www.creativeladiesministry.com

[BarbaraJean]

I'm working on my November WM meeting and would like any suggestions you may have. My theme is "Bunches of Blessings". I will be decorating with bunches of grapes and my door prize will be a mug set with grapes on them and flavored teas. To keep with the holiday, the devotional will be about thankfulness for our blessings and seeing blessings in situations that seem to not be blessings.

Any ideas?
_________________
God Is Good All The Time. . .
Barb

[Prov31wannabe]

Maybe you're already going to do this, but I picture lots of ivy trailing along with the grapes...

You are going to serve grape juice, aren't you?

Have you ever seen the emails that get sent around...they are about perspective. They say things like "instead of grumbling about your lousy job, think of those who are unemployed".
This could be done as a reading or even a skit.

I also know of a (supposedly) true story of a man who suffered a job loss and, needing an income to support his family and pay bills, took a job he was very unhappy with....till a job interview came along that he desperately wanted. He was qualified for the new job and it entailed doing the things he loved.
He didn't get the job.
He was bitter. Until-----
On Sept. 11th a plane flew directly into the World Trade Center floor that the offices of that new job would have been located.
As he cried and prayed for the lives lost that day.......he marveled at God's blessing given to him in the form of a lost job.
(Quite a lesson on contentment, eh?)
_________________
Colossians 1:27 ...."Christ in you, the hope of glory."

[Guest]

How about before your meeting, have your childrens Sunday School classes write down what they are thankful for and put these around the room. They will become nice decorations (maybe they could write it on a paper cornicopia or something) and very interesting reading. Also, every mother and grandmother like to see what their little ones are thankful for.

[Prov31wannabe]

Good idea with the children's contribution....
Reminds me----a couple years ago, my daughter had this awesome teacher who decided to twist the "what I'm thankful for" essay.
She had the kids fill in the blanks:
"Even though............I am grateful .........."

So they looked at things that weren't so wonderful in thier lives and found a blessing in them.

(One of my daughter's: "Even tho my gramma is far away, I am grateful that she loves me and writes to me and can fly out to see me sometimes.")
_________________
Colossians 1:27 ...."Christ in you, the hope of glory."

[BarbaraJean]

Great suggestions!

I think that I've read the email but didn't save it. If anybody has it could you email it to me - or post it? My ladies would love a skit.

And that story is a great example of of seeing God's blessings in disappointment. Thanks!

I think the mom and grandmas will enjoy the "I'm thankful for. . ." idea too.

I'm not serving the refreshments but I'll let the 2 ladies who are know that using grapes in any of their recipes will add to the fun.

Vines - the lady who is hosting the meeting has live vines, long ones in her home. I think I'll buy some grapes (plastic ones from Dollar Tree) and attach them.

Thanks!
_________________
God Is Good All The Time. . .
Barb

[BarbaraJean]

Does anybody have a "grape" idea for giving away the door prize?
_________________
God Is Good All The Time. . .
Barb

[Prov31wannabe]

Do you use name tags?
We used to use sticky name tags and every now and then use them as a sneaky way to give door prizes.

For example, you could print or stamp various pics of grapes and all the purple grapes get a prize (if you have more than one, that is...)

Once, we did a prayer program using quilts in our decorating. I cut dozens of 1 inch squares of fabric in tons of colors and patterns.
We glued 2 fabric squares to each nametag.
We had 4 door prizes, so I used only 4 bright orange squares of fabric and that was the 'winning color'.
The funny thing was, it was so bright, ladies would skip over that tag and choose a color they liked.
They were kicking themselves when we announced the prize-giveaway!


Another idea....
Fill a bowl with loose grapes....all purple and a green one for each prize you have to give (or vice versa). Cover the bowl or hold it up high and have the ladies "pick a grape" to win a prize.
_________________
Colossians 1:27 ...."Christ in you, the hope of glory."

[BarbaraJean]

Those are all fun!!
_________________
God Is Good All The Time. . .
Barb

[Guest]

I am trying to throw together a quick Nov. ladies fellowship.
We were not going to have one because we just had one for fall
and Christmas dinner is just around the corner, but some of the ladies
didn't get to come to the last one and would like one this month (NOV)
So I will try and throw one together fast.
So I don't want it to be like the fall one and not like Christmas either.
This bunch of blessings sounds like fun.
I don't have $ to go out and buy bunchs of grapes though. Any other
ideas on that?
How could purple balloons be made into grapes? Anyone know?
Just an idea
What would be some good games to play for this?
We don't use name tags because we are a group of 30 or so and we all know each other already except for maybe a couple of visitors now and then.
What do you think about having a few of the ladies talk about their
first experience with the turkey?
I need some good ideas.
Anyone got some?
Thanx

[Prov31wannabe]

Purple balloons could be tied into a bunch of grapes....BIG grapes.
Bananas come in bunches? Would that be easier?
{{shrug}}
Not helping, am I?
How about switching from BUNCHES of Blessings to COUNT Your Blessings and you could put numbers everywhere.....cut out numbers using contstruction paper. Borrow adding machines and calculators and rulers and abacuses and anything that works with numbers and adding and such.

Just a random thought.
I have to dash now...sorry!
_________________
Colossians 1:27 ...."Christ in you, the hope of glory."

[Guest]

No need to apologize, these are great ideas.
I like the numbers and calculaters. Although now we are putting the
thing on hold because we are doing a surprise shower instead but
I will keep these ideas and now I have a whole year to come up
with something.
Thanx