SPIRITUAL LIVES OPENED UP BY AGLOW.

Byline: Holly Andres Staff Writer

LANCASTER - Just as a lighthouse guides ships away from a treacherous coast, the Lancaster Aglow ``lighthouse'' has been redirecting women to more tranquil spiritual lives.

``Jesus is the light of the world, and we're bringing that light to women,'' said Sarah Lynch, a Lancaster Aglow member since 1997.

Aglow International is a nondenominational Christian fellowship organization for women founded in 1967. An estimated 3,500 Aglow chapters exist in more than 151 countries, including the one in Lancaster that was founded in 1975.

Women at Lancaster's lighthouse meet once a month at the Whistle Stop Cafe to pray, hear personal stories of faith from guest speakers, learn more about living a Christian life and enjoy the camaraderie of other women.

Helen Tanner has been involved with Aglow for about 21 years, 10 of which have been as a member of the Lancaster lighthouse. Tanner said she was seeking God and a women's ministry when she attended her first Aglow meeting in Glendale.

She found a group where women could express their thoughts about spiritual and relationship matters without fear that what they said would go beyond the meetings.

``Even though I was going to church, Aglow is a women's group that is more intimate. Women feel less inhibited to get and give ministry to other women,'' Tanner said.

``I think women are set free by coming to Aglow. I've seen women come in with a hardened look on their countenance,'' Tanner said. ``As they come again and again and again their countenance smoothes out. Aglow has helped me to understand and know who I am in Jesus Christ and in doing that it has helped my family relationships.''

During the three-hour meetings, members have an opportunity to join in prayers and sing or they may sit and ``just be'' - as Sarah Lynch often chooses.

Through Aglow, Lynch has come to believe that God is a loving and forgiving deity. She also credits her lighthouse friends for helping her to gain more confidence in herself.

``The ladies tell me I've blossomed,'' Lynch said, laughing. ``We're there to give women encouragement and support. It's brought me closer to the Lord and I know that I'm special and precious to him.''

Community outreach projects, weekly prayer and Bible study groups and retreats are part of Aglow activities. Bethany Greenleaf-Perez attended a three-day Aglow retreat five years ago before she had attended her first lighthouse meeting.

``Helen invited me, and she has such a wisdom that I thought anything she's a part of I wanted to do,'' said Greenleaf-Perez, who knew Tanner through their church. ``The retreat was all women, no phones, no kids. We shared joy and sorrow. We were lifted up, and we prayed for each other. It was like sitting in God's lap.''

Greenleaf-Perez said that she has gained ``blown-wide-open spiritual clarity'' from attending the meetings.

``I heard God speak to me about starting a class for people who have been victims of sexual abuse. I never would have done that before coming to Aglow,'' said Greenleaf-Perez. ``I started a four-week seminar two years ago and the response when it's given has been tremendous.''

``God shows up at every meeting. It's amazing! I feel his presence,'' Greenleaf-Perez said. ``I see people respond to God in a very loving setting. Our meetings are a safe place to come and experience God.''

The Lancaster Aglow lighthouse will meet 9:30 a.m. Sept. 11 at the Whistle Stop Cafe, 412 W. Avenue J, Lancaster. A light breakfast will be served. An offering will be taken. Call [phone]. Information on other local Aglow lighthouses may be found at www.aglow-ca.org.

Holly Andres, [phone]

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Photo:

Helen Tanner, left, Sarah Lynch and Bethany Greenleaf-Perez are members of the Lancaster chapter of Aglow.

Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer