Following our celebration, we launched the 2011-2012 Elizabeth Project mentor/mentee pairs.  We first announced the mentors and mentees who were part of the project last year and continuing this next year.  Then, we announced our new pairs.  This is always an exciting time as the pairs are kept secret until this night.  Women anxiously waited to hear their names called.  The mentors name was read first and she then waited at the front of the room until her mentees name was announced.  Hugs were given, pictures taken, and their first meeting together was arranged.  And so began their journey together as an Elizabeth Project mentoring pair.

We ended the meeting praying together as pairs and then participated in a sand ceremony.  Each pair poured sand into a small silver cup.  Combining the red and gold colored sand is a picture of combining two different lives together.  These cups were then poured into a larger jar.  This symbolizes that each pair is part of the larger Elizabeth Project.  Pastor Barry ended our evening with a prayer of blessing for the coming year.

On Sunday night, June 26, we have planned a big celebration to honor those who have been paired together this past year and also to launch our new mentor/mentee pairs for the upcoming year.  This is a big surprise – no one knows except the committee members and we’re not telling, yet!  It will be exciting to see the pairs God has placed together for our second year.  Some mentors and mentees have decided to continue on for another year, while others are taking on new mentees.   Also, there are four mentees from last year who are becoming mentors themselves for the first time.  We are anticipating a great event and looking forward to what God will do in and through the lives of those involved in the Elizabeth Project.