Pastor Deb Frysinger

A new organization called Girlfriends Unlimited has met and held its organizational meeting in Lehigh and has set a date for the next gathering which is May 31.

Pastor Deb Frysinger of the First Community Congregational United Church of Christ said she was excited to launch the new group which she called a new ministry aimed at connecting women and helping them to establish meaningful relationships within the community of Lehigh Acres.

“Our first meeting was on March 29 and we had a great time. We had 31 women who attended and we laughed enjoyed each other’s company. We had a great time,” she said.

Frysinger said the purpose of the ministry is to help all women understand the importance of taking time out for themselves. She is happy to provide an opportunity to create a group of friends who truly care for one another.

“Women are so very busy today with their careers, family, and things like volunteering that they rarely take time for themselves,” she said. “This ministry is all about having fun, giggling and getting now other women.”

Girlfriends manual: Ada Thompson, right, and Pastor Deb Frysinger at First Community Congregational United Church of Christ look over a manual for a new program for women at the church. Thompson is the president of the Church Council. Photo by Mel Toadvine

Frysinger said that part of the Girlfriends Unlimited concept is establishing shared interest groups such as scrap-booking, horseback riding, quilting, book clubs, playing cards, walking clubs and more.

“Another way is through Girlfriends’ Nights Out, which include various activities to suit all personalities,” she said.

“Whether a woman is a quiet giggler or a “bust-the-seams laugher or an out loud or hee-haw machine, First Community Congregational dares her to be a part of the joy,” she said.

Frysinger is the pastor of the church at 200 Leeland Blvd. She has just received her licenses from the state of Florida to be the pastor at the church, said Ada Thompson, the church’s chief moderator and president of the Church Council.

“She is doing a wonderful job here at the church and we are glad to have her pastoring to us,” she said.

Frysinger said that at the first meeting of women – of all ages – there was a theme for the day called the Ultimate Gamin’ Gals and it celebrated the “fun and excitement” of being a woman in today’s society.

“The women can get a manicure, get a massage, learn how to pain a craft, sing a song, laugh a lot … every girlfriend of any age needs to know that she’s valued, loved, cared about and celebrated “for being beautifully and wonderfully.”

There is a $5 registration fee that can be paid at the door. At the first meeting the women received a back massage or a mini-manicure, Frysinger said.

She said that Ruth Gehrig, taught a local painting class and every woman went home with something she had painted.

“We all had just a good time,” she said.

Frysinger said the Girlfriends Unlimited will meeting on the last Sunday of the month throughout the year from 3 to 5 p.m.

She advised prospective new members to call the church to register and to see what activities are planned for the nest meeting.

Frysinger said the women who came were from all over Lehigh, not just from her church.

“I passed out flyers at the Spring Festival Parade and we had some women to come after reading them,” she said.

Even though the women have formed a new social organization, the men are not being left out, Frysinger said.

On April 14 at 7 p.m., the Men’s FUN. (Fellows United Now) were to hold their first get together. Men from all walks of live, every age, color, denomination and region are invited to get together.

Frysinger said their over-committed, over-burdened lives come to a screeching halt as they participate in the new ministry or program at First community Congregational Church.

They can laugh, then cry, they ponder as they engage with one another in an authentic an transparent way.

“This is for real men, real life and real impact,” she said.

“Men like to have fun, too. They will be able to to eat, go fishing, play cards, play golf, go bowling, get together and talk sports, take walks and study the Word or just hang out,” she said.

The men will decide what spurs them as a program. The men will culminate a bond, a friendship and an identity that meets the need of men today. Men like to have fun. At these get togethers, they will can have fun. The men will decide what spurs them as a program. They will culminate a bond, a friendship and an identity that meets the needs of men today. Call the church office and register. The number is 369-1615.