Focus on Connecting

Women’s Retreat Gives Emphasis to Connection
December 5, 2019

ALBUQUERQUE – More than 200 women from around the Texico Conference were given the opportunity to connect with each other and become skilled at connecting with others during the 2019 Texico Conference “Connect” Women’s Ministries Retreat.

The three-day event, which included general sessions, breakout seminars and worship services, was held in Albuquerque, N.M. on Oct. 25-27, 2019. The convention also featured a full program in Spanish as well as a program for teens.

“The primary goal was to bring the women of the Texico Conference together so that they might be inspired to connect with God and each other with deeper intimacy,” said Tracie Metherell, co-director of the Texico Conference Women’s Ministries department.

A common theme highlighted by the general session speakers was the importance of drawing close to God: needing, knowing, believing and trusting Him.

June Price, a professor, former chaplain, and marriage and family counselor, was the keynote speaker for the English program. “I hope the women walked away with a deeper relationship with God and a true understanding of what His primary mission regarding us is,” Price said.

For the Spanish program, Nessy V. Pittau, associate director of La Voz de la Esperanza, gave a hands-on presentation on Sabbath afternoon about the Japanese art of kintsugi or "golden joinery" which involves repairing broken pottery by mending the areas of breakage with powdered gold, silver or platinum. Pittau told stories of women whom she has encountered during her ministry that have faced great suffering and trials, but she reminded the audience that “we are not broken, we are kintsugi. God uses the brokenness of our lives to make us beautiful.”

Approximately 15 girls participated in the teen track, which covered topics of bullying, anxiety, identity and self-image. Guest speaker Heather Thompson-Day, a professor, author and speaker, encouraged the girls to persevere through difficult times.

An important highlight was a communion service. In her final message during the service, Pittau stated that “memories keep us connected with people and events in our lives” and she recounted a story of when she and her missionary parents visited the Maraú tribe in Brazil. She remembers that experience as being one of the most memorable communion services she’s taken part in because the tribe’s respect towards each other—humility, willingness to forgive and their reverence during the service—really made a lasting impression. Her words seemed to resonate as that same spirit of forgiveness and restoration filled the room while the women celebrated the special service of remembrance that was instituted by Jesus.

“It was a blessed weekend,” said Nancy Monge, co-director of the Texico Conference Women’s Ministries department. “I hope that the women that attended were reminded that they are loved by God and that they have the power to influence others with that same message.”

By Debby Marquez, Communication Director