Testimonies
The year 2002 will stay in my memory as a truly "moving" year for the members of Center Church. It started in January, when Angela Taveras, Gladys Hernandez, Betsy Centeno, Tina Bobbitt, Willie Mae Geter, Joyce Peroza and I piled into a rented 15 passenger van, accompanied by Fannie Irene Pittman (Faith Congregational Church) and Peg Giles (East Granby UCC), to join over five hundred other women at the New England Regional Gathering of United Church of Christ Women in Burlington, Vermont. The power of that gathering, made richer by the joy of spending that much concentrated time with each other, was further enhanced by the fact that the gifted story-teller, Valerie Tutson, was a key part of the weekend program. Valerie is also Tina's Goddaughter and, by extension, was "adopted" by us all!
Karen Bailey-Francois
Associate Minister
The First Church of Christ in Hartford
(Center Church)
How happy I was to learn of the “New England Women’s Event” in Portland, Maine. One of the Steering Committee members was Sally Bradley who was a previous pastor’s wife in Andover, Connecticut. It was a joy to rekindle our friendship! Having left our troubles at home, I remember sitting with two friends in worship and truly feeling “Ablaze With The Spirit”, the theme that year. When I needed it most, thanks be to God for the women of the United Church of Christ and their celebration events!
Clara Ursin, Andover, CT
My 1st attendance was Celebration # III - 1990 in Portland, Maine. What a wonderful emotionally motivating weekend, and I didnât want it to end! I found myself looking ahead 4 years to the next celebration -- I was hooked!! There were 7 of us that year from our church; 14 attended #IV; 15 attended #V, and then 19 of us for #VI in Burlington, VT. How did this come to pass? By word of mouth -- what women do well! We shared our experiences -- the fun and fellowship, making new friends and renewing old ones and discussing the variety of workshops, which offer diverse subject matters. Women of faith, coming together, recognizing our commonality -- and differences -- seeking to become better Christians and looking to further our nurturing qualities. It's an opportunity to learn more about yourself, learn new skills and learn about options for dealing with the myriad issues of todayâs society. It's the "getaway" from daily routines and a chance to share time with hundreds of other women in song, praise and worship and come away feeling better for it. It's contagious!! Try it, you might like -- or love it!!
My -- our -- many thanks to the committees for their hard work to make these events come to fruition each time.
Yours in faith,
Marilee Dull
President Women's Fellowship
First Church of Christ Congregational
Groton, CT.
In this busy world, there are few opportunities for spiritual renewal and true fellowship. As an adult daughter, I am always looking for ways to spend time with my mother and find time for reflection, celebration, worship, and The NEW ENGLAND WOMEN'S CELEBRATION meets all of these needs and more. Together we have attended NEWC II - VI and look forward with anticipation to NEWC VII.
Roberta Macaro
