Interview with Jamie Thorn

This week I had a quick phone conversation with Jamie Thorn who is busy planning the Women's Retreat next weekend. I caught her while she was picking up her kids, and she was kind enough to answer my questions.

Ginger Myers: Do you have a title? 

Jamie Thorn: “The Chair” is what they said. I’m heading it up, but I’m not doing near the work that everybody else is. 

GM: So who do you have on your team? 

JT: Amy Minchin, Publications

Kirsten Wert, Registration

Miley Gowing

Jeanna Lankford

(Long pause and the sound of a baby making noise. You know how they do when their mommy is on the phone.)

Pat Ford is programming, making sure that everything that the speaker is not doing gets done. From music to drama

Christy Roth is doing decorations

Karen Brantley is doing the food.

Karen Shell is prayer.

Linda Hinson is the overseer. Is that ten?

GM: Yes it’s ten, including you.

JT: Yes, that’s it.

GM: Tell me how it has been working with the Hampton Inn on Pensacola Beach.

JT: The really nice thing about doing it local is we have the flexibility for everyone to come to this, from the ladies who don't drive anymore to the new mom nursing a baby. It is a lot easier to get there. Anybody can come.   

GM: So, I am hearing a lot about this year’s speaker. Have you read her book? 

JT: I have not read it, but many of the team members have, and everyone that I have spoken to has said that they could not put it down. 

GM: How did you decide on this year’s theme?

JT: Just a minute ...

(Pause while Jamie tries sweetly to quiet the baby. He’s not buying it, and continues to make noise.) 

JT: We really felt like most of the previous retreats were based on how to be a good friend, and how to be a good mom, and more enrichment for ourselves. This one is we feel more like stepping beyond ourselves and doing the work that the Lord has for us to do.  

GM: Jamie, thanks for your time. Sounds like you need to go.

JT: Have you got what you need? 

GM: Yep! 

JT: Okay, thank you! 

Friends, think for a minute that ten of your sister churchwomen, despite the regular course of their usual responsibilities, have also made the sacrifice of time and effort to plan a place for you to get before the Lord. Do you feel blessed? I do. Were you planning your own time before the Lord? I wasn’t. They have enhanced our lives this day, and I am so grateful.