Director of Women’s Ministries Mindy Rynbrandt

Mindy Rynbrandt

Coming Together Around God’s Word

For many of us, the word together has been more broadly defined over the past year. Before the pandemic hit, it was hard to conceive of corporate worship, Bible study, discipleship or prayer meetings occurring unless physically gathered in one space. During lockdown last spring, our definition of together needed to expand to adapt to the circumstances which were forcing us into physical and social isolation. In women’s ministry we quickly pivoted, recognizing women needed to be nourished by God’s Word and the support of community–even if from a safe distance. After this long pandemic year, we give thanks for Zoom, YouTube, outdoor patios, community parks and other provisions of the Lord that have allowed us to persevere through a pandemic year together.

On Wednesdays in Women’s Bible Study, despite many barriers this year, over 300 women have studied the Book of Genesis together, marveling at God’s patience with humans and his incredible salvation plan revealed in this narrative. Both online and in-person, women have come together around the Word, encouraging, challenging, supporting and praying alongside one another through the pandemic.

On Monday evenings this year, moms and mentors have come together to consider how to glorify the Lord as image bearers while faithfully living out the calling of motherhood. The early years of motherhood can already feel a bit isolating, but all the more amidst a pandemic. Meet-ups at parks and forest preserves and evenings gathered around the warmth of a fire have provided our moms with much needed biblical encouragement this year.

On Saturday mornings, in person and via Zoom (when needed), the women’s Monthly Gathering has continued to create a space for women to consider important topics together. This fall and winter we’ve looked closely at spiritual disciplines that promote growth in our relationships with Christ. Whether through a screen or across the table, we’ve learned from one another and challenged one another to lean into these practices with the end goal of godliness– closeness to Christ and conformity to Christ.

On weekday mornings, Sunday afternoons and evenings throughout the week, women have come together around the Word in 1:1 discipleship relationships. For some, this connection with a sister and looking together at God’s Word has been a lifeline during this season of isolation.

In February of 2020, 200+ College Church women gathered for a weekend retreat in Wisconsin, and for many, that experience represented the last moment of normal togetherness before the pandemic hit. While we’re grateful for the ways God has brought us together around his Word over the last year, we look forward with joy and gladness to our women’s conference, May 14- 15, when we can finally come together again as sisters to worship, to give thanks, to sit under biblical teaching.

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another– and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25, NIV) May we step into this next year unified by hearts of gratitude, committed to coming together around God’s Word–whatever together looks like.