By Chrissie Dunham
Valentine’s Day is a very special day to remember the one that you love. For our widows in our church, this day was always a dreaded day for them. It was a day filled with great memories and tears of days gone by with the second love of their live…their husband. The Bible tell us in James 1:27:
“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction…”
Every year on or around Valentine’s Day we invite each one of our widows, from all three campuses, to gather together for lunch and entertainment. It is called the Widow’s Valentine Luncheon. We decorate tables with beautiful table cloths, fresh flowers, pretty napkins and a gift from us. The luncheon is free and we offer transportation to those that need a ride. Upon arrival, the ladies are greeted with a smile, a name tag and a valentine card written to them, by Bible Fellowship classes. After they find a seat they are served by one of our ministers. This year we served a trio of salads, assorted muffins, dessert, ice tea, water and coffee. The ladies love the pastors serving them. They love their attention, smiles, hugs and kind words.
Once the meal is completed there is a speaker/entertainer. We have offered several types of programs including, pastors on staff, widows that were married to pastors or widows that have a story to tell. Also on the program is music of some sort. We have heard broadway show tunes to love songs that the widows would recognize to songs of our first love, Jesus. This year we were thankful to have LaDonna Gatlin. She is funny, she sings and was so inspirational. She was a hit! Our ladies loved her and commented that she was so fun. They love to hear from other widows, but most of all on days like Valentine’s Day, they want to laugh!
At the end of the program, children from our school come in and drop off Valentine’s that they have made for each woman. They love the little children and they love the thought that the class took the time to make a Valentine for each one of them.
It is an easy, great way to make these ladies feel very special. I would encourage you to implement this ministry opportunity in your church. We have women that come as a guest and end up attending our church because of the love shown to her as a widow. These ladies are great mentors for your younger women.
Chrissie Dunham serves as the Director of Women’s Ministry at Presotnwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas. Follow her on Twitter @PrettyChrissie.