Speaking
Sally Matheny is an encourager with a gift for connection. Passionate to inspire women to use the power of story, history, and His Story to tell the next generation wondrous things, she speaks with Southern charm and authenticity. Her messages of faith, hope, and courage resonate with multigenerational audiences.
I would cherish the opportunity to speak to your group. Below is a list of presentations I’ve given. If any of these topics interest you, or if you have another topic in mind, please reach out to me using the contact page. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.
SPEAKING TOPICS:
“If I’m Meant to be a Butterfly–Why am I Still a Caterpillar?”
If the butterfly represents the beauty of Christian maturity, are you wondering why you’re still a caterpillar? This presentation covers a hunger for God’s Word, the fruit of the Spirit, protection from the enemy, and growing pains! Packed with scripture, humor, and fascinating facts about caterpillars and butterflies it entertains while imparting biblical wisdom for spiritual growth.
This program works well for multigenerational audiences such as Mother’s Day luncheons and teas with children present. Includes a step-by-step, purposeful craft for children (age 5 – 10) to do as the presentation progresses.
(30 – 45 minutes)
“Trusting God Dot-to-Dot”
Dot-to-dot pictures are fun! We start at one and follow the sequence, a finished visual in our heads. Some are simple, some complex, yet the end brings no surprises.
But real life? Who erased the numbers?
In real life, the dots don’t always seem to connect. Yet God knows the design, and His Word reminds us to trust Him . . . dot-to-dot.
This presentation highlights God’s design, guidance, protection, and purpose in our life journeys. I share a personal story about detours I faced becoming a teacher, and how the things we perceive as detours may not be detours at all. This program works well for women’s groups and multigenerational audiences with children (age 5 and up). Includes dot-to-dot activity pages for children.
(30 – 45 minutes)
“Tip Me Over, Lord, and Pour Me Out” (Tea Theme)
What if we compared ourselves to teapots? How’s your spout? Using scriptures and anecdotes, we compare various parts of a teapot to different areas of our lives. Steeped throughout the presentation are correlating facts about tea.
I have presented this program at women’s luncheons and afternoon teas, but I could easily adapt it for a multigenerational audience and include activity sheets.
(30 minutes)
“Which Path Should I Take?” Our Adoption Testimony
Occasionally, we come to a crossroad in life where we feel overwhelmed about which path to take. This is my family’s story about pursuing adoption–the unexpected valleys, the miraculous moments, and the amazing truths God revealed throughout the journey. Includes scriptures and personal journal entries.
This program was presented at a women’s event, but it can be adapted for married couples.
(30 minutes)
“Tell Your Story and Don’t Leave the Jesus Part Out”
In the movie, War Room, a police officer is writing up a crime report. He wants a Christian woman, Ms. Clara, to confirm her statement where she said to a thief, “in the name of Jesus Christ, put down that knife.” She says, “Yes. Make sure you put what I said about Jesus in there because too many people leave the Jesus part out.”
Sally shares one of her most embarrassing moments, what helped her through it, and how God continues to use that moment for His glory.
What’s your story? (It doesn’t have to be an embarrassing story!) Come learn why you need to share it and different ways you can do that.
(30 minutes)
“Splashes of Joy”
Who in your life could use a splash of joy? Everyone, right? No need to tread the brain waters, struggling for ideas. We dive into scriptures for inspiration. Then we explore who, what, when, where, and how to encourage others. This cheery program has been presented at women’s events, but can be adapted for a multigenerational audience, with a craft included.
(30 minutes)
“Our Legacies”
Based on Psalm 78, we explore three areas of our legacies. 1) Loosen It – What to Keep and What to Let Go; 2) Live It – Living Out a Fruitful Legacy Today; and 3) Love It – Claiming Your Inheritance!
Incorporating scriptures, we learn the value of leaving a spiritual legacy for the next generation. You don’t have to be a parent to leave this treasure!
This program is for women. Directions for how to create a Legacy Scrapbook are included and time can be incorporated into the program for women to begin these if so desired.
(30 – 45 minutes)
“Treasured Possessions” (for K – 6 Girls)
Does your daughter or granddaughter have a box in which she stores her collected treasures? This program is for girls aged 5 – 11 and their mothers or another female they hold dear. Throughout the program, the girls help the older women search for certain items in their purses. We seek wisdom from the Bible concerning treasures and shine a bright light on His great love.
This fun and heartwarming program is intended as a special bonding time between the girls and the women they came with. They stay with each other throughout the program and the craft time. The girls decorate a box for their treasures. The older women tuck the Bible verses we discuss into the treasure boxes before praying with the girls. I can adapt this program to include boys, if desired.
(30 – 45 minutes)
“Real Joy, Real Friends”
Two things every woman longs for in the midst of trying times–real joy and real friends. This program will help the women in your group get to know one another better. We explore ideas for moving past friendly chit-chat and building more meaningful friendships. A blessed bond forms as we share Scriptures, songs, and stories. This program is usually presented to a large group, which then breaks into smaller groups. It can be adapted to suit your needs.
(1 -2 hours, depending on allotted time for breakout sessions)
“Be a Friend” (for 3rd – 5th grade Children)
Friendship is like a garden. For it to grow well, it needs extra care. Through fun games, crafts, and activities, children will learn what to do if they are new to a group, how to keep a friendship friendly, and how to take care of friendships so they’ll keep growing.
(1 – 2 hours, depending on how many games and crafts you want)
“Do-Nut Worry About Homeschooling Through High School Planning Workshop”
If you’re a homeschool educator of middle school or high school students, consider this encouraging workshop with practical advice. Includes a handout of all the notes and links to helpful resources.
Taught by Sally Matheny, a homeschool veteran of 20+ years with three graduates. She covers various topics, including how to involve your teens in planning their high school years, driver’s ed., career exploration, taking college classes while in high school, recordkeeping, tests, and transcripts. You’ll receive encouragement for finishing the last leg of your child’s homeschooling journey well and suggestions on how to top it off with a glorious graduation. This program is for homeschool parents. Teens are welcome to attend as well.
(1.5 – 2 hours)
“We’re in this War, Together” An Introduction to the WWII American Homefront
After years of study, I wrote two WWII unit studies that were published by Schoolhouse Teachers. An article I wrote about the American homefront during WWII was published in The Old Schoolhouse. I have taught classes on the WWII American Homefront to homeschool students (ages 10-18) using primary and secondary sources.
Speaking Topics on the WWII American Homefront:
Communication and Entertainment 1941- 1945
WWII Propaganda Posters
Changes in Industries, Jobs, and Housing
Community Involvement: Salvage, Knit, Roll, Write, and Buy
Use It Up, Wear It Out, Make It Do, or Do Without
Rations, Victory Gardens, & Recipes
Introducing President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Eleanor
Inventions 1941 – 1945
If so desired, I can prepare presentations for other age groups on these topics.
(Each presentation is 40 – 45 minutes.)
*PROGRAMS: I provide free digital graphics for bulletin/program covers upon request.