As we near the end of January 2021, I am finding encouragement as I remember to remember the amazing events of the past year for The Anchor. Exactly a year ago, we hosted our last in-person gathering for The Anchor. It was memorable.
The Bellevue Anchor met at the St Thomas school in Medina, Washington and we had over 130 women in the Commons of the school and could barely find seats for everyone. Some were sitting on gym mats on the floor. It was an amazing evening and we were excited about more Anchor gatherings to come but as we all know, more gatherings in 2020 were not to happen. Covid-19 closed our world down.
I remember the day like it was yesterday. I was on cloud 10 thinking of the future of The Anchor and about how our gatherings were growing as we met together to encourage one another and to hear the good news of the hope we find in Jesus. Then it all came to an abrupt halt.
Our last in-person Anchor Gathering with over 130 women
As I look back on all that has happened over the last year for The Anchor I am in awe and want to encourage everyone to remember to remember the good things of 2020 and the faithfulness of God. Good news comes out of bad news as our January Anchor at Home speaker, Susan Hutchison shared with us just a few weeks ago. I continue to be filled with hope and encouragement and I can see firsthand the amazing work of God bringing good out of bad.
I remember the first positive news that occurred the day everything shut down for the pandemic on March 12th. That was the very day we received the great news that The Anchor was officially registered as our own 501c3!
I was blown away by the timing. Things were going so well for the Anchor but I questioned the Lord—really? We had just received our nonprofit status and had one of our most well attended Anchors ever and now a pandemic shuts everything down and we can’t gather together?
I wondered if the Anchor would be able to continue. We had good news of hope to share. These were not my plans but I had to trust that God’s purpose would prevail.
Not long after that memorable March day, we launched The Anchor’s weekly blog. I remember thinking what perfect timing that we were ready to bring hope and encouragement to women online especially in a time that was uncertain and strict on sheltering in place.
Our website designer is truly a gift. I had heard about her artistic talents and her business called “Anchored Paper Co.” I thought anyone with a name like that had to be kindred. What an answer to prayer she was; she transformed our website and created a blog that is truly a beautiful sight! It is the most inviting and encouraging site for women to be filled with hope and light. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect to be able to bring good news in the darkest of times.
A graphic from our Blog launch email detailing all the different ways we’d be sharing hope
I continue to be amazed by how we have been able to take the Anchor and make it virtual so that we can reach women anywhere and everywhere. Our dream has been big to start Anchors across the country and around the world and who would have thought this would be accomplished virtually as opposed to in person as we had originally planned. Once again, God used our circumstances for good! As I remember how the Lord has provided, specifically for the videos, I am in awe and encouraged.
Our videographer lives in Gig Harbor and has been on hand to work for the Anchor, transforming my living room into a studio and filming monthly for us. Our Anchor at Home has been reaching women everywhere; we already have over 3500 views on YouTube since we broadcast our first virtual Anchor at Home last May. We have been viewed in 45 states and we will continue to dream big and share the hope found in Jesus with women everywhere!
This is a strong example of good news in the bad news. I’m awestruck by the guest speakers and musicians we have been able to feature in our videos. The talent and the professionals that have come aboard to share their gifts have far exceeded our expectations.
I have seen firsthand the Lord, the Great connector and orchestrator of all, at work doing way more than we could ever ask or imagine!
The official certificate for our trademarked logo
To top off the year of 2020 for The Anchor, our logo was officially trademarked by the US Patent Office; one more confirmation that God’s hand was in it. I had also met a retired grant writer at the Seattle Anchor whose hard work and effort in applying for a grant on our behalf paid off. We received a grant last fall for a consultant to come on board and help us build our infrastructure and put additional fundraising into place. At this time we have nearly reached our goal of raising $100,000 to help build and lay the foundation for the Anchor to continue to grow.
As I ponder the events of last year and the course The Anchor has taken I could never say enough how thankful I am. As we faced the uncertainties and stormy waves of the pandemic rising around us, the Lord has been at work steering us through and providing what we need. I am looking forward to 2021 and all that is in store for The Anchor as we bring hope, light and joy to women everywhere. So let’s remember to remember the faithfulness of God and remain confident that His business is bringing the greatest news of Jesus to a stormy world and that is what The Anchor is all about.
“I will REMEMBER the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will REMEMBER your miracles. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds. Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God? You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.” (Psalm 77:11-14)
With hope and light,
Did you hear about our first ever Giving Campaign? We are asking if you would prayerfully consider giving a special gift to our “RAISE THE ANCHOR” campaign to help us continue to bring hope to women everywhere.
How to Give
BY MAIL
To give by mail, please send a check made out to “The Anchor Gathering” and mail to:
The Anchor Gathering
c/o Director of Finance
14717 247th Pl SE
Issaquah, WA 98027
ONLINE
To give online, please visit
www.theanchorgathering.com/give
and fill out the form via the National Christian Foundation.
