WOMEN’S News:
“Living in God’s Peace” is the theme of the third annual county-wide “Women2Women” mini-conference.
The mini-conference, which seeks to connect Los Alamos women with each other and with God, is 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 28, at the Los Alamos Church of Christ, 2323 Diamond Drive.
The morning of Christian fellowship, mutual encouragement, and spiritual strengthening is open to all women of the community. There is no charge for the event. Tea and finger foods will be served, and complimentary babysitting will be available.
The church began sponsoring the county-wide conference in 2013 and followed-up with another in 2014. The plan is to hold an annual conference for all nine “fruit of the Spirit” as listed in the Apostle Paul’s biblical letter to the Galatians, chapter 5, verse 22 and 23. The 2015 event features four local women talking on life situations requiring God’s peace.
Mary Wilhoit – will speak on, “Keeping Peace Through Loss.” Wilhoit is the wife of a former Christian minister, a mother of two children, and a grandmother of six. A graduate of Lubbock Christian University, Lubbock, Texas, she worked in the corporate world for 20 years and now runs her own business. Through life she has experienced circumstantial loss and loss of 14 family members to death; she will tell how faith sustained her through these heartbreaks. 
Frances Walter – will speak on, “Keeping Peace Throughout Life.” Wife of a former church elder, mother of four adult children, and grandmother of three young adults, Walter has taught women’s Bible classes for more than 40 years. Having lived in Colorado, Arkansas, and Los Alamos, Walter is now 80 years old and has weathered many spiritual storms. She will share how God’s peace helped her cope in various life trials.
Julia Sheppard – a young mother with six young children, will speak on “Keeping Peace through Daily Chaos.” Sheppard and her husband Dan grew up in Los Alamos. She attended the University of California, Davis; and the couple lived in Austin, Texas for six years. The family moved back to their hometown in 2012. Sheppard sings in a choir, plays squash, sews, and gardens, while keeping up with the activities of her children, ages four through fourth grade. She will offer tips on maintaining a peaceful soul in the “busy-ness” of life.
Bethany Douglas – young single, working mom, also grew up in Los Alamos. Her subject is “Keeping Peace Forgiveness and Healing.” She will share her experience of discovering peace in the midst of fear, shame and broken relationships. Douglas holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, and a master’s degree in security management from American Military University, Charles Town, W Va. An active community volunteer, she works at Los Alamos National Laboratory.
In addition to speakers, tea and light refreshments, the morning’s activities will feature discussion groups, worship time and prayer sessions.
For additional information, call Lyn Haval at 505.695.0745.
