By Joseph M. Morgan

joseph@southerntorch.com

COLLINSVILLE, Ala.— The Christian Ladies of Collinsville (CLC) will host the 13th Annual Ladies Retreat next Saturday, March 5 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Collinsville Community Center (formerly National Guard Armory) located on Ala. Hwy 68 at the foot of Lookout Mountain in Collinsville. Registration for the event begins Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. Event organizers urge attendees to allow ample time for Trade Day traffic.

“This retreat is an opportunity for women to have an enjoyable outing while growing closer to each other and to God,” Christian Ladies of Collinsville co-founder Gloria Morgan said. “We want all women who are interested in attending our retreat to feel welcome. We will open our arms to you as we worship and fellowship, and celebrate God’s love and glory.”

The CLC Retreat has seen great success in years past, averaging from 150 to close to 200 women in attendance each year. The theme for this year’s event is “Don’t Give Up” and the scripture focus is “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.—Matthew 19:26.”

This year’s guest speaker is Dr. Melissa Hufstetler Williams. Williams is a distinguished educator who has dedicated her life to the single premise that all children are capable of and deserving of the opportunity to learn. Currently, she is the Principal of Woodland High School in Cartersville, Georgia.

Each year women from all over the state and region come together for the one-day retreat to worship and fellowship together. The event is open to all women. There is no charge for admission, and those in attendance will have the opportunity to worship, fellowship, hear from distinguished guest speakers (Spanish translators will be available) and take part in an “upscale yardsale.” Lunch for the event will be provided by local caterer, The Kitchen, owned by Collinsville resident Jane Peek.

Founded by two Collinsville women in the Fall of 1992 almost 24 years ago, Christian Ladies of Collinsville has grown to include women from many different backgrounds and churches from every part of the community. Christian Ladies of Collinsville meets at Collinsville Baptist Church for a noon Bible study and prayer on the third Tuesday of each month, January through May, and September through November. There are also special activities in December and during the summer months.

The group prays for families, individuals, churches, schools, businesses, and organizations. As citizens of the most culturally diverse city in the state of Alabama, the women of Christian Ladies of Collinsville pray for the harmony of the many races and cultures in their city, as well as concerns for their county, state, nation and world. Prayer requests made at the group’s annual retreats are remembered throughout the entire next year.

Morgan said the women of CLC consider it honor to pray regularly for the concerns affecting families, communities and the world at large. “We are praying for lives to be touched and changed for God’s glory,” Morgan said, “Since we began hosting this annual retreat 13 years ago, it has been an event that God has chosen to bless every single year. We thank Him and praise Him for that, and pray that God will bless this year’s retreat in an even greater way than ever before.”

For more information about the 2016 Ladies Retreat “Don’t Give Up,” contact: Elaine (256) 484--3598; Diane (256) 524--2324; Frances (256) 524--2369; Annette (256) 524--2792