Pictured left to right are Vicki Pierce, Shannon Soefje, Suzanne Spisak, pastor Jamie McClain, Shirley Martin, Judy Sale, and Belen Skertchly.
Joanne Horst
The first quarterly widows meet ‘n greet for the widows sharing hope ministry was a “cowgirl party,” hosted by the New Beginnings Pray, Praise, and Play (PPP) group.
The party was held in the Clubhouse Bandera/Medina rooms where each table carried out the cowgirl party theme with a beautiful laser cut centerpiece of an outline of the state of Texas interfacing with a boot and cowboy hat surrounded by pastel colored tulle. The ladies started the party with refreshments and engaging in an ice breaker at each table.
Shirley Martin, the New Beginnings leader, moderated the program for the party. Bobbi Stringer briefly gave information about two of the widows ministry opportunities: the beauty for ashes grief support group to be held in June and July and the structure and purpose of the widows Pray, Praise, and Play groups. Next, Toni Livingston shared her personal experience with a PPP group and Shannon Soefje gave a testimony about her experience in a previous beauty for ashes class. Then Shirley Martin read a beautiful short story, My Beautiful Broken Shell, about the reflections of hurt and hope resulting in profound beauty in our brokenness when placed in the hands of the Lord. Michael Eastwood of the Denton County Cowboy Church of Ponder provided entertainment for the group by singing several country songs and hymns, followed by the keynote speaker, pastor Jamie McClain of the Denton County Cowboy Church.
The widow’s ministry is one of the ministries of women sharing hope striving to follow the Christ-centered mission of building friendships, strengthening faith, and sharing God’s love.