Empowerment - Summer 2026

MPOWERMENT

A First Church of God Publication | Issue 30

Triumph Over Trauma

Beloved, Beloved, I pray that whenever and wherever you read this, it finds you well and blessed.

Welcome to the Summer Edition of Empowerment Magazine. I want to share a word from my heart.

As many of you know, the past month has been physically challenging for me, and because of that, my summer will look different than what I had planned. Earlier today, I listened to a sermon from an Episcopal priest who admitted he used to dread summer. Every year his father would take on a big project, and he said, “I was the cheap labor.”

He encouraged his congregation to enjoy summer — and to let their children enjoy summer.

I want to encourage you to do the same.

It doesn’t have to be expensive.

• • • •

Sit on the porch or the deck.

Go get ice cream cones.

Watch a sunset.

Take a walk.

Summer is a beautiful season. Make the most of it. Make memories.

Make it matter.

Praying you have a wonderful and refreshing Summer!

Blessings - Bishop

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The Bishop Speaks

- Bishop Timothy J. Clarke

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Empowerment Issue #30

Bishop Timothy J. Clarke Executive Publisher & Chief Executive Officer

Brother Edmund Davidson Publisher

Sister Deborah Thompson Editor

Sister Qwinita Bell Contributor

Sister Michelle A. Sutton Contributor

Brother Carlin Armstead Contributor

Sister Villia Davidson Senior Advisor

Attention Want to EMPOWER others?

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Please contact Edmund Davidson at edavidson67@gmail.com for more information.

EMPOWERMENT

Triumph Over Trauma

By Michelle Sutton

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“Trauma is not what happens to you. Trauma is what happens inside you as a result of what happens to you.”

- Gabor Maté

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If your S.A.T. score is above 1350, you’re performing better than 90% of students nationwide. A .300 batting average could land you in the Baseball Hall of Fame. But what happens when your A.C.E.s score is high? For many, it means carrying the weight of childhood trauma long into adulthood.

A.C.E.s — Adverse Childhood Experiences — are traumatic events occurring between birth and age 17. According to the CDC, these experiences include “violence, abuse or neglect; witnessing violence in the home or community; and having a family member attempt or die by suicide.”

Tanikka C. Price knows A.C.E.s personally. An accomplished mother of six, Family Law Attorney, CEO of Health Impact Ohio, and educator with degrees from Vassar College, Capital University, and North Central University, she carries an A.C.E. score of 7.

She recalls the joys of childhood — “playing outside until the street lights came on… riding a bike around the neighborhood and jumping rope.”

But she also remembers the pain: molestation at age four, physical and sexual abuse, and surviving her parents’ undiagnosed depression.

Even so, she found refuge in the homes of friends, teachers, church members, and her faith.

“My faith is everything,” she says.

Pregnant as a teen in college, she

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leaned on God when she had no plan except to take life “one step at a time.” Her grandmother, Lillie A. Owusu — her rock — lived to be 101 and anchored many family traditions.

Today, Tanikka is intentional about raising her children with love, faith, and resilience. She acknowledges the challenges facing youth: social media, drugs, influencers, and spiritual attacks. “I pray that my children will know and love God… that they will know His voice and follow His voice.”

Through trauma, parenting, and professional demands, she has learned to cultivate joy and healing.

Yoga, meditation, prayer, journaling, and daily scripture reading keep her grounded. “I have had to learn… to be my own best friend and to speak life to myself daily.” She believes the light has always outweighed the darkness — “and that’s why I’m still here… not just surviving but THRIVING!” For more information on A.C.E.s, visit your local library.

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Surviving Summer’s Spiritual Slump

by Carlin Armstead

The excitement of summer has arrived. Some people may see summer as the most wonderful time of the year. The season provides an opportunity for us to take a sabbatical (a period of rest) from routines such as work, school, and other year-long obligations.

Spiritually, areas that could be affected by taking a summer break are our Witness, our Worship, and our Work in the Kingdom of God. There is a tendency to drift away to a land of leisure and engage in the apathy of idleness. The temptation to stray from the words of this song:

“I Cannot Be Idle”

By William J. Henry (Hymnary.org)

Verse 1: I cannot be idle, for more reapers to save— Jesus says, "Go And work in My How awful to think of the harvest today; And then at the cost! evening when labor is done, Whatever is right I will pay."

Verse 3 I cannot be idle, soon time will be o’er, And reaping Refrain: be ended for aye; Then away to the work I will I’ll gather the lost from the go And join in the reaping byways of sin To walk in the of grain, And back from the beautiful way. harvest with beautiful sheaves I’ll come with rejoicing again.

Verse 4: I cannot be idle, no time for repose, My resting Verse 2: I cannot be idle, shall be over there, Where the fields are so white, And all of the faithful in Heaven numberless sheaves will be above A crown of bright glory lost; They perish for want of shall wear.

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Now, there is no harm in taking an occasional sabbatical from working. Even God Himself took a break after creating the world.

2 And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.

Genesis 2:2-3 (New King James Version) The challenge for us as Christians is not to lack in the living out of the Believer’s lifestyle. Our way of life should not diminish while taking physical, mental, and emotional rest. So, in the quest to maintain a balance between spiritual living and vacationing, there are ways to continue to incorporate spiritual practices that do not take away from relaxation and restoration.

A few tips to remain spiritually and mentally sharp during the lazy days of summer include: • Doing short Bible studies on your own.

• Moving your time with the Lord to a different time of the day — just for fun.

• Doing something different with the Lord each week.

• Meeting with a friend in person or via FaceTime/other social media to discuss what you are reading.

• Read an enjoyable book you have meant to read but did not get to.

• It is the middle of the year. Review and revise the goals set at the beginning of the year.

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SUMMER RECIPES Fresh | Vibrant| Delicious!

These very quick and simple summer dishes can make your day!

Watermelon Feta Mint Salad

Cucumber-Lemon Cooler

Ingredient

Ingredient

• • • •

• • • •

Watermelon Fresh Mint Lime Juice Seal salt

Watermelon Fresh Mint Lime Juice Seal salt

Instructions

Instructions

• Combine watermelon and mint • Drizzle with lime juice • Sprinkle with sea salt

• Combine watermelon and mint • Drizzle with lime juice • Sprinkle with sea salt

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Cucumber-Lemon Cooler Ingredient • • • • • •

Chicken breasts Lemon Orange Olive Oil Garlic Sea salt

Instructions • • • • •

Mix citrus, garlic, and olive oil together Marinate chicken for 30 minutes Grill until charred and cooked thoroughly Finish with a sequence of lemon Sprinkle with sea salt

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Cucumber‑Yogurt Cooler Soup • 2 large cucumbers, peeled and chopped • 1 cup plain Greek yogurt • 1 clove garlic, minced • 2 tablespoons fresh dill (plus extra for garnish) • 1 tablespoon lemon juice • 1 tablespoon olive oil • Salt and pepper to taste • Optional: a few thin cucumber slices and lemon zest curls for garnish

Instructions • Blend: Combine cucumber, yogurt, garlic, dill, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a blender.

• Chill: Pour into a bowl or pitcher and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

• Serve: Ladle into chilled bowls. Garnish with cucumber slices, dill sprigs, and a drizzle of olive oil.

• Optional twist: Add a pinch of cayenne or a few mint leaves for a subtle kick.

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Strawberry Basil Shortcake Cups • • • • • •

2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced 2 tablespoons sugar (or honey) 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1 cup shortcake biscuits, cut into cubes 1 cup whipped cream Fresh basil leaves, sliced or whole for garnish

Instructions • Prep the strawberries Toss sliced strawberries with sugar and lemon juice.

• Let them sit for 10–15 minutes to release their juices.

• Build the layers In clear cups or small bowls: • Add a layer of shortcake cubes.

• Spoon strawberries (with their syrup) over the shortcake.

• Add a layer of whipped cream.

• Finish beautifully • Top with more strawberries.

• Add a basil leaf or thin basil ribbons.

Optional: a tiny drizzle of honey for shine.

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