From the President’s Desk
“and the people of Israel came up to her for judgement” Judges 4:4-5
God delights in strong women. We in the church should, too. Our celebration of strong women in the body of Christ should be heard loud and clear. What needs to be heard as well is a joyful embracing of what the Bible celebrates as a strong woman. There’s no biblical formula for a strong, godly woman. But as the Spirit opens our eyes, we can dig relentlessly into God’s revelation, to get a clearer and clearer view.
I love the story of Deborah. This strong woman stands out as one of the few mentioned prophetesses, and the only mentioned female judge of Israel, and arguably the godliest one. I’ve been doing some digging lately into the story of Deborah in Judges 4–5. This strong woman stands out: one of a few mentioned prophetesses, and the only mentioned female judge of Israel arguably the godliest one.
Deborah ‘s story is one which directs us to God. The people of Israel had God’s word and land he promised, but would disobey him repeatedly. Although God allowed enemy nations to oppress, God would also rescue the people of israel. Deborah took part in one of the rescues, but understood that her strength came from the Lord Deborah’s story is about what God was doing.
Deborah speaks God’s word. When we celebrate the strength of Deborah, we celebrate a woman on whose tongue lay God’s word. In commands (Judges 4:6, 14), judgments (Judges 4:9), and promises (Judges 4:7, 14), Deborah’s mouth overflows with God’s word.
Not only does Deborah speak God’s word, she obeys it. God commanded Barak to lead out Israel’s army as deliverer of Israel; Deborah herself has communicated that com-
The “Communicator” is a publication of the Mobile District Women’s Home & Overseas Missionary Society
“Six Departments But One Society “
Mrs. Annie Harris – Life Members Council
Mrs. Lola Petway – Secretary of Bureau of Supply
Mrs. Andrea Robinson – Superintendent of BUDS
Mrs. Diana Rivers – Secretary of Youth Missionary Society
Mrs. Lourdes Thorn – Coordinator of YAMS and Reporter
Mrs. Stefany Gant – 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
DISTRICT WOMEN’S HOME & OVERSEAS MISSIONARY SOCIETY West Alabama Conference – African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Communicator
MOBILE
Volume VII, Issue I– Winter 2024
First Mass Meeting Second Mass Meeting
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 year opened with the Mobile District Missionaries convening at Big Zion AME Zion Church for the 1st Mass Meeting. Missionaries and friends gathered to explore the theme “We are One” through an interactive presentation by Mobile District Superintendent Mrs. Andrea L. Robinson. Mrs. Robinson helped those present see through our differences to highlight our similarities, and further, to see that “we are one” and so we all have a key place within the missionary department. Constitutional officers were elected, along with the Youth Delegate to the Missionary Convention, Ms. Kaiteari Ward. Mrs. Stefany Bea Gant serves as District President.
The 2nd Mass Meeting was hosted by the YAMS Department, under the leadership of Mrs. Lourdes Thorn, District Coordinator of YAMS. While the 2nd Mass Meeting, held at Hope Chapel AME Zion Church, was a two-hour meeting, Mrs. Thorn began presenting information on the topic, domestic violence, weeks before. Using video clips from “A Different World” a 90s era sitcom situated on the fictional Hillman College Campus (and therefore truly relevant to the YAMS age group), she presented various domestic violence situations that occurred in the episode. During the mass meeting, law enforcement, domestic violence victim’s advocate, and a former municipal domestic violence judge presented several aspects of domestic violence. The YAMS also adopted Penelope’s House, the only domestic violence shelter. The YAMS presented the shelter with toiletries, diapers, strollers, and housewares to bless those afflicted by domestic violence.
Moving with MomsDancing with Dads
An Evening at the Oscars
The BUDS, under the leadership of Mrs. Andrea Love Robinson, hosted a fun program for the Anniversary Celebration, “Dancing with Dads and Moving with Moms.” Each church’s representatives (a BUD and an “grown” BUD) presented a short talent. It was such a joy to see our children having fun with their parents, grandparents, aunties, and uncles. Laughter and smiles were abundant. Additionally, the BUDS and their youth friends participated in mounting a penny brigade, where the BUDS (and grown folks too) filled water bottles with loose change, and then decorated the water bottle in their own special way. A vote was held on the District Missionary Facebook page, where members of the public could vote for the leader of the penny brigade. The winner, Little Miss Addison Simmons, was crowned the leader of the Penny Brigade and will have special duties during the upcoming Conference Year.
The District President, Mrs. Stefany Gant, and the District Coordinator of YAMS, Mrs. Lourdes Thorn, traveled to Lomax-Hannon Junior College to attend the Quadrennial Celebration, honoring the Missionary Supervisor of the AlabamaFlorida Episcopal District, Mrs. Laurenna Crenshaw.
It was a beautiful event, filled with food, fun, fellowship, laughter, and love. Mrs. Thorn served as a Presenter. It was no surprise that Mrs. Crenshaw won all the awards, as she is always a winner in our books!
Prayer Breakfast
Life Members Celebration
Mrs. Lola Petway, District Secretary of Supply, spearheaded the return of the Mobile District Women’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society’s Prayer Breakfast. After a 3-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Prayer Breakfast returned with a spiritual and moving program. The program featured participants from each church and prayers for the city, church leaders, civic leaders, children, and those struggling with mental health challenges. Those gathered were also treated to a delicious breakfast prepared by the Little Rock AME Zion Church Culinary Staff.
The Life Members, adorned in white and Life Members stoles, presented a spiritual program for the Life Members Celebration. The program, held at Solomon Temple AME Zion Church, featured the theme “What’s Love Got to Do with It?” presented by Rev. Tonya Sims. The District Chairperson of Life Members is Ms. Annie Harris.
3rd & 4th Mass Meeting
The Youth joined with the BUDS of Promise to present the 3rd & 4th Mass Meeting, which focused on mental health amongst our most vulnerable citizens. The meeting, hosted by the wonderful people at Pilgrim Rest AME Zion Church, began with each church’s youth processing into Mary Mary’s “It’s the God in Me.” Licensed Therapist Veronica Davis presented on the topic, Healthy Minds…Healthy Lives. Mrs. Davis led a roundtable discussion which encouraged even our youngest minds to participate by asking and answering questions. The Youth Missionaries are led by Mrs. Diana Rivers, District Secretary of Youth.
Women’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society Convention
The highlight of this Conference Year was attending the 30th Session of the Quadrennial Convention of the Women’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society, held in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Mobile District Officers packed departmental themed attire and loaded up to journey to NOLA. Once there, we were excited to see our own Mrs. Lourdes Thorn selected to serve as the scribe for the Alabama-Florida Episcopal District. The District Officers participated in business sessions, elections, and departmental celebrations. We were blessed to hear of the donation made by the missionaries to Covenant House, a local shelter that serves young people overcoming homelessness and trafficking. Additionally, it was great to see so many missionaries from across the country, and the overseas delegations were simply beautiful. We were blessed to have a total delegation of eighteen people, which included our six district officers spots (Mrs. Andrea Robinson and Ms. Annie Harris we’re unable to attend. We are so grateful for Rev. Andrea Wiley and Ms. Terri Thompson who stepped in without hesitation.), along with our youth delegate, Presiding Elder Rev. Dr. Titus Thorn, Rev. O’Neil Wiley (Presiding Elder of the Jefferson District), Rev. Alphonso Petway, Ms. Voncile Smith (District CED Director), Ms. Carolyn Brown, Ms. Tonya Smith (District Director of Young Adults), Ms. Samantha Thompson, and three youth.
From the President’s Desk (Cont
manded. Even when Barak is afraid to obey, Deborah does not belittle or replace him; rather, she helps him. She made sure that God’s commands were carried out.
Finally, she sings the word of God. She first praises God for Israel’s leaders who faithfully came out to battle. She was even strong enough to point out those who shied away from leadership. Through her song Deborah bears witness to the ways God uses men and women to serve him and every kind of serving requires great strength.
Deborah’s story reminds me to look first to God, whose word covers my days. As a woman specifically, I am encouraged to see how God distinctly prepares, calls, and uses women. I pray to serve faithfully as a word-filled woman. I pray for my heart to go out to the women (and men ) God calls as a spiritual leaders of the church. They are imperfect and sometimes weak, and so am I. Sometimes I am strong when they are weak.
Like Deborah, may more strong and godly women speak the word, obey it, and sing it with all our hearts.
Happy Women’s History Month!
Yours in Christ,
Stefany Bea Gant
In Closing….
“The LORD’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him. Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!” Psalm 32:10, 11
God controls and allows every detail of our lives. Nothing happens without His knowledge and approval.
Every day, little changes in schedule or small irritations occur. Everyday, we can choose to let these obstacles upset us, or we can rest in the knowledge that God lovingly ordained them as small irritants to help us look to and rely on Him. For example, we can grumble about the frustrating traffic jam that is keeping us from getting somewhere on time, or we can remember that God knows about our deadlines and view the time sitting in traffic as an opportunity to pray. We can complain, or we can rejoice.
May we allow the knowledge that we are continually surrounded by God’s unfailing love to permeate our lives and chase away our complaints and fears.
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Reaching the Masses in an Ever changing World, the Journey Continues!
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