The Texas WMA Ladies' Retreat was a success! There were 82 in attendance at Daniel Springs! See tab, "Project," for the amount received thus far.

Thank you to everyone who planned, cooked, decorated, & cleaned up afterwards! A special thanks to our speaker, Gloria Irving, & the many lades who led in break out sessions! Be praying for next year's retreat!

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Events

Texas WMA will meet Thursday, November 4, 2021 when the

BMA of Texas meets at New Harmony BC, Tyler, TX.

9:00 am           Registration for WMA meeting
10:45 am         Shuttles run from New Harmony Baptist Church to the Community Center
                                 Registration continues
11:00 am    Call to Order, Johnnie Ross, TX State WMA President
                           Welcome – New Harmony Baptist Church
                            WMA Motto and Opening Prayer – Elizabeth Midkiff
                            Door Prizes – Glenda Chamberlain & Alicia Johnson

11:25 am   GMA Report – Video report from Hayley Rasco
                            Sunbeam Report – Vera Koonce
                            Project Report – Diana Morris
11:40 am   Prayer/Song – Cindy Allen
                            Project Offering– Lynda Marsh and D’Andra Smith
11:45 am    Noon meal
12:10 pm   Business Meeting
12:45 pm   Door Prizes – Glenda Chamberlain & Alicia Johnson
12:50 pm   Program, Diana Morris
                             Installation of Officers
 1:10 pm     Closing Announcements – Johnnie Ross
                             WMA Song – Cindy Allen
                             General Offering – Lynda Marsh and D’Andra Smith
1:15 pm      Closing Prayer – Claudie Thompson
1:15 pm      Shuttles back to New Harmony Baptist Church.
1:30 pm      BMAT Second General Session begins

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PASTOR AND DEACON APPRECIATION 

 The writer of Hebrews was inspired to write in Hebrews 12:1, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight,…and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.”  During the realities of the past six months, our pastors and deacons in our churches have been faced with decisions and challenges never before encountered, challenges which involve literally the health of their precious church families.  Our pastors and deacons have spent countless hours in prayer asking the Lord to help them balance church activities and ministry so as to safeguard the health of their congregation, while finding ways of ministry that would not neglect the spiritual needs of their people. 

Our BMA pastors have sought the Lord and the wise counsel of medical personnel and consulted together to meet these needs, and in doing so, they have demonstrated before us a faith and a testimony that will inspire us throughout our lives.  How faithful they have been!

In strategizing for ways to honor them during Pastor and Deacon Appreciation in October, we are challenged to plan gifts or activities that will honor the guidelines of keeping all safe from exposure to Covid-19, yet show them our love and gratitude for their extraordinary leadership.

The following ideas are ones that every ladies group can expand and use their creativity to implement:
      Card showers are always deeply appreciated.  Including a gift card that can be used online is especially helpful during this time.
      Creating a visual presentation of the pastor or deacons and their families that can be shown in recorded services always becomes a treasured gift.
      Have a vehicle parade by the homes of the pastor and deacons.  Decorate cars or other vehicles to celebrate them and their families.
      Have a testimonial service in which volunteers share special times of blessing about the pastor and deacons and what they mean in their lives.
      Give gifts such as books, home décor, movies, and other items that can be enjoyed by their families and can even be ordered online to be shipped to their homes.

If your church is holding in-person services at this time, then plan a time of testimony and honor that will highlight the church’s appreciation for their pastor and each deacon, while observing the protocols for safety that are currently recommended.

 May the Lord richly bless you as you honor your pastor and deacons this October!

MAEVA THOMPSON

FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT 

(8/2020)