From the President’s Desk
“Cast all your anxieties upon Him, because He cares for you” 1 Peter 5:7
When times are hard and we feel as if nothing is going our way, we may give up all hope. But it is in these times that our faith can either suffer or grow stronger. The choice is up to us. In dark times, we can rediscover or deepen our faith and rekindle our relationship with God if we choose to.
Brian Houston, founder and pastor of the Global Hillsong Church and author of There Is More: When the World Says You Can’t, God Says You Can, shared a story about a man from Australia who found himself at the end of his rope. He was in the midst of a painful divorce, and when he thought it couldn’t get any worse, he was diagnosed with cancer. The man became so depressed that he decided to commit suicide by jumping off a mountain. However, on his way up the mountain, he encountered heavy traffic due to people directing cars to the Hillsong church for an event. This struck the man’s curiosity so he decided to check it out. At the church, he listened to music and words of hope and love. He quickly realized there was a solution to his problems. On his way to end it all, he encountered the grace and love of God. Instead of ending his life that day, he decided to begin truly living.
We all face difficult times in life, but it is how we react to these times that truly matters. When it feels that things couldn’t get any worse, we must remember to turn to the Lord. When we place our trust fully in the Lord, our faith grows deeper, our relationship with Him grows stronger, and we witness the miracles that only He can make happen.
Yours in His Service, Elizabeth Butler
Volume VII, Issue I– Winter 2022
The “Communicator” is a publication of the Mobile District Women’s Home & Overseas Missionary Society
“Six Departments But One Society “
Mrs. Lola Petway Secretary of Bureau of Supply
Mrs. Annie Harris Life Members Council
Mrs. Andrea Robinson Superintendent of BUDS
Mrs. Diana Rivers Secretary of Youth Missionary Society
Mrs. Stefany Gant – Coordinator of YAMS and Reporter
Mrs. Elizabeth Butler – President Parent Body
Rev. Dr. Titus Thorn Presiding Elder
Mrs. Sandra Crowder International President
Mrs Laurenna H. Crenshaw Missionary Supervisor Bishop George Crenshaw Presiding Prelate
Welcome to The Right Rev. Bishop George and Mrs. Laurenna Crenshaw to the Alabama Florida Episcopal District.
We also welcome our new Presiding Elder, Rev. Dr. Titus Thorn, and his wife, Mrs. Lourdes Thorn to the Mobile District. Rev. Thorn is also the new pastor at Big Zion.
MOBILE DISTRICT WOMEN’S HOME & OVERSEAS MISSIONARY SOCIETY West Alabama Conference – African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Communicator
First Mass Meeting Held
The Mobile District Women’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society held its Second Mass Meeting on January 22, 2022. Due to the COVID 19 Pandemic, It was held via the Zoom Platform. The Parent Body was in charge of the program.
The program began with a short devotion, followed by a video on Transformative Service, presented by the International President of the Women’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society, Mrs Sandra Crowder. Following the offering, Rev. Dr. Sondia Christian, pastor of Twin Beech AME Zion Church, introduced Ms. MiCollette Richardson, a Registered Nurse and member of Solomon Temple AME Zion Church. Nurse Richardson currently serves as Head of COVID Protocols at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi.
Nurse Richardson presented an informative Power Point Presentation on COViD 19 in general and specifically, the Omicron variant. She gave helpful tips on transmission prevention and managing symptoms should on contract the Coronavirus. Nurse Richardson’s presentation was followed by a COVID 19 Public Service Announcement, produced by the Mobile District WH&OMS Executive Board.
The Mass Meeting was concluded with remarks from Mrs. Elizabeth Butler, Mobile District President and Rev. Dr. Titus Thorn, Presiding Elder, followed by the Missionary Benediction.
YAMS LIFE
The YAMS are in charge of the Second Mass Meeting. Local Coordinators, please contact Mrs. Stefany Gant, District Coordinator of YAMS, with your contact information. Please note that due to an Episcopal Event, the Second Mass Meeting has been moved to March 26, 2022, at 10L00 am. It will be held virtually.
Be sure to register for the WH&OMS Explosion. This is a great year to attend, as you can attend from the comfort of your own home. Please see Mrs. Butler for registration forms.
Start your day in prayer with your Missionary Sisters
BUDS Business
• Don’t forget to recruit BUDS to submit articles and subscribe to the MY BUDDY Magazine. For more information, please see Mobile District Superintendent of BUDS, Mrs. Andrea Love Robinson.
Youth Cares
Save the Date
The Mobile District Youth Missionary Society presents
4th Miss Victoria Richardson Pageant May 22, 2022 @ 3pm
Solomon Temple AME Zion Church
Each church is asked to have a representative. Categories are (Junior Y’s) ages 13-16 and (Senior Y’s) ages 1721.
For more information, contact Mrs. Diana Rivers, District Secretary of Youth at 228-623-8067 or email hosanna44@aol.com.
Mark your calendars for the WH&OMS 30th Quadrennial Convention. More information is forthcoming.
Supply Style
This year, the Bureau of Supply will be collecting girls underwear and feminine products for Middle School students. This mission project will culminate at the 3rd & 4th Mass Meeting. Mrs. Lola Petway, District Secretary Supply, will provide more information.
#MissionsMatter
Life Matters
It’s never too late to become a member of the Life Members Council. Please see Mrs. Annie Harris, Mobile District Life Members Council Chairwoman, for information on how you can join.
Life Member stoles are $40.00 and Matron/ Patron Stoles are $100.00
The Buds of Promise of New Ship AME Zion Church observed Marie L. Clinton Day on Sunday, January 23. In keeping with the missionary theme of "Transformative Service," we participated in a workshop entitled "Be the Change." The Buds also gathered and organized our donation for the shoe and sock drive. We may be small in number, but we are big at heart!
Shoes and Socks Collection Drive
The Alabama Florida Episcopal District, under the direction of the Right Reverend George Crenshaw held a Shoes and Socks Collection Drive. The Missionaries spearheaded this project for the Mobile District. On Saturday, January 29, 2022, churches from across the District brought gently used and new shoes and new socks to Big Zion AME Zion Church, where Missionaries sorted, tied, and banded shoes together to send to Lomax Hannon. The shoes and socks will be sent to our Brothers and Sisters in our newly formed overseas conferences.
As we celebrate Black History Month, we honor and remember Harriet Tubman. A Zionite, Mrs. Tubman made it her mission to lead slaves to freedom. We thank God for her life and, in many ways, her influence on the Women’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society.
Mrs. Lola Petway, Mrs. Andrea Robinson, Mrs. Yvonne Pinkney, Mr. Isaiah Pinkney, and Mrs. Stefany Gant prepared shoes and socks for shipment.
