About 235 people gathered on Friday, October 7, 2011, not just to hear the smooth keyboarding skills of Gospel Jazz Artist Ben Tankard, but to test the Proverb that suggests that laughter does for the soul what medicine does for the body. We had no idea that we would receive the double benefit of ministry through music and healing through humor. To add a cherry to the top, we were able to provide much needed funds to Courtney’s House from our benefit concert ticket sales and the profits from the purchase of WOWW Cosmetics.
On Saturday morning, over 130 women returned to hear Rev. Connie Jackson from Houston, TX to talk about Sisters and Sex during the first general session. Not one person attended who did not leave armed with knowledge about her own body that she could share with other women and particularly, the younger daughters that we help to mold and mentor. Following Rev. CJ’s session, Leadership Scholar Lori Hobson shared an informative workshop on the topic, I Met The Man of My Dreams and Then I Woke Up! Women who attended this workshop as well as Houston’s Prudential Representative Allyson Bailey-Leonard’s Sisters Serving Ourselves workshop, got more than they bargained for. Personality traits, leadership styles and a gamut of financial goals were shared to give wisdom insight and foresight into designing the quality of life that is unique to their own desires. Pastor Louvenia Pride from Rocky Mount, NC and Courtney’s House founder and executive director Tina Frundt helped us all to discover the strength that lies within us as sisters when we determine not to settle for mediocrity and to use what God has placed within and around us as resources meant to share with those who need them the most. We were challenged to keep on standing, serving and sharing within the context of our families, churches, communities and world. Calvary’s Youth Pastor, Minister Lesley Francisco, also served as a blessing to the many middle and high school aged young ladies who attended from public and private schools throughout the Hampton Roads community including the Peninsula and Southside. She addressed the question, “Can I Be Cool and Still Serve Christ?” and then succeeded with the mission of getting youth who attended “Focused and On Fire” with their relationship with God and ideas about channeling their attention towards how they can serve God with their unique gifts and talents.
As founder and executive director of WOWW, LLC, I was honored to once again host our 10th annual WOWW Conference which included a special luncheon recognizing WOWW Institute graduates, female clergy, pastors wives and other ladies who are leading in their own right. I spoke on the subject of Sisters Supporting Sisters to encourage prayer for and networking with those in attendance, especially after the conference ended. During the afternoon general session, I had the opportunity to share that 132 women had been mentored through the WOWW Institute as a result of completing one of the eight-week courses of study offered onsite at Calvary Community Church in Hampton, VA and online for out-of-state students. Three WOWWI graduates received Awards of Distinction during that session unbeknownst to them. Dorene Hill accepted the Virtue Award; Xiomara Harris was presented with the Value Award; and Sheila Dillard accepted the Victory Award in the memory of her sister Loretta Brown who was also a WOWWI graduate. Loretta recently and unexpectedly died, and although she is now in the presence of our loving Lord, not a dry eye was in the place while women who knew her and Sheila and their entire family stood to lend their love and support. After the award presentations, I shared with attendees how their support of WOWW events, products and services has helped to save souls, transform lives, donate needed funds as well as goods and services to 7 community charities and bless other women and their families across the country and around the world. I also shared the following new offerings that will be introduced in 2012:
* A Woman’s Journal for Joyful Living Eight-Week Course, Thursday Evenings, 7:30-9pm at Calvary Community Church and online simultaneously using Skype ($100 per person offered in February, May and August)
* Principles of Leadership Seminar, Saturday Morning, 9am – 12pm in Calvary Community Church’s Multi-purpose Room (January 28, 2012, April 28, 2012 and July 28, 2012)
The Principles of Leadership Seminars will be held from 9 am until 12 noon on Saturdays in the multi-purpose room of Calvary Community Church.
Each seminar will be offered free of charge to Calvary Community Church Leaders and at a cost of $50 per person for others who register at www.NatalieFrancisco.com beginning in January. The classes will cover principles related to Ethics in Leadership and Leadership Styles (January 28, 2012), Emotional Intelligence and Communication/People Skills (April 28, 2012) and Goal Setting and Time Management Techniques (July 28, 2012). Each seminar will build upon the other.
* WOWW Island Flavor Sunday and Bahama Mama Cruise, Sunday, October 28, 2012
During our Sunday Morning Worship Services at Calvary, Bishop L. W. Francisco III challenged us to consider and assess the relationships we have either strategically placed around us or settled for in the form of confidantes, companions or colleagues. Gospel Today Magazine Founder and CEO Dr. Teresa Hairston spoke from our conference theme of Sisters Standing, Serving and Sharing just as the first century church in the book of Acts did amongst themselves. We were moved to be about the action of having all things in common as we focused upon meeting the needs of the helpless and hurting through prayer and practical acts of love. And we ended both of our morning worship services by celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness month and giving pink carnations and roses to survivors and family members of those who succumbed to the disease. Women were encouraged to receive mammograms as early detection can save a life, and often does, as was evident in the life of my mother-in-law, Mother Naomi Francisco who is not just a breast cancer survivor but a thriver with the testimony of an overcomer!
For CDs and DVDs of the entire conference, please call 757-825-1133 x 200. The CD series is available for only $25 and the DVD series is available for only $35.
Continue to keep abreast of all the WOWW events, seminars, onsite and online courses and products such as new products and services that will be introduced in 2012. Check back often at www.NatalieFrancisco and share each month’s newsletter with your circle of friends. There’s so much in store for you and the women you know as we go about the mission of Mentoring Women of Worth and Worship for Kingdom Living and Giving. Join the mission and make a difference with the life you’ve been given.
