The holiday season can be hectic, and many times it’s easy to overlook reasons to be thankful.

On Nov. 13, the Female Factor luncheon will play host to Dr. John Ed. Mathison, retired senior minister of Frazer Memorial Methodist Church in Montgomery.

“We had him here last December as part of our Christmas program,” said Dianne Lee, with Female Factor. “When we began to talk about who might be able to uplift us and remind us about being thankful, he was the person who came to mind.”

Mathison left Frazer in June 2008 after 36 years at the church. Before that, he served as associate minister at Capitol Heights Methodist Church in Montgomery, as minister at South Brookley Methodist Church in Mobile and as minister at Trinity United Methodist Church in Phenix City.

Under his leadership at Frazer, the congregation grew from 400 members to 8,800 and had the largest Sunday School attendance for United Methodist churches in America.

“In times like these, you really do need to focus on what you are thankful for,” Lee said. “John Ed is such an incredible speaker and such a man of God. When you listen to him, regardless of what your religious affiliation is or isn’t, you just feel so uplifted.”

Lee said Female Factor organizers are preparing for a large crowd next Wednesday and noted it is very important for this month’s event to reserve a seat at the event. Lee said planners want to make sure lunch and seating is available for every woman who’d like to attend.

“We, as a community, do have a lot to be thankful for,” Lee said. “We hope that people leave the event reminded of that.”

To RSVP to next Wednesday’s Female Factor luncheon, call 670-5487 or email femalefactor@troymedicalcenter.com.