Mothers and Daughters Luncheon 2024 💛💐
Over 200 mothers and daughters attended Compassionate Outreach Ministries’ Mothers and Daughters Luncheon, which celebrated a milestone this year by entering its 25th year.
The momentous occasion happened at Best Western Gateway Grand at 4200 NW 97th Blvd. on Saturday, where attendees dressed in white and yellow and the centerpieces at each table were decorated with bouquets of sunflowers.
Senior Pastor Margaret Dennison said although she is glad to reach the milestone of 25 years for the Mothers and Daughters Luncheon, she is mourning the loss of her mother Doris Carr-Collins who passed away in January this year.
“My mother is with the Lord,” Dennison said. “I have sorrow in my heart because my mother is gone.”
She said she appreciated the members of the church coming together to display a wonderful representation of love for the Mothers and Daughters Luncheon.
“This has been one of the greatest years for the luncheon,” Dennison said.
Deborah Harden was the presider during the event and talked about how special a mother is.
“God is so wonderful because he hand-picked your mother for you,” Harden said. “Your mother is the closest thing to God. They have unconditional love. Praise him for his hand-picked choice. We’re just a part of his plan, and I give him praise.”
Harden thanked God for Dennison and prayed for her strength and the success of the church.
“We thank you for the leaders of this house and the hand-picked mother of this house,” Harden said. “Give her strength like you never did before.”
Lois Johnson gave the welcome during the luncheon, and it was followed by a dance performance from Tiffanie Stallion and Myla Davis.
Evangelist Lorraine “Punch” Baldwin sang a song dedicated to mothers titled, “There’s no one quite like you.”
Elder Karen Woods gave a plaque presentation to the Dennison family to commemorate the legacy of the late Doris Carr-Collins.
“We’re here to celebrate the legacy of godly mothers,” Woods said. “A godly mother helps the child discover God’s will, purpose, and path in life and to discover talents to bless others and glorify God.”
Woods said the example of a godly mother is one who teaches children how to pray, live, work, and worship and to develop a life-long love for God and others.
“Thank you for serving us royally,” Woods said as she handed the plaque to Dennison. “We honor her [Doris Carr-Collins] legacy and the children and family she left behind.”
Dennison’s granddaughter, Jada Dennison, and Dennison’s goddaughter Danielle Jenkins shared poems to express their love for the senior pastor.
They gave Dennison a bouquet of flowers and a glass plaque of Doris Carr-Collins.
The guest speakers of the event were apostle Janice Dillard and her daughter Seleaveya Dillard of Revival Faith Center Ministries in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl.
“It’s a blessing to be remembered when you’re gone,” said Janice Dillard. “Many are not here with us who were there when we started. We are here by God’s grace.”
She said she has been in the ministry for 43 years and recited the Bible verse for this year’s theme, “The Virtuous Women.”
Dillard read Proverbs 31:10, “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.”
“It takes a virtuous woman to raise children and be an example for them to follow,” she said. “Children are our heritage and a blessing of God. God chose your mother and your father because he knows what he wants to do with it.”
Dillard said that being a virtuous woman is a choice.
“You have an intuition,” she said. “Don’t be a gossiper or a trouble maker. Be a peacemaker. Virtuous women seek to have wisdom and understanding. A virtuous woman is loving, kind, and forgiving and does not harbor things. If there was no hurt, there would be no healing.”
“Stop running around trying to fight your own battles,” Dillard said.” Let God fight the battle and watch how you come out of it.”
Her daughter, Seleaveya Dillard, said that it is important to share your testimony.
She talked about her marital hardships similar to her mother’s and how she suffered a stroke twice and overcame it.
She said when she suffered a stroke, she turned mute, and her right arm pulled up.
“I refuse to stay in a relationship that does not value me,” she said. “This is the year I’m reaping a harvest. I promised that if he gave me back my voice, I would not be silent.”
She said that we must share what we've been through to help others.
“You can’t be too holy to share your testimony,” she said. “God told me to go after those who are silently crying and silently abused and pray over them.”
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Walking into the 25th Anniversary of the Mothers and Daughters Luncheon, there was an immediate sense of warmth and spiritual energy. It truly was an experience that made me reflect deeply on what it means to cultivate a 'godly glow' in our lives, not just for ourselves but for our families and communities. The messages, especially those from Pastor Dennison, resonated so profoundly, reminding me that even in moments of sorrow, faith can shine through as a guiding light. The theme of the 'Virtuous Woman' was incredibly powerful. It made me think beyond just outward appearances – it's about the choices we make daily. How do we embody patience, kindness, and strength in our roles as mothers, daughters, and women of faith? Janice Dillard's words about choosing to be a peacemaker, seeking wisdom, and being forgiving really stuck with me. It's not always easy, but it’s a conscious decision to live a life that reflects these virtues, allowing our inner 'godly glow' to truly radiate. This luncheon also got me thinking about how we bring that spiritual nourishment into our homes. We often spend time at a home goods store looking for items that make our spaces beautiful and comfortable. But what if we thought about creating a 'home goods' collection for our souls and our spiritual environment? Just like the beautiful sunflower centerpieces at the Best Western Gateway Grand, we can choose items that inspire peace and reflection. Imagine having comforting throws, uplifting artwork, or even plants that symbolize growth and life, all contributing to an atmosphere where faith can thrive. It's about intentionally designing our living spaces to be sanctuaries that nurture our spiritual well-being, where the lessons of the luncheon, like those about godly mothers, can continue to flourish daily. The testimonies shared, particularly Seleaveya Dillard's story of overcoming health challenges and marital hardships, were a raw and honest reminder of the power of sharing our journeys. It’s easy to feel alone in our struggles, but hearing how others have found strength through faith and resilience is incredibly empowering. It reinforces Pastor Dennison's message about community and how much we need each other for support and encouragement. The legacy of Doris Carr-Collins, honored at the event, also highlighted how the impact of a truly godly mother can extend far beyond her lifetime, guiding and inspiring future generations. This 25th annual celebration wasn't just a gathering; it was a call to action. It challenged me to reflect on my own 'godly glow' and how I can better share it with the world. It showed me the profound strength found in faith, family, and a supportive community, all working together to uplift and empower one another. It was a beautiful testament to the enduring power of mothers and daughters, united in purpose and faith.
Happy Mother's Day everyone! 💛💐