Each Sunday I loyally follow the three week rule... you know, if you sit on the same pew three weeks in a row, it's yours! It's as if an invisible placard reserves your seat each Sunday! No one else would ever think of sitting there, after all, they are loyally following the three week rule and growing roots beneath their own designated seats!

The three week rule gives us a great way to identify visitors! Everyone in the church can spot the newcomers as they survey the sanctuary and then veer toward an empty pew. The novices innocently plop down in someone else's pew because they can't read the invisible "No Sit Zone" placard!

You can almost hear the onlookers whisper as the unsuspecting guests take the secretly reserved seats...

"Oh, No! There are people in Frank and Ethel's seats... what in the world will they do?! Where will they sit?! If Frank and Ethel have to sit somewhere else, they will take another faithful parishioners assigned seats! The church as we know it will never be the same!"

Okay, I am exaggerating. But, the point I am about to make is not what you might think. I am not opposed to following the three week rule. There's something to be said for sitting in the same pew, with the same people, at the same church, for Sunday after Sunday. It helps build community. It helps to deepen relationships.

I, for example, sit on the second pew with the Eldridge family. After three weeks of sitting there, I grafted myself into their family. Mr. Eldridge was diagnosed with cancer several months ago and his prognosis isn't good. The doctors say his days remaining here on earth are in the double digits. As I worship next to that faithful family, my worship has become more meaningful. As I sing of heaven, I imagine my dear old friend celebrating there before the year ends. As I praise God for his faithfulness, my mind travels down the pew to dear Mr. Eldridge and I try to hear his voice as he sings of God's faithfulness - I suspect he understands God's faithfulness in a much deeper way these days. How I long each Sunday to sit with that family whom I love, respect and pray for.

This past Sunday, however, was Mother's Day and a lot of people unfamiliar with the three week rule attended our services. And yes, they encroached upon my staked out territory with the Eldridges!

I ended up sitting back a few rows with Betsy - one of our college students. As the pastor asked the moms in the congregation to rise, I was painfully aware that Betsy had lost her mom several years earlier. I began to pray for that sweet young woman. As we sang about God's faithfulness, again, I tried to hear Betsy's voice, for she knows about God's faithfulness in a way and in an area of life that I haven't yet experienced. As we praised God for his provisions, my mind wandered down the pew to Betsy, for I know He has lovingly provided for her in her loss and pain.

After the service, I took her hand and asked if Mother's Day was hard for her. Her response, "You remembered?" "Oh, of course I remembered," I said as our eyes welled up with tears. I told her how proud her Mom would be of her and I walked away thanking God that the three week rule is made to be broken.

The three week rule gives opportunity to grow community, but it should never be an excuse to grow roots that keep us from expanding our hearts.

Our churches are full of people, lots of people - people who need each other, people who try to hide from each other; people who are silently crying out to each other to be comforted. People whose pain ministers to people seeking; people who show up on just the right pew at just the right time!

So, my friend, deepen your relationships and you will deepen your heart. Grow community, but don't grow permanent roots! Be willing to move your seat from time to time and allow your heart to be moved by God as you do.

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another- and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25

Blessings and Joy,
Jennifer Rothschild
Author of Lessons I Learned in the Dark (and Light), and Founder of WomensMinistry.NET

We asked for your summer ministry ideas and this jewel was included in them. We will be sharing more of the amazing and unique ministry ideas that you all sent in soon ...

From Julie... We have started a "Cinderella Project." This is to help girls go to the prom that can not afford to go. Then girls are recommended through the counselor at school. We have been collecting prom dresses (over 200 so far!!) jewelry, shoes, purses, gloves, etc. We are sending 33 girls from three different schools to their proms.

We raised money for their prom tickets, got corsages and hair appointments donated. We are doing their hair and make up. this is a great chance to witness to girls in the community

WM.Net Note: I (Robyne) love this idea! A few years ago a friend and I got together at her house and did the hair of five-six girls the day of prom. We curled, sprayed, braided, teased, laughed, and were totally blessed to interact with these young women on this special day. We jokingly called it our "Prom Salon."

I know that we are in the midst of Prom season and it may be too late to do this right now at your church. Consider planning ahead for homecoming and prom next year. This would be a great time to start collecting dresses and accessories.

In Him... Robyne Beaubien, Editor

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Debbie Hannah Skinner is "the Bible teacher with a paintbrush." Please visit her new website (www.dhskinner.com) to see a video segment from one of her "art to heart" talks - weaving together words, watercolors and wisdom from Scripture.

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This idea originally ran in Issue 231 on September 9, 2004.

Outreach Ministry: Precious Lambs

We noticed that we had a gap in WM involvement of women ages 25-35. Project "Precious Lambs" was started to honor the new moms and raise the level of awareness of WM opportunities. The Team Leader of that project makes a personal visit to the home with a gift of a silver spoon [we have a friend who lives in Germany and gets beautiful pieces for us]. The Team Leader takes along our WM brochures and encourages the new mom to get connected in one of the areas of WM.

Also, we took a break from our Bible Studies and did a Summer Book Club June - Aug. One facilitator, 3 homes, 3 books [one very challenging, one lighter and one biography.] We encouraged the younger women we had made contact with to attend. Many of them brought their friends to the book club. This project reached a group of women who are not involved in other areas of our women's ministry.

Submitted by: Brenda Verstraete, WM Director

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