WMU NC held a retreat especially for young women ages 18-29. The event was planned by young women for young women and focused on personal spiritual growth and involvement in missions and provided lots of fun and fellowship. There were times of worship, Bible study, fellowship and hands-on missions as well as breakout sessions to learn about issues young women face and how they can be a light in their world.

Young women have special needs and face specific challenges that other age groups do not - getting married or not getting married when all their friends are, relating to their parents as they become adults, paying their own bills for the first time, having children, moving away from home, adjusting to college life or life after college, starting "big girl" jobs and more. This event reached out to young women to help them SHINE as Christians in those situations. It was a truly unique event!

The retreat took place at University Hills Church in Charlotte.

If you would like to know more about new ministries with young women, please contact our Youth Specialist.

The following article was written by Diane McClary, a young woman who was member of the SHINE planning committee and also participated in the event.

The weekend of February 27-March 1, a dynamic group of women came together for a conference called SHINE at University Hills Church in Charlotte. Some had prayed that God would bring hundreds to the event. In the end, 21 women of all ages attended. These 21 women prayed, worshipped and laughed together like I’ve never seen before. Although the conference was different than first expected, the women were all amazed to see how everything was so wonderfully put together by God Himself.

From a personal standpoint, being on the planning committee for the conference was a phenomenal experience! I had never worked to plan a conference quite like this, so I thoroughly enjoyed working with this group of women to create a weekend specifically focused on young women and teaching them more about themselves and how they can serve in their churches and communities. As most people know, young women have special needs and face specific challenges that other age groups do not. Some of these getting married or not getting married when all their friends are, relating to their parents as they become adults, paying their own bills for the first time, having children, moving away from home, adjusting to college life or life after college, starting "big girl" jobs and more. This event became a way to bring these topics to the table for discussion and reflection. A unique aspect of the event was that the majority of the women were able to stay in a hotel together. This provided even more opportunities for cohesion with late night talks and conversation over breakfast. Ruby Fulbright, Jan High, Cathy Garrison and Julie Keith provided leadership and insight for all of the women in attendance, and it was truly a blessing to be able to spend more individual time with these women. The event became a unique opportunity for women to connect with other women who are like them in mind and heart. Another exceptional characteristic of the event was the hospitality that was provided by the people at University Hills Church. The women who worked to get things ready at the church, women like Deborah Taylor and Sandy Simpson, have true servant hearts. Their service and generosity will never be forgotten. The event provided plenty of Bible study, worship, fellowship and hands-on missions with reflection times. Rebecca Lindhout, children and youth minister at Antioch Church in Lillington, spoke to the women about creative ways they could focus on personal spiritual growth and involvement in missions. Using personal stories and experiences, she shared more about herself and how she has learned to be a light for Christ in a world that is often dark. Deanna Deaton, worship leader at Antioch and a Campbell University Divinity School student, led the women in creative worship through song and reflection. The Bible studies, written by Cathy Garrison, focused on 1 Peter, and the women split into smaller groups according to age and life experience to dig deeper into this passage of Scripture. The ideas that many women have about missions developed into practical and relevant ministry opportunities as the women served in the community. The women broke off into groups and prayer walked at a children’s hospital, baked and delivered cookies at the Hyaets House, sorted mailings at the Charlotte Pregnancy Resource Center, visited a woman named Shirley through Love, INC, and cleaned out a linen closet at the Charlotte Emergency Housing shelter. The projects gave the women ministry experience, opened their eyes to possible needs and opportunities within their own communities and got their creative juices flowing as to how they can use the gifts and talents God has given them to meet those needs. The Bible verse that became the heart of the event was Matthew 5:14-16 from The Message. It says, "Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand – shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.” This passage was a perfect focus of the weekend. The women focused on ways they can serve God by being a light for Him, recognizing that He is the ultimate source of light. This event was only the beginning of more great things that are to come. Young women all over the state are eager to serve alongside each other and to form lasting connections with one another. Together, these young women can learn more about how to SHINE! Currently, Woman’s Missionary Union of North Carolina is seeking out ways to reach young women ages 18-30. If you fall into that category or you know someone who does, please let us know how we can best serve you as you continue to become a woman of missional living and service. Contact Julie Keith at jkeith@wmunc.org or Attn: Julie Keith, PO Box 18309, Raleigh, NC 27619 for more information. The following poem was read as narration for the slideshow of pictures from the weekend that was shown at the end of the event. Once upon a time… Some lovely friends of mine Attended a young women’s conference, Better known as Shine. And Shine they did, smiles and all, As bright as the noonday sun. Because of these lovely WMU women, They were able to have lots of fun. These ladies were sweet and nurturing. They learned about service and love. Some of them were even mothers, Yet each as gentle as a dove. Smiles and laughter filled each room. Their attitude was amazing. They lifted their voices to God, The One they will forever be praising. They had traveled far and wide To eagerly and intently study God’s Word. They put His Word into practice, Although to some it would seem absurd. One group baked cookies at the Hyaets House . A few sorted mailings by the bunch. Some cleaned out a dusty linen closet. Another group visited Shirley's home for lunch. Nothing stood in their way. They served with their whole hearts. Their hands got a little bit dirty. But their service was off the charts! As these women return to their hometowns, As they drive out of sight, They will continue to serve the Lord. Jesus will be their source of light!

Speaker, Rebecca Lindhout Gretchen Allie lighting a candle Worship through music led by Deanna Deaton, Allison Bostic and Rebecca Lindout Mission project with the Hyaets Ministry Fellowship on the couch Mission project with Hyaets Ministry Ruby Fulbright and Cathy Garrison lighting candles Singing "This Little Light of Mine" Mission project with the Hyaets Ministry Bible Study Time

The following article was written by Diane McClary, a young woman who was member of the SHINE planning committee and also participated in the event.

The weekend of February 27-March 1, a dynamic group of women came together for a conference called SHINE at University Hills Church in Charlotte. Some had prayed that God would bring hundreds to the event. In the end, 21 women of all ages attended. These 21 women prayed, worshipped and laughed together like I’ve never seen before. Although the conference was different than first expected, the women were all amazed to see how everything was so wonderfully put together by God Himself.

From a personal standpoint, being on the planning committee for the conference was a phenomenal experience! I had never worked to plan a conference quite like this, so I thoroughly enjoyed working with this group of women to create a weekend specifically focused on young women and teaching them more about themselves and how they can serve in their churches and communities. As most people know, young women have special needs and face specific challenges that other age groups do not. Some of these getting married or not getting married when all their friends are, relating to their parents as they become adults, paying their own bills for the first time, having children, moving away from home, adjusting to college life or life after college, starting "big girl" jobs and more. This event became a way to bring these topics to the table for discussion and reflection. A unique aspect of the event was that the majority of the women were able to stay in a hotel together. This provided even more opportunities for cohesion with late night talks and conversation over breakfast. Ruby Fulbright, Jan High, Cathy Garrison and Julie Keith provided leadership and insight for all of the women in attendance, and it was truly a blessing to be able to spend more individual time with these women. The event became a unique opportunity for women to connect with other women who are like them in mind and heart. Another exceptional characteristic of the event was the hospitality that was provided by the people at University Hills Church. The women who worked to get things ready at the church, women like Deborah Taylor and Sandy Simpson, have true servant hearts. Their service and generosity will never be forgotten. The event provided plenty of Bible study, worship, fellowship and hands-on missions with reflection times. Rebecca Lindhout, children and youth minister at Antioch Church in Lillington, spoke to the women about creative ways they could focus on personal spiritual growth and involvement in missions. Using personal stories and experiences, she shared more about herself and how she has learned to be a light for Christ in a world that is often dark. Deanna Deaton, worship leader at Antioch and a Campbell University Divinity School student, led the women in creative worship through song and reflection. The Bible studies, written by Cathy Garrison, focused on 1 Peter, and the women split into smaller groups according to age and life experience to dig deeper into this passage of Scripture. The ideas that many women have about missions developed into practical and relevant ministry opportunities as the women served in the community. The women broke off into groups and prayer walked at a children’s hospital, baked and delivered cookies at the Hyaets House, sorted mailings at the Charlotte Pregnancy Resource Center, visited a woman named Shirley through Love, INC, and cleaned out a linen closet at the Charlotte Emergency Housing shelter. The projects gave the women ministry experience, opened their eyes to possible needs and opportunities within their own communities and got their creative juices flowing as to how they can use the gifts and talents God has given them to meet those needs. The Bible verse that became the heart of the event was Matthew 5:14-16 from The Message. It says, "Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand – shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.” This passage was a perfect focus of the weekend. The women focused on ways they can serve God by being a light for Him, recognizing that He is the ultimate source of light. This event was only the beginning of more great things that are to come. Young women all over the state are eager to serve alongside each other and to form lasting connections with one another. Together, these young women can learn more about how to SHINE! Currently, Woman’s Missionary Union of North Carolina is seeking out ways to reach young women ages 18-30. If you fall into that category or you know someone who does, please let us know how we can best serve you as you continue to become a woman of missional living and service. Contact Julie Keith at jkeith@wmunc.org or Attn: Julie Keith, PO Box 18309, Raleigh, NC 27619 for more information. The following poem was read as narration for the slideshow of pictures from the weekend that was shown at the end of the event. Once upon a time… Some lovely friends of mine Attended a young women’s conference, Better known as Shine. And Shine they did, smiles and all, As bright as the noonday sun. Because of these lovely WMU women, They were able to have lots of fun. These ladies were sweet and nurturing. They learned about service and love. Some of them were even mothers, Yet each as gentle as a dove. Smiles and laughter filled each room. Their attitude was amazing. They lifted their voices to God, The One they will forever be praising. They had traveled far and wide To eagerly and intently study God’s Word. They put His Word into practice, Although to some it would seem absurd. One group baked cookies at the Hyaets House . A few sorted mailings by the bunch. Some cleaned out a dusty linen closet. Another group visited Shirley's home for lunch. Nothing stood in their way. They served with their whole hearts. Their hands got a little bit dirty. But their service was off the charts! As these women return to their hometowns, As they drive out of sight, They will continue to serve the Lord. Jesus will be their source of light!

Speaker, Rebecca Lindhout Gretchen Allie lighting a candle Worship through music led by Deanna Deaton, Allison Bostic and Rebecca Lindout Mission project with the Hyaets Ministry Fellowship on the couch Mission project with Hyaets Ministry Ruby Fulbright and Cathy Garrison lighting candles Singing "This Little Light of Mine" Mission project with the Hyaets Ministry Bible Study Time