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