The Boyertown Area Times

Belong Tour inspires all women

COMMUNITY >> PAGE C1

- By Wes Woods II

The Belong Tour is for all women. The tour,featuring speakers like Patsy Clairmont, is scheduled for Sept.16 and 17 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelph­ia. Other speakers include author Shauna Niequist, former track star and coach Angela Davis, singer/songwriter and actress Sharon Irving, special musical guests JOHNNYSWIM and more.

Speaker, artist and author Clairmont traveled with the organizati­on Women of Faith for 20 years, which encourages women through music, humor and stories.

“I have many SoCal friends I can’t wait to see,” Clairmont said speaking prior to the event in Ontario, Calif. “We are praying people feel a greater sense of belonging to God and each other.”

Clairmont said, the tour gives women a “mini-vacation from life’s hype” and is not to be missed.

“Anyone with a pulse in her wrist and a longing for an increased sense of sanity, dignity, and connection” should attend, Clairmont said.

Amy Chandy, executive producer of the Belong Tour, describes the event as welcoming women “from everywhere and every stage of life.”

“They have value and they can make a difference,” Chandy said, adding that attendees “need only to open their hearts to experience the love, encouragem­ent, and good news.”

Chandy added. “One woman shared with us that she loved the variety of our music choices, that there was inspiratio­n and faith expressed through fun lyrics that she was familiar with. It helped her feel at home in a space that may have intimidate­d her otherwise.”

Chandy hopes women will discover what their gifts are and how they might begin to use them in their own lives.

A big obstacle preventing some women from reaching their potential, Chandy said, is when they believe they are the only one going through a certain situation or feeling a particular way. Instead of talking about it, they “hide away on their own” and struggle by themselves.

“We want to encourage them to join in with other women and hear stories good, bad, and maybe downright ugly, to begin to understand that no matter where they are in life, there’s hope,” Chandy said. “When you see an entire arena of varied and distinct personalit­ies relax, relate, and realize they are not “the only one,” it shows on their faces. When you see a woman begin todream again and to identify her purpose — there’s nothing like it.”

 ??  ??
 ?? PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BELONG TOUR ?? The Belong Tour takes place Sept.16 and 17 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelph­ia.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BELONG TOUR The Belong Tour takes place Sept.16 and 17 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelph­ia.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United States