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Conference for Women Inspires — Stuff
2014-06-16

ARISE Church has been serving God, people and our community since 2002. Here's a media article from the past that provides a glimpse into the journey.
Original article hosted here

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The third Women of Influence conference in Blenheim this weekend gave women the chance to recharge their spiritual batteries.

More than 300 women attended the event at the Marlborough Convention Centre, organised by a group of Blenheim women from different churches.

The biennial conference gives participants the chance to listen to speakers, attend workshops, worship and indulge in a little shopping.

Funds raised this year would be donated to Hope House Marlborough.

Jean Phipps, from Richmond, who attended the conference with friends, found it inspirational.

She said the talk by Gillian Cameron from Arise Church on life being a balancing act was useful.

"As a tired mum I'll take away a lot from this that I can use in my day-to-day life. I hope more women will attend the next conference and be recharged as well," she said.

Cameron spoke about the difficulty of balancing life, work, family and friends, and keeping healthy at the same time.

Women should be passionate about all areas of life and not feel they need to be stressed to live a perfect life.

"Be passionate about where you are placed in life. Enjoy today, don't treat it like a space saver for tomorrow - when I get married I'll be happy or when I get a new job, live and enjoy the now," she said.

She emphasised the importance of spending time together as a family. Healthy families were on a mission together. Mums should work to create an identifiable family culture and not just push their children to be perfect or the best at everything, she said.

"Enjoy life. My favourite thing in the world is hearing my two children laugh," Cameron said.

She also encouraged women to surround themselves with supportive friends they can really talk to. A balance of family, work and friends was vital.

Germari Herselman