Estrogen won't be the only common denominator at the Collaborative Women's Conference, set for Friday and Saturday, October 10 and 11. So will the bonds of faith, love, challenges and victories as women (and girls ages 6-17) of all races, religious denominations and socio-economic lines come together to celebrate under the theme: "Time For A Change." (Luke 5:37, 38.) Tickets for this innovative conference are on sale now — see the sidebar, right, for details.
The idea for the faith-based ministry, says the gorgeously beautiful Dr. Bernice Belt (below, right), associate minister at Washington Street Missionary Baptist Church, is a vision from God. "God is the Founder," says Bernice. "I accepted God's call to be co-founder and overseer.
“Women are hungry for the camaraderie through ministry outside their normal environment,” Bernice says. “As Christian women, we know there’s more. We enjoy being around each other. We are excited about what the ministry is designed to accomplish."In the Beginning: Email
Bernice has an amazing email list of buddies and connections with local churches. She started with that, throwing out the idea of a conference where women from everywhere could come together in fellowship.
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| Courtesy of Sherona Crim |
Together, the women have designed the organization and kick-off conference to be an extension of local churches and a supporter of all churches, pastors, women's ministries, women ministers and organizations that provide services and hope for women and their families.
Conference Agenda
It didn't take long for the two-day conference to take shape — and for the group to select the Merryman House Domestic Crisis Center and Ladies Living Free as the beneficiaries.
Here's the schedule so far:
Friday, October 10, 7 p.m.: Open to the Public
First Baptist Church of Paducah, 2890 Broadway
Rev. Todd Brady Sr., host pastor
Local pastors will participate in the program.
Featured guests:
Joe Recca
Gospel comedian from Baltimore, winner of BET's Coming to the Stage, Showtime at the Apollo, HBO Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen
Lyndia Fuller
Biblical Dramatist from Lone Oak First Baptist Church
Pastor Lisa Dyson
Victorious Life Christian Center, Hopkins Park, Ill.
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| Courtesy of Sherona Crim |
First Christian Church, 415 Audubon Dr.
Rev. J. Gottman, Sr. Pastor and Co-Pastor Mariann Lankton, host pastors.
Registration and continental breakfast from 8-9 a.m., workshops from 9:30-11 a.m. and lunch from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Featured Luncheon Speaker
Rev. Dr. Diana R. Williams
Founder of DRW Ministries, Tucker, Ga.
Special Workshops
Women (and girls, 6-17) will participate in a number of workshops including church and social etiquette, love and relationships and identifying Godly men. A session for pastors' wives offers coping strategies, the value in networking and ways to recognize and establish boundaries within their congregations.
Special Workshop PresentersCathy Williams
Regular Co-Host of Joy of Oneness & Rejoice, on TCT, Marion, Ill.
Lori Brown
Regular Co-Host of Rejoice, on TCT, Marion, Ill.
Reverend Nathan Joyce
"Identifying Godly Men…and What They See," Senior Pastor of Heartland Worship Center, Paducah
Tiffany Benberry of Harrison Street Baptist Church and Julie Price of First Christian Church will facilitate an "Etiquette: Church and Social" workshop on Saturday morning. The fabulous NIA Dancers will perform Friday night, and will also facilitate a workshop on Saturday morning.
100-Woman Choir
Bernice is prayerfully planning a CWC 100 Woman Choir (including girls 6-17) for Friday night and a women’s vocal ensemble for Saturday. Women from every denomination, race and ethnicity can join the choir.
Pastors and ministers of music and choir directors of local churches are asked to send five adult choir representatives (three sopranos and two altos) to complete the choir. Women who love to sing, but are not currently in a choir, can also join the CWC 100 Woman Choir, with the blessings of their pastor.
Commemorative Booklet Sponsor Opportunities Individuals, businesses and organizations of all kinds are invited to show support for the conference — and their appreciation for very lovely women (and women, as we know, typically make all the buying decisions in their households, therefore this is a very valuable audience to reach, hint, hint) — by placing ads in the CWC's Commemorative Souvenir Booklet. iList Paducah is in! For more info on this very excellent opportunity, contact Bernice.
Get Your Tickets!
Tickets are $25 and are on sale now through September 19 in the Christian Life Center at Washington Street Missionary Baptist Church, 721 Washington St., on Fridays, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and again 5-7 p.m., and on Saturdays 10 a.m.-3 p.m. To ensure better security, no tickets will be sold at the door.
Payments in the form of cashier's checks, money orders or personal checks on active accounts may be sent to: Collaborative Women's Conference, PO Box 958, Paducah, Ky. 42002-0958. (Do not send cash.)
Women with little or no income, who have daughters who want to attend, can purchase tickets for only $12.50 each. Women on fixed income may also purchase each ticket for $12.50 each. No childcare can be provided.
The Promotions and Finance Committees will deliver tickets to any church or organization. Please contact Bernice for details.
