On
Saturday, February 27, 1999 the FAW Core Team of Nebraska hosted
a 25th Year Celebration at the Mahoney State Park. Newcomers to FAW as
well as many persons God has used over the years to change lives gathered
for a full day of activities.
On
Saturday, February 27, 1999 the FAW Core Team of Nebraska hosted
a 25th Year Celebration at the Mahoney State Park. Newcomers to FAW as
well as many persons God has used over the years to change lives gathered
for a full day of activities.
The
day was vintage Faith at Work, a celebration of life that goes on. There
was singing, ice-breakers, Bible study with small-group sharing, whole-body
meditation, workshops, more sharing in pairs and small groups and a banquet
(complete with balloons, streamers, bubbles, and a cake) featuring a partici-pant-inspired
impromptu program. Of course there was plenty of food, for the body, mind,
heart and soul.
Paul
Welter, one of the workshop leaders, used several words to describe
the day: fierce dedication, an intensive day, playfulness. He elaborated,
saying that the team structured the day with time to grow as individuals
AND as a community.
A great deal of hard work is involved in pulling together a one-day event and team members labored for months in preparation. Over the years 80+ persons have served on the core team.
A
FAW Weekend Event in 1969 at Dundee Presbyterian Church in Omaha was a
transformational experience that led to the formation of the on-going Nebraska
core team a few years later. Jim & Jo Scott-Miller were largely
responsible for that event taking place at Dundee, but don’t expect them
to take any credit. All glory goes to Jesus Christ. God had been using
conferences and personalities connected with FAW for several years to transform
the Scott-Miller’s lives, and they wanted others to experience renewal
as well.
At
the celebration, participants looked back to see God’s handiwork through
the Nebraska FAW time-line, old newsletters, memorabilia, and personal
sharing. They also looked to the future sensing, God’s not finished with
us yet.
Mary Wayman knew God’s faithfulness when she received her invitation to the celebration. The date, Feb. 27th, would mark the one year anniversary of her husband’s death. FAW had been important to both Ken and her, but his health had prevented her participation for several years. The people of FAW have a special way of expressing God’s love and changing lives. The day was full of love and caring for one another. It was just what I needed.
Tom
Pappas, core team member since its inception, gave thanks for the hard
work of the team. Of course what was remarkable isn’t the fantastic preparation
our team did, but the unexpected and unpredictable work of God through
the Holy Spirit.
