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By Marilyn Bohlender, ODW President

Side note: We can get out of the kitchen at upcoming ODW Fall Retreat Oct 2-3rd. Yes! Good Food!

The church air conditioning at my church has not worked all summer! This has given new meaning to a hot kitchen. The situation would have stopped some volunteers. The numbers have dropped a lot for those coming in for a Wednesday community meal. Those still coming depend on that meal.

In this place where a meal is served you can feel God’s love. Do those attending also depend on that love? Most are used to the heat and rest at tables with fans going drinking water, tea, or lemonade while the meal is being completed. Someone can usually play the piano with soothing background music. Smells and happy chatter from the kitchen give comforting vibes. Smiles and greetings from volunteers make those toughened by life feel the Christian love.

How do you explain that our needs as a human go beyond just basic necessities. That need may be as simple as realizing someone knows I exist, listens to me and sees me. We may not even know that we need that until we experience someone caring and showing Christian love. I am not talking about solving all of someone’s problems which is another discussion on its own. I am just talking about acknowledging someone as a person.

I am also talking about how we may not know we need something until we experience it. How do you explain that meeting in person together as a church family fulfills a need beyond that of hearing the church service. Do not get me wrong. The church service even from home is uplifting and spiritual feeds just as the meal feeds empty stomachs. I am saying there is even more when you are in the midst of other Christians!

Our churches are full of Christian love! Let others feel this. Invite! Invite your neighbor; invite the stranger. Keep inviting!

As your ODW President, I want to invite you to participant as much as you are able in our activities. Experience the feeling that you may not know you are missing.

Upcoming:

  • ODW Fall Retreat 2026 on Oct 2-3rd. Registration deadline Sept 22nd
  • CADW Meeting Tues Oct 27th, FCC Norman 405-329-2192
  • DW Blessing Box Project: Your contribution results due end of October see our webpage for details
  • ROSES June 25-26, 2027 Little Rock Details forthcoming.
  • See Regional events on Region’s calendar

Stay in the loop by signing up to Oklahoma Region’s eNewsletter, Regional Roundup.

Go to the Oklahoma Disciples Women’s page here on this website.

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When I see you next, I will give tips to survive the heat in the kitchen and you can share yours! Tip number one is drink water!

John 4:14 (NIV) but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.