The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

IN a tribute to some of the country's leading Christian ladies, the Christ Community Church's Titus Women's Ministry successfully hosted its recent Pink Lemonade Party.

With a mandate to care for one another, genuinely love each other, and also connect, cover and celebrate each other, organisers were determined to reach out to women in the community beyond the walls of a church, to join together, encourage and support all women.

"For us, the Pink Lemonade Party is an event that began approximately four years ago. I was surfing the internet and came across it. It looked like fun so I planned it for the first time just for our women's group at church, and the response was really good," said Deirdre Clarke, director of the Titus Women's Ministry.

"We all enjoyed it because it was a time of fun and relaxation, having a good time with no heavy discussions. We laughed, played games, shared a meal along with some short stories about how we made it this far. So, the next time we decided to invite other churches, and the response was so enthusiastic that we ran out of space in our activity centre. It has become a biennial event alternating with our tea party."

She believes the event is important because it focuses on women who are supporting and celebrating other women. Life is difficult, said Ms Clarke, it is challenging, and the struggle is real, so when there is an opportunity to build women up and cheer each other on in the race of life, one should take the opportunity.

"We are in this together. We have our sisters with us. This year our committee had decided that we would do something different and honour some women who have been in ministry for 20 or more years. We felt a desire to recognise and reward their hard work and faithfulness in ministry," said Ms Clarke.

Honorees included Bishop Helen McPhee, Irish Williams, Patrice Ellis, Vernita Josey, Edris Cunningham, Letty Rolle, and Carolyn Knowles, who are all leaders in their local church assemblies.

"Many people do not realise the pressures and responsibilities that these women face and they are often overlooked, overworked, and taken for granted. So we chose to recognise them this year as we are encouraged to do, according to 1 Thessalonians 5:12: 'Honour those who are your leaders in the Lord's work'," said Ms Clarke.

She said it was truly a time to appreciate and support; a time to reflect on the Titus Women's Ministry and what it stands for.

"It is a genuine expression of love, support, and concern that is held every other year but is practiced daily as we endeavour to help each other through the sour trials of life to make lemonade out of lemons," said Ms Clarke.