Women's Missionary Society
'Empower Equip Enrich" was the theme at the recent  Executive Board Meeting and Mission Motivating Modules 

By Kathleen "Kat" Gordon
Connectional Chairperson Communications and Media Relations

"Empower - Equip - Enrich" was the theme for the Executive Board and Mission Motivating Modules as stated by Dr. Dorothy Adams Peck, President of the Women's Missionary Society of the African Methodist Episcopal Church that recently convened (Wednesday, January 31 - Saturday, February 3, 2001) at the Memphis Cook Convention Center in Memphis, Tennessee. 

Bishop Frederick Hilborn Talbot and Dr. Sylvia Ross Talbot, Supervisor of the Thirteenth Episcopal District hosted the meeting. "It is important that we come to report on our ministry, evaluate our stewardship and celebrate our numerous accomplishments," stated Dr. Peck 

 Missionaries and Supervisors of mission gathered from around the globe to Connect with the village, Act on their behalf, Respond to the call and Experience the joy of celebration. These missionaries sojourned to Memphis with open ears, hearts, minds, and spirits and with a willingness to be givers, receivers, teachers, and learners. 

Scholarships were presented to deserving students throughout the Episcopal Districts of the AME Church. Overseas Districts were given financial contributions for mission projects, District Support, Educational Resources, Education and Rehabilitation, HIV/AIDS and the Mozambique Disaster Relief. 

The Women's Missionary Society's Sojourners mission project is on the move and was presented with a check in the amount of $5,000.00 for the Tenth Episcopal District. 

It is the practice of the Women's Missionary Society of the African Methodist Episcopal Church to provide financial contributions and in-kind services to organizations in communities where the Women's Missionary Society of the African Methodist Episcopal Church hold its meetings: 

For the city of Memphis,  the Women's Missionary Society selected Hope House Day Care Center and Bethel A.M.E. Church Day Care Center to be the recipients of its financial contributions. Dr. Betty Dupont, Executive Director of Hope House and Rev. Ware, pastor of Bethel A.M.E. Church provide services for seniors and children. 

"Other Special Initiatives such as the "Wednesdays in Washington, D.C." by the Children Defense Fund. Their campaign, "To leave no child behind" is mission motivated to enforce stronger legislation for children. HIV/AIDS Task Force, the BIG MAK Educational project, the Sojourners and the Young Women's Initiatives along with our standing committees are on the move," Dr. Peck stated. Be very watchful of the work of our standing committees and elected and appointed officers as they venture into their global mission. 

Dr. Peck shared the work of the women in the society by executing "Mission Motivation Modules." Her desire is to see these modules instituted on all levels of the Women's Missionary Society throughout the AME Church. 

Dr. Peck's Annual Address was enhanced by a powerful Power Point Presentation entitled: Use Me! 

The highlight of the Executive Board included a Counterpart Dialogue with elected and appointed officers,  along with our special and supportive initiatives, sharing ideas across the globe. 

"This type of dialog had never been shared and took on a richer and fuller meaning of the duties of our roles in the society. These sessions proved to be very productive. Connecting and dialoguing with counterparts was a successful experience," stated Dr. Peck. 

Those in attendance asked the conveners and facilitators to continue this format at our next Executive Board meeting to be held in Jackson, Mississippi. Through their participation they have become more powerfully enriched, more relevantly equipped and more positively empowered to live a productive life in the village.

 "The Women's Missionary Society recognizes that people of faith, in general, and the African Methodist Episcopal Church, in particular, must move into the twenty-first century with a new paradigm for servant-leadership ... We must accept more seriously the global challenge 'to serve the present age,'" stated President Peck.

This report was prepared by  Kathleen "Kat" Gordon Connectional Chairperson Communications and Media Relations 936 St. George Street Orlando, Florida 32805 Tel: 407-298-2718 Fax: 407-291-6778 Email: KATGORDON2000@aol.com

Our thanks also go out to Cheryl Jones, Connectional Assistant Recording Secretary for the W.M.S. who was instrumental in getting this excellent report into the hands of A.M.E. Today in an expeditious fashion