Editor's Musings

Editor's Musings

Opening thoughts from the editor's desk.

Sharon Cress is editor of the Journal. 

Dear Friends:

Can you believe it’s already 2007? By now you have survived the holidays and hopefully put away the last of Christmas. A new year seems to ring in a refreshing of our spirits. After the hectic holiday season, the promise of a new beginning is encouraging, and that new energy leads us to new opportunities.

Here at Shepherdess International, we are beginning a new year with the hope of continually improving your magazine. Ellen Bresee and Marie Spangler gave birth to this publication. They were assisted by only an old Xerox machine and a lot of creative cut-and-paste. In faith, they made fewer than 100 copies and mailed them sparingly. But their faith venture has grown into an international publica­tion which is now published in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, and French, and many articles are translated into local dialects. We print more than 10,000 magazines each quarter. In the new year, we are working to implement the posi­tive feedback you have given us; you will again see four-color covers, expanded news, and representative articles from around the world.

Of course, the first goal of this publication is to bring each one of us closer to Jesus. Our second objective is to draw closer to one other. Third, we want to serve up practical ideas for better living in the parsonage. So with these goals in mind, we present in this issue inspiration from ministry wives in seven of our world divisions. Robina Townend, originally from Australia and now living in Singapore, comes from a rich missionary background. Her observations from nature begin this issue. Hazel Gordon is retired and writes from Orlando, Florida. Her exem­plary life has been an inspiration and encouragement to countless ministry wives. Karen Holford, who lives in London, England, specializes in family ministry and has wise counsel for many women. Tabitha Phiri writes from Africa, and Katarina Kernova contributes from Slovakia. These women and others have written on a variety of issues—spiritual encouragement, lessons from God’s creation, and prac­tical aspects of clergy life.

So take a few minutes to feed your souls, clean out your closets, practice a timely children’s story, and learn what your sisters around the world have been doing.

Happy New Year! God bless you every one.

Sharon