COLUMBUS, Ohio (BP) — New among this year’s events held in conjunction with the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting is an afternoon tea hosted by Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
The free event will be open to all women and held Monday, June 15, from 3-4 p.m., in the Hyatt Regency hotel, attached to the Greater Columbus Convention Center where the annual meeting will take place.
Dorothy Patterson, wife of Southwestern Seminary President Paige Patterson and professor of theology in women’s studies at the seminary, said “Tea at 3” has been designed around a deep desire to help equip women for the work to which the Lord has called them.
“For more than a half-century I have had a passion for the Titus 2 pattern: woman-to-woman friendships, fellowship, teaching and mentoring to enhance the God-given nurturing sensitivities of women,” Patterson said. “We are blessed to have partners who are joining us in making available some edifying resources for women, and we look forward to sharing tea and scones with real Devonshire cream, at 3 p.m., with you!”
Terri Stovall, dean of women’s programs at Southwestern, said one of the best things about the annual meeting of the convention is the opportunity to connect, learn and support. Desiring to be intentional about providing a place for women to do all three, the seminary decided to host Tea at 3.
“In one fast-paced, festive hour, women will connect over scones and tea, learn about resources and opportunities through our ‘3-Minute Connection Points,’ and leave encouraged and supported,” Stovall said.
Among those leading the ‘3-Minute Connection Points,’ will be women from across the nation, including:
Candi Finch — Unique learning opportunities
Rhonda Kelley — Women’s academic resources
Ann Iorg — When you have to move a seminary
Chris Adams — 20th anniversary of LifeWay Women’s Forum
Susie Hawkins — Susie and Rebekah’s excellent mission adventure
Christine Hoover — God works through church planting wives
Kristy Carr — Exciting things happening in WMU
In addition to door prizes, resources from nine different publishers will be given to the first 100 women attending the tea. Stovall said it is all part of the seminary’s desire to minister to women.
“Women are important to the kingdom and the work God is doing through the SBC,” Stovall said. “Whether ministry wives, single women, women serving in ministry or a lay woman serving her local church, Tea at 3 is Southwestern’s gift back to these who are tirelessly serving others, so they can return home with a few more tools in their tote bags, a lot of encouragement and an understanding that we are here for them.”
