The June 25th Gathering (& Event Planning)

by: Rachel Lower

It was a little over a year ago that we made the decision to host a free event for Christian moms. Some Christian-Mommies.com members had gathered at my sisters home for lunch. While standing in my sisters kitchen one member, Jeanine, asked me how many I'd expect to attend the event. I said, "maybe 4."

In all we had around 30 adults in attendance, and a handful of children. The event was held at Buckeye Christian Church in Grove City Ohio. All who came worshipped alongside each other throughout the day. Because of the modest turn out, the setting was more intimate. We were able to get to know each other during the hours leading up to the main event, in a way that wouldn't have been possible if 100 or more had attended.

We enjoyed guest speaker and author Brenda Nixon, who gave us new insights about mothers from Proverbs 31.

We sang for the Lord together with Christian band Under The Son. We also watched them perform a handful of their original songs.

There was a special performance by Water through the Word radio host Erin Campbell that blessed many.

I emceed, which was rather hard because my script was tailored to a full audience. So I improvised, despite that being a public speaking no-no. My own mother got into the action by closing us all in prayer. Another part that probably wouldn't have happened if we had attracted legions of moms.

Four moms went home with a door prize provided by Pampered Chef or Mary Kay.

Radio station, 104.9, The River came by for the first hour and a half. It was great having them provide background music while we all mingled and browsed tables. My niece was so star struck by the DJ that she asked for her autograph.

While the turn out had me feeling down for part of the day, by the end people were uplifted and that lifted my spirit. A pep talk from Jeanine helped too! I owe many thanks to Amy, Jeanine, Angela, and all who helped in this endeavor.

I hope, I believe that everyone who came took some positive message or impression from that afternoon.

It was worth giving this event and the effort and costs leading up to it. God used it to bless those who came. We hope He continues to use it.

What I Learned

As our primary promotional effort, we sent letters to 150 nearby churches. We asked them to consider encouraging a few volunteers from their church to baby-sit for the moms that afternoon so that those interested in coming could car pool to the event. Nothing came of those letters, though I know one and assume a few churches pinned up our flyers.

We also did the recommended routine of press releases, ad in the paper, newsletters, calendars, radio, posters in shops, etc. At least for our audience that had no great effect (because of our oversight about child care), but it had potential for effect, as it did stir some interest. Buckeye Christian Church received a number of calls asking if children were allowed at the event (No.) and then asking the inevitable follow-up question of daycare at the event (None, sorry.) The fruit of all the press releases and posters fell on rocky ground, you could say, since the moms interested in coming couldn't find someone to watch the little ones.

If nothing else, providing our own daycare or simply opening it for children would have resulted in a much higher attendance.

It would also have made a tremendous difference to have partnered with a larger group (like MOPS) at least a year beforehand, and/or to have held the event at one of the 1000+ member churches around Central Ohio. The later may have been the greatest advantage, as we did have members from Buckeye Christian Church show up.

Our timing was perhaps an issue as well. A popular family themed Christian event was going on elsewhere in Ohio that weekend. One event planning no-no is choosing a date that conflicts with a well established event for the same audience.

In Conclusion

In the end one thing is certain- moms aren't getting enough breaks for rest and fellowship, and we should be more eager to help them. And help those that help them! That is what this site is about.

We hope our online community, Christian-Mommies.com and others like it can help temper the isolation many moms feel, but cyber fellowship doesn't completely live up to person to person contact and local friendships. We therefore especially hope that this new site can inspire more offline support for mothers.