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Good Morning My Christian Friends:

To The Reverend Fathers of our beloved Zion, my fellow General Officers, Connectional and Missionary Council officers, members of the Executive Board, clergy, laity, and

To the pioneers of Missionary work in this area of our church, namely Mrs. Jessie McManus, Mrs. Alzena DeDeleveaux, the Strayhorns, Mrs. Minnie Young, and many more who have participated in the growth and development of the Women's Missionary Council to date.

Greetings form the Women's Missionary Council of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church!

I count it a privilege to worship, share, and fellowship with the member of the Ninth Episcopal District, Alaska-Pacific Conference under the leadership of Bishop E. Lynn Brown and his gracious wife, Mrs. Gladys Brown.

Today, we have been requested to expound briefly on the topic:

"Hope Beyond Despair: Setting Free The Woman's Spirit"

This is an interesting topic because we as Missionaries, we as Christians, we as God's disciples, can relate to some portion of this topic. We will hear the Christian perspective of this interesting topic shortly, but let me share with you briefly - Our Hope and Despair In Setting Free The Woman's spirit in the CME Church and other national arenas.

Many of you have recalled or heard our early beginning. In the early part of the twentieth century, it was a struggle for the women of our church to be recognized and heard. Many laughed, ignored the pleas of our Missionary sisters and witnessed the subservient status of the Missionary Society compared to other departments in our church. For many women, hope and despair were imminent, but forty-one women at the organizing session of the Women's Connectional Council in 1918 in Nashville, Tennessee visualized a free spirit of harmony, productivity, service and commitment for an organization of lifetime dedication and personal contribution. These women did not give up because God embarked them on a spiritual journey, which became a way of life for many. Because each of these women possessed hope, they also found in this organization witnessing, teaching, serving, and generating funds to assist others. It was an unusual organization, because not just one age group, or class or women that belonged. Each woman possessed a sterling quality or talent, which inspired others to belong to this organization. In a historical perspective, we must say that we were fortunate to have unique leadership in each President that has served. Through the years, many women have experienced the pleasure of working with one of the most successful organizations of our Zion, and their efforts do not indicate any downsizing. In fact, each decade has shown at least a 5-7 percent increase in membership.

What also occurred was women who were allowed to pursue their goals, dedicate their efforts, and ignite a spirit of true Christendom. They were free! You have just heard a revisitation of our beginnings. What about your beginnings or your present day situation - where is your hope?

We must ask the following questions? Do you fear the worst - or do you feel that you are limited? What are your hopes for your local societies? Does someone cloud your thoughts, your ability, and self worth.

Fear is false evidence appearing real. Soon, you will believe that life is not worth living - you give up on your dreams and possible expectations and you become afraid that you will not succeed. This my Christian friends is where you free your spirit - remembering with God all things are possible - That if you have the faith of a grain of mustard seed, nothing will be impossible! Everyone must take the journey beyond despair of a new world of hope and peace.

Our hope for tomorrow is built around dreams - and dreams go hand in hand with hope, and hope gives us the motivation to forge ahead. Over the decades of the past century, we witnessed a freedom of the woman's spirit with a change of who she was. Many women hoped and dreamed of owning businesses, working daily in the labor market instead of performing routine tasks at home day in and day out which were taken for granted. There were several women in the early twentieth century other than our religious leaders that set this example, namely: Madame C.J. Wlker, a self-made millionaire and social activist, and Mary McLeod Bethune, educator and advisor to several of our Presidents. These are just two women who had the spirit of transformation no matter what the risks were. But there were so many more. As the decades passed, women began to see more opportunities of contribution. She also discovered that she had an identity of her own. The 1950's and 60's saw an overwhelming emergence of women not only in the area of education, but in business, and many areas that had been predominately held by men. Remember, our hopes, dreams and prayers guided us to set many women free from the so-called chains of bondage, and they continue to make valuable contributions to society today.

We are proud of the contributions that women have made as free spirits, but the doors remain closed to women and their contributions in large corporations, and it appears that women are definitely taken for granted in the political arena.

This topic has enabled us to refocus on Our Hope Beyond Despair - and as women - it redefines our hopes and dreams. We will be set free to DO WHAT WE HAVE TO DO AS THESE BIBLICAL WOMEN WHO ENCOURENTED JESUS DID!

The following were taken from a presidential retreat during the last Quadrennium. Many have Biblical implications, but they serve as mandates for women.

1. The power to break the silence - woman who anointed Jesus. Mark 14:3-9

2. The power to have freedom - bent over woman. Luke 13:10-17

3. The power of persistent faith - woman who extended the Lord's table. Matthew 15:21-28.

4. The power of touch - woman who broke the curse. Mark 5:25-34.

5. The power of a new beginning - woman who had a near death experience.

6. The power of witnessing - woman who hauled living water. John 4: 1-30; 29-42.

Women, we have broken the fear of hope and despair and we are truly celebrating God's spirit of freedom as a way of life.

I close requesting that you:

• · Realize your unique place in this world
• · Enjoy and appreciate who you are spiritually
• · Give and share your unique abilities with others.
• Thank you, and God bless each of you!

 

Bibliography

Revised Edition of the History of the CME Church. Lakey, Bishop Othal Hawthorne Lakey.

Celebrating Spirit and Hope. Onorato, Terri.