Seminar will address gratitud

When it comes to benefits, the servants of God have a package of their own.

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According to Psalm 103, it includes the forgiveness of sins, healing, salvation, blessings of love and mercy, and the renewal of one's strength, said Jane Howington, an Augusta-area Bible teacher.

"How could you not be grateful?" she asked.

Yet people are not always mindful of their blessings.

They get overwhelmed when an event such as a natural disaster sweeps into their lives. A look at history's plagues, wars and other devastating events is a sobering reminder that "we are East of Eden. We are no longer in the Garden," Mrs. Howington said.

Gratitude - a Perspective and an Attitude is the theme for the annual Women's Enrichment Seminar at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 27, at Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church, 2261 Walton Way. It will be repeated at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 28, at the church.

Registration is $10 through Friday and $12 thereafter. It includes refreshments from Poppy Seeds. Child care will be available for children younger than age 10, but mothers must call ahead.

Joining Mrs. Howington on the speaker's stand and in the discussion afterward will be Vivian Pennamon, a retired Richmond County school principal, and the Rev. Harriette Simmons, the rector of St. Augustine's Episcopal Church on Wheeler Road.

Dr. Pennamon, a member of Belle Terrace Presbyterian Church, was the first black principal in an all-white Richmond County school during desegregation, Mrs. Howington said.

Dr. Pennamon, who has a doctorate in administration and supervision, worked as a teacher, assistant principal and principal during a 27-year career. She retired from A.R. Johnson Health Occupations High School about three years ago.

The Rev. Simmons moved from Atlanta to Augusta about two years ago to serve as associate rector at St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Before her ordination, she worked for a bank, sold real estate in Atlanta, taught Bible study and reared four children.

"God's gift to us is joy, even in the midst of real hard circumstances sometimes," the Rev. Simmons said.

Gratitude should be practiced every day, she said.

"At first, we have to will to be grateful, then after awhile it gets easier. Then you begin to see the joyful things in life."

Reach Virginia Norton at 823-3336 or virginia.norton@augustachronicle.com.

Faith seminar

Who: Jane Howington, Dr. Vivian Pennamon and the Rev. Harriette Simmons

Topic: Gratitude - a Perspective and an Attitude

Where: Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church, 2261 Walton Way

When: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 27, and 9:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 28

Cost: $10 through Friday and $12 thereafter, includes refreshments from Poppy Seeds; child care available for infants and children younger than age 10, but mothers must call aheadPhone: 733-2275