Concerned Women for America of Maine (CWA) was blessed to have CWA’s Executive Director, Kenda Bartlett, in our state for four days. We scheduled several events across Maine where she spoke on the topic of religious freedom and introduced people to CWA who we are and what we do.
The first day started at 10:00 a.m. outside the Family Planning (FP) facility in Augusta. Kenda shared a devotional from Scripture with those attending a prayer vigil across the street from the building. CWA members and others who participated in the 40 Days for Life Prayer Vigil made an incredible impact on FP’s business. We know that they lost money so we want to keep up the good work. Thursday is the day abortions are performed in Augusta, so Kenda joined those already praying against the act and shared a devotional about our calling from God and being obedient to that call. The results are up to God, but we were encouraged to be ready and willing to join God in what He is doing. Prayer vigils will continue during Family Planning’s hours of operation (Monday, Thursday, and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.). This new vigil will begin on April 15 and end on May 24.
From there Kenda shared a devotional with the Legislative Prayer Caucus at the State Capitol at noon. Concerned Women for America of Maine is privileged to join with God-fearing men and women serving in our Legislature and other conservative group representatives for prayer twice a week. Kenda was invited to share from Scripture to encourage and challenge lawmakers to fight for righteousness and leave the results to God. She praised each one for answering God’s call to service and thanked them for being faithful.
CWA of Maine’s first Ladies’ Spring Teas were held consecutively for two days at the Blaine House which is the governor’s mansion across the street from the Capitol. Our hostess was First Lady Ann LePage. Her daughter, Lauren LePage, assistant to the Chief of Staff for Gov. Paul LePage also joined us. We were blessed to fill every available seat both days. Guests enjoyed Mrs. LePage’s hospitality and that of the staff, touring the Blaine House, hearing the history of the building, and partaking of tea with sweets in the state dining room. As you can see from the pictures, the First Lady is a fun-loving, people-loving, family-loving wife and mother. We had a lot of fun with her in “the people’s” house in which she and her family reside. Many of us had never been in the Blaine House; so it was a thrill to see the beauty of the chandeliers, silver service, and the different rooms’ dor and usefulness. We were able to tour the reception room, the sun room with the lovely fireplace, Sen. Blaine’s study, the family dining room, the state dining room and the game room. The staff of the Blaine House was so hospitable. All in all, it was a grand event. Mrs. LePage shared comments on faith and family and their importance in our culture today. Kenda shared the history of CWA and what CWA of Maine is working to achieve in the state. CWA of Maine is so appreciative to Gov. and Mrs. LePage for hosting such wonderful events for our members.
On Thursday evening, Kenda spoke about religious freedom at the Tea Party in Warren, Maine, hosted by Gordon Colby. The Warren Tea Party is active and involved and meets at least once a month. Attendance is 50 or more at each meeting. Lawmakers are available to share what’s happening in the Legislature and representatives from conservative groups across Maine share what they are doing. The goal is to make a difference in our culture and government for righteousness, so we were blessed to have Kenda share what’s happening in our country, how we’re losing our religious freedom, and what we can do about it. Whether we are discussing marriage, the HHS mandate to provide birth control, school curriculum or whatever, we need to be aware of what’s happening and fight for our First Amendment rights. Again, God has called us to fight, not necessarily to win. That’s His to decide.
We ended our events on Saturday morning at an inn in Orrington. Kenda delivered a presentation on religious freedom. The event was attended by 14 people from different cities and churches. All of them are concerned with what’s happening and wanting to know what to do to counteract the loss of our freedoms and Judeo-Christian culture in Maine and America.
CWA of Maine is so grateful for the hospitality that was shown to Kenda as she traveled our state. We want to especially thank Carroll Conley, Jr., Executive Director of the Christian Civic League of Maine, for the use of their office where we were able to gather with CWA leaders to share meals and fellowship.
Concerned Women for America is alive and well in Maine. Please join us in the work we are doing. Contact us at director@maine.cwfa.org. If you missed the Ladies’ Tea at the Blaine House, good news! We are planning another one next year, and you are invited.