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Women’s Rally in the Valley focuses on ‘Unity in the Power of Love’
By LINDA M. LINONIS
coitsville
Women of His Vision bases this year’s theme of the Women’s Rally in the Valley on biblical passages.
“Unity in the Power of Love” is derived from John 17:21-23, “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one. I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.”
Recently, organizers Mary Ann Dickson, president of Women of His Vision; Judy Nelson, vice president; and Linda Beilstein, board member, discussed the event planned April 25 at Victory Christian Center, 3899 McCartney Road.
The Women’s Rally began in 2013 with an attendance of 500, and last year, some 600 women participated.
“We’re an interdenominational group,” Dickson said. The theme reflects the idea of women being “supportive and loving” to one another.
“The event isn’t about sharing a common doctrine, but sharing in Christ’s love as our savior,” Beilstein said, adding that belief is a “bonding” element for participants. “Women can recognize the love of Christ in one another,” she said.
The women said the speakers represent different backgrounds. They are united by “what God has done in their lives,” Beilstein said. “It’s quite a variety and they all have a story ... of hurts and healing.”
Nelson added, “They show the diversity in women and represent a wide range of experiences.”
But, the women added, participants will be able to relate something in their lives to what the speakers share.
And in the worship part, they said Allison Thomas, daughter of Pastor Joe and Donna Thomas, will be the leader. “We want it to relate the power of the love of God,” Beilstein said. “If you have that foundation in your daily walk, you have inner strength to get you through,” she said.
The organizers said women have so many roles ... wife, mother, sister, caretaker, career ... that they go through a routine and don’t give thought to themselves. “Women have struggles and they may come to hear God’s words in a new way,” Nelson said. “If we didn’t go through struggles, God wouldn’t have been revealed.”
“I think women often feel alone in their families and careers,” Beilstein said. The Women’s Rally offers a time to rediscover the love of God and how that can benefit inner strength.
Dickson said the rally also encourages women. “If you have a vision, go for it, go do it,” she urged. “It’s what God is calling you to do.”
She said that five years ago, she kept feeling God wanted her to do something. She knew Bing Newton, an organizer of the Men’s Rally in the Valley, and talked to him. Dickson said she got encouragement from Newton to organize a women’s rally.
From three people at the first meeting, the group gained attendance and gathered momentum. “It was by word of mouth,” Dickson said of the women who wanted to be involved. Women of His Vision was formed with the purpose of “planning, praying and visioning” a women’s rally and to “see women’s lives transformed through Christ.”
They said it takes about 40 volunteers to make the rally possible. “We have a faithful group,” Nelson said.
Women of His Vision meets at 8:30 a.m. the second Saturday of the month at Picadilly Parlor in Canfield; no reservations are required. The sessions include faith sharing, praise music and, as the rally date approaches, planning the event.
Beilstein said her relationship with God “allows her to live free.” “I want that for other women,” she said.
“A spiritual revival in the Valley will change women and their families,” Dickson said.
“This event is a humbling experience ... we see how women hunger for more of God in the lives,” Beilstein said.