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We as women are on a constant journey through life. Whether it’s taking children to school, picking something up at the grocery store, or taking a vacation, we are always on the move. From time to time, though, we must stop and refresh our bodies and our spirits. That is what the UMW Spiritual Growth Retreats in April are designed to do. Last year we had a fantastic time at Lakeshore and this year promises to be the same. We are excited to have Rev Birgitte French as our leader as she encourages and coaxes us along the way with “Pilgrimage Journeys of Body, Mind, and Spirit”. Doesn’t that sound like a great reason to come to Lakeshore in April and refresh your whole being?

Rev Bee, as she likes to be called, is an ordained elder in the Memphis Annual Conference. She was born and raised in Denmark and is the daughter of two United Methodist pastors. Her parents led the social work of the Danish UMC Annual Conference, organizing a soup kitchen, clothing closet, shelter, day time institutions for children, nursing homes for the elderly and much more. From this background and with her degree from the Danish Royal Technical School of Pharmacy in Hillerod, Denmark, she became a commissioned General Board of Global Ministries Medical Missionary. From 1983 to 1997 Birgitte served in Congo, Algeria, Nairobi, Kenya and Atlanta serving the Hutu and Tuizie refugees.

In 1997 Birgitte and her family moved to Atlanta where she attended Candler School of Theology while serving as a student pastor to children and families at Druid Hills UMC in downtown Atlanta. After her graduation in 2001 she was appointed to be the Pastor of Christian Education at Johns Creek UMC, a large and fast growing church in suburban Atlanta. She was ordained in 2004 and a year later moved with her family to Memphis where she now lives. Birgitte was appointed to Associate pastor of First UMC and as Executive Director of FirstWorks in Memphis. Since July of last year she has been appointed Pastor of Union Ave UMC. She continues to serve FirstWorks as their Executive Director knowing what a difference it makes in the lives of those children.

Rev Bee has led several spiritual retreats in the North GA Conference. She attends silent retreat once a month and has recently walked part of “the Camino”, a pilgrim walk in northern Spain with her sister who is also an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church in Denmark.

She met her husband, Niels, while serving as a missionary in Congo and they have been married 23 years this coming July. They have (2) children, Fletcher 20 and Hanna 16. Birgitte’ favorite scripture is from the Book of Joshua 1:9 “Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

I am excited to have Birgitte as our leader and know she will bring wisdom and fun into our lives at Lakeshore. Don’t forget to get your registration form online or from your District
Spiritual Growth Coordinators. Send them in early so you won’t forget. Blessings on all of you.

Marilyn Ramsey

Memphis Conference Spiritual Growth Coordinator