Monday, May 05, 2008

Speaking at the Ladies' Tea !

You pray? Lift me up on Tuesday, if you would. I'm supposed to "share about my ministry" for 15-20 minutes for two women's ministry groups at my church. One group meets in the morning (9:30-11:30) and a second in the evening (6:30 to 8:30).

I know some of these women pretty well, and here's a good opportunity to do some more relationship building. I love public speaking, and this is a pretty safe environment; even if I don't feel understood, I definitely feel accepted. So why am I uncomfortable?

What will be most helpful to talk about, things that will bless and not intimidate, build bridges and not confuse? Do I pull out some of my old standard, never-fail material, or talk about things that are new and exciting to me? Or maybe some combination of the two? How will I tie it all together?

Pray I could prepare well and appropriately, and by the time I get up to speak at 9:30 or so, be comfortable enough with myself to relax, to enjoy and serve the people who are there.

Between these two gatherings, my team at work is having an all-afternoon meeting to launch our planning process for the Oct08-Sept09 fiscal year. Would love to hear from God in that process as well.

4 comments:

Megan Noel said...

i did not read this on time! how did it go? thank you for explaining two-part adjective to me today! i found out i have to edit the essay too -- wish we really were linked in some weird twin way!

Marti said...

Feel free to send me all your grammar questions ;-) Just don't hold me accountable for missing something or getting it wrong. However, I will put some thought into good resources and references on the topic...

Speaking stuff yesterday went well - that is to say, what I'd asked for prayers about, a coherent message, I got! Felt unusually good about what I had to say and how it fit together, although my delivery was still a bit spotty.

In terms of how it got through to my audience, blessed them or not, that wasn't so clear. The morning group was pretty reserved. It may have had something to do with the linen and china and fancy hats. (Didn't know that's how it would be, but it was). Most of 'em didn't laugh at my never-fail jokes... or mention what I'd said after. Evening group (many of 'em in their bluejeans) seemed more engaged? I was a bit worried though about how my 20 minute talk would go, being first thing on the agenda, at 6:30 to 6:50, on empty stomachs!

Back at the office, the planning meeting was reasonably effective as well.

Megan Noel said...

i would not hold you responsible if capt. mighty fired me because i spelled chartreuse wrong!

those ladies with their linens may have had their corsets on too tight. the vapours, you know. not enough blood to the brain.

our digital librarian gave notice today! ack!

Marti said...

Can't you download a new digital librarian? (Oops, guess that term is grammatically ambiguous...)

I leave you to your chartreuse lip-wraps.