VHUMC’s Women’s Conference
Nearly 150 Over the Mountain women turned out for VHUMC’s first Women’s Conference, held in February 2014. This year’s event will be condensed into a morning schedule. Photo courtesy of Amy Parker.
When “the way we’ve always done it” is called into healthy question, powerful change can take hold. And thanks to the vision of Amy Parker, that’s exactly what happened at her home church, Vestavia Hills United Methodist.
Parker, relatively new to the Methodist faith and to this local congregation, made a bold move when she first suggested that VHUMC host a women’s conference in 2014. It would mean a drastic departure from more traditional women’s programs the church had supported.
After receiving encouragement from a few friends, Parker trusted her instincts and carried the idea forward.
With 140 in attendance that first year, including several who’d been slow to warm to Parker’s idea, the inaugural event included guests from numerous church families. It also demonstrated multigenerational appeal, with women attending from age 25 to age 90.
“I have attended several different conferences since I started college, and I can remember something special that I took away from every single one,” she said. “When we moved to back to Vestavia, I found myself socializing with a group of women from church that were amazing. I felt God calling me to organize something like this so we could come together with no other agenda but to worship together, learn from one another and hear a fresh word from God.”
Fast-forward a year, and now Parker is in the final planning stages of VHUMC’s second annual women’s conference, themed “Designed to Shine.”
The half-day event will feature Birmingham-Southern College alumna Candice Moore, who leads global mission organization Passion Partners.
“Part of the reason we chose to invite Candice to speak is that she is so easy to relate to,” said Parker. “She is a busy mom on the go, but she is also a widow, remarried in a blended family of seven, and leader of a major mission group. Her story is one of redemption and restoration.”
In a departure from last year, the 2015 event is condensed into a morning-only format.
“While we felt it was important to spend the day away — almost like a retreat — we realize that is not always realistic. This year, our event will be done by lunchtime so everyone can get back to their families. You can expect a compelling speaker delivering two sessions, music, a special performance and some good ‘girl time.’”
For Parker, who expected the event to become an every-other-year conference, the experience of planning her second consecutive conference has proven its own blessing.
“I hope this will be an annual event that women in our community can look forward to every February as part of their new year tradition,” she said. “While the takeaway is really different for everyone, our prayer is for God to reach everyone in their own way. Some will leave refreshed and inspired, some will leave recognizing new gifts of their own, and hopefully everyone will leave with a new perspective.”
2nd Annual Women’s Conference
Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church
Saturday, Feb. 21, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Attendance is open to any woman of college age and above.
Order tickets at vhumc.org
