South West Metro Spring Celebration 2008

Published by Angela | Filed under Personalities

I flew out of Pittsburgh on Saturday night, April 12,  with a grateful heart for my experience at the Ladies Spring Celebration in New Kensington, PA.   Though my body was tired my spirit, mind and heart were energized by the power and presence of God at this Celebration. 

Their theme was iEssence!  We looked at Who I am as a person by looking at the personalities and the need to understand Who I am as a person, accept my Divine Design, while forsaking the striving and comparing syndromes that trip us up so often in our spiritual journey of faith.   

Before I spoke the Honorable Cheryl Lynn Allen, newly elected Superior Court Judge of Pennsylvania, shared the testimony of her grassroots election.  She asked us if we had heard of “signs and wonders.”   “I had no signs and people began to wonder, is she or is she not running for election to the Superior Court?”  Laughter filled the room as the miracle of her election unfolded.  With only $20,000 for her campaign and no advertisements on TV, radio or the newspapers, Judge Allen ran against the powerful Democratic and Republican machinery and won big!   Against all odds — no money, no party backing, not much publicity, being a woman and African American’  Cheryl Allen answered the voice within herself to be true to who she is, to be true to God’s design and purpose for her and to be available “for such a time as this” to make a difference.   

Though reserved in her communication style I sensed a powerful, purposeful Choleric underneath all that reserved control.  Yes, she is a Melancholy/Choleric blend whom God is using as a shaker/mover in the system of law in Pennsylvania.  As I talked with Judge Allen over lunch I identified a passionate woman for God and His people.  She has answered the call to fulfill her Divine Design even against all odds.  She shared how she had had to “die to public opinion” so that she could move forward in spite of all the criticism against her.  She has learned to rise above the “comparison deception disorder” in which our culture is steeped.  Judge Allen is CounterCultural — just like Jesus.    

 In the afternoon, Cathy Marshall, a pastor’s wife from the area,  shared how God had called her to start ”Women Without Walls” in an effort to break down the denominational and racial walls between women.  I marveled as Ruth Puleo whispered, “Cathy is a Peaceful Phlegmatic.”  Well, who better to be called to help bring “harmony” among women of different nations and denominations?  Peaceful Phlegmatics just want everyone to get along and maintain peace.  

Then Sue Willis shared about “Beyond Survival”, a ministry for survivors of sexual and physical abuse.   This ministry seeks to help victims become victors and more than survive but thrive as children of God.  I referred a few ladies to her later as I prayed with them about their own abuse.  God knew who would be there and what they would need.   

As I stood to minister in the afternoon on our ”identity in Christ” I felt that God had orchestrated the day with Stephanie Peters on worship and these ladies testimonies that went so well with what God had given me to share.  It was like He had woven us together for the day.  God had certainly lead Patti Carver, the Women of purpose Rep, in her choice of this team.  I marveled at the beauty of how He works in different people’s lives to produce an experience where women can be changed and challenged in His presence. 

It took a team and I loved working with this team of women.  That is what energized me the most –working with Spirit empowered women of God fulfilling our iEssence.