Sisterto
Sister
The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. Galatians 5:6
etter from the Editor
We have gotten so much positive feedback on our first
issue. I am grateful for the blessing of the wonderful women
who have volunteered to be part of this. As we continue,
please feel free to offer suggestions or ideas. Please keep
this and all areas of the Women’s Ministry in prayer. We are
all so blessed that this is a church family who strives to do
the Lord’s work as His earthly vessels and will stand with
each other in prayer.
Many Blessings - Martha Noe
L
“ ove” is an action verb
by Nancy Anderson
If the words “I love you” suddenly disappeared from our
language, how would your loved ones know you love them?
By your actions, of course, but not just by giving hugs
and kisses. You show people you love them by doing
things for them. Not just things that they ask you to do, but
anticipating what they need and doing those things. Cook
their favorite meal when it isn’t their birthday; fill their car
with gas and pay for it; do their least favorite chore for them.
But what about God? How do we show God that we love
him? He showed his love for us by giving us his grace and
mercy and hope for eternal life with Him, along with every
good thing we have. He also sent Jesus to live on Earth, and
during that time, Jesus showed his love by healing the sick,
feeding thousands of people with a little bit of fish and bread,
casting out demons, and forgiving sins.
We show God we love him by doing things for people
besides those in our family. God gives us each some sort of
talent that he expects us to use for that purpose. Some people
can teach, some are wonderful cooks, some have a gift for
talking to other people about Christ. Whatever your gift,
using it to show God that you love Him also shows
other people that you love God and shows them God’s love
in action.
Sister to Sister Staff:
Nancy Anderson Sarah Bates Barbara Brooks
Melanie Brunett Sharon Daniels Diane Ellison
Melanie Evans C.C. Funk Martha Noe
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Volume I, Issue 2: Love is of God
Interview with Bonita Black Rivera
by Melanie Evans
You may know Bonita Black Rivera from the ladies’ Bible
studies she has led, or perhaps you would recognize her
from the nursery. She may look familiar
from the pick-up line for the pre-school
class, where her son, Scotty, bounds
excitedly out of the class to see her
and her husband, Ray, or maybe you’ve
attended one of the regular lunches she
hosts at her downtown law office for
women to share their faith. If you spend
any significant time at WRCC, you
are bound to recognize Bonita. Take
a moment to get to know her and gain
some words of wisdom from this busy
wife, mother, lawyer, teacher, and friend. 
Q: What portion of the worship service do you most look
forward to?
A: I probably look forward to the sermon most, because
that’s where the meat of the service is. I appreciate the
opportunity to get a recording of the sermon the Sundays I
teach Children’s Church. Outside of Sundays, I look forward
to the meeting of my monthly ladies’ prayer group. We
share each other’s lives and are growing close through the
common bond of Christ. In Children’s Church, I cherish the
prayer and singing time the most. Those little guys and girls
show their growth in Christ through their shared leadership
of the service we have. 
Q: When you need to make a big decision, what steps do you
take to discern what God wants you to choose?
A: With a big decision, first, I pray about it, then discuss
it with my husband and ask him to pray about it. I get
good friends and family to pray about it, and sometimes,
when it is really important, I do a fleece process. I then am
willing to abide by the outcome based on the result of the
fleece. I believe in seeking God’s will in things and, after
discerning that, in following through with wherever that
leads. Sometimes, I fast from food or other things when I
need to make a big decision. 
Q: What are some creative ways you’ve incorporated worship/
ministry into your daily life/marriage/parenting?
A: I suppose worship/ministry is incorporated in my daily
life by the way I try to live my life. Every Christian’s life is
their witness for the Lord that, for better or worse, speaks
louder than words, so I try to live by the Word. I read,
contined on page 2
Inter view contd.
memorize, believe and attempt to put it into practice. I try
to let my yes be yes. I try to honor my husband as head of
the household and to give him proper respect. I try to be
honest in my dealings with others. I try to stay on an even
keel at work and home, i.e., not get excited about things so
that things can be resolved without hysteria. Calmness is my
desired and natural state. I try to remain calm and rational
no matter what bombs are going off around me. Ray and I
have led ministries together in the past. We
try to support couples with the fulfillment
of their ministry dreams/plans. We mentor Trust Him to do
several couples we were friends with in the
Manhattan Church of Christ that now live in what’s best for
Phoenix and New Jersey. I read the Bible and you in all things
pray with Scotty daily. We try to model that
lifestyle to him as well.  When he sees us do even when it
it, he better understands why it is important,
and it was just natural for him to ask for a
does not make
“big boy Bible” for his birthday. We teach sense to you.
him about life, death and heaven. When my
co-worker died unexpectedly last January, whose wife ran
Scotty’s preschool, Scotty cautioned me not to cry for Jude
and Ms. Shannon because Jude was “with Jesus now and was
no longer suffering”. We try to deal head-on with the tough
stuff with him, and he seems to demonstrate understanding
at the appropriate times by applying the learning he has
acquired to some situations. Mainly, living the talk—ministry
and worship - every day is how it’s incorporated in one’s
day-to-day life. I pray a lot—practically without ceasing.  I
sometimes hum hymns.  requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God,
Q: What do you see as the turning point in your faith that
made it yours (not just how you were raised), giving you your
personal relationship with Christ?
A: The first turning point in my faith was when I had to
convince adults when I was 6 years old that I knew what
sin was. I had sinned (for the record, I lied about gluing
a basket handle on a basket so I would not be punished),
was separated from God, and needed redemption. The
adults tried to convince me I didn’t understand, but I wore
them down by quoting scripture and giving them concrete
examples. I was then allowed to confess my faith and be
baptized into the Lord’s body. My second turning point was
in NYC when I became a part of the discipling movement.  it. Sometimes, I try to do wrongly and a scripture pops into
In both instances, a personal relationship with God was
precipitated by my need to study and better know His Word
and defend my actions to achieve unity with Him regardless
of what people were saying around me. These experiences
helped me to grow closer to Him because I realized I could
not count on people, even my parents, to understand my
need for a particular relationship with God at those two
turning points.  transparent with that person.
To see the current or past issues of Sister to Sister,
visit us online at www.wrccfamily.org under the Women’s Ministr y tab
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Q: What is the basis of your faith? In other words, why do you
believe in God and Christ, and how and when did you accept
this belief?
A: I believe in God and Christ because of the faith I have
developed in Them over the years. Initially, I was looking
for a relationship with God through Christ and redemption,
and through much biblical research, found both, only in
developing a relationship with God and Christ and through
Christ’s blood by searching various translations of the
Word. Later, I anchored my faith on a hunger
and thirst I had for truth and a need to be
connected to the Creator of the Universe. I
continue to feed that hunger and thirst with an
active relationship with Them and prayer and
study of various translations of the Word.
Q: What advice would you give to women
struggling with their faith? 
A: My advice is simple: Let go of the control
you are trying to keep on your life and let your
relationship with God and His ability to catch,
protect and free you keep you safe from harm. 
As long as you hold onto “a” control button, things will not
go right ultimately, and He cannot steer your life because
you have a control. Trust Him to do what’s best for you in all
things even when it does not make sense to you. Know that
you are not the first and won’t be the last to have an “Ah ha”
moment when something goes right in your life because you
relinquished the control. Take all your cares to Him and He
will give you peace. “In nothing be anxious; but in everything
by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your
which passeth all understanding shall guard your hearts and
your thoughts in Christ Jesus”. Phil 4: 6 and 7 (Kindle AS
version).  In my 20s, I used to say I trust God to catch me
with one foot still touching the ground. Now, I trust Him in a
freefall state because He has always “caught me” even when
I wasn’t smart enough to trust Him to do it. Bottom line, hold
onto your faith in tornadic winds. If you make a mistake,
forgive yourself. He’s probably already forgiven you. Know
that He is your biggest cheerleader even when family, friends
and sisters and brothers in Christ forsake you. Trust Him
and never let the devil get you to take your eyes off God.
Learn scripture and it will come in handy when you need
my head that won’t let me do it. When I do act wrongly, I am
mindful of it due to my knowledge of scripture. But, I know
that I just have to repent and seek forgiveness, and I’m back
in His good graces. Finally, find a prayer partner that you
can share your life with. The power of prayer is amazing. You
must find someone you can confide in that will not publish
your dirty laundry in public. You need to be able to be
 

Ministry Leader
Children’s Ministry: Connie Pape
The Children’s Ministry teaches, loves, and leads our children from newborns through the 5th grade. In Bible class on
Sunday morning and Wednesday night, worship on Sundays, Breakfast with Santa and Vacation Bible School, they learn
about God’s love and feel loved by their faith family.
There are many opportunities to help these children find their faith. We are always in need
of teachers, small group leaders, security and helpers for nursery, preschool, and elementary
age children.
Melanie Evans teaches preschool during the school year. Her helpers are Asja King and Dottie
Carson. They love on, play with, and teach about 25 children every week. Terry Ray oversees the
Children’s Worship time and teachers.
Miranda Daniels coordinates the nursery teachers and helpers. Kelly Stack and Libby Shreve
have been teaching the babies this quarter. The toddler teachers are Danielle Huber, Debbie Fields
and Teri Ashley. We have many people that take turns in the nursery for both worship services, but
we are always in need of more.
Ron Lile and Cathy Kraemer co-teach the elementary classes, grades 2 through 5, on Sunday
morning. They both have a passion for children that is contagious. LeAnna Lugafet coordinates the
Wednesday night classes and teachers with the help of Brenda Hall.
Mark 9:37 Jesus said, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children, welcomes me.”

LoveAsYourself
You Have Been Commanded
by Sarah Bates
So often it seems women focus the majority of their
“After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and
physical, mental and emotional energy on taking care of
cares for it, just as Christ does the church.” – Ephesians 5:29
their “neighbors” and have precious little left to devote to
themselves. I believe that we are genetically hardwired to
Scoffers, cynics and men who don’t do romance: take heart
be caregivers, and a peek inside either nursery on a Sunday
that the sun has set on the Hallmark season of love! With
morning should confirm that fact to any doubters who will
the last retail traces of Valentine’s Day banished to clearance
note the conspicuous absence of male volunteers.
racks to make way for cellophane Easter grass and fashion-
Perhaps more compelling than genetics, though, is
forward gardening attire, there will be no pressure from the
the fact that women face an amazing amount of pressure to
marketing world for the next 350ish days
live up to the expectation that they can have
to express appreciation for your spouse,
it all, including a successful career, a well-
significant other or favorite barista at I believe that adjusted family and a spotless home, and we
Starbucks.
As Christians, we are commanded to love we are find opportunities to criticize and even loathe
ourselves any time we fall short of perfection in
one another; told, in fact, that it is second in genetically any of those areas.
importance only to loving God. So, in theory,
every day should be Valentine’s Day, minus hardwired to be As a wife and mother with a part-time job
outside the home, I, like many women, struggle
the cheesy cards and overpriced flowers, for
us, and it should start when we look in the
caregivers... to keep many plates spinning. During the
course of an average day, I manage project
mirror each morning.
plans, schedule doctors’ appointments and pack
I’m not espousing Narcissism, but rather
enough snacks to maintain peace throughout a 45-minute
suggesting that if we would all, especially women, indulge
trip to the grocery store. Yet, when I lie down at the end of
ourselves in a healthy self-love relationship, it might help us
each day, rather than counting my blessings or giving myself
love our neighbors a little more like we’re supposed to.
credit for not letting any of those plates end up in shards
In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul instructed husbands
on the ground, I often find myself dwelling on the mistakes
to love their wives as their own bodies, explaining, “After all,
I made at work, the library book I forgot to return or the
no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for
cutting remark I made to my husband.
it, just as Christ does the church.” (Ephesians 5:29) While
So while we certainly need to love our neighbors as we
wives received their own directive for ensuring a healthy
have been commanded, let’s not forget to love and care for
Christian marriage, I think we women could also benefit
ourselves as well.
from taking these words to heart.

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H
other without my parents knowing for some time. I would
ow We Met
by Barbara Brooks: Married 50 ½ years
leave home with my brother and meet Charlie either at the
ballgame or at the movies.
In late summer, I finally got enough courage to ask
Charlie and I attended the same school for a year.
my parents if I could go out with Charlie. Only after some
I was an eighth grader and he was a senior. I knew who he
persuasion from an Aunt, did my Dad agree. In the fall, Char-
was but he didn’t know I existed. A year or so later during
lie joined the Navy and everyone thought that would be the
basketball season, I attended the local high school game
end to our dating. But the romance grew and two years later
with my older brother. Charlie had returned from school and
we were married and are still sweethearts. Basketball is still
was there with a buddy of his. He sent his buddy to ask if he
a big part of our lives.
could take me home. I replied, “only if my brother can go
with me.” That was our first date. We continued to see each

My Story
My name is Carolyn Brednich. I am excited to be able
to share a few details of my story at this stage of my journey
with Christ.
Each of us is journeying in a certain season of life. The
one that I am in right now is a rewarding one. I am a young
mother-with 4 young children-all boys, believe it or not.
Reece (7), Chase (6), Piersen (3) and Hudson (1) have given
my husband, Benjy, and I the blessing of parenthood. We are
up to our elbows in disciplining, tying shoes, setting limits,
tucking in, delivering consequences, snuggling, reinforcing
manners, passing on our faith, picking up toys, and
refereeing wrestling matches (makes you tired just reading it
doesn’t it??).There is no doubt that it is a fun and crazy time
of life!
My life was not always filled with this type of
responsibility or noise! Not too long ago, as a student, a
missionary apprentice, or even a new wife, I had a lot more
time to frame and strengthen my faith through the typical
“spiritual disciplines.” I remember having a Bible reading
plan that I was disciplined at sticking with. I remember
having quiet time and solitude in prayer. I remember having
a circle of friends with whom I studied and talked with and
grew spiritually with. I was drawing near to God and He was
drawing near to me, just as James 4:8 promises.
Although my season of life has changed since those days,
God has not changed from His original desire to be in
relationship with me. I must admit that it has not always been
an easy journey ... yet, I have slowly learned that “drawing
near to God” does not always have to look the same in every
season of life. God is bigger than any Bible reading plan or
regularly scheduled devotional time. Yes, He may use those
in our lives to draw us closer to Him - and I believe He does
- but I also believe He uses other ways. I am thankful that
God’s grace looks at our hearts; that He recognizes our
desires; that He understands the burdens and obstacles we
may have regarding “time” in our day.
I believe that God is pleased with me when I remind
myself that I am in a unique and beautiful season of life.
I even think He likes it when I extend grace to myself
(imagine that!). He just might sense me “drawing near to
Him” in simple, real ways throughout my day … such as
when I have a sink full of dirty dishes, and I simply choose
to serve with a humble attitude and sing praises to Him in
the quiet of my kitchen as my little ones sleep in their beds.
Or maybe He senses me “drawing near to Him” when I seize
the opportunity to capitalize on a “teachable moment” with
my boys rather than brush them off in a hurry so I can fold
yet another load of laundry. Do I open my Bible as often
as I should these days? Honestly, no. Do I have a regularly
carved out time in my day of devotion and prayer? No, but I
am working on it.
Perhaps, on a more appropriate level for this season of
life ... my “drawing near” moments look different. I have
been called to answer simple but tough questions from my
boys about who God is and what He might look like, or why
certain things happened in a particular Bible story. I have
more than enough opportunities to pray for patience as I
mother them; or to pray for their protection and safety; to ask
God for wisdom as we seek to raise them to be solid, good
men who love God. Am I drawing near to God in this season?
Oh, I would have to say “yes!” 
Is there room in my spiritual journey to grow in my
dependence on Him and time with Him? Without a doubt!
However, in this “season” I am choosing to spend less time
evaluating my relationship with God through the same old
lens that I used to use, and I am hoping to redefine spiritual
growth in the framework of my current season of life. I
believe I am still called to draw near to Him - being a mom of
young children does not excuse that - but it does call me to
acknowledge that God is after my heart more than my habits.
That’s where I want my true focus. After all, having the right
heart transcends all seasons of life and is sure to please Him
every time.

Women’s Ministr y Leaders

Bible Study – Jan Lira Prayer – Jan Lira, Myrna McGimsey Visitation – Blenda Fields, Gina Miller
Singles – Carol Leigh Greeters – Nan Swanson Wednesday meal prep – Nan Swanson
Food Committee – Carol Gilmour Children’s Ministr y – Connie Pape Note Writers – Linda Engler
Crafts – Raegan Lalli Events – Diane Ellison Showers – Tara Baldwin
Sister to Sister – Martha Noe MOMs – Sandi Haustein MDO – Erin Simmons
Preschool – Faye Holley
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