Greetings my sisters in Christ. I hope that you are all safe and continuing to hold to God’s everlasting arm. Rest assured that He is in charge and He knows you by name.
These last four months have been unprecedented – I would dare to say to us, but definitely not to God. God is our Sovereign, Master, and King, and He holds ALL of the affairs of this world in His hands.
I was hoping and praying that we could meet together face to face (or mask to mask) for our Ladies Conference in Myrtle Beach, October 2-4th, 2020. However, based on the continued predictions for the potential of increased cases of the coronavirus in September and October 2020, especially when combined with flu season, I think we should do a VIRTUAL meeting. I do not want to postpone or cancel at this point. We are grateful for the technology that allows us to get together still and worship one with another. I know it is not the same, but it does allow for safety.
I agree that we are a people of faith, AND that God has not given us a spirit of fear. However, we also have to be responsible and obedient to the potential dangers of this pandemic/virus. How we meet is not the important thing, it is that we meet. I encourage you individually to continue to cultivate your faith. Remember that the Spirit of God lives within you, and no one can quarantine or fatigue the relationship that you have with God. Romans 8: 31-39 reminds us that nothing can separate us from God’s love. “Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord”.
I am aware that this “forced separation” created by the pandemic is a disembodiment that none of us has chosen. What does that mean? Well, attending church is not only a form of worship and time of fellowship; it is a necessary posture that securely holds us together as the body of Christ. We need each other, that sweet voice besides, behind, and before us. We gather as bodies presenting our whole selves to God in praise, adoration, and thanksgiving. We sing, we shout, we lift our hands, we kneel, we touch, we hug – each of us gather as a member of the body of Christ, embedding our faith within a larger corporate reality. Christianity was meant to be a community, a family in fellowship one with another. I, too, miss gathering together with my brothers and sisters in Christ.
This digital separation runs the risk of causing isolation, and the lack of connection with the gathered church risks our forgetting who we are. Therefore, we can lose touch with our bodily participation in worship as we choose to “watch or connect” with a service later – while we get busy with other chores or activities.
The idea of “on-demand” worship sounds great, but what are we losing? So, what do we do? Well, glad you asked. We are in this pandemic, but how we react as the body of Christ is crucial. I say, put your body into it!
Be intentional, attend service, whether it’s in your living room, bedroom, a family or friend’s house – be present with your mind and body. Engage your mind, body and spirit in worship. Be a part of praise and worship, sing with them – don’t just be entertained. Stand, pray, shout, lift your hands – REJOICE – OUR GOD IS WORTHY TO BE PRAISED!
So, it is with this attitude that I would like to view our upcoming VIRTUAL Ladies’ Conference. Let us join together, lift our voices, and act like the camera does not separate us, we are ONE, SISTERS UNITED. We have a great weekend planned, but that means nothing if you are missing. Please join us!
We are featuring: Guest Speakers - Pastor Sylvia Staten, Chris Greenaway, Aileen Reid, Peggy Clements. Along with breakout sessions. This is our first virtual conference and we are going to have a great time in the Lord.
Schedule:
10/2: Friday Night 7 - 9:30pm – General session
10/3: Saturday 9 – 9:45am (Special session for Pastors and First Ladies)
10am – 1pm – General session
Registration is required and is non-refundable
Registration Fee has been Reduced From $30 down to $20
$20 Registration Fee includes conference bag/goodies mailed to your home.
(To get your bag before the conference, you must register by September 21st.)
Or
$10 Registration fee – Conference bag/goodies NOT included.
***PLEASE NOTE: Online/email registration deadline is October 1st at 11:59 pm. The mail-in deadline is September 28th. (We need enough time to get your conference code to you so that you can access the conference).
Download Printable Registration Form
Already paid? See below.
I know some of you registered for the retreat in April and transferred your money to October for Myrtle Beach. What happens now?
- Your money is still on hold, and I will refund the difference if you register for this conference.
- You can also use the difference to pay for someone else who will be attending; we are more than happy to make that transfer and still refund any remaining dollars.
- You can make a donation to the Women’s Ministry as well, and this will stay in the fund and be used for activities in the future.
- You can get a full refund.
If you have previously registered, there is no need to register again. Please send me an email with your name and intention (one of the choices above) and I will respond accordingly. sccogopwm@gmail.com
Ladies, I am excited to connect with you in some fashion. I am grateful for the technology that allows us to do this. While we are waiting to get back together in our local churches, GOD is at work – using this forum to spread the gospel ALL over the world. The internet can go where a man cannot go for many reasons. PRAISE BE TO GOD!
Blessings,
Shirnett Matthews
SC State WM Director
Download Printable Registration Form
Click Here To Email Retreat Director Shirnett Matthews For More Info
