Showing Women Their Inner Strength

The Community Bible Fellowship on Cliffwood Avenue is hosting a day full of workshops to encourage women to take control of their lives as strong, independent women.

"I wanted to do something for women to feel empowered, so I talked to my pastor's wife about it and she thought it was a great idea," said Patricia Phillips, a member of the Community Bible Fellowship.

The idea continued to grow with help from other members of the church, and soon they had designed a day full of workshops which they plan to run four times a year, Phillips explained.

"We're helping women understand their importance to god, their purpose, how important they are, loving themselves better and better self esteem. We felt there was a real need," said Phillips.

There were about 95 women in attendance at the last workshop in October, and Phillips hopes to even more women come out. The theme will be Valentine's Day, with a focus on loving yourself and God, she said.

The seminar will take place on Saturday, Feb. 11 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., and there will be a brunch after. This will be the second time the workshop series is help, and it is free and open to the public. Attendees can register at the door, however it is highly discouraged. Attendees are asked to register by Jan. 28 by emailing kdoateng@ncadd.com or pphil0621@msn.com.

According to a brochure about the event, those who attend are asked to select three of the following five available workshops:

1. “Reflections” - Romans 12:1-2

This is an interactive workshop that will focus on Psalms 139:14, “I will praise thee; I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well” and Romans 12:1-2, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. An be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

Each participant will answer several self-disclosing questions that will foster greater inner perspective on what God has purposed for their lives. Participants will work independently and in dyads.

The workshop will be faciliatated by Patricia Phillips, a Board of Education Member, retired school administrator, school counselor and teacher, and a 2004 graduate of Monmouth Bible Institute.

2. Be Not Afraid, Step Out With Courage - 2 Timothy 1:7

This workshop will focus on how to fortify ourselves with encouragement from the word of God and to hold up under the various tasks and pressures we face each day.

The workshop will be guided by Pamela Johnson, a member of the Agape Fellowship Church in Rahway. For many years, she facilitated the women's ministry at the Second Baptist Church of Matawan and served on the hospitality committee, trustee board and deaconess ministry.

3. Faith - Hebrews Chapter 11 Verse 1

The interactive workshop will focus on praise and worship and its importance in giving honor unto the Lord. Each participant will focus on how to increase their faith through the divine work of God and how to practice their faith daily by trusting in the Lord and His promises.

The workshop will be facilitated by Rev. Beatrice Cunningham, an associate pastor for the Faith Christian Fellowship Outreach Ministries for over twenty years.

4. Empowerment Through Resistance

According to the Alice Walker book, “Resistance is the Secret of Joy”; Women need to deconstruct the road blocks that are imposed on them by family legacies, our cultural context and gender socialization. In this workshop women will learn how to take responsibility for our own personal and professional growth, while deconstructing the negative messages we received through the ages.

The workshop will be facilitated by Marie Caprio-Hitchman, Laura Docherty and Maryam Banafti. Each is a licensed clinical social worker and a graduate of the Multicultural Institute of Family Therapy in Highland Park.

5. Under Construction - 2 Chronicles 24:13

The wo(men) in charge of the work were diligent, and the repairs progressed
under them. They rebuilt the temple of God according to its original design and reinforced it. You are a beautiful child of God and your Temple is constantly “under construction.” This workshop will guide you through the ups and downs of the circumstance and situations that you may be facing and provide you with tools to reinforce and strengthen who you are in Christ.

This workshop is facilitated by Carolann Jones, a life design coach, strategist and motivational speaker. Jones is a results driven, passionate and motivated professional. As the owner and founder of Creations Coaching & Consulting, Jones helps professional women, entrepreneurs and executives create and implement the goals and strategies that will attract the opportunities that they desire to achieve. She holds a Masters from New York University and is a trustee at the First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens.

To register for this free event, email kdoateng@ncadd.com or pphil0621@msn.com. Please register by Tuesday, Jan. 28.