Over 140 women, some as far away as Sheridan and Eagle Lake, TX, attended the Third Annual Patchwork of Life Women’s Conference in Palacios recently. Rachel Norris, Master Potter and owner of Joy Pottery in Brian, Tx, shared her testimony and life message through a live pottery demonstration.
The theme of this year’s conference was The Potter’s Hand and Rachel did not disappoint as she related the Christian experience to the Potter creating beautiful and useful vessels. Many women commented that they could easily identify with Rachel and her testimony. In addition, Rachel guided those in the audience through a mini pottery demonstration by allowing each woman to experience the properties of clay and how the material relates to life’s experiences.
Other activities included an extensive pottery exhibition containing collections from local residents as well as Rachel’s store in Bryan, TX. Among the items on display were ancient potsherd fragments from the Smithsonian Institution excavation of Tel Jemmeh in Israel, Pottery from the Wilson Brothers, former Texas slaves who started the first African American business in Texas after the Civil War, Native American Pottery from six internationally recognized Indian artists as well as several other local collections.
Kalaya Riccio guided the activities as MC, while One Voice, a quartet composed of women from local churches, provided special Gospel selections throughout the day. Judith Calhoun, Music Director of Trinity Baptist Church, provided additional music as did Ms. Riccio, who did a dramatic reading titled “I Saw A Man,” from the Nancy DeMoss book, “The Quiet Place.” Debby Webb closed the day by leading a time of corporate prayer entitled, “It’s A Stick Figure World.”
Click here for more pictures from the conference
