Belonging to God’s family – what an inestimable privilege! And what fun it turned out to be too. This was my first experience of a St Mary’s Women’s Day Away. Eighty of us from across the different congregations gathered at Moor Hall, Cookham on Saturday 18th October. Already by the first coffee break I felt I’d made a new friend, probably less than half my age.
The venue is set in lovely grounds in lovely Cookham. The conference room was comfortable, with a clear PA system (all important for the hard-of-hearing). Jane Leggett, a former nurse and then church worker, was our speaker, teaching us from 1 John on ‘Walking in the Light’. She reflected the tone of the epistle, reminding us with gentle authority to keep living according to God’s truth, to keep obeying him as his dear children and to keep loving one another.
In the three sessions of the day’s programme we sang, we listened to the practically-oriented teaching and we enjoyed hearing testimonies. A number of people gamely accepted to be interviewed about their spiritual journey. I personally found these to be a highlight.
In the afternoon various activities were on offer. Many of us chose the walk along the Thames in the glow of the remaining golden leaves of autumn. Others voted for doing a craft, painting and adorning smooth rocks. Still others enjoyed playing board games. Yet others were glad of the time to chat and deepen friendships that way.
Our warmest thanks go to Rachel Meynell and her team for organising this event, to Jane Leggett for all the time, energy and prayer expended in preparing the three talks, and above all to our heavenly Father for calling us into his family. May the ripples from this Away Day go out to others for a long time to come!