Women at Texas conference
learn to grow along the way

Women at Texas conference
learn to grow along the way

BIG SANDY, Texas--Christian women met together at the 2008 East Texas Christian Women's Conference March 14-16. This year's theme was "A Christian Woman's Journey: Growing along the way."

We used Galatians 5:22-23 as our key scripture: "... The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law."

Our weekend activities, sponsored by the Church of God Big Sandy, began with a Friday-evening interactive Bible study on our key scripture.

Five groups

We broke up into five groups with the assignment of different fruit for each group to discuss.

Brenda Howard of Pennsylvania led the discussion of "Love and Joy." Connie Seelig of Ohio was our group leader for "Peace and Patience." Linda Benton of Nacogdoches, Texas, organized the "Kindness and Faithfulness" discussion. Berniece Burson of Big Sandy encouraged participation in "Faithfulness and Meekness." And Kim Skelton of White Oak, Texas, facilitated "Self-Control."

Later Donna Weese of Big Sandy give a seminar on alternative health, and Nancy Sharp of Big Sandy gave a talk on "Being an Encourager."

Our last speaker of the evening was Marla Prouty of Seattle, Wash., leading a session about singles in the church.

Beautiful numbers

Saturday morning the Tulsa, Okla., women organized our music, with group participation and a lot of beautiful special vocal numbers.

Our emcee for the weekend, Barbara Payne of Dallas, Texas, introduced our keynote speaker, Nancy White of Big Sandy. Mrs. White's talk was "All You Need Is Love."

Our second speaker for the morning was Carol Boyer of Michigan discussing "The Prism of Gratitude: Unleashing the Fruity Rainbow," showing how an attitude of gratitude allows the white light of love to refract through us and shine as a rainbow of joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and self-control.

Fellowship in homes

Then we fellowshipped and organized for the afternoon in-home interactive studies, dealing again with our key scripture.

The following are local ladies who opened their homes for these studies: Michele Mischnick, Linda Cartwright, Laurie Fisher, Jeri Holcomb, Roxanne West and Martha McIver.

At 4:30 p.m. on the Sabbath we met again at the church building to listen to a panel discussion on the book A Different Kind of Strength, by Beverly LaHaye and Janice Crouse.

Panel facilitator was Melodee Overton of Hawkins, Texas. Others on the panel were Jeana Anderson of Missouri, Teeka Glasgow of Garland, Texas, Joni Pendley of Houston and Peggy Wooten of Fort Wayne, Ind.

Almost over

Saturday evening after dinner we had the chance to fellowship, get massages, do some yoga or step aerobics or take a walk outside

Sunday morning meant our time together was almost over.

We had a little more music by the Tulsa ladies before our next speaker, Sharon Ledy of Michigan, who examined how the fruit of self-control affects our emotions, thoughts and bodies.

Our final speaker for Sunday morning was Paula Hughes of Tyler, Texas, summarizing the gifts of the Spirit.

Preparing for next year

We have already decided the theme for next year, "Preparing the Bride of Christ."

Feel free to contact us through the Big Sandy church's Web site, bigsandychurch.org.

We hope to see you next year, so start making your plans.