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Monday, November 9, 2026 at 5:18 PM

Journey Community Church hosts Open Doors Women's Conference

Journey Community Church hosts Open Doors Women's Conference
Joseph Maino, The Fernley Reporter

The Open Doors Women’s Conference brings Christians from different churches, towns and cities together to stop criticizing each other and to make a commitment to do good for their communities. Journey Community Church hosted this year's annual meeting. Presenters included Alexandria Brown, who discussed "Awaken," a Reno non-profit, faith-based organization whose mission is to increase awareness and education surrounding the issue of sex trafficking. Other speakers included Paster Ric Fehr of Reno, and Fernley's Sherry Poundstone and Toni Patterson. Patterson also organized the meeting.

A special part of the conference was the Sand Ceremony.

Patterson told the group, “Each of you received a vial of sand with one specific color. The single color sand represents not only you, but also your specific Christian denomination. You will walk up to the table with the large bowel and pour your vial of colored sand into the it. After all of you empty your small vials of sand into the glass bowel, it will be taken to the back of the church and vigorously mixed so that the individual colored particles of sand can not be separated from each other. Finally, each one of you will receive a new vial that contains the rainbow of color sand grains.”

This "blending of the sands" represents how each person, regardless of their church's denomination, are all one under God and should work together to improve the lives of people who live in their community.

Mixing the sand.
Even the young participated in the Sand Ceremony.
Matt McCleary and the band.
Toni Patterson sings along with the band.
Open Doors is a family event.
Vials of uni-color sand.
Giving out the raffle prizes.
Music was enjoyed by all the participants.
Toni Patterson, Open Doors organizer, speaks to the group.
Participants enjoyed the religious music.
Enjoying the music!
Pouring the single color sand into the bowel.
Soon all the different color grains of sand will be mixed together.

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Comment author: Donald DeVold Comment text: Great article It’s actually spelled DeVold Thank you Comment publication date: 10/29/26, 4:58 PM Comment source: The great robbery: Strip-6 by Solis helps Vaqueros punch playoff ticket Comment author: CH Comment text: I want to start a betting 'pool' for the October, November, and December closures: 1. A dent in the pool slide. 2. A failed breaker. 3. A pebble loose in the water part (replacing all concrete) 4. Hurricane Polo makes a sudden turn and blows off the roof (again). With soft muscles after 7 months of no swimming, the only health left is my sense of humor :) Comment publication date: 10/1/26, 11:18 AM Comment source: Fernley Pool Renovation Moves Forward, One Test at a Time Comment author: PFB Comment text: Why can't you guys find competent contractors.. For a large municipal facility like the indoor-outdoor Fernley Swimming Pool located at 300 Cottonwood Lane, a complete ground-up commercial build or major structural renovation typically spans 6 to 12 months or longer when factoring in large-scale engineering, public municipal permitting, specialized commercial HVAC/roofing, and health department inspections. The current renovation has been- The Fernley Swimming Pool has been closed for approximately six to seven months since late February 2026 for a major roof replacement and facility renovation. Now you sat October. Soooo 8 months for a new roof. The picture shows no other renovations. Comment publication date: 9/17/26, 7:14 PM Comment source: Electrical problem delays Fernley pool opening Comment author: P Comment text: Relative of the Mayor is to over see this site. Anyone who knows Fernley KNOWS this is more of the who you are related to and know business in this town. VOTE THEM ALL OUT AND THE CALIFORNIA TRANSPLANTS. Comment publication date: 9/16/26, 10:31 PM Comment source: Lift Station Failure Released Untreated Sewage Comment author: Christopher Walsh Comment text: Could you look into the strong recurring smell around Fernley? It smells like sewage and it can be bad enough that people don’t want to be outside or open their windows. It would be helpful to get an investigative journalist help the Fernley residents get a clear answer from the City, NDEP, and any involved facilities. I was really disappointed that the smell was not disclosed by my realtor when I moved here. I enjoy Fernley and am seeing the improvements that are being made. With Appreciation Comment publication date: 9/12/26, 2:49 PM Comment source: Sewage spill near City of Fernley Municipal Well 9 Comment author: Alicia Euresti Comment text: We are all so blessed to have Pastor Matt and Mrs. Regina in this town. They have become a major part of pur family and our children adore them. Thank you both for all you do for qll of us. We love you!!!! Comment publication date: 9/6/26, 9:24 PM Comment source: Fascinating Fernley: Meet Your Neighbors at Living Faith Food Pantry