In the very beginning of mankind’s existence, God instituted marriage as the acceptable state for the permanent male-female relationship of love and mutual satisfaction, as well as the emotionally safe environment for bringing children into the world. One thing that all of us learn as we go through life is the fact that there are many stressors, mindsets, and enemies of the institution of marriage. In our times, some are in a delusion of what IS marriage!  There are many voices telling us that the concept of marriage is out of style. The instructor of this workshop would beg to differ with that devilish opinion, and will use the Word of God to provide a much needed instructions on how to move towards a long-lasting and fulfilling marriage.  If you have been married, are thinking about getting married, or need to shake off the wrong understanding  of what marriage is, don’t miss this workshop!

We chose to represent this workshop with a picture of Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee, a very high profile couple who were married for 56 years.  During their life together, they wrote and commented about what it took to have a strong marriage.  Check out this link to one of those discussions: http://marriage.about.com/od/quotes/qt/ossieruby.htm.  Their marriage ended when Ossie died in 2005.  Ruby Dee is still living, and is still very active at 86 years.

Because we realize the topic of Marriage is “huge” for our participants, this workshop will piggy-back on the workshop: Learn, Love, and Live!  … Instructions for a Long-Lasting Marriage.   Although there will be a time of Q & A during that  workshop, at the Encouragement Café you will be able to ask your additional questions, have deeper dialogue on the topic,  and receive much encouragement for your marriage.  Consider this one a place of “hot topics” where you will receive godly responses.  Bon Appétit!

Boy, have times changed from when our mothers were young women!  They often knew when they were in high school what young man they planned to marry.  Names were chosen for all of the children they were going to have.  And if Prince Charming was not available in the halls of high school, he was sure to make an extended appearance at the college of the girls’ choice.  After all, BA’s, MA’s and MRS degrees were certainly available at the college!  But alas, that is not the way things are anymore, and the lay of the land is quite crowded with many young women who have the first two degrees but the “MRS” has eluded them! 

This weekend why not stop on by the Single Encouragement Café, pull up a chair, and join in on the conversation.  It’s time to finally nail down this understanding: The grass is not always greener… and it is very possible (and necessary!) to be Single and Satisfied! A panel of informed individuals will be there to lay down the menu. So come and participate at a different kind of Cafe. Tips are optional.

Family life has changed from the early days of our country… Do you remember depictions of families in film – The Waltons, the Morgan family from Sounder, the Younger family in A Raisin in the Sun, or the family in Roots?  Regardless of the time frame, there was one thing in common. The Father --- he was in the home or fighting to be in the home or with the family.  Today, unfortunately, that is not a constant in the concept of family. Neither is the sustained connection with the family of origin or extended family.   And there was lot of face-to-face talking going on! Not so today! As society has changed, family relationships have changed. Everyone is more mobile because careers and economic conditions, often cause families to move away from their original geographic locations.  A couple may move a thousand miles away from their families. Isolation, time stressed, over extended, and non-traditional are buzz words that describe today’s families.  In the aftermath of these changes, many are starting to realize: Family Does Matter!  And the matters of family demand real talk, real parenting, and the revalidation of what God says about family life. 

The panel of individuals sharing in this workshop covers an age range that will allow them to speak to whatever you are dealing with in your Family Matters!  This is a Must-Attend workshop!

You cannot return to where you have never been.  So where should you be? The first step is the realization that your relationship with God (and others!) must truly develop into intimate ones.  He desires to reveal Himself to you through His Word.  If you have been going out of your way on a bad detour from the abundant life, decide to Return, Be Restored and Be Renewed.  This workshop could be the best 1^st step!

When one is in the middle of grieving, there is a belief that no one else understands!  There is a small bit of truth to this if another has not gone through something similar.  When we think of grief, we generally think of the loss of a loved one through physical death. But did you know that in life, the deep feelings we experience about separation and loss, emotional hurt and pain, anger,  are all expressions of grief?! The God Who made us understands what we go through when grieving, and He has a pathway back to our sense of well being and inner peace. Guess what? Denial is one of the reasons suffering continues…  If you have experienced “loss” of anyone or anything significant, you may be in a state of grieving. This workshop is a safe place to gently begin the process of inner healing… After all, Jesus did tell us to come to Him and find rest for our souls.

So you say, “I am a Christian.”  Ask yourself are you walking in His Way? The measure of a Christian is not necessarily determined by what others say about you, what you say or think about yourself, or the works you do.  God is the only One who can “measure” how much you are like His Son.  The road map is in the Bible.  In this workshop you will learn Who God really is and how much He truly loves you. Then, you will be able to walk with Him in His ways.  P.S. This is not just for beginner walkers only!

This two-pronged workshop will uncover what it really means to be a “success”.  In our times when all sorts of celebrities, financial gurus, and relationship wizards are telling us what we need to do, you can cut to the chase and find out what God has to say on this subject.  In 2010, many of us attended a dynamic workshop on finances!  Some said it was “life-changing!”  Well our presenter is back! and will be armed with knowledge from God’s Word, as well as information from her professional career in high finances.  You will receive a lot of practical “how-to’s” and “say what’s?” in this session.  We think it also wise to tell you when you sit down, “buckle your seat belt and try to breathe!”  (We’ll be sitting right next to you doing the same!)

For many people there is a major disconnect regarding the relationship between our actions and the consequences to those actions!  When some individuals make poor choices which yield automatic negative consequences, they often want to blame God and others because of their plight. This is not logical, for even in nature if we plant corn kernels, we will end up with a harvest of corn stalks—and lots of corn.  We always reap what we sow! (Gal 6:7)  This same principle works in the spiritual realm. If we sow goodness, that is what we get in harvest.  In our Conference text, God encourages us to make choices that will result in “life”; after all, Jesus said, I came to give you life and that more abundantly!  So... what are your choices saying about you?  

(4:00 PM – Saturday)

Powerhouse speaker, Irene Green, will share with us from the Word of God on His Holiness.  Why is it important that we learn about this?  The Bible tells us to “pursue… holiness, without which no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14b).  If we are learning to love the Word of God, so we can live it, the highway of holiness is the path we will be on.  Come, renew your strength! 

(No other workshops will be presented at this hour, so ALL can attend.  It will be in the main auditorium.)