December 5 Newsletter
Saturday, December 5, 2020 by Cindy Sproles

February 26-28, 2021. That's our dates.

BE THERE!

I cannot believe it's December. But here we are, looking at the end of a very trying year and we have managed to come through it.
So put on your rubber boots and get ready. We are flying into 2021 with all our might.

First of all, we need your help. WE NEED YOU TO ENCOURAGE YOUR FRIENDS to attend in person or attend our virtual conference. For those of you who have attended in the past, you know that we do our best to walk in the footprints of Christ. We do feel like His footprints are clear. This conference goes on.

I realize Covid has made things trying but I have attended conferences that have been super successful this fall, i.e. The Florida Christian Writers Conference and Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. Despite Covid, folks want to attend and they are willing to put up with a little inconvenience to spend quality time learning.

Eddie and I met in person with our Cove planner and staff right after the Blue Ridge Conference. They walked us through the building and showed us the ways they have made social distancing happen and how they have provided so much more to add to the safety of conferees attending events at the Cove. Eddie and I both felt very safe with all the measures they have taken. We'll be in the main auditorium in February. So there will be ample room to spread out. Our virtual streaming will happen in that area. We will have a second track but we are more than likely going to make MP3's of those classes and provide them for conferees so that we keep our movement at a minimum.

We've learned from our predecessors like Eva Marie Everson and how she managed her bookstore and seating. Now, here's something for you to remember...CONTESTS ARE STILL GOING ON. AND our virtual folks are able to enter. So if you want to enter the Sparrow Award Book contest, send in an entry. This is for unpublished manuscripts, but I plan on talking to Sarah about adding a published book category to this. Hang on for that to see if we can make that happen. ENTER THE CONTESTS.

Mentoring - We will be doing mentoring in a very safe environment. And to our virtual folks...we will set up mentoring appointments with you via phone or zoom. So if you want to participate - register and contact Terri for these things. Just because you are virtual does not prevent you from being a part of the full conference.

Classes - We are still trying to figure out our classes. Not that we don't have them. We do, but the question is how do we manage these classes in this Covid world. The hard part is the second track of classes. Our main track will run Friday afternoon, all day Saturday, and Saturday night. So when you look at our schedule on line, know that you will have a full plate of classes. We are ironing out details as we speak. Covid makes things, for lack of better words, a pain in the tutu.

Classes will stream live and then be posted for you to access for two months after the conference. After that, they go away. Please know that the expense of live streaming and storage is HUGE. We are walking in faith that God will provide (Are you ready for this? $6K) That is the cost for the live streaming. This is why we need you to encourage others to register. We always want to be good stewards of our money that God provides and we do trust that He will not leave us in debt. Our promise to this ministry was to never go in debt but to trust in the Lord our God for He is the provider of all things. Help us out and encourage your writer friends to join us live streaming or even in person.

Check out the website for updates. Bear with as we move through the Covid changes and hiccups. Our contact is usually so much more than it has been but with this weird season we walk through, everything is different. So bear with us. Get your friends to register and sign up for the book contest and mentoring and critiques. We will make this happen with your help and prayer. God never lets us down.

Trust in the Lord
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. - Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

Uncertainty is inevitable at some point. If we could go through life and be positive about every move we make, life would be - well - perfect. But, that's not the case for this year of Covid. As a nation, we were swept up in a devasting virus, then swirl that in with an electoral year, mud-slinging politicians, and riots. It's formed the perfect storm for Satan to sink his nails into.

Just to wake up and wonder if you will contact a virus that day, leaves you spiraling down into the pits of depression and fear. What is important for us to remember is that first and foremost - we already know how this battle ends. As writers, we understand story, and God has already written the story and given us the ending. Satan will not prevail. If we fight a battle on the earthly venue then imagine the war that rages on a spiritual level. Our advantage - we know who wins. That in and of itself should help remove the fear of what is to come.

None of us truly want to leave the world as we see it. Our biggest thing is leaving family and I think that is what sparks fear, but folks, what lays ahead is so much better. So when the writer of Proverbs said, Trust in the Lord and do it with all you have. Don't rely on what you think you understand but reach to that which is above our understanding and know that God is ahead of us. Do not fear. Do not worry. We are loved beyond all measure and our paths are laid straight.

In this time of uncertainty, remember that we are all God's children and He, above all else, loves us. When you fall into fear, pull out the pen and write the words that God places into your heart. Write them with ambition, with soul. Write them with passion. God made you a storyteller - tell the story and then TRUST in Him with all your heart.

I cannot wait to hear your stories of valant success. I can't wait to hear how you waged war on the evil one with your pen and to learn how God took those words, sharpened the edges, and wielded a sword that could not be stopped. You are His writers. Lift your pens in the midst of uncertainty and write.

We will see you in February. Pens high in the air.

Much love,
Cindy Sproles
Director, Asheville Christian Writers Conference

Comments

Kristy Sheridan From Dallas At 12/14/2020 6:32:33 PM

Cindy, thank you for your perspective. This will be my first writers conference ever and I am so ready to do it IN PERSON! I love your call to trust God in our pursuit of furthering His kingdom with our written words. Be well, Merry Christmas, and I look forward to meeting you in February.

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