Thriving Together is a newsletter for women serving in or preparing for ministerial leadership in The Wesleyan Church. Each month, we want to embody 1 Thessalonians 5:11:
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up,
just as in fact you are doing.”
Encouraging One Another
She arrived as soon as the doors opened. She had signed up for the Women in Ministry breakfast at The Gathering. She was the first guest–everyone else in the room was part of the leadership team or volunteers. I had the pleasure of greeting all of the guests, and I noticed that she had briefly departed from the meeting room. When she returned, I asked her how the breakfast was because I had not yet gone to the buffet. She turned to me with tears in her eyes and shared that she was having trouble eating. I prepared myself for what would follow–was she suffering from an illness? I was prepared to pray for her. But her answer surprised me. She was just overcome with emotion from seeing so many like herself–women in ministry!
Mentoring was the theme of the morning, and attendees participated in activities that highlighted teamwork and collaboration. Gift bags included ideas on how to encourage and engage in mentoring. Ninety-five people attended the breakfast that morning, including Dr. Wayne Schmidt, General Superintendent, who emphasized his appreciation and support for women in ministry. We are thankful for the several district superintendents and other denominational officials who joined us.
Dr. Jo Anne Lyon delivered an encouraging message via video that continued the theme of mentoring and networking.
The breakfast theme of mentoring and networking continues throughout this newsletter and is why we will do our best to connect you with others and why we will seek out creative ways to encourage, inspire, and support you as a woman in ministry.
Rev. Belinda Selfridge serves as district administrator for the Tri-State District, local outreach pastor at First Wesleyan-Bartlesville, and adjunct professor at Oklahoma Wesleyan University. Belinda is pursuing a doctorate of ministry at Wesley Seminary.
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