Following on from a beautiful night together connecting last Friday, here are three ways you can step into the fun, belonging, and connection of community with other women at CV Church:

1  Silence and Solitude Retreat – March 13-15 - Bookings open

Silence and Solitude Retreat—creating space to slow down, listen, and rest in God’s presence. A beautiful opportunity to step away from the noise and reconnect with God in a deeper way.

Join for the entire weekend or spend the day together.

There are 3 opportunities to participate in the weekend:

2-night stay - $320

1-night stay - $220

Day Retreat - $120

Bookings are now open, with the closing date on 4th March

Spaces are limited to create an intimate space.

See Erin or Beth for details.

Book For The Retreat   

 

2   Pods

Join a small group of intergenerational women to connect each fortnight, for 16 weeks.  

We’ll study a book together over this period, pray and share lives together.  It’s a great way to “cross the aisle” and get to know other women, outside our usual contacts.

Pods Sign Up   

 

3   Doing Community

Christy’s having a baby - and it’s a great way for us as a community to support the family practically.  Want to be part of a meal train for the first few weeks after birth?

Last year we trialled an 8am service, looking at all things end times. This year we are going to continue to offer an interactive teaching service, and we will be looking at some of the significant Old Testament characters.

Beginning with Adam and Eve, and including Noah, Moses, David……11 characters in total.

We will be looking at the call of God, their strengths and weaknesses and their role in Gods story.

You are warmly invited to join us.

We started on February 1st, looking at Adam and Eve and then Noah and then Abraham.

Hardcopy notes will be provided each week and the sessions will be recorded and posted on our website.

I am very thankful to God that I found a good thing……however, what were some of the key priorities I considered in my decision to marry Beth. As we celebrate 32 years of marriage on March 11, I reflect on the following:

1. Shared Faith and Values: The importance of marrying someone who shares your faith is emphasised throughout scripture. For example, 2 Corinthians 6:14 advises believers not to be “unequally yoked” with those who do not share their beliefs. Both Beth and I share the same Christian values and they are the foundation for our relationship and key decisions we make about our life, children, vocation and future. One of the greatest challenges is holding true to your Christian values when you can’t find a partner who shares the same values, it is often a value that people are willing to sacrifice. This is a dangerous practice, and often later in life bears the fruit of regret. Believe God, pray, fast, continue to seek Him…..if this is your reality, lets chat further.

2. Character and Integrity: Proverbs often speaks to the value of good character, suggesting that a trustworthy and virtuous partner is preferable to one who is merely attractive or wealthy (Proverbs 31:10-31). One of the key character traits Beth continually reminds me of is to be a safe person for her, and safety is about ensuring that no one or nothing takes priority over her.

3. Commitment and Sacrificial Love: Ephesians 5:25-33 outlines the importance of selfless love and mutual respect, encouraging couples to love one another as Christ loves the church. Morning cups of tea, date nights, real conversations about physical, spiritual, financial, relational challenges strengthen marriage, they are challenging but fruitful. Be sure to celebrate your wins and discuss the disappointments.

4. Mutual Support and Companionship: Genesis 2:18 states, “It is not good for the man to be alone,” highlighting the need for partnership and support in marriage. Once married the single life is finished, I often will say to people if you have not finished living the single life, don’t get married until you have. You may not marry your best friend, but over time friendship like no other can be built.

5. Forgiveness and Patience: Colossians 3:13 reminds couples to be patient and forgiving, essential qualities for a lasting relationship. I am sorry is hard to say but without it and a genuine change of heart and direction trust begins to diminish. Unforgiveness is a bitter pill and the seed of resentment and discontent, the fertile ground for wandering eyes.

While physical attraction and compatibility matter, the Bible prioritises spiritual unity, character, and a willingness to love and serve one another for a strong foundation in marriage. One of the key questions I often hear is, “does God have the one set aside for me”

1. God knows you, He knows your future, His purpose and plans for you, God can put people together, providentially bring people together and if this happens for you, then, your reality and testimony stands. But this is not everyone’s reality.

2. God does bless marriage. Marriage is Gods idea. God desires for couples to be fulfilled, complimented, happy, blessed, and if invited to be the centre piece of a marriage God will be the strength, support and helper in the marriage, A 3 cord strand is not easily broken.

3. Remember, the 2 fold purpose of Gods intent for marriage is pleasure and procreation. Can you see a future with your current partner that will see these 2 purposes outworked.

These are a few thoughts. They are not meant to be definitive; they are designed to be conversation thoughts.

Jeremy

Lent is the 40 day period leading up to Good Friday. It starts on Ash Wednesday (last Wednesday) and usually finishes on the Maundy Thursday (the day before Good Friday).

It is a period where Christians draw closer to God. Some will fast during this period, some will give up a particular practise or food, others pray and read the Bible. This year you may want to do something different and start a new habit like making a prayer journal.

40 is a significant number in the Bible: 40 days and nights of rain in the Genesis flood, Israel were 40 years in the wilderness, Moses fasted for 40 days before receiving the commandments and Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness preparing for his ministry.

This material has come from the Compassion website.

Praise points

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• For our CVC Children's Ministry Team of 2026.

• For Steve, Nat and family returning to their home.

• For Mawarra School's generous use of their facilities (including the new kitchen).

• For our Macarthur region.

 

Prayer Requests

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• For Christy Widderich and the imminent birth of her 4th child. Pray for the medical team that supports her and for Michael and the kids as they wait with great anticipation.

• For our great team at work in our CVC Children's Ministry Team, for consistency in their ministry and for your provision as they sacrificially give their time to this ministry.

• Also pray that our children will enjoy their time in Children's Ministry and be blessed by what they learn .

• Pray for the families and friends of the 2 women killed in the car crash as South Camden last Saturday.

• The Hutchings (Steve, Nat, Elyse, Owen and Daniel) as they reunite with their friends. See the Hutchings website page for more details.

• The Castelijn's (Albert and Lynne) as they celebrate the release of their Bible translation and audio recording into their tribes heart language. See the Castelijns website page for more details.

Camden Valley Church
PO Box 68,
Camden, NSW, 2570
Australia

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