Joe P. Asher

Staff Writer

Harlan County Christian Women are preparing for their annual retreat. The planning committee discussed plans for this year’s event during a recent meeting.

Included in this year’s program will be music by Voices of Praise, of Barbourville, and local guest speakers Mary Blanton and Pam Bailey. Patty Howell, wife of Rev. Billy Howell Director of Admissions at Clear Creek Baptist Bible College, will also be speaking.

Beth Creech, Chairman of the Harlan County Christian Women’s Retreat Committee, explained a little about the program. “It’s just an opportunity for all of the different denominations of women in the county to get together. We’re a small community and we have friends who all go to different churches. This is one time of year when we can all get together in one church where we can fellowship together and have a speaker to come and just give us direction on how we can be better Christians.”

Creech said the conference is to show women “how we can go out into our community and be good example to the people in the county.” She said “it’s good fellowship where everyone can be together for a day and all be in the same church for a change.”

While the event is not held for charity, there will be some charitable results.

“We’re asking people this year to bring items for the Hope Center. Just some personal items for the girls,” said Creech. “Those girls just don’t have anything, that’s why we’re asking for these things.”

According to Creech items needed are things such as clothing, personal grooming items, reading materials and other items for the girls.

Attendees will also receive goody bags and there will be door prizes given away in the morning and afternoon.

The tenth annual Harlan County Christian Women’s retreat will be held on Oct. 20 at Harlan Baptist Church. The program will be from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. with lunch provided. A continental breakfast will be available beginning at 7:30 a.m.

For more information on the retreat or if you would like to attend, call 606-573-2008 or 606-573-7780.

Reach Joe P. Asher at 606-573-4510 or jasher@heartlandpublications.com