Break-out Sessions for Saturday
• Bloom Where You Are Planted
Session Leader: Cecilia Howell, owner of Cedar Rock Flowers, a wedding and special event flower business
Ministering Through Nature: Using flowers and floral decorating to minister to others, along with suggestions for simple herb gardening
• Baskets of Blessings
Session Leader: Debra McLarnon, Preschool Director of First Baptist
Safe Homes: Ministering to the women at the shelter through gift baskets and ways you can help. Debra along with others at First Baptist began this ministry project several years ago. It has become a blessing to the givers as well as the receivers. Come and hear Debra’s story.
• Budget Beauty’s Boutique
Session Leader: Jeanette Gunn, Secretary of First Baptist Church, former cosmetologist
Million Dollar Make-up on a Dime Budget: How to make your own mud mask, recipes for feet fizzies, and how to mix and match makeup for best results.
• Sharing Your Tears and Fears
Session Leaders: Susan McTier, Griefshare Ministries Facilitator at First Baptist, and Keith Beggs, owner of Beggs Funeral Home
Susan, after having been through the tragic loss of her husband through suicide and the natural death of her mother all within nine months of each other, realized she needed help in dealing with her emotions, fears, and questions. In seeking help, the closest resource she could find was 30 miles away. After getting the help she needed, she chose to give back by getting the training and resources needed to provide a Griefshare Ministry through First Baptist. Come and hear her story, find ways to deal with your own personal losses and learn what resources are available to help you and your church family in helping others deal with the tragedies of life. Out of this Griefshare group, two other churches have already begun groups. You will definitely find out some dos and don’ts when ministering to those who are grieving.
• Is It Soup Yet?
Session Leader: Katie Lewis - I am a mom of 5 and wife to one recently medically retired military guy living on a very THIN budget. Thankfully, the Lord has provided us with what we need, but we are able to stretch our budget each month by using coupons and sale flyers. I refuse to pay full price for things now that I know I can get them much, much cheaper. When I first looked at couponing a few years ago, I tried it for a bit and then quit - it was just too complicated and I didn’t want to waste the time. Then last year, I did a little more research and I discovered many simple ways to get what I needed. I don’t spend a lot of time tracking down deals - it can be as little or as much time as you want to spend doing it. I enjoy teaching others how to pinch their pennies and grab the deals as well!
When you look over your monthly budget, the one thing you have the most control over is your grocery budget. Two of the best ways to save money and lower your monthly cash output are meal planning and coupons. Coupons can be found for hundreds of products if you know where to look and how to use them! This class will teach you how to: 1. tart a stockpile . earn the difference between store and manufacturer coupons and where you can use them together to save even more money! . ind coupons . se online searches to find coupons for products you buy . rack your food budget . enu plan . now when things will go on sale (stores have cycles for their product sales!) . et things for FREE or nearly free that you can donate to food banks, homeless shelters, Operation Shoebox gifts, or disaster relief efforts . se coupons and deals for things other than groceries - TOYS, clothes, toiletries and more!
This is not Extreme Couponing, this is realistic couponing - in ways you will use it the most. I don’t advocate having 100 toothbrushes and 1000 rolls of toilet paper, but I can show you how to grab cheap snacks for your kids, cereals for $1 a box or less, and more! We will also discuss some cheap meals that can be served on any budget - and from most pantries! Join us and learn how to cut your time and meal budget in half!
• Life - How Valuable Is It? (Sanctity of Life)
Session Leader: Renee Collins, Support Coordinator within the state of Georgia for mentally disabled individuals and mother of Brandon - her miracle child.
Renee and her husband, Lee, have devoted their lives to loving and protecting their son who has a rare syndrome (5 other cases in the world, Brandon is the only known case in the USA). So rare, that Brandon’s story has been written in the Journal for American Genetics.
Come and listen to Renee’s story of the special child given to two very special parents. Enjoy her scrapbooks filled with photos of a happy child, now 19, that was never to live. Learn how parental love can be used of God to bring happiness and joy to the life of a child who will never walk or talk. Learn the meaning of choosing sanctity of life after birth and the challenges that can only be met with God’s help.
• Just Do It
Session Leader: Laura Osborne, exercise instructor for First Baptist Church, wife, mother of two, and teacher in the McDuffie County School System
Exercising Options for All Ages - Available helps and classes at First Baptist.
• Missions Is As Missions Does
Session Leader: Frances Cowart, long time missions leader in our local church, association, and state; wife of Wayne Cowart for 54 years, the mother of 4 grown children, Peggy 53, Lisa 51, Robbie 42, and Amy 35; grandmother of 7 boys and 5 girls; great-grandmother of 2 boys; retired real estate broker; charter graduate of Leadership McDuffie; member of the Thomson Kiwanis Club and the Thomson Lions Club; serves on the Thomson McDuffie Library Board; avid reader; loves flowers: and credits her two summers at Camp Rawls, South Carolina as a G.A. (Girls Auxiliary) as the beginning of her life-long journey as a woman on mission for her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Missions is telling the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ. Missions is not an option to do or not to do for a church. It is the lifeblood of any church. It is how we grow God’s Kingdom and not be taken lightly by church members. By being involved in missions, we are being obedient to God’s Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20, “Go ye therefore into all the world and preach the gospel, teaching them to observe all things which I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you always even unto the end of the world.” Come and learn more about missions and how you can find your place of service in doing missions.
• The Gift of the Blessing
Session Leader: Julia Lambert, wife of our Minister of Youth, Executive Secretary of Curriculum and Instruction for McDuffie County School System, and new mom
Learn ways to bless those you love through physical and verbal communication. The right word spoken at just the right time or the gentle hug for the person who needs to feel God’s presence – learn ways to become more aware of the needs of others and how to bless them through good times and bad. This session will especially address the needs of children and youth.
• Puppets for Christ
Session Leaders: Gibson First Baptist Church Puppet Ministry Team
Learn how to minister with puppets. Let puppets help you share your special talents and gifts with the young and young at heart. Be the catalyst for starting a puppet ministry at your church. Hear how Gibson began and the ways God is blessing their ministry.
• Find Your Inner Mechanic
Session Leader: Kelly Ware, retired auto mechanic instructor for the McDuffie County School System
This session is designed to review the basic maintenance needed to keep your vehicle in safe running condition. Demonstrations on things you can do for yourself, and explanations on the importance of basic routine maintenance.
• When To and When Not To
Session Leader: Law Enforcement (To be announced)
Self-Defense Technics. Simple things to do and not to do that may save your life. No physical activity required for this session.
• Facebook 101
Session Leader: Amy Lemley, expert in the area of computers and programs
Introduction to Facebook: Includes how to set-up an account safely, some dos and don’ts.
• Life Is Good At Any Age
Session Leader: Billie Thomas, active member of First Baptist for 62 years, known throughout our community for her giving spirit and service through many area organizations
Sharing the desires of senior adults with all ages. What it means to be a senior citizen and the respect they need and deserve - keeping dignity and grace throughout those senior years.
• Art with a Heart
Session Leaders: Jody Thomas and Tinye Harding, Two great friends who believe God created everyone with the ability and challenge to discover their inner creativity. Jody is a full time RN and works at Select Medical Hospital in Augusta. She is married and has two adult children. Tinye is a retired teacher and works part-time at Gilliam’s Floor Covering. She has two adult sons.
Jody and Tinye believe art has value to Christians. First because art expresses our creativity and God values creativity because He is the Creator. Genesis 1:1 declares “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” and the passage continues describing all the beautiful aspects of His creation. Secondly, what we create as humans has value because we were created in the image of God. We not only have the capacity to love and feel emotion but we also have the ability to create.
Additionally the things we create, whether it be fine art, music, covered dish casserole or a do-it-yourself craft project can be used as a way to reach out to others. Which is what missions and ministry is all about; building relationships to reach others for Christ.
• Are You Afraid of the Mouse
Session Leader: David Lambert, Minister of Youth at First Baptist
Facebook and Internet safety for children and teens. How to minimize the negatives while maximizing the benefits.
• Unwrap Your Gifts!
Session Leader: Dr. Leonard Dupree, Interim Pastor at First Baptist
Introduction to spiritual gifts - what they are and how to discover yours!
• Generation Change
Session Leader: (To be announced)
An introduction to a 4 week Bible study that helps teens to understand: their value in God’s eyes; that no amount of “stuff” can define their self-worth; the dangers of debt, from credit cards to car payments; why and how to save money and pay cash for what they want; how a lifestyle of generous giving can change the world around them forever.
• Credit Card Cut Up
Session Leader: (To be announced)
This is an introduction to Financial Peace University which meets for two hours each week for 13 weeks, during which time the average family pays off $5300 in debt and saves $2700. Visit this session to see if you would be interested in taking the course on-line or signing up for a local class, or hosting a class. If enough interest is shown, First Baptist will host a class beginning in February.
• Health is spelled F-U-N!
Session Leader: Amy Jenkins, RN
You can be healthy and still have fun . . . topics including nutrition, exercise, preventive medicine, and family wellness that will help you to feel better and enjoy the life you have been given.
• Help Before It’s Too Late
Session Leader: Ed Ricketson, Jr., owner of Ricketson Insurance Agency
Insurance Needs for Women - Information on the different types of insurance and how they meet your needs.
• Dream Home on a Tight Budget
Session Leader: Megan Poston, Interior Designer, Design Images and Gifts in Surrey Center
Megan will be sharing ways to create your dream home without blowing your budget. Learn simple ways that you can add beauty to your home with little or no expense.
• “The Talk”
Session Leader: David Walker, Minister of Education at First Baptist
Feeling uneasy about “The Talk” with your children and youth? Join David for suggestions on timing and ways to share. Learn of some great literature available to assist you. Make sure your child(ren) learn from you with your Christian values attached.
• Scrapbooking in the 21st Century - Digitally
Session Leader: Amy Johnston, Creative Memories Consultant
Learn from Amy ways to organize your photos and ways to make beautiful pages that tell your story. Simplify your scrapbooking with user-friendly programs that are available for your home computer.
• Prayer Labyrinth
Session Leader: Vera Krall
For those who feel that God is calling them to a time of prayer, a room will be set-up for prayer. There will be places to share your prayer requests, suggestions for praying for others, and an area for you to have some alone time with God. Ladies will be available to pray with you if you would like the support of someone else in prayer.
Please note these sessions are subject to change. If you would like lead a Breakout Session, please contact a member of the Women’s Ministry Team. We would love to share your talents.
