Psalm 23 can be used to teach and facilitate on rest, guidance, and renewal by focusing on themes like the shepherd’s guidance to “still waters” for cognitive and physical rest, and the shepherd’s power to “restore my soul” through various means like rest, challenge, or friendship.
In Workshops we will explore how to apply “right paths” in life, deal with the “valley of the shadow” with confidence in God’s presence, and trust in the shepherd’s provision and care as we move through different life seasons.
Rest and refreshment: “He makes me lie down” and “He leads me beside still waters”. Explore the nature of stress and cognitive fatigue.
Guidance and direction: “He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake” and “the valley of the shadow of death”. How the shepherd guides us, how we sometimes go astray, and the role of God’s presence in difficult times.
Restoration and renewal: “He restores my soul”. How it can be renewed and revitalised. Through rest and challenge.
Provision and protection: “rod and staff” and “your goodness and mercy”. What it means to have God’s provision and protection, and how the shepherd’s rod and staff were used for both guidance and protection.
The shepherd’s presence: The shepherd’s constant, unwavering presence, especially in the “valley”. Knowing God is always with us, even when we can’t see it. How faith can falter under burdens and how God restores us.
Women’s Conference Workshop Profiles:
Tricia Watts – Rock Christian Centre (Sheffield)
Host
I moved to Sheffield as a teenager where I attended Christ Church Fulwood. It was on one of their Youth House parties that I felt God call me to follow him and my life changed.
was a teacher for many years. First as a PE teacher, before I slipped to Primary teaching. I eventually taught at a lovely small primary school in the countryside just north of Sheffield.
Having retired from teaching just before COVID, I now work for the Rock Christian Centre here in Sheffield. I work part time at Burngreave Foodbank.
I have run/been on youth camps for the last 47 years!! and have a passion to see young people on fire for Jesus. I also head up Sheffield Street Pastors which has been running since 2009. I love ‘Caring, Listening and Helping’ in the city centre. We have over 24 Street Pastors from more than 15 churches. I have many opportunities to represent Street Pastors and the church in city centre meetings and committees.
Jon and I have 3 children and 5 grandchildren, who are all great fun. I love spending time with them. They and I all love Barney, our dog, and enjoy taking him out on walks. I love travelling to different countries and seeing different cultures, exploring and also sitting on the beach!
My passion is having fun!!!!
And seeing Jesus held high in our community.
Sandia Keene CBE – St Thomas Church/ Network Church (Sheffield)
Conference Moderator
Sandie was born in Sheffield and became a Christian as a teenager. She has been involved with St Thomas Church Crookes and then Network Church Sheffield since being a student in the city. She has been involved in all levels of leadership over the years and currently supports prayer for Justice, prayer Ministry and Safeguarding initiatives. Sandie is now retired but when working, was a social worker who became Director of Adult Social Services in both Barnsley and Leeds. She championed services for vulnerable people and worked with National and Local Government to develop and implement new legislation. She worked closely with the NHS and voluntary sector and was President of her professional association representing Adult Social Care in multiple National settings. She is currently a Trustee of four Christian Charities and volunteers at S6 Foodbank. She enjoys mentoring to women in leadership and loves homemaking and hospitality.
Kate Nicholas – Author, Preacher and Journalist
St Peter and St Paul Church (Buckinghamshire)
Keynote Speaker / Workshop Facilitator
Kate Nicholas is an author, preacher, and speaker with 30 years’ experience as a national journalist and magazine editor. Formerly editor-in-chief of PRWeek, she has written for The Independent, The Observer, and Business Life, and appeared regularly on BBC, ITV, Sky, and Channel 4. She also served as global communications chief for the Christian charity World Vision before a diagnosis of advanced breast cancer changed her life.
During treatment, Kate wrote her best-selling memoir Sea Changed, sharing her journey of faith and healing (shortlisted as Christian Biography of the Year 2017). Originally a legacy for her children, the book became a testimony to God’s love and presence in the darkest moments. Inspired by Psalm 118:7 – “I will not die but will live and declare the works of God”- Kate embraced surviving as a mission to inspire hope in others.
She shares this message of hope through her TV series Living A Transformed Life on TBN, speaking events, online courses, Bible studies, workshops, and retreats across the UK and internationally. Her books include Sea Changed: A Companion Guide, Soul’s Scribe, and To The Ocean Floor, the story of her second cancer journey, which won CRT Audiobook of the Year 2024 and was shortlisted for Biography of the Year. She also leads the online course Write Your Soul Story, helping others to write their own Christian memoir or autobiography.
When she isn’t writing, Kate preaches at St Peter and St Paul Church in Olney, Buckinghamshire, and is a trustee of Christians Against Poverty.
Conference Address
Transformation as We Pass Through the Valley
Psalm 23 has quietly shaped Kate’s life, surfacing in times when she and those she loved faced life’s deepest challenges. In this session, she shares how the Psalm became personal through the deaths of her parents, a crisis of faith, and surviving cancer twice. Kate reflects on how God transforms us—not by removing challenges, but by walking with us through them—leading us into green pastures, still waters, and renewed hope.
Nkechi Okoh – Leads Christian Women of Influence
RCC Member (Sheffield)
Speaker
Nkechi has taught from the Bible in a practical way for many years. Individuals, families and community groups have benefited from her teaching as they have discovered hope and restoration in Jesus Christ. She covers a wide range of topics in her teaching, with a special emphasis on how the Bible relates to our daily lives. Her open and practical illustration of personal experiences, along with her direct communication style, enables her to show people how to apply biblical principles and values to their own lives. She is a fervent intercessor who longs to see the Church develop into the complete likeness of Christ.
Nkechi’s desire is to carefully dissect and interpret God’s word in order to discern the will of God for the Church in a time when our world is full of uncertainty. Making the eternal truths of God’s word applicable to a world that is continually changing is her top priority.
Nkechi has volunteered and served obediently in various positions for more than 25 years. In those years, she has served faithfully as a Minister and in various leadership capacities in Nigeria and the United Kingdom. She presently leads the Sheffield Chapter of the Christian Women of Influence (CWOI), and she has been a Member of the Board of Trustees of CWOI since 2015.
Nkechi lives in Sheffield and works in Schools. She has a son and daughter and worships with the Rock Christian Centre, Sheffield.
Chanté Campbell – Sustainability Consultant (Manchester)
Guest Speaker
Fourteen years ago, Chanté was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), a lifelong autoimmune condition affecting over 385,000 people in the United Kingdom and an estimated 9.5 million people worldwide.
Her diagnosis came after becoming seriously unwell while on holiday in Turkey with a friend, a sudden life-changing moment that reshaped her understanding of health, independence, and resilience. Since then, Chanté has navigated the daily realities of living with T1D; a journey that has influenced who she is, without ever defining her. Living with an “invisible” condition has given her a powerful perspective and a strong voice around health, identity, and perseverance.
Professionally, Chanté works in the construction industry as a Sustainability Consultant, helping to shape buildings that are resilient to a changing climate and powered by cleaner energy. Her professional work mirrors her personal experience of long-term thinking, adaptability, and balance. Outside of work, she plays netball and loves to walk, valuing movement as a way to connect with other people, and support her physical and mental wellbeing while living with T1D.
Type 1 Diabetes can often feel isolating, and Chanté believes this highlights the vital importance of community, something not all people with T1D have access to, but something she is passionate about helping to build. Through the rise of social media and shared storytelling, space has been created for people with T1D to feel less alone, to better understand their bodies, and to reclaim ownership of their health in ways that go beyond clinical care.
Chanté is deeply passionate about challenging the misconceptions surrounding Type 1 Diabetes, many of which she encounters in everyday life. Comments such as “you don’t look diabetic” or “can you eat that?” may seem well-intentioned, but they reveal a lack of understanding about the realities of living with T1D. Through education and open conversation, Chanté aims to challenge stereotypes and broaden public awareness.
She proudly wears her diabetic technology, believing that visibility helps to normalise the condition and opens the door to more honest, meaningful conversations about what life with Type 1 Diabetes truly involves.
Workshops
Lois Willis – Core Leader
C3 Hope (Sheffield)
Keynote Speaker / Workshop Facilitator
Lois alongside her husband Jo lead C3 Hope in Sheffield, with a heart to reach the city of Sheffield and a desire to create a unique and diverse family for people to belong to, they are seeing God do incredible things. They have four young children; life is full and lots of fun. Lois carries a prophetic gifting and a heart to see people encounter the transforming power of Jesus.
Conference Address
In this session we will be unpacking what it means to be healed and restored and how we need to come openly to him. He can’t restore what we don’t bring to him. In this session we will make room for prayer ministry and the prophetic.
Valari Mitchell – Head of Intelligence Unit (Nottingham)
Workshop Facilitator
Valari Mitchell is a strategic and results-driven senior leader with over 35 years’ experience across probation, prisons and offender management. She began her career in Probation in West Yorkshire, developing broad operational expertise across courts, resettlement, public protection and community supervision. A recipient of the Harold Hyman Wingate and Scarman Centre scholarships, she undertook MSc and PhD research focused on culturally relevant interventions, supported by international secondments in the Caribbean and the United States.
Valari has led complex partnership programmes, international reform projects and multi‑agency responses to serious and organised crime….leading high-performing teams, overseeing multi-million-pound budgets, and engaging senior government officials to drive crime reduction strategies; Valari is skilled in navigating politically complex environments, influencing policy at senior levels, to ensure the effective delivery of interventions to disrupt, gang-related violence, County lines and latterly counter corruption.
Outside of ‘work’ Valari is a passionate and committed Trustee for Switch Up, a local charity that delivers interventions and support to young people and their families who are vulnerable to child criminal exploitation and youth violence. She is a lover of all things books and Black literature and dutiful servant to two Sphynx cats.
Michelle Kimberley – Counter Corruption Unit (Manchester)
Workshop Facilitator
I began my career in the Probation Service in July 2006 as a Case Administrator before progressing to the role of Offender Manager. During this time, I developed a strong interest in working with young people involved in serious violence, which led me to join the specialised Gangs and Youth Violence team. I spent five years in this area, building expertise in managing complex cases and contributing to multi‑agency approaches to reducing harm and supporting rehabilitation.
I later moved into a headquarters position within the Counter Corruption Unit, where I have been part of a small, dedicated team responsible for establishing counter‑corruption processes within the Probation system—an area where no formal framework previously existed. This work has allowed me to contribute to strengthening organisational integrity, enhancing staff safety, and supporting a more resilient and transparent service.
Outside of work, I enjoy reading, attending literature festivals, cooking, and gardening. I am an active member of St Andrews Church, which continues to be an important source of community and grounding in my life.
Lydia Ukeye – RCC Member (Sheffield)
Soloist
My name is Lydia Ukeye and my place of birth is Burundi. I grew up in a Christian family and my mum used to take me to Sunday school. If she didn’t take me, I would cry so much that in the end she would change her mind and accommodate me.
I cried because I loved singing and didn’t want to miss going to Sunday school, because that was where I sang as a child.
I continued going to church as a teenager and got baptised at the Victory church in December 2010 prior to Christmas. It was there that I joined the worship team and became one of the worship leaders. I love singing and believe that God has blessed me with the gift of singing. I also joined a group called the Three in One Ministry.
Within the group, we composed songs, recorded them and made video clips of the songs together. I am in two of the clips. I also attended the audio recordings for nearly every song.
I met my ex-husband who is from England in June 2012. We dated for a year prior to getting married on 21st June 2014. I came to England in October 2016. He used to attend Rock Christian Centre and through me also attending, I became a member at the church.
I joined the worship team at Rock Christian Centre, but it took a while for me to start singing. God‘s timing is perfect and he opened a door and I started singing halfway through 2023 up to this present time.
WORKSHOPS
Lois Willis
Workshop: ‘Forgiveness – How to sit with enemies’
In this workshop we will be looking at Psalm 23:5 and learning what it means to truly forgive and love our enemies. We will be unpacking scripture looking at what it means to be free and to love like Jesus loved. In this session we will make time for questions and prayer ministry
Kate Nicholas
Workshop: Led Beside Still Waters: Making Space for Transformation.
In this reflective and interactive workshop, Kate Nicholas invites participants to engage with Psalm 23 and discover the hope it offers in times of challenge. Through personal reflection and small-group conversation, participants explore how the Psalm connects with their own stories of loss, change, or healing.
Kate shares how her second cancer diagnosis led her into the contemplative tradition, where moments of stillness and silence opened pathways to renewal. The session includes Scripture, gentle teaching, and guided reflection, offering practical ways to cultivate quiet prayer, hope, and God’s presence in everyday life.
Valari Mitchell / Michelle Kimberley
Workshop: Provision and protection: Focus on the “rod and staff” and “your goodness and mercy”.
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- Discussion: Discuss what it means to have God’s provision and protection, and how the shepherd’s rod and staff were used for both guidance and protection.
- Workshop activity: A prayer or gratitude exercise focusing on instances of God’s provision and goodness in participants’ lives.
We will focus on the restoration of faith within our criminal justice systems via the improved Counter Corruption structures. Public confidence in both church and state has been shaken in recent times undermining the provision and protection both agencies have sworn duties to provide. We will talk the group through the recent events and the implemented systems and sanctions that have been put in place to address the people and systems that have failed to uphold those sworn duties.
“Rock Christian Centre’s third annual women’s conference in 2025 featured an inspiring lineup of speakers, highlighted by our first-ever international presenter, Yan, who joined us live via video link from China.”
Highlights of last years conference.
Saturday 10th of May 2025, heralded Rock Christian Centre women’s third consecutive conference, under the auspicious helm of Paulette Forbes-Williams. With the support from the planning group everything was in readiness. Prior purchasing of a ticket was required to take full advantage of this now well-established popular event in the annual calendar of RCC.
God blessed us with excellent weather and numerous ladies came from lengthy distances.
At registration, while maintaining our usual high standard, our wonderful men’s stewarding and marshalling team served a variety of hot and cold beverages while the ladies helped themselves to Danish pastries and a selection of fruit.
Upon arrival, the delegates were warmly welcomed as they registered and given green goodie bags. Amongst the contents was an A5 brochure and a packet of seeds to sow tying in with our theme, The Sower. This was especially handy for those that didn’t have an actual garden. The seeds can be easily planted in a plant pot, placed on a windowsill and be observed.
Leading from the doorway into the foyer were various eye catching and interesting stalls:
A second-hand Christian bookstall arranged by Kevin Day in order to accommodate the plethora of books was run by Hughes Redhead, an avid book lover. This stall proved to be very popular.
A Women’s Health stall on raising awareness of the menopause was equally favoured. Current and past female NHS workers from RCC answered numerous questions and gave out various leaflets and fact sheets. They were helpful and sensitive in their approach.
The Yorkshire Adoption Agency also presented their voluntary organisation in a bold, informative and warm manner.
Diane Rose Designs a returning favourite displayed fascinators and natural body and beauty products to sell.
Getaway2heaven hand massages was yet another favourite. The duo mother and daughter encouraged the attendees to secure times slots for this much sought after pampering.
A new addition was the Artisan Soap Shack, selling purely vegan products.
Preferences for chosen workshops also required actioning without delay to avoid disappointment, given that there was in excess 130 delegates.
A warm welcome was given by Tricia Watts and Paulette Forbes-Williams. Prayer signalled the start of a promising conference.
Jenny Sargent read the scripture Matthew 13:3-9; it reflected the theme of the conference.
The Worship team set the tone with declaring in song “I believe.” The delegates sang with fervency, affirming truth.
Our brilliant conference moderator from its inception, Sandie Keene, brought her warmth, wisdom and enthusiasm as she was sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
The keynote speaker Dr Joan Myers OBE, much anticipated, took the floor. Joan based her message on 2 Corinthians 9:10-11, The Sower and the seed.
She challenged us to recognise when God speaks to us through his word and by other means. We were admonished to read our Bible’s daily – seeing it as a love letter! Joan mentioned the different ways in which God had spoken to her. She said that our lives belong to Jesus, he has sown into our lives, so we need to be a sower of the seed. Joan’s love for Christ radiated from her exuding joy, excitement, energy and enthusiasm sprinkled liberally with her unique sense of humour. She is totally sold out to telling as many people that she encounters about the Good News of Christ. Joan’s workshop was a continuation of her message.
Joan also had a bookstall where she signed every one of her books that was bought.
After Joan spoke our moderator paused for a time of reflection.
A brave and plucky young teenager Ogechi Ejiogu ministered to us in song.
Claire Marie Mothersdale a trainee Church Army evangelist shared with us an explicit and powerful testimony. She was at one time incarcerated in the very prison where she now offers her time and support as a volunteer.
Claire sought to emphasise her dreadful past by recounting her past life by peeling off layers of jumpers. Each one was labelled with disgusting adjectives that she had been called. All who heard were moved to tears and stirred in their spirits by the transforming power of Jesus. It was outstanding!
This year we chose to have all our workshops in the morning of which there were three. The prison workshop was facilitated by three members of staff from Wakefield prison. Reverend Lesley Greenwood-Haigh, Beth Edwards a licensed Lay minister and Claire. The group in attendance was eager to hear and learn about female prisoners from the perspective of the staff. An overview was given and then the group was asked to get into smaller groups to discuss scenarios. This was an excellent way to tease out our perception of an inmate and how we automatically stereotyped them. The workshop concluded leaving us with a greater understanding of the ministry of the chaplaincy and how we as human beings all need to feel loved, accepted and valued.
Another of our workshops featured Bethany Sheridan-Watts (Jon and Tricia’s daughter) from the Mosaic Church in Leeds. She is very involved in her local community and neighbourhood. Bethany is passionate about sharing her faith. In her workshop she led groups in interactive exercises looking at practical ways on how to sow seeds by witnessing to others.
Time flew quickly and before we knew it, it was lunchtime. The famous and delicious food cooked by Dennis and Ricky and served by the wonderful men from RCC. The meal was terrific, meat beautifully marinated in fresh herbs and accompanied by the obligatory fried dumplings.
The conference reconvened with Patricia Redhead leading the delegates in a lively five-minute exercise with varying tempos to banish the post lunch slump. The conference room was full of women with wide smiles having fun and at complete ease.
Yan Qui ( Caddy) founder of the Mountain Rain Ministry Foundation was able to address the conference by a live video link from China. It was made possible by our tech savvy assistant Pastor Paul Hunt.
She spoke about the hardships she experienced after finding Christ. She spoke from John 12:24 to bring home the point of a single seed and its potential. The delegates found it informative, interwoven with historical facts on British evangelists being in China from 1782. Her fervent prayer is that the uncultivated ground be broken up and that the sower never stops sowing. After her address Caddy was happy to take questions from us. We were touched and truly inspired; she is incredibly brave on this dangerous mission field.
We then had a further time of worship under the direction of Reverend Clarissa Shaw-Notice, a regular contributor to our conferences. She spoke as the Holy Spirit directed her. She also did the tabletop ministry: women sharing at their tables with one another, identifying specific needs and praying for one another. Both Clarissa and Sandie guided us in this special moment.
RCC girl’s youth choir sang two songs with such sincerity. It was heartwarming as they used their voices in harmony to lift up the name of Jesus.
Prior to the conference concluding the opportunity was given for individuals to be prayed for by the prayer team.
The conference ended on a high as everyone sang “No one like Jehovah” over and over, truth being declared loud and joyously. An atmosphere of sisterhood fellowship, strength and unity was so evident.
The day went quickly and many ladies lingered to network and enjoy afternoon tea with a selection of mouthwatering confectionery. For certain RCC, Women’s Conference will be eagerly anticipated by numerous ladies for next year.
Highlights of 2024’s Conference
A reflection of the day.
Women’s Conference 2024 – The Spirit Filled Woman, the Fruit of the Spirit.
Waking up on Saturday 18th May I realised it was a lovely sunny morning, a replay of this day the year before. I thanked the Lord our lovely car park attendants, men from the church, would not be standing in the rain.
So, the day began, I got ready quickly and made sure my houseguest and my husband were up and about. Then went downstairs to make a cup coffee and to contemplate the day ahead. This was our second Conference and some changes had been made. It was exciting to think of so many ladies gathering to hear what the Lord had for them today.
We set off for the Church at 7.20am. Our houseguest was manning one of the many stalls giving information and encouraging women to get involved with or seek help from various charities and action groups, the stalls invited entirely complimented and were consistent with the ministry of the Rock Christian Centre.
My husband was one of the many wonderful men of the church serving the women on this day. He was on the ‘early morning team’ and along with another guy was making drinks and serving fruit and pastries to ladies as they arrived.
Sure, enough by 8.30am there was a buzz around the place as ladies familiar and guests began to arrive, register and pick up their Conference Packs, lovingly assembled on the 2 previous evenings by members of the planning group. Pastor Jon and his right-hand man, looking very smart, dutifully recorded the arrival of each lady and welcomed them to the Conference.
The beautifully arranged fruit and pastries began to disappear, and various drinks were gratefully accepted. Ladies were encouraged to book in for hand and neck massages, and great interest was shown in the good quality hand – made jewellery stand, and the millinery stall. The bookstall was browsed, and ladies began to enter the main hall, sign up for their choice of afternoon workshop, and take their seats.
What a sight, lovely flowers everywhere, crisp white tablecloths, red table runners. It looked gorgeous. Where to sit…. near a window, out of a draught, early arrivals bagged the best seats!
At 10.00am prompt Tricia Watts opened, welcoming us all and asking the Lord’s blessing.
Lucy Swift made us smile as she had us all pointing to the emergency exits to ensure we remembered them if needed and then some of the ladies of the Rock Christian Centre worship team led us into the presence of the Lord. What a wonderful atmosphere there was in the room for the rest of the day.
Sandie Keene the moderator competently and sensitively guided us through the morning, explaining what would happen and that prayer ministry was available if needed and identifying those on the team. She then introduced Mina Smallman as the first speaker. As Mina began to talk there was silence in the room and ladies listened attentively to her. Her honesty and conviction were humbling, and no-one could fail to be moved by her accounts of pain and her forgiveness of cruelty and murder. Within that testimony there was so much encouragement for us, so much affirmation of mothers, of women, of me and of you.
There were 140 women in the room, and yet it was just as if it was you and her over a coffee in the kitchen. Question time confirmed that, with people sharing how encouraged they felt, and feeling free to ask their questions.
Our next speaker was Vivianne, who was just as inspirational, recounting her journey of betrayal, to restoration of her marriage and then from disease to amputation and the fitting of a prosthesis. Displaying no bitterness no sense of unfairness just a joy of life and forgiveness of individuals and systems that had let her down.
During the morning, we were blessed to receive ministry from two wonderful soloists, whose gifting lifted us and allowed the Lord to minister to us after each speaker had shared. Thank you, Lydia and Patricia.
At lunch time Sandie explained ‘the system’, Grace was said by Chidera and lunch was served, it was delicious, the wonderful team in the kitchen, Ric’s amazing men had done us proud and although we had planned ‘just 2 alternatives’ it felt like we had feasted on much more than that. Paulette and Sandie kept things moving serving salads and encouraging people to return to their seats quite quickly to eat.
Browsing of the stalls was once again possible and serious purchases were made, I am sure!
The afternoon began with a couple of surprises, first Sandie explained there were several envelopes under the seats. These contained gift vouchers, which, if found should be given away! There was much scrambling under seats and laughter. Secondly, Patricia made sure we were not overtaken by the ‘post lunch slump’ by leading us in a short exercise programme, which did the trick and sent us laughing to our choice of workshop.
On return from workshops, which identified and encouraged the fruit of the spirit from the experience of the lives of the different leaders, ladies enjoyed afternoon tea of delicious home-made jam and cream scones and by popular request Jamaican Fruit Cake.
We were then once again, blessed by a solo from Patricia, leading us back into the Lord’s presence ready to listen to Mina who gave the final talk.
Sandie Keene gave a word of thanks and Paulette was given a bouquet of flowers, after which she promptly displayed her gift of kindness and gave it to her sister.
Mina prayed over us a commissioning prayer and the worship team led us in a final song of praise.
I went home – tired, happy and feeling very thankful to the Lord for a wonderful day.
The men and women of the Rock Christian Centre are indeed a wonderful bunch.
The speakers, workshop leaders and Sandie had been great. How blessed we are to have Paulette to inspire us and encourage us in this Conference. I am looking forward to next year already.
Highlights of 2023’s Conference
A reflection of the day.
“The 13th of May 2023 finally came and with it dawned a warm and sunny day, Rock Christian Centre’s first women’s conference was finally a reality. From its inception from the previous mid-October the planning team had a vision for women. Within a safe and desirable environment to facilitate, cultivate, supporting each other by networking to learn, to worship, to develop spiritually through workshops and have fun.
The women were about to go on a journey and by involving the men folk of the church in stewarding, providing practical help/support and food. All the ladies had to do was to come and enjoy everything that was being provided.
Rock Christian Centre is very much involved in community outreach programmes such as Burngreave Foodbank, Street Pastors, CAP, Word 4 Weapons, The Lighthouse Project and Amen shoeboxes.
The programme was carefully planned with pampering in mind and spoiling the women with an array that would be sure to catch their attention. There were various stalls such as Christian books and cards, jewelry, quality millinery, Women’s health, The Jericho Road Project, and the Freedom Project, two vital support groups for women that are disempowered. There was also a choice of relaxing therapists so that the ladies could experience feeling cherished and pampered.
To ensure that the ladies could network and snack on Danish pastries and fresh fruit registration was off to an early start. Been warmly welcomed and handed a goodie bag by the men on the welcoming/registration team was certainly a caring gesture. Every detail had been thought through with our brothers in Christ assisting even in the car park. Some ladies who were apprehensive or unsure soon relaxed and began to mingle and engage in conversation. Gentle background music played as the ladies filtered into the conference room.
The scene that met their eyes was a delight there was a beautiful stillness in the room that struck you. White tablecloths and fresh flowers arranged in glass posey vases adorned each table not to mention the red runners and corresponding red seats.
The conference opened with prayer by Tricia Watts. Paulette Forbes-Williams introduced Jon Watts senior pastor of RCC who warmly welcomed the delegates on behalf of the leadership team. Housekeeping was delivered succinctly by Paulette and Lucy Swift. The worship team led by Josephine Kobusingye set the tone which was just a taster of what was to come.
Sandie Keene a previous accomplished leader was an excellent conference facilitator for the day. She exuded warmth and a deep understanding by her words and body language. She was efficient and her humorous approach to timekeeping using traffic light cards was very well received as chuckles echoed around the room. No one got issued with a red card.
Clarissa Notice our first speaker gave women permission to find out who they are in Christ. By allowing transformation to take place one would behold the glory of God. Three young women from RCC read bible verses following each speaker namely Bethany Kibutu, Megan Hunt and Tiffany Kibutu. Their scriptures pertained to virtuous women.
Rev Lyn Weston our second speaker addressed the conference with her personal testimony of surviving domestic abuse and encouraged women to speak out. Lyn allowed the Lord to use her which connected beautifully with what Clarissa had shared.
Our ears were treated to a medley of songs played on the saxophone by Cynthia Palmer-Golding. The delegates sang along in particular to ‘’ How great thou art ‘’
Lunch was another highlight. The cuisine was mouth-wateringly presented with a plethora of choices, catering for all dietary requirements. A very firm favourite was Ricky Williams’s fried dumplings. After lunch the ladies dispersed to their chosen workshops of which there was a total of four. Within the workshops they allowed the women to be interactive and concentrate on sharing and praying which was so special and releasing.
Afternoon tea followed with Jamaican rum cake and further networking. The worship team led the women into a time of worshipping God. The presence of the Lord was palpable as voices sang out in unison in praise and adoration. The prayer team were invited to come alongside those that needed prayer.
The closing speaker was Nkechi Aniegboka-Okoh a formidable woman of God. She communicated the Word in her unique direct style.
Nkechi reminded us that as women we have the power of influence. We are influential and not to allow ourselves to be put down.
The conference closed with the words of thanks by the moderator and Paulette. Recognition was given to all the men that had made the day a very special one for the ladies to have had a transforming experience.”