Healthy Relationships--Healthy Community

Two community worship services were held in Moundridge featuring Brenda Matthews from Chicago as speaker. Brenda is an internationally known poet, motivational speaker, HIV/AIDS educator and has traveled throughout the U.S. and Africa to deliver her inspirational message of change. The event was sponsored by USD 423, the Moundridge Chamber of Commerce and the Associated Churches of Moundridge.

During the school day Brenda spoke with high school and middle school students about relationships and working together. Gary Flory from the Kansas Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution also worked with both groups of students. They did activities that focused on working together to solve problems and talked about what made their school thrive or wither. 

The Friday evening event included music from the Prairie House Band of Kansas City, and a Community Choir directed by Becky Clark. The Angel Feet dance team under the direction of Dunri Palmer also performed. Brenda Matthews was the featured speaker.

Saturday Brenda had the opportunity to really get aquainted with the community. She had a tour of the town and visited a few farms. She even had the opportunity to experience driving a tractor for the first time.

Sunday morning the community again joined together for a worship celebration. Once again the Community Choir sang and Brenda Matthews shared her message. Her focus was to build on all the positive things we have in this community. Forgive hurts and wrongs from the past and rebuild relationships. She encouraged parents to really take time to listen to their children, and urged children to ask their parents for advice, not just their friends. Brenda challenged the community to expect change and to deal with the changes and be welcoming to everyone as Christ would be welcoming.

See pictures from the event below.