are delighted to welcome Lynn Penson as our conference speaker. Lynn is a tutor and leads the Women at Waverley events for CWR both in Waverley and around the UK. She is passionate about encouraging women to appreciate and value who they are in Christ. She also teaches on MBTI, Marriage and Pastoral courses. She has previously taught R.E., lectured at Bible College and been involved in many aspects of Church life. Lynn is married with three children and a dog.

Being a Secure Woman...in an insecure world.

We live in a world with many insecurities. Whilst we might have concerns about our financial or employment stability, our greatest anxieties are often linked to our emotional concerns. We want to know: Am I loved? Am I valued? Am I needed? Do I matter? We will consider some of the unhelpful routes we travel to find security but, more importantly, we will explore the road which leads to greater security and strength as we turn our faces to God and see how this impacts our relationships with God, ourselves and others. What can be better than living secure in the knowledge that we matter to God and are loved and valued by Him?

Seminars

There are two seminar slots, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. There is a choice of five seminars available at each session.

'Effective Caring' presented by Mary Lou Bell

What can we do to reflect Jesus when our friends or family members experience an unplanned pregnancy or disclose they have had an abortion? We have all been equipped with the gifts necessary to deal with such situations, but knowing how and when to offer help can be difficult. We will explore our options!

Mary Lou is originally from Kentucky, married with 2 grown children, lives in Paisley, and attends Hope Church, Glasgow. She helped to establish the Glasgow Pregnancy Crisis Centre which opened in February 2000, offering support for those experiencing an unplanned pregnancy and those struggling after their abortion experience. Mary Lou has personal experience of abortion, childlessness, and adoption, and throughout all she has found that God has shown himself compassionate as healer, deliverer, strong tower and refuge.

'Effective Living' presented by Fiona Johnstone

This seminar will look at how we live on a day to day basis, with reference to:

A Christian since the age of 13, Fiona has been a member of Stirling Baptist Church for over 20 years. She has had various leadership roles over the years including on the deaconate, leading Alpha and currently heading up the Women's Ministry at SBC. She is a GP in Bridge of Allan and her husband Martin is a dentist in Stirling. They have three children, two at university and one at home. Fiona enjoys various sports - Zumba, cycling, golf and tennis and she is a member of two book groups.

'Effective Praying' presented by Liz Martin

This seminar will look at:

Liz has been married to Ronnie for 20 years who is an amazing encourager and supporter. She is retired, following 42 years in NHS, and loving it!!! She loves holidays especially ones in the sun and dining out. Liz is a member of Queens Park Baptist Church where she serves on the Core Leadership Team and leads the Prayer Ministry Team.

'Effective Stewardship' presented by Maggie Hobbs

In this seminar we will look at how we can best manage and utilise all that God has given us in this life; our money, time, possessions, skills & talents, the environment. As we search for biblical principles we may find we will be seriously challenged about our commitment to God, and to his kingdom values.

Maggie Hobbs started her working life as a midwife, then for nearly 3 decades worked for overseas mission agency Interserve in various roles the last of which brought her to live and work in Lenzie, far from her roots in the south of England. Working in a rural hospital in the early days, in Pakistan, had its joys and sorrows. Then she had the privilege of serving in the leadership team of Interserve based in Cyprus until 2002 when she became personnel director for Interserve Scotland. She is now retired. Maggie is an active member of Kirkintilloch Baptist Church.

'Effective Witnessing' presented by Ruth Walker

We often long (or fear) to tell others about Jesus. This seminar will help give you confidence to witness to your hope God. It will help you explore how you can use your everyday life circumstance to transform the places you are in and the people you encounter. It will give you deeper, clearer understanding of your own purpose and role in God’s mission.

Ruth is married to Graeme and has two children. She runs her own consultancy where she helps organisations and individuals reach their full potential. She is the Chair of Mission Scotland and has a passion for reaching Scotland for Christ by equipping and enabling individuals to live as whole life disciples in their neighbourhoods, networks and workplaces. She is an elder of Newton Mearns Baptist Church.