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| EVENT: ATLANTIC UNION WOMEN'S MINISTRIES CONVENTION Sponsored by the Atlantic Union Conference Women's Ministries Department Feel His Presence: Grow in Grace Atlantic Union Women’s Ministries Convention a Blessing to Many
Evidence of the Holy Spirit’s presence could be seen, felt, and heard throughout the weekend of August 15-17 during the 2008 Atlantic Union Women’s Ministries Convention at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Albany, New York. Doreen Thomas, from the Ephesus Seventh-day Adventist Church in New York agrees and says “This retreat was very inspiring, uplifting, and gave me courage to go out and be all I can be in Christ.” This was the first time she has ever attended a women’s ministries convention. The event was dedicated to God at a reception held on Thursday night, August 14, at the Empire State Observation Tower. The presenters were officially welcomed; the musicians were introduced and blessed the group with their music—vocal and instrumental; administrators present from the union and conferences were introduced; and the evening ended with a prayer of consecration for all the presenters offered by Donald King, Atlantic Union Conference president. It was clear that if the reception was any indication of what was to come, those attending the event were in for a spiritual blessing.
There was something for everyone in English, French, and Spanish. The sessions in the language groups ran simultaneously throughout the weekend. Thompson Kay, Grace Ashley, and Charlotte Thoms interpreted for the deaf. And, a special segment was included just for teens. There were a number of teens in attendance and it was the first time that many had ever attended a women’s ministries convention. The delegation heard from such speakers as Carla Baker, North American Division Women’s Ministries director, Rosa Taylor Banks, General Conference associate secretary, Nicole Brise, Sara Orfilia Silva de Bullon, Kathy Cameron, Lake Union Women’s Ministries director, Ginger Church, Renewed and Ready magazine editor, Carmen Griffith, Southwestern Union Women’s Ministries director, Deborah Harris, CEO of Deborah Harris, Inc., Gillen Molina, Linda Penick, Carrie Peters, Marie Samson, Mireille St. Pierre, Northeastern Conference Women’s Ministries director, and JerMara Welch. These individuals, rich with a wealth of experience, delivered messages using the theme “Feel His Presence . . . Grow in Grace.” Rosa Taylor Banks opened the event on Friday evening with a message entitled, “Mirror, Mirror on the Wall.” She shared with the women that there are two looking glasses: the mirror and the Bible. The mirror she shared will never lie to them; it won’t beat around the bush; and it will reveal defects so they can clean themselves up. The Bible she went to say is God’s great looking glass, because in it they will understand who God is, what He expects of them, and what He will do for them. She reminded them that they are a part of God’s great plan, that being who they are is not the result of chance or accident, and that their purpose is useless to them and to the world if it is never launched. Sabbath was a day full of blessings from beginning to end. Each presenter shared a different aspect of how to “grow in grace.” The worship message in English entitled “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp,” was presented by Deborah Harris. She talked about the many “lovers” in their lives that are keeping them so busy that they can’t see Jesus. She encouraged the women to get rid of the unnecessary things that are occupying their minds and their time and really get to know Jesus who, through His grace, can take the biggest messes in their lives and make something of them. Following lunch and the afternoon sessions, there was a baptism. Permission was granted by the hotel management to use the pool for a special baptism. Four individuals recommitted their lives to Christ through baptism. Carlyle Simmons, Atlantic Union executive secretary, officiated and Charlotte Thoms, Atlantic Union Women’s Ministries director, was invited to join him in the pool. The women formed a circle around the pool and hotel guests in the area could be seen looking on as the baptism was taken place. It was a spirit-filled moment as singing and praises ascended heavenward. The day ended with an outdoor concert at the Empire State Convention Center Plaza that was open to everyone. The musicians who had blessed the group inside all weekend move their ministry outdoors for about two hours on Saturday evening. Throughout the weekend the Women’s Ministries directors from the conferences in the Atlantic Union were there to assist as needed to make the event flow smoothly and counselors were available for those in need of that service. The seminars culminated on Sunday morning and they did not disappoint. Joycelyn Phillip, Valerie Johnson, Carol Hanna, and Theadeen Dalley frm the North Stamford Seventh-day Adventist Church in Connecticut put it this way, “We have been richly blessed and spiritually rejuvenated to return home with a new commitment to our Heavenly Father that we ill grow on with grace to do His will.” Ednor A. P. Davison ENGLISH SPEAKERS
INTERPRETER FOR DEAF (English Section Only) SPANISH SPEAKERS
FRENCH SPEAKERS
TEENS
COUNSELORS/CHAPLAINS EXCEPTIONAL MUSICIANS Angela Bryant-Brown
Gerald Penick Dawn Samuels Christine Sinclair
Jaslyn Sinclair Jaydene Williams Ysis Espana
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Carmen Griffith
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