Trinity Women Enrichment Day (TWED) 2023

Workshops

There are two opportunities to attend workshops during the day. The options are below. Please select one morning option and one afternoon option.

Morning Workshops (Participants choose one):

1. Panel Discussion – Having Hard Conversations – Susan Shiner, Amy Stopher and Clare Deeves

One of the aims of TWED is to enable women to come together to talk about ministry and learn from one another. We’ve asked three women who have a lot of ministry experience to be on a panel.  You’re invited to come and ask them any questions you have about teaching the Bible, dealing with difficult pastoral issues, engaging with the culture, or leading and discipling others.

Those choosing this elective will be invited to submit their questions, ahead of time, to give the panellists a chance to prepare. However questions from the floor on the day are also very welcome.

Susan is married to Rory and they have 4 high school boys who are all nearly taller than her (they think that isn’t that hard)! She spends her days teaching the Bible and engaging girls with the truth of Jesus. She is an active member at Providence City church and serves on the Board of the Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students (AFES). In her (limited) spare time she enjoys walking through Kings Park and hitting up the op-shops.

Amy grew up in Perth’s north, the third of four sisters, and first learned the gospel from her parents. Once a Politics and English teacher, Amy now serves on the ministry team at Providence City and loves seeing women grow in knowing, loving, and serving Jesus. She’s a novice gardener, an avid beach goer, and an enthusiastic baby cuddler.

Clare works at Kallaroo Anglican Church, particularly ministering alongside the women there and thinking about what training might be of benefit to the church. She also lectures part-time at Trinity, teaching Christianity in History.

2. Being the MC at events – Sheridan Raston

Christians are always running events – church services, conventions, outreach events – and so we always need people to lead or MC.   Sadly, we often think this isn’t for us and shy away.   But you don’t need to be extroverted and confident, in fact, it’s great if you aren’t!   In this seminar we will discuss WHY this role is valuable, how to be YOU as you lead, and share practical tips to help give you some tools and the courage to give it a go.

Sheridan is from Sydney but has been a proud West Australian for 20 years.  She was a language and Religious Studies teacher and worked for CRU West where she still serves on the committee and on camps.  She studies at Trinity now and attends Providence City with her family.

3. Infertility – Dr Jane Chapple

Infertility and childlessness can be an isolating experience, with many Christians unsure where to turn for support. Reliable information can be hard to find, especially from a Christian perspective. This workshop will provide up-to-date medical information about the causes and management of infertility as well as outline some experiences, responses and treatment decisions common to Christian women.

Jane grew up in Ireland and studied medicine in London. After migrating to Australia in 1990 she trained as a GP and has postgraduate qualifications in obstetrics and gynaecology, reproductive medicine and women’s health. She has worked in fertility medicine at Fertility North for 13 years. Jane has also completed a Graduate Diploma of Divinity here at Trinity and attends church with her husband at True North City in Perth.

4. Reading the Bible with someone who is not a Christian – Emily Shaw

A recent survey showed more than a third of Australians would probably come to church if asked to by a close friend or family member. Would those same people read the Bible one on one if we asked? Let’s give it a go!

In this workshop, we will discuss ideas for inviting people, choosing which Bible book to read for your situation, how you might guide each session, and what you can do when you’ve finished the book. We will also practise a structured way of reading and discussing a Gospel book (Uncover: Luke’s Gospel), and how we can adapt it for people with different cultural backgrounds.

Emily is keen to see people come to know Jesus and has been reading the Bible with several people who aren’t Christian over the years. She did a ministry apprenticeship with her husband Rob at UWA Christian Union, then worked for Providence Church City, and is now a stay-at-home mum to two boys aged 2 & 4. She’s currently studying her final unit at Trinity.

Afternoon Workshops (participants choose one)

5. Getting from the Old Testament to Jesus – Clare Deeves

Both the Old and New Testaments tell one harmonious story about God’s work in the world through Jesus. However, in some parts of the Old Testament it can be hard to see its connection to Jesus.  This workshop will outline an approach for how to get to Jesus from the Old Testament, as well as work through some Old Testament passages where the links are not so obvious. Best suited for those with prior knowledge of Biblical Theology foundations.

Clare Deeves works at Kallaroo Anglican Church, particularly ministering alongside the women there and thinking about what training might be of benefit to the church. She also lectures part-time at Trinity, teaching Christianity in History.

6. Ministering to a younger generation – Toni Ollis

Ministering to Gen Z means understanding their world.  In this workshop, Toni and two Gen Z Christian university students will discuss some of the challenges that face Gen Z and helpful tips for how to reach them with the gospel and disciple them.  There will also be time for Q&A.

Toni was born in the UK, born again in America as an adult, and has lived in Australia for the past 22 years.  She is the wife of one husband, mum of three adult daughters and grandma to 4 beautiful grandchildren.  Toni serves with the Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students at Edith Cowan University at the Mt Lawley campus.  She loves to encourage, equip and disciple young students to live their lives for Jesus at uni and beyond.

7. Caring for overseas missionaries – Christa Smith

Missionaries face many challenges which can impact their well-being and ministry and are different depending on whether they are on home assignment or working on-site in their ministry. During this workshop we will explore some of these issues and work together to generate practical ways to support missionaries.

Christa is currently Director of Student Services at Sheridan Institute of Higher Education. She works closely with international and domestic students to encourage and support them with regards to mental, spiritual and physical well-being. She formally served in China for 12 years. She worked as a teacher and the leader of the Member Care Team. Christa is originally from the States. She met her Australian husband in China and both of their children were born in China. She also serves on the State Ministry Team of Missions Interlink and in the Member Care Team.