Don't Forget!

Hi Ladies,

The last Womens' Ministry meeting was a really great one.  As we deviated from the normal schedule of events and just let the Lord bring us together in a different way, I think we all learned a little bit more about each other.  It is always wonderful to establish connections with other women of excellence, which was, interestingly enough, the topic of our meeting, "Women of Excellence."

As the ministry moves into new territory, join us all on Saturday November 14, 2009 for another  excellent meeting chaired by our own president, Lady Deborah Joy Ray.  And you can best believe that she is laying it out for the ladies.  Get ready for a fabulously feminine good time on Saturday at 12:00 noon.

Blessings

Pretty in Pink Women's Fellowship

It's official.  The Women's Ministry Meeting for Saturday has been canceled!

But there's more.  In an effort to foster a greater level of intimacy between the sisters of the ministry, Lady Deborah Ray has opened her home for a day of chillaxing and pampering on this coming Saturday, September 26, 2009, 12:00 p.m.

What should you expect?  A lot of women wearing pink?  Well who knows, but whatever the case, it will be a lovely day.  Lady Ray desires that we get to know each other in a more relaxed setting, therefore expect a lot of talking, listening, sharing, eating, and fun, and let's not forget a little bit of pampering here and there.  We will also engage in rap sessions, age appropriate forums, and some real talk about how to be real women of God.

Space is definitely limited, so our president has asked each active member of the ministry bring just one friend to partake in the festivities.  Additionally, she requests that we carpool by meeting up at the church at 11:30 a.m. that Saturday and getting in where we fit in (a vehicle of course).  So here are the specifics.  

Women's Ministry Fellowship Gathering

at the Home of 

Reverend & Mrs. Deborah J. Ray

The Women's Ministry and One Guest may attend

Meet at the Church at 11:30 for carpooling

Plan to arrive at the house around 12:00p

Plan to leave around 4:00p

Dress Comfortably, Wear Pink

Can I Get a Lift?

No we're not talking about your face, your eyes, breast, or even your tush.  How about a love lift?  Picture a spiritual booster to sustain you throughout the day, the hour, or just the moment.  Everyone needs a little bit and everyone can give a little bit.   A little what? A little encouragement.

The month of September shall be officially named encouragement month for the Women's Ministry.  The charge:  Encourage one sister everyday.  Sounds easy doesn't it?  But watch how we get wrapped up in our job, our children, our spouses, ourselves, and forget to encourage the sister right next to us.  And don't be so selective about it!  Encourage a stranger.  Let the Lord guide you to that lady in line at Kroger who needs some encouragement.

When you get to New Salem on Sunday, before you find your special seat, look across the room and find a woman you've never met.  Go to that fabulous creation of  God and offer her some encouragement.  Give her support, give her a love lift that will sustain her for the day.  You never know, you may be the one to start her week off perfectly.

This is your assignment for the month.  Challenge yourself and watch how the encouragement comes back and hits you like a boomerang.

With Love,

Divinely Designed.

Where can you expect to find a great group of beautiful women, an intimate gathering, a mini fashion show, Name That Gospel Tune Game show, good food, and an inspirational message all in a matter of two hours? You can find all of that at the monthly Women's Ministry Meeting of New Salem.

Once again we had a blessed meeting chaired by Sister Barbara Bradshaw. She had a wonderful line-up ready for the meeting and a few surprises to boot. Several women, via a skit written by Sister Patricia Bethel, received a special treat. They were all acknowledged for making a difference as women of God.

And not only that, Sister Yancy--a mother of the church, a sassy seasoned lady, and one of the best cooks on the face of the earth delivered the message, a message about being a light and utilizing God as our guiding light. She reminded us that our Women's Meeting weren't just about meeting and eating, but about ministering to one another both inside and outside the doors of the church. We are to also stand in the gap for each other--but many of us don't know each other as well as we think we do. Sister Yancy challenged us all to use God's light in our lives to be a guiding light for other women.

After all was said and done and we had our bellies full of an array of casseroles and salad, we could also say we were filled with the spirit and presence of God. Residual tears of joy streamed down the face of more than a few of the women. The meeting was one aromatic with the sweet smelling savor of God's presence.

New Salem Women's Ministry Fellowship

Ladies,

As the fiscal year-end approaches, we know we can look forward to a wonderful year-ending meeting. The luncheon/meeting for the month of September will be chaired by none other than The Hardest Working First Lady in Memphis, Lady Deborah J. Ray.

To set if off with a big bang, we ask that all women of the ministry show up and not alone. Oh no! Invite at least two women to come along with you. The New Salem Church Family is filled with beautiful diamonds in the rough. As a matter of fact we all need some polishing up, some burning off and pruning. Why not share the wealth with those women who've not had the experience of being a part of the women's ministry.

So what do you say ladies? Are you in? Will you be a part of planting a seed of fellowship amongst the fabulous feminine women of the ministry? Well, get to it? Forward the blog. Hand out some homemade invites. Get on your celly and hit up some of those women who've been shying away from our monthly meetings. Let's make this meetings one of the best ever.

Blessings,

Divinely Designed-Women of New Salem MBC

Women's MInistry Meeting...

It's that time again. Women's Ministry Meeting Time! We are just as excited about this meeting as we have been about any others. First, we get to take pictures for the website! All officers should wear all black!

Second, we get to participate in a meeting chaired by Leslie Johnson.

Our speaker for the hour is none other New Salem's own, 

Demetria Adair. 

Keep her in your prayers as she prepares for you.

Saturday, February 28, 2009

12:00 p.m.

All first-timers are invited to have lunch with the Ministry President, Deborah Ray!

Blessings

David, David!

The first meeting of the year for The New Salem Women's Ministry was held on January 31, 2009, and boy was it an inspirational meeting.

The Victory Banquet Hall was decked in purple, and meeting chair Sylvan was always at the ready to keep everything flowing and going. The menu for the afternoon was good ole southern comfort food. There was fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, green beans, homemade chili (Thank You Sister Yancy!) and salad. But that wasn't the food that was really filling.

Guest Speaker, Valerie Dickerson fed us good and plenty spiritual food from the 51st number of Psalm. From versus 7-12, Sister Dickerson reminded us of David, David! and his cleansing process after he'd taken another man's wife and subsequently sent the husband away to the frontlines of a war to be slaughtered. Yep, David, David! did that and he felt so guilty and convicted for his sin he was inspired to write this particular Psalm.

Sister Dickerson broke the scripture down so well, even a youngster could understand it, highlighted the significance of god BLOTTING away our sins, WASHING us up, and finally, CLEANSING us from unrighteousness. She reminded us that there is always a consequence for the choices we make, both good and bad. Further, she admonished that sin places a wall between us and God.

By the time Valerie Dickerson got through with her exciting oration, women were standing up all over the place yelling their Amens and Go'ne Girls in affirmation. We all felt as if we had been "de-sinned" and knew better the importance of going to God when we mess up.

The new officers were introduced and allowed to give a 2 minute spiel about themselves. DiAnne Malone is apprenticing for 1st Vice President under Leslie Johnson; Sister Patricia Bethel is apprenticing for 2nd Vice President under Reseda Wallace; and Sister Lori Young and Tammye Butler will work together in the 3rd Vice Presidency position.

All and all, the meeting was progressive, informative, inspirational, and productive. Everyone is looking forward to the wonderful plans and vision that President Deborah Ray has for the ministry. The key word is VISA which stands for

Vision
Integrity
Structure
Accountability

We will carry that "card" throughout the year.

Blessings