First Post-Pandemic in-Person Meeting

After two years of waiting, due to covid, we were finally able to organize our Women's Meeting in French-speaking Switzerland, also involving the music department and the prayer department.
On Sunday, May 1, 2022, 40 women showed up at the church in Lausanne at 9:30 a.m., intrigued by the topic "God in my Life."
The breakfast with which the day began, helped to establish early contacts but also to see again those who had not seen each other for a long time.
After the welcome and presentation by Bernadette (WM Director) and Karin (Assistant WM Director) there followed a powerpoint presentation, organized by the prayer department of the Ticino group that had prayed for this event and the sisters of Romandie. In October, when this same event will be organized for and in Ticino, it will be the sisters from French Switzerland who will be praying for them. The purpose of this procedure is to create more unity and sisterhood between the two language realities, Ticino with Italian and Swiss Romandie with French.
Then the music department team lead a good half hour of singing praise songs, beginning with the theme song "Pour moi tu l`as fait"(You did it for me). They had put together a "bouquet" of songs, one more beautiful than the other, which helped to elevate the spirit by creating a convivial atmosphere.
Afterwards Bernadette presented a meditation based on Psalm 77:11,12, where we are encouraged to remember and praise the Lord for His deeds and miracles of long ago. Focusing on those in her own life, Bernadette briefly recounted some experiences she had with the Lord in the past. Taking their cue from this meditation, the women were asked to reflect for a few minutes on their life experiences with the Lord and write them down. After that, they were divided into small groups where they shared these experiences with each other.
In the third part of this workshop there was an exchange of impressions and opinions on the difference between writing down for oneself the experience with the Lord and that of sharing, witnessing with other people. They all agreed on the fact, that telling others about one’s experience made with the Lord, is more elevating and gives more joy and strength, increases faith and leads to the desire to tell more. With this Workshop we wanted to help people understand how many things the Lord has done in their lives, as well as the importance of witnessing and sharing either in prayer groups or in meeting groups. This can increase our faith and the faith of others. The morning ended with some singing.
As the day was sunny, the majority gathered in a nearby park for a picnic.
The afternoon started again with songs of praise, followed by a meditation given by Karin, based on the text in John 4:28-30,39, which tells about the testimony of the Samaritan woman.
The theme of the afternoon was "What has God changed in my life?" Several women told about their profound and touching experiences they had with the Lord. In between we sang and prayed. We truly have a great God who has done so many miracles, both big and small. One sister shared with us the powerful story of her struggle with depression for seven years and how God healed her after special prayer within half a day. Her spirit is no longer downcast, she is without pain, she has strength and energy again. Praise the Lord for this!
This special and blessed day was concluded with the song "Blessing," as we shook hands wishing each other the blessings of the Lord. It was a powerful and profound moment!
We were all enriched by the shared testimonies, songs and prayers. We realized even more, that telling, witnessing our experiences made with the Lord, what He has done and changed in our lives enriches us, does us good, both for those who tell and those who listen.
Blessed with this certainty, the joy and satisfaction of this rich day, and with new momentum the women slowly took their leave.
I thank the Lord for His presence and for this special day for us. May the flame of enthusiasm and joy keep burning in the hearts of these women so that they can be powerful lights of hope in this world.
As reported by Bernadette Fogliani, Women's Ministries Director, FSRT