April 29, 2021
Vol. 21, No. 50
In This Issue FOUR SEASONS
Help for Single Moms
Four Seasons, by Kevin Box, in real life is located in front of the Center for Transformative Learning on the UCO campus, but this week is hidden somewhere in our paper. Email contest@edmondpaper.com with the correct location to be entered in the weekly drawing. For more information, see page 4.
Summer Activities & Camps See page 1B
FRIDAY, April 30 Sunny High 73° Low 52°
SATURDAY, May 1 Mostly Sunny High 81° Low 60°
SUNDAY, May 2
Partly Cloudy/Wind High 85° Low 62°
Thrive Gathering this June at Crossings Community Church By Rose Debres Registration is now open for Arise Ministries’ 19th Annual Thrive Gathering, set for June 10-11 at Crossings Community Church and virtually. Arise Ministries was founded by Pam Kanaly and Shelley Pulliam in 2002. The global organization’s mission is to help single moms create healthy homes. Thrive is a one-of-a-kind gathering specifically for single moms. Kanaly said she found herself a single mom to a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old after an unwanted divorce. God led her to partner with Pulliam to start Arise. “I had that special calling in my heart,” she said. “I love to tell single moms that God has a plan for you, too.” Single moms can be from
all different situations. Single moms can also be widows, never married or a grandmother raising a grandchild. “Not everyone is a single mom, but everyone knows one,” Kanaly said. Arise offers a wide array of resources on its website, ariseministries.net. There are online Bible studies, videos on such topics as “Living with Depression” and “Healthy Eating Habits from the Inside Out,” as well as crisis advice. Thrive will include break-out sessions, speakers, door prizes and much more. Due to the pandemic, last year’s Thrive Gathering was completely virtual. “Moms love it because it’s fun,” she said. “One single mom said that Thrive is ‘like Christmas’ to her.” Kanaly said that more than
4,000 people tuned in during the 2020 virtual gathering. This year, there is an in-person option, as well as an online stream. There is also an option to register as a church host site that allows unlimited participants in a group. However one chooses to take part, Kanaly said attendees will go away with tools to help them navigate being a single mom. These moms want to do the best by their kids and gathering with other people walking the same path in life helps give them confidence. “They feel understood,” Kanaly said. “When they leave, they feel empowered. “These moms are courageous.” For more information or to register, visit the website ariseministries.net.
