Women of the North-Western Association gathered for a conference on a Festive day

ST. PETERSBURG (RUSSIA) – March 8 is marked as the International Women's Day in the Russian calendar. On this day, it is customary to congratulate all women and give them flowers and gifts. One of the main gifts for women of the North-Western Association was women's conference "I love and I am loved."

The main speakers were pastors' wives - Tina Catto (Tampere, Finland) and Valeria Tsvetkova (New Testament Church of St. Petersburg). In their sermons, sisters reminded about simple, but important truths of God's Word: we are all loved by the Lord, and He, with His holy love, heals any wounds of the heart and soul. It is important to remember God's love for us, but on equal terms we must be able to give love, which manifests itself not so much in words, but, mainly, in deeds.

In addition to conference sessions, where sisters from 28 churches and religious groups of the association praised the Lord, prayed and listened to the Word of God, panel discussions took place. At them senior ministers gave answers that concerned women. The first panel discussion was devoted to relations in marriage. Answers to these questions were given by senior presbyter Alexander Tsvetkov, the first deputy senior presbyter Andrey Zyablittsev and a guest, senior pastor of the church in Tampere (Finland), Usko Catto.

Valeria Tsvetkova, bishop's wife Irina Linnik, and Tina Catto answered questions about relations before marriage. During the first part of the discussions, we learned whether an unmarried sister can be a leader and pastor, whether a woman can serve in case her husband is against it, what compliments we can tell our husbands, and whether they like them. In the second part we received answers to such questions as: "What to do if your husband is younger", "Can I kiss before marriage", "Can a woman initiate a relationship" and "How to manage to do everything in time".

At the conference, sisters received not only spiritual food, but also shared the joy of fellowship over a cup of tea, which certainly made this day even more significant. Thanks to the sign language interpreter, sisters with hearing impairments also listened to the Word and shared their thoughts.

The conference "I love and I am loved" allowed 180 sisters from different cities and towns of the Leningrad Region to spend a women's day among good friends.

Here are impressions of sisters who participated in the conference:
"The women's conference is a special time for me. I love it when the pastors' wives preach; there is much wisdom and love in their words. The Bible speaks of God's infinite love and concern for people. But also the command 'Love each other' is given. Our real happiness is that we are loved and can love, just as our Creator loved us". -Zabava.

"Spring is associated with the beginning of something new, warm, sunny and, of course, with a women's day. Thankful to God for the wonderful conference for sisters, which was held on a festive day. Worship, prayer, fellowship - everything was filled with the Spirit, I believe that many have come to hear the word from the Lord, to receive answers to their questions. It was wonderful that there were question and answer sessions. Thanks to sisters and brothers that served us, showing care and patience. Such meetings are very necessary and important, because they unite us, renew and inspire. Thank God for everything!" -Natalia.

The Russian Church of Christians of Evangelical Faith