Dear First Pres,
I just strolled down memory lane, looking at the Women's Conference themes, speakers, locations, and booklets from 1985 through 2002. I had to stop reminiscing so I could start writing! As I think about last weekend being my final WoCo at FPC, I would say that "The Lord has Done This" is the perfect theme verse for all the years of this ministry. So many women’s lives have been shaped by God's word, and by a community of women that remains fairly stable, but of course has incrementally shifted over time. No two conferences were the same, but through the years I can see that God has been faithfully at work among us just as we have asked Him to.
This year's conference was definitely ‘not the same’ in some very significant ways. Two years ago I had the idea that inviting our just-down-the-street friends at On Ramps Covenant Church would be in keeping with FPC's long-held and growing desire to connect to our neighbors. I also wanted to invite the women of On Ramps to join us to hear their pastor speak, and I knew that the invitation had to be truly collaborative in order to be effective. So we collaborated and prayed throughout the process that we would “maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3) among the women who were planning, and on the weekend of the conference among all those in attendance.
During Friday night’s music and worship time when all the voices in the room united in praise to God, I heard it as an answer to our prayers. As one attendee said, “It felt a little heavenly: a variety of cultures, backgrounds, socioeconomics, and worship styles all unified in God and worshipping Him.” Exactly! Right here I want to say a particular thank you to the thirty-six of you who signed up for specific times during the conference, and everyone else who prayed along the way. How grateful we are, and how uplifting it is to see so many who were willing to commit precious time to intercede for WoCo. God hears and answers prayer, praise Him!
For those who have stories of God at work in you this weekend, we are looking forward to hearing your testimony of what the Lord has done. We want and need to be encouraged by those reports of God moving in the lives of His people. For those who may have struggled with a new or different style of worship or prayer, please be assured that the priority among us is still to bear the fruit of the Spirit, consistently choosing the way of love and honoring one another. No matter what your experience was, I would love to hear from or get together with you to prayerfully process whatever is on your mind and heart about your WoCo experience. (Email me here.)
Surely God is at work and we will glorify Him for His goodness and faithfulness.
Blessings, Lana
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