Widow Warriors
A group of widows who love one another and build strength together.
Belinda Cowdrey thoughts to fellow widows.
Do you feel lost, all alone, even in a crowd, like no one truly understands how you feel or how difficult this journey is?
Then I ask you to join me in a new ministry here at Edmond Church called Widow Warriors. It will be a two-part ministry for Widows by Widows.
Once a month, we will meet as a support group. We will also have a social part that will meet once a week for various activities.
Our first meeting will be Sunday, August 10th at 6:15 pm in the parlor after the SMFM meal and devotional. Thursday, August 14th will be our first social meet up at 4:00 in Fellowship 1.
Back in April of 2025, Belinda attended a Christian Widows Conference in Denton, TX. It was a pure leap of faith as I knew no one there. While there I found so much peace. Surrounded by 45 other widows in various stages of their new journey. I finally found a place where I felt accepted, loved and understood. A lot of the focus was on how much God loves us and cares for us. God has put it on my heart to help other Widows I come in contact with. I am praying through this new ministry that we can find the peace amongst ourselves. Even if you have been widowed for a while consider joining us as your experiences would be invaluable to those newer on this journey. Together we are better!
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The following is a fuller description is in a letter to widows.
Hello. My name is Belinda Cowdrey. I am a member of the Edmond Church of Christ and attend the Upwards class. I am excited to tell you about a new ministry that is being started and would like to invite you to participate. It will be a two-part ministry. Support group portion will meet on the 2nd Sunday of the Month and social group will meet weekly on Thursdays.
On August 10th at 6:00 p.m. in the Parlor, Widow Warriors support group will meet for the first time. This will be right after the Sunday Night for the Master Meal and Devotional. Snacks and water will be provided. On August 14th from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm in Fellowship Room 1, Room number 131 will be the first social group meeting. We will be having a potluck that day.
I feel that since I became a Widow myself last year that God has put it on my heart to help out my fellow Sisters in this new journey that we face after losing our husbands. It can be a very lonely journey as most people do not understand things that we go through.
I attended a Widow’s Retreat in Denton, TX back in April. It was a pure leap of faith on my part as I knew no one there. God brought it to my attention through a Grief Support Group that I was following on Facebook. I had been looking for a group locally but did not find anything that would work for me. I cannot describe how much peace I received for those 3 days. Being surrounded by others who had lost their husbands too was so comforting to me. It was at a peaceful retreat center that had lodging and a cafeteria. Several times I walked down to the crosses at the edge of the water and poured my heart out to the Lord. I would like to try to bring that peace to you also through this group. We need to be in community with those who can truly understand one another. Galatians 6:2
I am enclosing a Get to Know Me Questionaire that I request you file out before our first meeting if you would like to participate. You can either bring it that night or get it to me in advance by taking a picture of it filled out and texting it to me at 815-262-5553.
Even though I am starting this group, it is not MY group. I am just the facilitator. It will be OUR group. I have lots of ideas but that does not mean we have to follow them. I want us ALL to feel like it is OUR group and have your input be heard.
Since we are a new group, I request that you do not invite anybody outside of our church family at this time. Once we get things going, I believe it can be great outreach opportunity for us to invite others we know who are struggling too and help them to see a Christian way to grief from those who have hope of heaven. The goal is to open it up to all starting in January.
I would like to put together a directory of us for only us. When filling out your form, be sure to mark whether you are willing to have your information shared amongst us.
I really would like to make this a safe space for us ALL. Unless someone gives you permission to share their information, please keep it within this group.
I look forward to getting to know you all and “Bearing one
another’s burdens”. You do not need to
do this journey alone. We’re better
together.
In Christian Love,