14 ANNUAL SPRING FASHION SHOW AND LUNCHEON

Friday afternoon the tables were set.
 

Baskets put out.

So many interesting ones.

Carol, Margaret, Andrea, and Sandy worked many hours at the craft shack putting together the baskets. Thanks to all the people and  groups that donated items they made over 45 baskets. 

The ladies also made the lovely table decorations and after the fashion show they were sold.

The Silent auction items were displayed.

Patricia worked weeks researching the items and writing up the descriptions and getting the bid cards ready.

Patricia and Pete were in charge of the Silent Auction and had lots of nice items to bid on.

The Dine Around Town wreath was ready for women to buy a ticket to have the opportunity to win. For a $5 ticket you might win gift cards worth $480.

Linda and Susan working on the photo booth.

The food tables were set up, ready for the food to be put out tomorrow.

Lots of delicious salads to enjoy.

Saturday morning the ladies started arriving at 10:30.  They were anxious to buy their opportunity tickets and find the right basket to drop one or two in. Those selling the tickets could hardly keep up with the demand. 

Diane and Susan took advantage of the photo booth.

A hostess helped each woman find the table where she was sitting. 40 tables with 8 at a table and all 320 seats were sold. 

At 11:30 it was time to start the program.

Diane was a great MC and kept the program on schedule.

Pastor Dawn thanked everyone for coming and then said a prayer.

Find, Feed and Restore was one of the agencies that the luncheon highlighted and will be getting a large portion of the proceeds. They gave a short presentation about how the help with housing for families with children, and a woman shared her story of how  her life has been changed thanks to the help of Find, Feed and Restore.

The Neighborhood Center was the other agency chosen to be supported through the luncheon. The Neighborhood Center started 50 years ago by 6 women from the Methodist church that saw a need to provide food.  The Neighborhood Center of South Lake soon will be moving into a new facility in Groveland.

After a delicious meal was enjoyed, Jan started calling the number of the winning ticket for each basket.  Shouting and hand waving helped Cathy, and other runners, deliver the basket to the winner. 

Natalie Galligan, the owner of Shoo-Shoo Baby Boutique in Winter Garden, had the fashion show. The title of her shop is in honor of her grandfather and the bomber he flew during World War 11 called Shoo-Shoo Baby. 

Cheryl from Home Instead, modeled this Ariella jumpsuit.

Sue, a member of  Circle of Grace, looked relaxed in her white blouse, Liverpool tan jacket and crop flare pull on jeans.

The turquoise tee  and print jogger looks great on this model.

Brenda, a member of Circle of Grace, was ready to go walking in her Lulu B jacket and scallop skort.

Sheila, from The Neighborhood Center wearing floral jacket and Liverpool crop pants.

Paula, from Find, Feed and Restore modeled a David Cline dress.

Candice Wepper, a member of Daughter of Lydia, modeled a Lulu B ruffle neck top and Liverpool pull on jean.

All of the ladies with the second outfit they modeled.

 A coupon was at everyone's seat for 15% off when buying clothes at Shoo-Shoo Baby Boutique.

Dottie was the lucky winner of the Dine Around Town wreath. She was amazed and excited. 

Celeste and Barb were the chairs for the luncheon this year and they did a fabulous job. It was a successful day enjoyed by all the ladies, Lots of money was raised to help support local agencies who help with the needs in our community.  

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER

 

Celeste welcomed ladies to the World Day of Prayer meeting at 9:30 on Friday, March 3rd. A nice brunch of pastries and fruit was enjoyed.  The theme this year was "I Heard About your Faith" inspired by Ephesians 1:15-19. Women of the World Day of Prayer Committee of Taiwan wrote the program.

About 8 local churches and 60 women were present. 

 Taiwan  was covered with prayer. 

 Letters to women in Taiwan were read telling about their struggles and their faithfulness. 

A middle-aged women who had been a homemaker for years needed to find a job to support her family. Social rules said she was neglecting her family by working. While taking care of her family was the reason for getting a job. She trusted God's guidance and found a way to support her family by teaching traditional weaving. She is a wonderful blessing that inspires other women.

Her father told her to get a job rather then pursue her education. Marriage was more important than an education. She asked God to give her wisdom and talk to her father to change his mind.  To understand that daughters and sons have the same right to an education. After graduating she went to work. Then at work she was looked down on as a professional woman by the men at her workplace.  She realize it is a long path until gender discrimination is over. She has not given up and continues to try her best to show women and men have equal rights. 

As a hospital cleaner on the frontline during Covid-19 she risked her life to clean and sanitize patient rooms.  She did not go home after work so she would not infect her three young children. She sacrificed taking care of her family, renting a room to stay in on her meager salary, and was lonely and frustrated. She needed the prayers of others for strength.

 She thanks God for her recovery from verbal and sexual abuse when she was little. Once she questioned if  she deserved love. A teacher came to her rescue when she was 14. She found support from social workers and people who cared about her. Through them she experienced God's love and became a follower of Christ. 

The song I have heard About Your Faith was played after each story was read. The words to the song say " I have heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, I have heard about your love toward all the saints. I have not stopped giving thanks for you, and remembering you in my prayers."

 May God hear our stories and keep us in faith.