WELCOME SECRET SISTERS!
It is truly wonderful that you have decided to participate in this ministry of caring and sharing with other sisters in Christ. You have will be given a "sister" that you will need to pray for and encourage. It is so special knowing that there is someone who prays for you daily and is there to send you an encouraging note from time to time! You are now the instrument that God has placed in her life to give her the encouragement she needs - right when she needs it! "A word spoken in due season, how good it is!" Proverbs 15:23.
I believe God called me to re-start the Secret Sister program in 2008 because of the many blessings that I received while being a Secret Sister to Jean Anderson five years prior, in 2003. From my experience, I knew that it could surely be a ministry of blessings
for other women at Camelback. You see, in 2003 I didn't know very many women at Camelback; I didn't even know who my Secret Sister, Jean, was! Then one Sabbath in May of that year, I heard in the morning announcements that Ed Anderson, Jean's husband, had passed away. I couldn't believe that my Secret Sister had lost her husband! Immediately I increased the prayers, cards, small gifts, etc., to support her throughout that difficult year.
Ladies, here is the beauty: By praying and caring for Jean, I was so very blessed! It was far better than anything I could possibly receive from whomever had me as a Secret Sister!
Now fast forward to 2008. After a wonderful 2008-09 Secret Sister season, our Revealing Party was held on Sunday, May 3, 2009. Jean Anderson's place at her table sat empty! "Where was my former dear Secret Sister, who was the very inspiration for this ministry? " I wondered. We were to learn later that she had suffered a major stroke that morning; Jean passed to her rest two days later. Now I eagerly await seeing Jean at the grandest Party of all: the Heavenly Banquet with our dear Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ...
It is my deepest hope that you, too, may be blessed with new friendships, inspiration, and a renewed feeling of God's love through the Secret Sisters ministry.
Your Sister in Christ,
Robyn
HERE'S HOW IT WORKS...
1. Click here to fill out an Information Survey.
2. Please review the GUIDELINES below.
3. Click here to learn more about this year's theme.
4. Click here to see PHOTOS/NAMES of this year's participants! (updated regularly)
5. Click here to enjoy Secret Sisters EVENTS photo album.
The 2009-2010 Secret Sister program runs from November through April. An Information Survey must be filled out and submitted in order for you to be paired with a Secret Sister.
GUIDELINES
1. Know that this is a commitment.
The Sister you are assigned is expecting you to uphold her in prayer and receive encouragement through thoughtful gestures for the next 6 months (Nov.-April). If you are unable to fulfill this commitment, please contact me so that your Sister can be reassigned.
2. Uplift your Secret Sister in prayer daily.
Praying daily for her will strengthen YOU, and the blessings to BOTH of you will be immeasurable.
3. Encourage her.
Send cards, notes, etc., to her at LEAST once a month (preferably more!) by placing reminders on each month of your calendar. For the cost of a stamp, you will be brightening her day and reminding her that someone is thinking about her and praying for her needs on a daily basis.
4. Remember your Secret Sister on her special occassions.
- Mark specific dates on your calendar; include her birthday, anniversary, etc., as well as the holidays.
- If your Secret Sister's birthday should fall outside of Nov.-April, please select any day you wish and "celebrate" her birthday!
5. Keep her a secret! Don't let her know who you are!
Then, in May, we'll have a FUN Secret Sister Reveal Party! (Bring one last sweet card or small gift to this...)
6. Any new women who join our church during this 6 month period are welcome to become a participant.
Please contact me.
7. Ideas for encouragement: ANYTHING FROM THE HEART!
Cards, thoughtful notes, poems, bookmarks, candy, candles, bubblebath, baked goods, a book, a small gift card (to her favorite grocery store, restaurant,etc.), anything you make yourself. Review her questionnaire, and remember: it's the thought that counts.
8. How to get things to her:
A) Via snail mail, click here for how to address your card/parcel.
B) Bring it to church on Sabbath and place it on the Secret Sister table.
C) Leave it in the Secret Sister basket located in the information booth in the vestibule.
9. Please give an occasional offering to the Secret Sisters ministry as the Spirit moves you; on your tithe envelope, write Secret Sisters.
10. After our Revealing Party (late April or early May, date TBD), we will take a break from Secret Sister emails, etc., from May through October; this will keep the Secret Sister Ministry "fresh" and allow us to anticipate its start-up each November!
Ladies, please, look at this as an opportunity for us to strengthen and grow the prayer and fellowship aspect of our church sisterhood. What better time in our history to know that someone is praying daily and caring for us!
Thank you for choosing to participate in this important, uplifting ministry! I will send an occassional email reminding you to remember your Sister.
VERY IMPORTANT!!! Anyone NOT hearing from their Secret Sister on a regular basis PLEASE contact me.
Robyn Fritsche
camelbacksecretsisters@cox.net
480-515-3870
