Marsha Sheehan from Saco, ME First Parish Congregation Church United Church of Christ says,

“There was NO way I could give up a whole weekend to attend Celebration VII in Burlington! It was certainly not something that was feasible for me, a 37 year old wife and mother of two children with a full time job and many commitments within the church. With some coaxing by church friends Kris Galasyn and Laurie Mooney I was convinced to join a carpool of women from my church, and as the date approached I wondered what I was thinking – how could I give up this much time? The ride from Maine flew by as Kris, Laurie, Lynne Siulinski, Meredith Jordan and I shared stories and got to know each other better. From the moment I walked into the registration area I could feel the amazing spirit and energy. Nearly one thousand women: all there to grow and learn and worship. The weekend was filled with shining moments, useful information, inspiring messages. I returned to my husband, children, job, and church renewed in spirit and with a better sense of the wider UCC community. I hope to bring my teenage daughter with me to Celebration VIII in 2010.”

Liz Reed-Swale comes from Rock Hill, CT,

“Around the time I graduated from college, my mother and I began the tradition of an annual mother-daughter retreat. It has been a wonderful way for us to move beyond simply filling each other in on our daily lives and really getting to know each other as adults. Mom invited me to Celebration VII after finding out about it at her church. What impressed me most was the planning that had to have gone into the weekend: our every want and need was anticipated and taken care of, from quiet time to discussion to snacking to supporting the global community. And the music! Singing with over 900 other women is a moving experience; I was in tears more than once throughout the weekend. There was time to take walks (though we had to wear long johns!), time to meet and chat with other participants, and time for just the two of us to talk and share. It was a powerful, strengthening three days. In the doldrums of a gray, cold winter, our experiences at Celebration VII made me feel alive and new, and that spring definitely was on its way."

Doris Ames in Maine states,

"Celebration VII was the 3rd or 4th one I attended. It was a challenge for me because I just had major foot surgery in Dec. and couldn't wear shoes very often. You know what??? I felt comfortable enough to just walk around with slippers and was able to put my foot up in an empty chair most of the time. I also decided that I was always doing workshops to take information back to the church and this time it was a weekend for me as well. I joined the choir for the first time and what an experience!! I guess that was what inspired me to volunteer for the next one. So here I am Publicity co-chair for Celebration VIII. I hope lots of women (young and old) come to experience it. It is going to be outstanding!”

Joan Morton in Westbrook, Maine says,

"The first Women’s Celebration I attended was in Portland Maine. I lived about 25 miles north of Portland so I drove back and forth to the Celebration each day. In the evenings on my way home I had the windows down and I would sing all the music we had sung that day. I was filled with the Holy Spirit! On Sunday, after we had communion, the minister said, “A fire has been ignited in you that will never go out. You will go places you never thought you would go and do things you never thought you would do.” Boy was she right! I am now serving as co-chair of the Publicity Committee for this coming celebration and I know that the Holy Spirit is always with me guiding me to do God’s work.
At the next Celebration in Portland I stayed at the hotel where all the events were going on so that I wouldn’t miss a thing. I have attended every celebration since going to that one in Portland. Now my sister and my Circle of Friends (7 women ages 50-90) attend with me. We carpool to VT. and share hotel and gas expenses to make attending this event more affordable. You are neither to old nor to young to experience the Holy Spirit moving among the women at these Celebrations."