About Us - Interview with the ETWC Co-Charis

East Texas Women's Conference Will Meet In March 2008
By Wynn Skelton

The ETWC is co-chaired by Melody Overton, Kim Skelton, and Nancy White. The following is an interview conducted by Wynn Skelton:

W. Skelton: Can each of you relate your perspective on the beginnings of the Women’s Conference?

White: I remember attending the first East Texas Women's Conference, the brainchild of the late Linda Hardy White, in the Dallas area in 2000 with my sister and mother. Linda was on to something! The women there were hungry for this opportunity and excited about every aspect of the conference. There was plenty of laughter, hugs and tears that first year. With speakers from many different Sabbath-keeping fellowships, that first year set the tone for a cooperative effort at education and service.

Overton: My involvement with the East Texas Women's Conference began when Linda Hardy White asked if I would be a speaker at her first conference. She picked the subject, "Conflict Resolution". At the time I certainly didn't feel the "expert" in this field and wondered why she asked me, then as I truly got into the subject in preparation for my speech it made sense. All of us as women have walked different paths, we have all learned much from the trials God has blessed us with. At the East Texas Conference this is our chance to share what we have learned during our Christian walk. When we share that with others we affirm our dedication to this way of life, and in this process we can all help other women along the way. I've enjoyed chairing, sharing, and caring for this conference. As anyone would know it's a lot of work, but the rewards are so great, when at the end of the conference no one really wants to leave.

Kim Skelton: I acquiesced to Linda White's persistent calls for me to MC the first conference in 2000. I didn't know what to expect, having never entertained the idea that I would benefit from attending a conference for women. I soon realized, after progressing through the conference, that it really wasn't about how it could necessarily benefit me--but what I could do to encourage other Sabbath-keeping women. The second year the conference was a bit more emotional as the women opened up more about their personal lives and staying strong spiritually through many personal trials. By the third year, Linda became unable to carry on the conference as she battled debilitating ALS. She then asked if Melodee Overton, one of her first conference speakers, and I could somehow organize the conference in Big Sandy. We have been so fortunate to have so many capable women who came forth to help organize and serve women from scattered Sabbath-keeping groups.

W. Skelton: Tell us about the conference coming up in March.

Kim Skelton: The upcoming 2008 conference will be the 9th conference since its inception. The emphasis on Bible principles, edification and exhortation brings these women back each year for fellowship and friendship.

White: This year's conference is titled "A Christian Woman's Journey II: Growing Along the Way." We are focusing on developing the Fruits of the Spirit as listed in Galatians 5:22. There will be formal seminars, roundtable discussions, a multi-age panel discussing the book "A Different Kind of Strength" and inter-active home studies. For key speakers we have Sharon Ledy, Paula Hughes, Carol Boyer and Nancy White. Barbara Payne will handle the MC duties.

Overton: We are excited to using Galatians 5:22 as our key Scripture this year. Even basic doctrines such as the fruit of the spirit can come alive when seen through someone else’s eyes and experience. I am energized to see so many women coming together for the same purpose, to help each other on this Christian walk.

W. Skelton: What are some of the special things that will be included this year?

White: We've slotted additional time for special music and congregational songs as well as some additional open fellowship time. One new activity will be the exercise time for Saturday night. The food is always great at the conference and we've had requests for a little help diminishing the impact of that. We hope the aerobics, yoga and walking time will provide some balance. The men of the Church of God, Big Sandy will once again serve the Saturday night meal. It's hard to say who enjoys that the most -- the men or the women -- but we certainly do appreciate their help since we do not allow them any other function at the conference. By the way, we encourage men to volunteer to help with the serving that Saturday night. Please feel free to contact us if you can.

Kim Skelton: Yes, what a great opportunity for the men to show their love for us women.

W. Skelton: Is there any particular segment of women such as a certain age group that you focus on when seeking out participants?

Overton: I would encourage any woman, of any age to come and experience this wonderful, fun-filled, worshipful weekend. We get to change things up a bit every year with different topics and a little change in schedules, etc. The thing I think we most look forward to is getting together with old friends for a good visit and making new friends to share this experience with.

W. Skelton: It is not uncommon for specialized ministries such as women’s conferences to lose enthusiasm if they are done year after year. Is the Women’s Conference losing enthusiasm?

White: Now in its sixth year at the Big Sandy Church of God, the ETWC is as strong as ever. It is such an honor to hear that those attending the conference year after year are still as enthusiastic as the first year they attended. Many tell us that it is second only to the Feast of Tabernacles as the highlight of their year. Each year we have women attending for the first time as well. Although I'd say our average age is somewhere in the mid-forties, we do have attendees each year in their teens and those in their 70's. As Melody said, it is truly a conference for all ages.

W. Skelton: Do you foresee the Women’s Conference going on year after year indefinitely?

Kim Skelton: Absolutely. We hear from so many women that they come to share not only their friendship with the others, but experiences and love for their fellow sisters in Christ. It is also gratifying to us that women’s conferences are held in other parts of the country. For example, the women in Birmingham Alabama hold a women’s conference every year. Nancy, didn’t you attend the Birmingham conference last year? Tell us all about it.

White: Yes. And I am scheduled to return in 2008. The Birmingham conference was a terrific event.

W. Skelton: Nancy, can you elaborate on more of the specifics of this year’s Women’s Conference in Big Sandy.

White: I am personally looking forward to the 2008 conference as a speaker and as an attendee. Many, many women will serve in capacities ranging from making copies to speaking, from cooking to facilities, from AV setup to performing special music. We'll have the help and support of not only women from the Church of God, Big Sandy but also from the Tyler Church of God, the Tulsa Church of God, Christian Education Ministries, various home fellowship groups and the list goes on. As always, women from many groups will come together to serve and be served and everyone will benefit from the effort.

W. Skelton: It sounds like you have done a great deal of planning for this event. Which of you ladies wants to have the last word?

Overton: It truly is a blessing that we've been able to accommodate the ETWC here in Big Sandy. It has been wonderful to work with so many of the ladies locally and scattered that have such abundant knowledge and serving attitude to share. We hope to see you here!

For more information about the conference, please contact us at Info@EastTexasWomensConference.com