“Wonderful, uplifting, and filled with hope for the future,” is how one guest described the seminar hosted earlier this month by the women of the Pioneer Valley Church of Christ in Chicopee, Massachusetts. And it certainly was all of that and more!
Women from all over western Massachusetts were joined by women from Connecticut to participate in Jeanie Shaw’s “Understanding Goose” seminar, a workshop-style event focused on finding healing from loss and pain through Christ. Jeanie described the day as being for anyone who has experienced loss, rejection, or shame, and for those who struggle with identity, trust, control or intimacy. Although initially, some of the women who participated were unsure if they struggled in these areas, as Jeanie talked, everyone seemed to identify in many ways to these core issues we face as women.
Beginning with a moving true story of a goose, these topics were all discussed using an outstanding multi-media presentation which sometimes left us crying and at others times had the room rolling in laughter. Perhaps the best part of the series was the common thread of Christ, masterfully woven through each session. This served as a beacon guiding each of us to the one answer to all of life’s trials – the love and security we can find in Jesus, the one person who can sympathize with our weakness and struggles and also give us the strength to overcome.
An outstanding introduction to Christ for non-disciples as well as a powerful reminder of God’s heart for those who already know Christ, this workshop will change lives. Jeanie’s seminar left us not only “Understanding Goose” better, but coming to a fuller understanding of God’s love and acceptance and the healing that can only come through Christ.
