Delores Feitl
By Sheila Graham
LOS ANGELES, California-- "Two messages came across loud and clear," said Joanna Mitchell of the Antelope Valley, California, church, about the conference for elders' wives May 28 to 30.
They are that "God's Spirit is moving through our congregations, and the deep need for prayers for each other."
Mrs. Mitchell said that "being in a room with women from all over the United States, Canada, England and South Africa helped to endear our other congregations to me."
Mrs. Mitchell's comments echoed many of those attending the conference that had a theme of "Growing and Changing, Connecting and Bonding."
Of the 85 women registered, five came from England, six from Canada, one from Barbados and one from South Africa, according to Jannice May, event coordinator.
Tammy Tkach opened the conference Friday evening, May 28, and summed up the weekend's activities as the conference closed Sunday evening.
Afterward, she said: "I'm still mulling over the things I've heard. It was an unforgettable conference."
Other keynote speakers were author and international speaker Jill Briscoe, speaking on "Prayer That Works"; Kathleen Hart, chaplain to student wives at Pasadena's Fuller Theological Seminary, on "Taking Control of Your Actions and Attitude"; Archibald Hart, professor of psychology at Fuller, on "Dark Clouds, Silver Lining--Coping With Depression"; Dolores Feitl, founder of POWER, a networking group for pastors' wives, on "Arrest the Time Robbers"; and sexual therapist Joyce Penner on "Women and Sex, Discovering Greater Passion and Intimacy in Your Marriage."
"I sensed a peace when I was up on stage leading the praise and worship," said Lorraine Pelley, conference worship leader. "The speakers were outstanding and the joy our women shared will be an encouragement for me in the months ahead."
Wendy Lodge from England recommends women's conferences. "I watched the love between the ladies grow through the weekend. We truly do need to get together more, especially as we tend to be scattered and some can feel isolated in the church." She ordered tapes of the sessions and plans to make them available to all who are interested.
Ruth Miller of Birmingham, Alabama, encourages all elders' wives to attend. "I hope, if there is any way possible, you will make plans now to attend the next conference," she said. "I have attended a lot of retreats, conferences and workshops with attendance ranging from about 30 to about 20,000. Without hesitation I can say this was the most valuable to me as a pastor's wife."
"Last year the conference was very good. I was so surprised that God made this one even better. I can't wait to see how God will top the one scheduled for Labor Day 2000," Jannice May said.
Delores Feitl
Jacqui Eve and Jannice May
Tammy Tkach
Archibald Hart
WIVES OF RETIRED MINISTERS--Helen Jackson,
Olivia Flores, Bettye Oakley, Marge Friddle, Virginia Rice,
Phoebe Hampton. [Photos by Sheila Graham]
Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 1999