‘Living for the Day’ in a world that lives for self is both confronting and encouraging. When countless tasks, distractions and responsibilities compete for our time, this mindset is one that points us to Christ’s completed work on the cross and the joy of meeting him face-to-face one day.
The reminder to look towards the shore as we await the coming of our King was a theme that permeated the sessions and conversations at the PTC Women’s Conference last week. On Saturday 15 October, women from across the state of Victoria gathered together at the Presbyterian Theological College to sit under the teaching of guest speaker, Carmelina Read. Carmelina led the women through the book of 2 Thessalonians, encouraging them to ask themselves how they can best live today in light of the certain and final return of Jesus.
Jess Thomas, a PCV Candidate’s wife, reflects on the sessions:
“The Women’s Conference encouraged me to live out biblical womanhood in my current day-to-day context and convicted me to live my days with eyes fixed on eternity instead of momentary pleasures.”
The College was grateful to see over ninety women gather from thirty-three different Victorian churches. Many women came to the conference as a group and some women travelled hours to be able to attend.
The conference is the fourth Women’s Conference that the Presbyterian Theological College has organised, with the first conference held in 2017. The number of female students at the College was increasing, as was the desire of students and women to be trained for service in the Kingdom of God. Since 2017, the registrations have been increasing as women invite friends and other church members along to the event.
Carmelina has been involved in each of the PTC Women’s Conferences. She is currently the Dean of Women at Christ College in Sydney (PCNSW) where she co-ordinates the Ministry Training for Women programme, as well as co-lectures several subjects. For the last 24 years, she and her husband have ministered together at Chatswood Presbyterian Church where Jeff is the senior minister and Carmelina started the kids and women’s ministry and continues to train leaders in these ministries.
The Presbyterian Theological College is grateful for Carmelina’s involvement and investment in the training up of women in Victoria. Her support is a reminder of the partnership we share in the Gospel and the fellowship we are privileged to enjoy with brothers and sisters across Australia and beyond.
We give thanks to God for each woman that set aside the time to attend the conference and learn about how they can best serve and glorify Him.
Following the conference, one of the conference attendees Sarah Amoah, shares about how the day impacted her:
“The Women’s Conference was such a blessing. It was a great reminder of how important keeping Jesus’ return in the forefront of our minds is. I am also deeply thankful for the reminder of how important praying (thanking God for other believers, praying for their perseverance, etc.) and bible reading is. The talks Carmi gave were both theological and deeply practical. I came away inspired and refreshed. It was a great way to spend a Saturday and I look forward to the next PTC Women’s Conference.”
After being encouraged by God’s Word, nourished with good food and invigorated with good conversation, the ladies who attended left challenged to ‘keep their eyes on Jesus’ as they dispersed to their unique callings and ministries.
