Beloved: A Celebration of Love and Connection

I recently attended The Beloved Women's Day event at ASU Memorial Union, hosted by the Phoenix International Christian Church. Lately, I’ve been taking public transportation, especially the light rail. It’s so convenient and takes you to all the major hubs in Arizona and the surrounding counties. The ride was peaceful, and I even got in some extra walking for the day—a little gift to my body and mind.

When I arrived on ASU's Tempe campus, I was immediately welcomed with warmth and grace. Gentlemen dressed in black suits stood holding signs, smiling as they guided us toward the event. Their kindness set the tone, making me feel seen and valued before I even walked through the doors.

At the entrance, more men with signs greeted me with bright smiles and genuine warmth. After checking in at the registration table and getting my name tag, I entered the room alongside a group of women I’d never met before. But it didn’t take long for us to connect—smiles turned into hugs, and suddenly we were talking like old friends. There’s something so powerful about that instant sense of belonging—a reminder that love and connection transcend time and familiarity.

The theme Beloved was drawn from

Romans 9:25 (MSG):

"I’ll call the unloved and make them beloved."

What a powerful truth. To be beloved means to be chosen, cherished, and valued—not for what you’ve done, but simply because you are. The term "beloved" runs deep in Scripture. In the Old Testament, it reflects a longing, a deep emotional connection—God’s tender love for His people. In the New Testament, it speaks of divine and communal love—the kind of love that creates family out of strangers and unity from diversity.

And that’s exactly how this event felt—like a glimpse of heaven. The room was filled with women from all nations, tribes, and tongues—a beautiful tapestry of backgrounds and stories. We were loved on, doted over, and reminded how much God treasures us. I often imagine heaven as a space like this—a vibrant, multi-racial, multi-ethnic gathering where everyone is welcomed and celebrated.

Acts 10:34–35 (MSG) captures it beautifully:

"Now I realize, truly, that God doesn't play favorites. He welcomes people from every corner of the earth who are genuinely respectful of him and who do what's right."

My dear friend Arleen, who invited me, spoke on Being Beloved and Secure. Her testimony blew me away—it was raw, real, and so deeply moving. It reminded me that you never truly know what someone has walked through just by looking at them. Another woman, Alisha, spoke on Being Beloved and Hopeful, and Angeline shared on Being Beloved and Assured. Three different women—a White woman, a Black woman, and a Filipina woman—each with unique stories, but all connected by the same truth: we are seen, known, and loved by God.

What struck me most was how our journeys intertwined. Despite our differences, our hearts connected in the shared experience of being vulnerable, honest, and held by both God and one another. We cried together, prayed together, laughed together, and celebrated each other's victories. This wasn’t just an event—it was a sacred moment of healing and wholeness.

I left feeling lighter, filled up, and reminded of how intentional God is in creating each of us. Psalm 139:13 says, "You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb." To be known that intimately and loved that deeply is life-changing.

As I reflected on the event, this truth settled in my heart:

"You are beloved. Not for what you do, but for who you are. You are cherished not because of your accomplishments, but because of your existence. Rest in that truth."

Here are a few pictures from the event

My friend Arleen speaking on the topic Beloved and Secure

Reflective Questions:

1. How does knowing you are beloved shift the way you see yourself and your worth?
   ➔ We all experience life uniquely and sometimes measure our value by achievements or others’ approval. Take a moment to reflect on how God’s love for you—just as you are—might change the way you see yourself.

2. In what areas of your life do you struggle to feel beloved, and how can you invite God into those spaces?
   ➔ It’s easy to feel unworthy or overlooked when life feels heavy. What specific situations or feelings make it hard to receive God’s love? How might you open your heart to His reassurance and grace?

3. How can you extend the love of being beloved to someone else this week?
   ➔ We are often blessed to be a blessing. How can you reflect the love and acceptance you’ve received—through a kind word, an act of service, or simply holding space for someone else?

With love and a heart open to the Beloved community and God's presence, 

Stacie J. Whitaker-Harris