March 28, 2024

A time for fellowship

IF: Gathering back for fourth year in PC

A day of fellowship for women can be hard to come by with busy schedules and full calendars. If: Gathering, in Prairie City, gives women a chance to pencil in an event and take time to focus on their faith and themselves.

In its fourth year, IF is an event to grow the kingdom of God by offering a safe and encouraging environment for people to grow in their faith. Starting at 8 a.m. and continuing until 6 p.m. Feb. 29 at Grace Alive Church in Prairie City, women are encouraged to stop by, if only for a little while, if they are interested in the gathering.

“People are welcome to come & go as their schedule allows throughout the day. There will be a several breaks and a longer lunch break so there will be plenty of opportunities to catch up with those who attend,” organizer Emily Graber said. “ I love seeing the women fellowship with one another and taking a day to really reflect on what God is doing in their lives and in the community.”

The theme for IF 2020 is “Focusing entirely on Jesus and the hope He gives us” with the theme verse Romans 8:2 “For the law of the spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus.” It begins with a light breakfast during worship and the opening. The group will hear from several speakers who are streamed from the live event and then have breaks for discussions at each table.

“Each table will have six to eight questions to discuss during the breaks that are meant to go along with the speakers and help people to connect with those around them,” Graber said. “There will be a morning break, a longer lunch break around noon and two afternoon breaks.”

Featured speakers include Jennie Allen, Beth Moore, Jada Edwards, Jo Saxton, Ruth Chou Simons, Bianca Olthoff, Ann Voskamp and Jill Briscoe. While the speakers provide for good discussion material, Graber said what comes from those discussions is one of her favorites parts of the event.

“Hearing from women around me as to how they are encouraged by what they have heard and what they plan to do with what they are learning about their faith is always memorable,” Graber said. “I also love watching women connect with other women at this event.”

Those looking to attend IF are encouraged to register, even if it is only for part of the event. It is free toattend but a free will offering will be taken to help with costs associated with hosting and the meals along with a donation to the local ministry who is sharing their story with the group, Lighthouse Recovery Ministries.

Lighthouse is a non-profit, faith-based program for individuals seeking recovery pre- and post-treatment, with a Christ-centered program focused around learning daily life skills for a successful transition back to a drug/alcohol free life. By doing that, the program provides Christ-centered recovery meetings, certified recovery coaches and assisting individuals into detox, if needed, then into treatment. A long term goal for the organization is to open a separate transitional housing center for men and women.

Since beginning in Prairie City, IF has seen more than 300 women come together for worship. Teenagers and up are invited to the event, which is open to those across central Iowa.

“We mostly have local people attend but have always had a few from Des Moines, Ames, Newton and other surrounding towns,” Graber said.

For more information about IF: Gathering, visit the events Facebook page.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com