May 2, 2008
Hello Ladies,

It has been awhile since I have written an update- I apologize for that, but I guess you could say, “life has just happened”. And continues to happen. Do any of you ever find that all of the things you want to do somehow get pushed to the bottom of your list by the things you need to do? Or is it just me? Take heart and take everything daily to Our Father- He will help us sort out what is truly important! Today is the day I finally get to talk to all of you!

So today I get to say hello and catch you up to date on what is happening in our Women’s Ministry here at Crossroads. Summer tends to be a little quieter for us in terms of programs and studies so we have more time for swimming, cook outs, and relaxing. Personally, I am ready for all of the above!

Having said that, there are some opportunities coming up that you will probably want to take advantage of. Margaret Haire will be leading a 7-week study just for women on Tuesday evenings beginning May 27th from 6:30-8:30 PM. She will be using Beth Moore’s newest study, “Stepping Up: A Journey through the Psalms of Ascent”. You will be blessed by your participation!

On August 1 and 2 Beth Moore will be hosting her Living Proof Live conference in Louisville. We are taking a group of 40 women to this sold out event. If you were not able to join us on our road trip there is still a way to enjoy the conference. Christian Fellowship Church on Millersburg Rd. will be hosting a live simulcast of the event. Get a couple of your friends together and make plans to attend. You can get ticket information by calling the church office at 867-6464.

As you can see this is going to be a summer of Beth Moore. If you have never done one of her studies or attended one of her conferences, this would be a great way to “get to know her” and her ministry. It is a great way to be in God’s Word this summer!

Be on the lookout for our fall schedule for both Daughters of the King and our other new classes and interest groups. The book club will resume on September 9, the knitting ministry will start up again in September the first and third Saturday morning of each month, and other groups will start as well. Watch this space and the bulletin for the most up to date information.

Enjoy those May flowers and the summer days to follow!

In Him,
Corri

March 1, 2008

Isn’t it great to be able to turn the calendar page from February to March? After a winter like we have been having, the promise of spring is especially exciting to me this year! Those of us who were able to attend the Crossroads’ Women’s Winterfest this past weekend were treated to the warmth of God’s love and fellowship with one another, but we would probably all agree that we are ready for the warmth of the sun! Another reason it is exciting to see March roll around is that we get to celebrate our Lord’s resurrection on the 23rd! Plan to be at Roberts Stadium at 10:00 AM for a wonderful service in celebration of our risen Savior! I can’t wait!!!

In our Women’s Ministry the Daughters of the King program will be winding down this month. We will be pleased to offer a four week study beginning Wednesday, April 9 from 9:00-11:00 AM based on Kay Arthur’s book “How to Study the Bible” which will be led by Karen Bickers and Brenda Mounts.

We are also gearing up for a new orientation coffee for our Woman to Woman Mentoring Ministry. If you have ever wanted to be a part of a life on life relationship with another lady please come on April 13 to find out more about this exciting opportunity to do so. The coffee will be held from 2-5 PM at the home of Kaylene Idleman. By attending you are not committing to anything, just finding out information.

With our ongoing Scrapbooking Nights, Women’s Book Club, Tuesday evening, Thursday noon, and Sunday morning studies, Knitting Ministry, and Girls’ Nights Out there is sure to be something for you. Please feel free to join us for any of these events as you see them advertised. Or feel free to call us here at the church to find out more information about any area of interest! We would love to get you plugged in to what’s happening here at Crossroads!

In Him,
Corri

February 5, 2008
Happy February Ladies,

Where has the time gone since Christmas? We may actually be on the downside of winter-and for those of us who like warm weather and sunshine that is good news. I have always loved February- maybe because it is a short month or maybe because of the hearts and chocolate- I’m not sure which!

I am especially excited about this February because we are having our first ever Women’s Winterfest here at Crossroads and it will be all about love (“God’s Indulgent Love”) and chocolate! If you don’t know what a Winterfest is, you will want to come and find out. We have planned a morning of fellowship, fun, and feasting- on both God’s Word and some yummy food prepared by Christi McGuire. Chocolate will definitely be involved (what is more indulgent?) but not mandatory. Brochures are available at the Connections Center and you may register after any of the weekend services at the table in the atrium.

You will also want to check out this website for the calendar of events for the next few months! There are lots of opportunities to get to know other women and maybe even learn a new hobby! To register for any event or to find out more information, call either myself or Lea at 858-8668. We would love to talk with you.

In Him,
Corri

January 3, 2008
Happy New Year, Ladies!

2008 is off and running and there are so many opportunities for each of you to find some way to be more connected to God and one another in this New Year. Here are a few of the highlights:

Mark February 23rd on your calendars because you won’t want to miss the first ever Women’s Winterfest being held right here at Crossroads. This is an extended morning planned with today’s busy woman in mind. Our own Patrica Thomas will be speaking on God’s Indulgent Love and there will be several fun opportunities for growth and intereraction, culminating with a Chocolate Extravaganza lunch-you will want to be a part of it, I assure you!

On Tuesday evening, January 8th from 6:30-8:00 PM the Ladies’ Book Club will be meeting to discuss “A Thousand Splendid Suns” and will meet every second Tuesday of the month through April. They will meet in the café.

Daughters of the King, our weekly Wednesday morning Bible study begins a new semester on January 9th. There are 3 new classes starting at 10:00. We will be offering the new Beth Moore study “Stepping Up- A A Journey Through the Psalms of Ascent”, a new sermon companion series that will go through the book of Matthew along with Pastor Ken Idleman’s messages, and a continuing study in the book of John that would be easy for anyone to join. Donna Bollier will continue her teaching from the book of Hebrews at 9:00.

There will be a Scrapbooking Night on Friday, January 11th from 7:00-10:00 PM here at the church in the Atrium. Pull out those pictures and get the year started off on the right foot by getting them in the book.

We will offer our new Beth Moore study two more times this semester as well. Beginning Sunday, January 13th at 9:00 AM Amanda Bussey will facilitate this 13 session class and then on Tuesday, January 15th Margaret Haire will lead a 7 week session of the same class, “Stepping Up- A Journey through the Psalms of Ascent”.

Tickets are now available for the Beth Moore conference in Louisville, KY on August 1st and 2nd. Call Lea at 858-3080, ext. 302 for more information. A $55 non-refundable deposit is needed to reserve your ticket.

So as you can see there are many opportunities to be a part of what is happening in Women’s Ministry here at Crossroads.

In Him,
Corri

November 6, 2007
Hello Crossroads Ladies! This is such an exciting time to be in ministry here at Crossroads and I am particularly excited about all that is happening in our Women’s Ministry. If you were able to attend our first annual Candlelight Dinner you already know what a fun evening that turned out to be. We are all looking forward to doing it again. If you weren’t able to join us this year you will definitely want to put October 3, 2008 on your calendar for next year and plan to attend!

In the past 2 weeks we have launched a new mentoring group and closed out another. Watch the bulletin for details of our next group that will be launching in April. If you are a woman and have any life experience (all of us do) you are qualified to be a part of this program. Plan to attend an orientation coffee to find out how you can be a part of this growing ministry.

Daughters of the King is winding down for this semester, but our registrations are always open. Our last meeting time for this semester will be on December 5th and we will resume on January 9th. Make a New Year’s Resolution to join us after Christmas on Wednesday mornings from 9-11AM. We’d love to have you!

For all of you Beth Moore fans out there I have exciting news! We will be offering her newest study (hot off the press) no less than 3 times in January so watch the bulletin for details. This study is called “Stepping Up- The Psalms of Ascent”. If you have ever had an interest in learning more about the psalms or if you are a Beth Moore groupie plan to join us! We have also purchased a block of tickets for the Beth Moore Living Proof Live event in Louisville, KY on August 1 -2, 2008. Mark those dates and watch for registration details in the weeks to come.

Last, but certainly not least, I want to let all of you know that plans are being made for our first ever Women’s Winterfest on February 23rd. We would love to have every Crossroads woman in attendance at what promises to be a fun-filled, Spirit-led morning of learning and fellowship. Come “Discover God’s Indulgent Love” for each one of us! I should probably mention that chocolate will be a very important part of this day! You won’t want to miss it.

As I said at the start, this is an exciting time to be a woman here at Crossroads. Please plan to take advantage of as many of these opportunities as possible. We would love to have you!

In Him,
Corri

October 4, 2007
Hello, ladies! Even though the weather indicates it is summer, we know it is fall by the advent of the Fall Festival, the leaves beginning to blanket our yards, and our first annual Candlelight Dinner being only a week away! It has been overwhelming to see the response God has provided, both in attendees and women willing to step up and hostess a table. In fact, the response has been so overwhelming we are at waiting list status at this point. So if you waited to buy your ticket and would still like to attend, give us a call here at the office to be placed on the waiting list. If we hear of available spots, we will let you know.
 
Looking beyond the Candlelight Dinner, we have two new opportunities open to all women of Crossroads. The first is a new 6-week Bible Study entitled “Keeping the Secrets of Jesus” that will begin on Tuesday, October 16th at 6:30 in Room 221. You can sign up at the Connections Center or by calling Lea at 858-3080, ext. 302.
 
Our second opportunity is the launching of a brand new mentoring group through our Woman to Woman Mentoring Program. So far 40 women have been placed in one on one mentoring relationships as either a mentor or a mentee. On October 21st from 2:00-5:00 PM we will meet at Becky Griepenstroh’s home for an informal, informational coffee where you can decide if this program is for you. We will explain how it works and you will have the option to partcipate or not at that point. We would love to meet you and allow you to check it out.
 
Of course Daughters of the King (our Wednesday ladies’ study) and Daughters In Touch (our Thursday noon study for working women) are always open and ready to receive you! Join us if you can! Daughters Of the King weekly messages are now available online. Click here to listen to this week's message.
 
Be sure to mark the dates, August 1st and 2nd, for the Beth Moore “Living Proof” Conference in Louisville, KY. We have reserved a block of tickets and they will be available on a first come, first serve basis very shortly.
 
May God bless each of you as you serve Him and seek to make Him the center of your life! Let us know how we can help you do that!
 
In Him,
Corri

September 6,2007
Hello ladies! Sorry it has taken me so long to update you on the exciting things God is doing in our women's ministry! This summer just flew by and with the activity of getting the kids back to school, gearing up for all of the fall programming here and life in general I just haven't taken the time to write. But my heart is full with all that God is doing!

Yesterday we had over 220 women here for our Daughters of the King kick-off. It was a beautiful day and it was exciting to fill up the chapel and classrooms with women hungry for God's Word. If you are free on Wednesday mornings and have never tried out DOK (as we affectionately call it) give it a try! You will be amazed at what God will teach you! You can show up on Wednesday mornings to register or call Lea at 858-3080, ext. 302.

For all of those women who cannot be a part of Daughters of the King we have 2 new studies beginning here in September that just might be what you are looking for. Beginning Sept. 16th at 9:00 AM in Room 201 will be a ladies only study of Charles Swindoll's book "Growing Deep in the Christian Life." This study will be taught by the teaching team of Susie Gates, Ann Smith, and Corri Brooks. Then our working women's lunchtime (Noon- 1:00PM) study, Daughters in Touch, begins on September 20th. Led by Connie House, this year's study will be through the book of John. Look for a new study tobegin on Tuesday evenings in October!

Lastly, I want to personally invite EVERY woman of Crossroads to our first annual Candlelight Dinner. It will be held on October 12th from 6:30-9:00 PM in the atrium. Tickets for this evening of fellowship and fun go on sale this week in the atrium. Be sure to reserve your spot at a table ASAP! Kaylene Idleman will be the speaker for the evening and each uniquely decorated table will the foundation of a wonderful meal catered by Christi McGuire. Plan to attend- you will want to say that you were at the "first" Candlelight dinner.

May you all be blessed as you, like me, keep all the plates spinning, the food on the table, the laundry in the drawers and closets, and the Lord in the middle of all of it! - Corri

July 17, 2007
Did I say in my last message that I was looking forward to summer’s slower pace? What was I talking about? With my three girls going in three different directions and all of the fun activities that summer brings it has been anything but a restful time for our family- but it has been good.

Two weeks ago I had the privilege of accompanying our middle school group (of which my youngest daughter is a member now!) to New Orleans to do Katrina relief work. It was such a good week of service and bonding for our young people and of course God did a work in my heart as well. We need to continue to pray for and support those affected by Katrina and the flooding. It was an eye opening experience and helps me know how to better pray for the whole situation.

I am looking forward to our family vacation next week- and then I will come back to getting things in order for Daughters of the King and all of our other fall women’s activities. It will be an exciting time and one I hope all of you will take advantage of. It is the desire of the Women’s Ministry here at Crossroads to meet as many needs of the women of this church as possible. Never hesitate to call and let us know how we can serve you! My number is 858-3080, ext. 337.

Blessings,
Corri


May 2007
Summer is just around the corner and I know we are all looking forward to the slower change of pace that it brings. With the kids out of school and vacations on the calendar it is a great time to slow down and smell the roses, to reconnect with our families and this beautiful world God has created for us.

Even though this is a slower season in women’s ministry that doesn’t mean that there aren’t opportunities to grow in God’s Word and get to know other women at a deeper level. Join us this summer on Monday evenings for a 12 week study of the book of Daniel. Margaret Haire will be leading this workbook and video based study by popular author and Bible teacher Beth Moore. It begins June 4th and will meet weekly through August 20th. We’d love to see you there. Call Lea at 858-3080, ext. 302 to register.

We just kicked off our first mentoring group as a part of the Woman to Woman Mentoring Ministry. All of the ladies were very excited about their match so it will be fun to see what God does through each of these relationships. If this seems like a ministry you might be excited about being a part of, call 858-3080, ext. 337 to be placed on the waiting list for our next orientation coffee, which will take place on September 9th.

We are also busy making plans for our big fall event, the Women’s Candlelight Dinner on October 12th. Mark your calendar for that and plan to sign up in September. It will be a great evening of fellowship for the ladies of our church.

Blessings,
Corri


April 1, 2007
Spring has officially sprung here in the Tri-state and I am once again in awe of what God does for us! When we left for spring break a week ago we were still waiting for the colors to appear and by the time we came home they were out in their full glory! What a beautiful reminder this always is of how God makes all things new. I also love how we celebrate the resurrection of our Savior at this same time of year! I hope you are planning to be at Roberts Stadium this Sunday to join with thousands of other Tri-staters as we praise and worship our risen Lord!

Our ladies’s mid-week Bible study, Daughters of the King, will be ending next Wednesday, April 11th with our traditional end of the year brunch. Plan to be there to celebrate what God has done this year through DOK!

I am also excited to announce that Pam Jordan will be leading us in a study from April 18th – May 30th each Wednesday morning from 9:00-11:30 AM. She will be teaching from the “Joy of Living” series in the books of I, II and III John and Jude. Childcare will be provided for a fee of $2 per child per week. To register call Lea at 858-3080, ext. 337.

Last, but not least, be sure to join us on May 6th from 2:00-5:00 PM for the Orientation Coffee for our new Mentoring Ministry. This will launch our first church-wide attempt at matching ladies into one on one relationships for the purpose of growing closer to God through the shared wisdom of their life experiences. Call the church office at 858-8668 to register for this informational afternoon and to find out if this is a ministry you might like to be involved with. - Corri

March 1,2007
March may be coming in like a lion but just the turn of the calendar page brings with it the hope of spring. Yesterday my 15 year old daughter and I discussed how excited we are for spring to make its appearance. She was shopping for a bathing suit for spring break, which will be here before we know it. As we saw all of the spring colors and clothes meant for warmer weather we both got a little excited about what lies ahead.

Although March is still cold and at times blustery, my heart is warmed by the women God is raising up (and has been using for quite some time) to lead other women closer to our Savior. Daughters of the King continues to meet on Wednesday mornings (unless the schools are delayed or cancelled as they were this past Wednesday) and believe it or not we are already thinking ahead to next year. Begin making plans now to join us from 9:00-11:00 AM each Wednesday- you can start now and finish our last 5 weeks with us! Our classes are always open.

Spring promises to be full of activity for our ladies! Mark Sunday afternoon, May 6th, on your calendar. You will want to be a part of the church-wide kick-off of the Mentoring Ministry. Jody Risner will be hosting our orientation coffee in her home where you can come and find out more about this exciting new way to connect with women here at Crossroads.

Also, don’t forget to register for the Women of Faith Conference in St. Louis. It will take place on June 15th and 16th. A non-refundable deposit is due by April 1st. See the brochure at Counter 2 for more information or call us here at the church office to find out the details. It will be an event you will be blessed to be a part of!

Lastly I want to mention that you should keep your eyes out for two new opportunities to study God’s Word. One will take place on Wednesday mornings when DOK ends and the other will take place on Sunday mornings. Watch the bulletin for details!

Stay warm and be on the lookout for those signs of spring! - Corri

January 23, 2007
I just wanted to share with you how excited I am about Women’s Ministry here at Crossroads! We are off to a great start with our Mentoring program. Twenty-five attended our first ever orientation coffee and we are so excited for our kick-off night next Monday here at church. Those who attended will find out whom they will be matched with for these next 3 months. It will be exciting to see what God will do with these relationships and this ministry in the months to come!

Yesterday our Daughters of the King ladies were able to meet in the new chapel for the first time! What an awesome day of celebration that was! I am confident that God will be worshipped and honored in many ways in the weeks and months to come as this new space is used for Him! And how lucky we are to be able to use it each week! God is good!

As I write this, my heart is full of praise and thanks to God for what He is doing in the lives and hearts of all of you! Corri

January 15, 2007
Can you believe it is the middle of January already? It’s true, time does fly when you’re having fun! If you were able to be with us for our kick-off for Daughters of the King last week or one of our Tuesday evening classes you know that we are having a lot fun around here with the new, ALMOST finished construction. We had hoped and planned to kick off DOK in the new chapel area, but that didn’t get to happen. Maybe this week! Whenever it does it is going to be awesome. It is a perfect space for our ladies’ ministry.

The next big item for women’s ministry is the launching of our mentoring ministry. We are beginning this Sunday (Jan 21st) at 2:00 at my home. If you think you might be interested in investing in the lives of other women, then this is the place for you to be on Sunday afternoon. I will be introducing the ministry and giving everyone in attendance the option of signing on or not. It is a no strings attached afternoon. Since I am also a Colts fan you can be sure I will be taping it if our time conflicts with their game. I haven’t heard for sure when they play. Don’t let that keep you away!

Have a great week and I hope to see you on Sunday! - Corri

January 2, 2007
Happy New Year to all of you! Isn’t it exciting to get out those new calendars and see all of the empty spaces just waiting to be filled? If you are like me, it doesn’t take long to fill them in. Be sure to pencil in some time for yourself this year. I can’t think of anything better you could do for yourself than to become a part of one of our Bible studies, either Daughters of the King on Wednesday mornings or one of our Tuesday evening or Sunday morning classes. There is always an open seat at any women’s event at Crossroads.

I am also very excited about the new Woman to Woman mentoring ministry we are beginning in January with a dress rehearsal group. We hope to have a church-wide kick-off in May. Watch the bulletin for details. Just give Lea a call at 858-3080, ext. 302 for more information or to register for a class. - Corri

December 12, 2006
‘Tis the season, ladies! Thanks to all of you who helped make the DOK Christmas celebration a huge success. It was a wonderful morning of food, fellowship, and focus on the reason for this whole season. It is hard to believe we have completed our first semester of DOK for this year. Please plan to return in January if you have been coming.

If you haven’t been attending, January would be an excellent time to start a new Bible study. If you can’t make it on Wednesday mornings maybe you can try to join us on Tuesday evenings. We will be offering two classes, Freedom for Mothers and Experiencing God. Call Lea at 858-3080, ext. 302 for more information about Daughters of the King or to register for one of the Tuesday evening classes.

My prayer for all of you is that you will have a blessed holiday season! - Corri

November 27, 2006
I hope everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving- ours was just great- it was wonderful to have my oldest daughter home from college, my mother and brother from St. Louis, and my husband’s parents from Indianapolis. The food was good, of course, but the time spent together was the greatest blessing of all.

As soon as the company left it was time to change gears and take advantage of the beautiful weather God provided to get the Christmas decorations out and hung. As much as I love this season and all that goes with it I have to admit that it is easy for me to lose my focus on what is truly important. This week something I read in my quiet time really helped me to focus my thoughts on Jesus and one more reason I need to be so grateful that He came.

I was actually doing a study of the 10 commandments. The workbook I was using asked me to really contemplate them and to consider how well I actually keep them. Well, I am ok on the murder, stealing, adultery commandments- the really “ big” things. As I considered some of the others- having no other gods before Him, putting up idols in my life, coveting- was I ever convicted! As I prayed to God for that instant forgiveness we can have only through the blood of Christ, it occurred to me why we have to have Christmas. I cannot keep the law and without the gift of God’s son and His sacrifice for me I would be guilty of such grievous sin with no real way to have it forgiven. That is pretty basic, I know, but so easy to lose sight of!

So as our society seeks to eliminate the Christ in Christmas I plan to spend this holiday season emphasizing Him in all that I do. As I placed my nativity scene beneath our tree I said a special prayer of thanks for the baby God sent on that first Christmas. Don’t forget to include Him in all you do this season! - Corri

November 20, 2006
It’s time to count our blessings! I just want to take this opportunity to say that this ministry and all of you who are involved in it- either through leading a class, volunteering in the office, making coffee, greeting women with a smile or attending a class- are truly a blessing in my life. Since starting this job 4 1/2 months ago it has been so fun to get to meet so many of you and to work along side of all of you who have a heart for women’s ministry. May you all have a truly blessed Thanksgiving . You will all be at the top of my list of blessings this year as I name them one by one!

P.S. The sessions from our Fall Women’s Conference with Jan Silvious are available on CD in the Resource Center. You may purchase each session individually for $4 each or all three sessions for $12. Fill out an order form in the Resource Center if you are interested. - Corri

November 13, 2006
I was lucky enough to spend this past weekend with some of the people I love best on this earth. My mother, sister, 3 daughters and I met in Chicago for a girls’ weekend of shopping , eating, and the big treat of going to see a play. I had high hopes of getting some serious Christmas shopping done, but other than a few small things I didn’t come away with as much done as I had hoped. Or did I?

Although the packages weren’t so plentiful, the memories of a wonderful time spent together are! What a treat it was to have my 3 girls with me and for my mom to have her 2 girls with her and for all of us to spend some uninterrupted time together. It occurs to me as we enter this holiday season that is fast approaching that we should focus more on the people we will be celebrating with and less on the “extras” we add to the whole deal. That is my prayer for myself as I focus on my “to do” list, which is sure to grow over the next few weeks. That is also my prayer for all of you- that amidst the cooking, baking, shopping, and decorating we can all keep our focus on the truly important thing- our relationships with our families and our Savior. Forget the shopping, let’s get a head start on THAT this holiday season. - Corri

November 8, 2006
Welcome, ladies, to the Women’s Ministry page of our new and improved website. I am so excited to have this opportunity to share with you all of the exciting things God is doing through this ministry. Check this space often to see what is happening with Women’s ministry or to hear about what God is doing through it. Hopefully as time goes on we will get to know each other better and you can help me as I try to discern how God wants to meet your needs.

Daughters of the King, our Wednesday morning Ladies’ Bible Study, has had a terrific fall so far. If you have never been a part of DOK it is never too late. We could help you find a study just right for you. There is a children’s program as well, so bring them along. This semester concludes with our Christmas celebration on December 6th here in the atrium at Crossroads. Tickets will go on sale next Wednesday, November 15th. Use the contact information on this page to get involved. This is a great time to come and check out Daughters of the King. Our Tuesday evening, Thursday noon, and Sunday morning classes are also blessing many women. There is always an empty chair at any of these studies.

Something I am very excited about is a study for moms that will be offered on Tuesday evenings beginning in January. The class” Freedom for Mothers “will be offered with the hope that all of you working moms who have not been able to attend a daytime study might be able to come. Watch this space and the weekend bulletin for sign-up information.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or suggestions about the women’s ministry. I am here to serve you and your needs.

Blessings,
Corri Brooks
Women’s Ministry Director