Mount Zion YPD Celebrates Christmas

On Saturday December 19th the YPD of Mount Zion AME Church got together for a Christmas fundraising event. They arrived early at the church to prepare for a day of baking and decorating cookies and cakes. The YPD'ers were also Santa's helpers offering to gift wrap Christmas presents for a monetary love donation. It was a joy filled day of fun and laughter. This was an opportunity for our youth to get together and have some fun while working toward a common goal. Thanks to the missionary advisers who also help to supervise the days activities. The YPD is looking forward to next years event to be bigger and better.

Battle Creek Area Meeting - Grand Rapids

The 2nd Battle Creek Area Meeting was held in Grand Rapids on November 21st at Community AME Church. Missionaries from near and far came to be spiritually edified as well as informed regarding missionary work. Our area Worship Director Jeanette Smiley prepared a wonderful devotion service taken from chapter 1 of the Book of Hebrews (Amplified Version). We sang and prayed and were uplifted in prayer. Our Area Chairperson Rosa Moss-Hargrove prepared a wonderful informative meeting for us. Each of the churches in the area are doing wonderful mission work as we found out through the presidents reports. Community AMEC rolled out the red carpet of hospitality and prepared a wonderful lunch. There was also an opportunity to do some early holiday shopping from the clothing and accessory boutique as well as the party life candle display. Our conference President Jackie Mitchell-Robinson was in attendance and gave us a full download regarding the District expectations and mission projects. The meeting was well attended and all were blessed for being in attendance. Thank you to all who were there to support the work of missions for the Battle Creek Area.

Battle Creek Area Meeting

Tabernacle Idlewild Hosts Battle Creek Area Meeting

It was still dark and the misty rain was coming down but 7 women from Mount Zion and 4 women from Lewis Chapel faithfully came together to travel to Idlewild Michigan. All were a little tired and not quite awake but still happy to see each others smileing faces. We got situated and by 7:15am we were on our way...to McDonalds that is. We needed our coffee and egg sandwiches before we could navigate the 2 hour and 30 min trip to Black Eden. After the food break we were on our way. Gospel music in the cd player and singing missionaries in the van. With our trusty GPS system and only one potty break we reached our destination. This was my first time ever going to Idlewild. I can't believe I was able to walk on the property that has been such an vital part of the African American Experience in Michigan. Once we arrived at Tabernacle AMEC (just past the Post Office) we were greeted by Sis. Iris Hill (local WMS President). Hugs , kisses and hello sisters followed as we greeted all who had made the trip to our little piece of heaven - Tabernacle. 5 churches from the Battle Creek Area were present and we had 23 people in attendance. What a great way to start the conference year. Our Conference President - Jackie Mitchell-Robinson and our 1st VP - Joyce Johnson (Sis. JJ) were on hand as well. We started with a wonderful devotion led by Sis. Jeanette Smiley. We had 2 new missionaries in attendance and 3 first timers to our Area Meeting. God is provideing the increase. We had a through nominateing committee report presented by Sis. Ethel Fitzpatrick and with new names of persons willing to step out on faith and strech themselves for the word of the Lord. The new officers were installed by Sis. Mishca R. Smith and the ladies were charged with keeping their focus on the Lord as they so the work of missions. They were also asked to rememeber that they are each others sister and to remember that there is strength in numbers so stay hooked up with each other. The business portion of the meeting was run smoothly and efficiently by Area Chairperson Sis. Rosa Moss-Hargrove. Business was concluded by 1:45pm. A wonderful bounty of food was prepared by the women from Tabernacle - salad, green beans, roll, baked and fired chicken, jello, cake, punch, tea and coffee. Those ladies sure can cook. There was a buzz of conversation and laughter in the air as we fellowshiped with on another. There was still excitement about the WGI Convocation and what the experiences meant to us personally. There was talk about the reading list from last conference year and how the different topics made us all pause and think. At last it was time for us to get back on the road to return to our respective homes. We couldn't leave with without taking a group picture for the record. On this day...my BIRTHDAY...I got to spend it with 23 wonderful women of GOD in Idlewild (Black Eden). I don't think I could have planned a better birthday celebration. Special thanks to Sis. Sherry Williams for getting to our destination and back without any incident. The drive was so smooth we all agreed that she could drive us all to heaven. God bless the women of the Battle Creek Area. I feel that this year we are going to do bigger and greater things for the Kingdom of God and we each are going to grow deeper in our relationship with the Lord.

Peace to My Missionary Sisters

Mishca R Smith

Open Altar Of Prayer - All Are Welcome

Come to Mount Zion AMEC every 1st Monday of the month starting Monday, March 2, 2009 and participate in our open altar of prayer. The altar will be open from noon until 1:00pm and 7:00pm -8:00pm. Missionaries will be present to pray for those who might need an intercessory prayer warrior. All are welcome to participate and experience the power of prayer. If you need directions to the church please contact the church office at 269-962-8907 between the hours of 9:00am - 3:00pm M-Th

In His Service,
Mishca R. Smith
Enid Evans WMS President

Women's Global Initiative - Prayer Warriors Needed

February 7, 2009

To My Sisters In Christ,

I greet you with the grace and presence of God our Father. This letter serves as an introduction and encouragement for you to participate with us as we prepare for our upcoming Prayer Convocation in Toronto, Canada.

As you may be aware, Rev. Dr. Cecelia Williams Bryant, Episcopal Supervisor, 4th Episcopal District, has championed many outreaches to enrich the spiritual health of women. In one of her first outreach since moving to the 4th Episcopal District, she is uniting with women around the world as we seek to create “From Many Nations, One Sisterhood.” Please join me and other women by first praying one of the “7 Prayer Initiatives of the International Women’s Prayer (see attached). After reading the Prayers, please select one to pray daily. Call or e-mail me with your selection.

It is our goal to have 10,000 or more women praying daily. Isn’t God awesome!! I invite you to select one prayer to pray daily and I also encourage you to help us reach our goal of 10,000 women by sharing this correspondence with other women.

In addition, I invite you to join us from September 17-20 in Canada. If you are interested, please go to the website listed in the attached information and register. Once you have registered, please let me know so that I can follow-up with you to ensure that we are on one accord.

I know the Lord has some awesome work ahead for us to do if we will only be obedient to his word. As Missionaries we all need to promote the importance of a good and active prayer life. We need to move our sisters beyond praying for God to do things for us toward praying for direction for where God wants to lead us. We need to move beyond praying a prayer of CRISIS to prayer becoming a life-style. I would like to thank you all for the work you do and I look forward to what the Lord has in store for us in Toronto.

In His Service,
Mishca R. Smith

7 Prayer Initiatives of the International Women’s Prayer Convocation

In Gratitude to God and
With unwavering faith in the Redeeming Love of Jesus Christ,
Women around the world seek the Power of the Holy Spirit
As together we pray to the Lord –

I. That each of us will awaken to our Divine Purpose
That communion with God will be our daily vocation
That Grace, truth and compassion will direct our paths and
That God will be glorified in the sharing of the Gospel.

II. May God be merciful to hear our prayers for the healing of the earth. May our hearts be united in repentance for the excesses of humanity that diminish biodiversity, create pollution, toxic waste, deforestation and a shortage of potable water.

III. May God hear our Lamentations for the violence perpetrated against women and children – international, civic, cultural and domestic. Let us pray to the Lord for reconciliation and peace with justice between warring parties and an end to all forms of torture: emotional, spiritual and physical.

IV. May God show us the way to a New World Economic Order in which persons will have meaningful work and just compensation; where governments transform policies and practices that perpetrate unemployment, homelessness, illiteracy and poverty.

V. By solemn, consecrated fasting and prayer, let us travail before the Lord for miraculous healing's in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. May the Spirit of the Lord raise up an army of health care professionals and intercessors to the sick worldwide.

VI. Daily let us seek the Lord to bless and restore family life. May our marriages flow in Kingdom Glory. May our parenting be endued with wisdom, compassion and holiness. May our children thrive. And may our elders be honored, encouraged and protected with each passing day.

VII. May God grant to each woman a “Sistah” Sabbath for her appointed time of rest, refreshing and Grace in the Presence of the Lord.


Our prayers will be accompanied by contributions donated to:

Country Agency Focus
Canada Touch Stone Center pregnant and homeless teens
Haiti La Santé Des Femmes healthcare for women
Kingdom of Lesotho Tsepong Children’s Home HIV-AIDS orphans
Sudan My Sister’s Keeper displaced women & children
India Women’s Cooperative economic development initiative
International Services and ecological healing
Development Agency
U.S.A. Mother Beverly Thomas introduction to the Arts for
Fine Arts Institute Urban Youth



Unite with Christian Women around the world as we seek to create
“From Many Nations, One Sisterhood.”

September 17-20, 2009

Toronto, Canada

To Register: www.fourthdistrictame.org

Rev. Theresa Dear, Sis. Constance Rose
Attorney Pamela Osborne, Sis. Esata Masters-Beale,
President Joyce Keys Garrison
Rev. Dr. Cecelia Williams Bryant, Spiritual Director

It is important that you return this information to me before the end of March.
Name: _______________________________________________________________________________

Address: _____________________________________________________________________________

City____________________________________ State:_____________________ Zip Code____________

Telephone___________________________________ E-mail:__________________________________

Prayer # Selected to pray daily:__________________________________________________________

I am interested in traveling to Toronto in September: Yes____________ No_______________

I will register via website: _________ Please e-mail me form & information for registering:___________

SOS/DOD Global Leadership Institute

The 1st Sons of Success (S.O.S) and Daughters of Destiny (D.O.D.) Global Leadership Institute for the Bryant Team will take place April 16th-19th, 2009, at Camp Baber. The core purpose of S.O.S. and D.O.D. is to build and maintain self-esteem within our young people, promote healthy relationships, enrich the lives of African-American youth and empower them to develop their God-given potential, and speak purpose into the lives. The ages of participants of S.O.S. and D.O.D. are 11-17.

We need the following commitment from each conference:

Canada

5 males 5 females

Chicago

30 males 30 females

Illinois

15 males 15 females

Indiana

20 males 20 females

Michigan

35 males 35 females

The Bryants have selected a very powerful and anointed staff, so this experience will be successful. The Rites of Passage will culminate at our Christian Education Congress in July 2009. It is mandatory that individuals are present at the Global Leadership Institute to participate in the culmination activities at the Christian Education Congress.

TheRegistration is $125.00 per candidate and will cover all meals, lodging, and workshop materials. Please send completed registration forms to Fourth District YPD, 101 Pine Dale Drive, Swansea, IL 62226. If you have any questions please call (618) 355-0906 or e-mail fourthdistrictypd@live.com.

We seek the endorsement of Presiding Elders, Pastoral leaders, Lay leaders, and YPD Directors. It is important that each Conference complete the registration at their respective Founder’s Day.

Serving Until He Comes,

Rev. Dr. Cecelia Williams Bryant, Episcopal Supervisor
Mrs. Myesha Melvin-Gholston, District YPD Director
Mr. Michael Cousin, Jr., District YPD President

4th Episcopal District
Michigan Conference Branch Women's Missionary Society
Sister Jacqueline Mitchell Robinson, President

He who loves God must love his brother also. 1 John 4:21
"May all I am and do and say - Give Glory to my Lord always, Nor bring reproach upon His name."


The Michigan Conference Branch WMS extends sincere condolences to the family of Sis. Jeanette Caldwell, who made her transition to glory Tuesday evening. She was a Torchlighter at St. Stephen AME Church, where Rev. Michael Cousin is the Pastor.
You can send condolence cards and expressions of love to her daughter, Rosita Brockington, Mich Conf YPD Director, at 18236 Greenlawn, Detroit, MI, 48221

Funeral arrangements are Pending.