A women’s breakfast held at Bairnsdale Baptist Church in May included food that you can’t buy, a message that you can’t take for granted and fellowship that you can’t manufacture.

Around 55 women from around the Bairnsdale community, from young teens to great-grandmothers enjoyed the event – the largest Women’s Ministry attendance in recent years at the church. Generations Pastor Kimberly Smith from the BUV Support Hub spoke about ‘Finding Joy’.

“We were thrilled with the response to the breakfast,” said Women’s Ministry Team member Ruth Hubbard. “Either there’s this huge need for social connection, or the topic resonated with people as something they’re needing to hear. Kimberly talked about Joseph’s vision, the pitfalls he faced along the way, and that God meant those pitfalls for good. For us, we were reminded that we can look at all the down times and difficulties the same way Joseph did – as a straight line to what God wants from our lives. People have been mentioning it since, that they look at those difficulties differently now.”

The women were treated to a fantastic breakfast spread of homemade granola, English muffins with bacon and eggs, waffles with all manner of toppings and tea and coffee (Ruth made gluten-free muffins which can’t be bought at local stores). People enjoyed getting to know women of all ages including visitors from other church denominations, and friends and family members who did not normally attend church.

“I’ve had so much feedback since about how marvellous it was to be able to sit and chat away to everybody, to relax and meet people,” Ruth said. “It was a terrific morning, and we were thrilled that God really honoured what we’ve been doing to encourage women, build relationships and provide the opportunity to bring someone. We try to offer a variety of events at all different times of day so that everyone can attend something no matter what pressures they are facing – nobody is left behind. It’s our way of doing what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:22, that we are to ‘be all things to all people so that by all possible means we might save some’. We try to have topics that appeal to all women whether inside or outside church circles, so that people will feel comfortable coming along. We always present the gospel in some way such as a devotion, a prayer or a speaker.”

 Recent events have featured Christmas crafts, a Women’s Equip conference, and a speaker on mental health. At the gathering in May, Rev Kimberly Smith focused on the life of Joseph.