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.

100 Daughters of the Nile

100 Daughters of the Nile
A Celebration

Purpose: to prepare girls 6 to 10 years old, to honor our African Heritage.

Proceeds: a portion to the Mother Beverly Thomas Fine Arts Institute (2010)

Each Candidate:
Select a country – know the President, the flag and the Independence date
Learn hymn God Bless African
Learn Apostles Creed
Eco Project, set a table
50 endorsements at $15 each

Journal –
Candidates picture, church, parents, eco project
Program: flag and national attire
Grand processional (alpha by country)

Awards –
Each Candidate, a globe, a savings bond, a certificate

Each Area to sell 300 tickets @ Ten Dollars
Site: St. Paul A.M.E. Church
Date: Saturday, June 6, 2009 @ 2pm

Michigan Conference Executive Board Meeting

Save The Date

Michigan Conference Executive Board Meeting
Feb. 27 and 28
Trinity AME Church in Lansing
Registration is $15 per person
Includes Continental Breakfast, Lunch and Informational CD.
PME Books will be available for pickup that day.
Hotel TBD
Registration information will be available this week. Registrar: Barbara Chester

Kemet Higginbothan, 3rd Vice President
Joyce Johnson, 2nd Vice President
Ruby Frazier, 1st Vice President
Jacqueline Mitchell Robinson, President

12 Hours in The Throne Room

Have you Prayed Today?

The 4th Episcopal District Leadership under the direction of Rev. C is asking all persons to participate in a Prayer Vigil. Each church is asked to consecrate 3 hours and every local, area and district officer 12 hours.

The schedule for the vigil is as follows:

6:00am - The Hour of Doxology: Believers in Praise

7:00am - The Hour of Repentance: Believers return to God; for personal sin, for sins of the church, for sins of the nation.

8:00am- Prayers for the Church: Local, denominational, the persecuted church, Bishops, Pastors, leaders.

9:00am - Hymns of Prayer: Led by Ministers of Music

10:00am - Teaching on Psalms of Prayer

11:00am - Teaching on the Lord's Prayer

Noon - Holy Communion: Presiding Elders

1:00pm - Alter Call for the Sick - Women in Ministry

2:00pm - Blessing of Children (birth to 17 years): Local Pastors

3:00pm - Teaching on Spiritual Warfare

4:00pm - Prayer for the Nations

5:00pm - 100 Men in Prayer

Tis The Season for Giving - Why not Give JESUS

Mount Zion Enid Evans WMS provided a fully cooked Thanksgiving meal with Turkey and all the sides for three families in the Battle Creek Area. The families who received the meals were very appreciative and were so grateful to receive the food.

The Enid Evans WMS also have other events planned for this holiday season including providing candy for all of the Calhoun County Jail inmates for their Christmas gift baskets. Handing out Christmas cards to all person who they visit over the holiday season in the assisted living facilities and nursing homes. Visiting all of the sick and shut-in and the churches care list and giving them poinsettias and Christmas cards for the holiday. Providing 6 families with Christmas dinner baskets which will include either a turkey or ham and all the trimmings and of course desert. And lastly, contacting the local jail to get Christmas wish list for children of parents who are incarcerated and providing a toy for them for the holiday.

Keep these missionaries in your prayers as they spread the love to all and GIVE THE GIFT OF JESUS this Christmas!

BREAVEMENT NOTICE

Sis, Jacqueline Mitchell Robinson, President

Michigan Conference Branch W.M.S.

The Michigan Conference Branch WMS extends sincere condolences

to the family of Sis Cenobia Brantley,

Mother of Sister Pamela L. Osborne, 1st Lady of the South District

Missionaries, please remember this bereaved family and keep them in your prayers.

Services are:

Friday, December 5, 2008

Family Visitation - 10:ooam

Homegoing Service - 11:00am

Services Held at:

Galilee Missionary Baptist Church

5251 East Outer Drive - Detroit, Michigan 48234-3404

phone 313-372-1270

Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to:

Swanson Funeral Home. Inc.

1451 W. McNichols Rd.

Detroit, Michigan 48235

Phone 313-272-9000 - Fax 313-272-4494

Expressions of love, cards or flowers can be sent to her daughter

Sis. Pamela L. Osborne

19512 Canterbury Rd. - Detroit, Michigan 48221-1881

NO FOOD PLEASE

Battle Creek Area Meeting UPDATE!!!

The location for the December 13th Battle Creek Area Meeting has been changed from Trinity AME Church in Lansing to Mt. Zion AME Church in Battle Creek. The meeting will still begin at 9:00am. Mt. Zion AME Church is located at 364 West Van Buren Street at the corner of West Van Buren and Cass street. The church phone number i s
269-962-8907 if you need any further information. Please spread the word regarding the change of location for the meeting.

Battle Creek Area Meeting Scheduled

Mark your calendar for Saturday, December 13, 2008 for the Battle Creek Area WMS Meeting. The meeting will be held at Trinty AME Church in Lansing, Michigan, 3500 W Holmes Rd Lansing, MI 48911 from 9:00am - Noon. Our newly appointed Area Chairperson, Ms. Rosa Moss-Hargrove will be overseeing our elections of area officers for the 2008-2009 conference year. Please come out and support our new leadership and also get valued information regarding upcoming conference and district initiatives.

4th District WMS Worship Director to Speak

Mrs Kathryn Blake, District Missionary President of the CME (Christian Methodist Episcopal)Church has extended an invitation to our very own 4th Episcopal District WMS Worship Director (Mrs. Mishca R. Smith) to be the keynote speaker at their 22nd Annual Christmas Celebration of the Mid Michigan District Women's Missionary Society.

The event will take place on Saturday,December 6, 2008 from 11:am - 2:00pm. The event will be held at the Burnham Brook Community Center (Main Dining Room) 200 West Michigan Ave. Battle Creek, Michigan 49015 (269)965-6000. Tickets are $25.00 per person (youth 10 and under $10.00). You can contact Mrs. Dara Evans (the local Missionary President of St. Mark CME Church in Battle Creek) at 269-965-1249 to purchase your ticket.

The theme for this year's celebration is "What Child is This", Luke 2:1-20. The CME District Missionary Society is asking all participants to bring personal items to the luncheon for their missionary outreach project.

Please come be a part of this event and support our District Worship Director as well as our fellow Sister Missionaries from the CME Church.

Battle Creek Area Chairperson Named

Please join me in welcoming Rosa Moss Hargrove as the new Battle Creek Area Chairperson.

The first Battle Creek Area Meeting will be held Dec. 13 from 9 AM to Noon at Trinity AME Church in Lansing, Mich.

Battle Creek Area members, please contact Sis. Rosa at 517.896.2867

Blessings,

Rosa Moss Hargrove, Battle Creek Area Chairperson

Jacqueline Mitchell Robinson, Michigan Conference WMS President

Fall Executive Board Meeting Postponed

Dear Sisters and Brothers:

The Michigan Conference Executive Board WMS Meeting has been Postponed for November 22, 2008 in Benton Harbor and rescheduled for February - date TBD per the President.

President Elect Barack Obama

November 4, 2008 @ 11:00pm est the United States of America elected the 44th president of our union. The peoples choice was former Illinois Senator Barack Obama.
This years election was of historic proportion because Senator Obama is the 1st Black President elected in the history of the United States. With the world watching, millions of people were hoping and praying that this great nation would get it right. When you look at the 200,000 + people assembled in Chicago's Grant Park and the thousands of people in the streets of Harlem, New York and on the campus of our Historic Black Colleges and Universities as well as the street of sunny California, one can say we got it right. The pictures of white, black and brown persons side by side with tears in their eyes hugging each other and celebrating was a sight to see. Looking at the crowds celebrating reminded me of how European countries celebrate their elections. The people are engaged, they understand the importance of getting the right political representation in office and they remain integrated in the process and the politics.
The United States, as a relatively young nation, is on the horizon of this paradigm change in how our citizens engage in the political process. No longer can we sit down and think that it is someone elses problem. We must get involved, stay involved, be engaged, mobilize, speak out, debate and hold accountable our elected officials for the direction of our country.
As an African American I am excited about what I witnessed on November the 4th beginning at 7:45am when I first arrived at my polling location. For the first time since I have been able to vote I had to wait in line. My wait was 1-1/2 hours but I did not mind. There was a sense of community and excitement that I had never experienced before. There was laughter and discussion from people from all walks of life. After the polls closed and the results began to come in the mustard seed of hope began to grow and at 11:00pm it blossomed into a wonderful beautiful mosaic.
So, Yes We Can and Yes We Did....now the true work begins.
In the days and months ahead, continue to keep President Elect Obama and his family in your prayers as well as our country. There is a lot of healing that needs to occur in our nation and there are many crisis's on the political front. We must remember that President Elect Obama is still just a man and there is only so much that he can do but with God all things are possible.
God Bless Everyone!!

Peace,
Mishca R. Smith

Congratulations to Our New District Officers from The Michigan Conference

Greetings in the precious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ:
We are rested from the planning meeting and excited about the work that God has put before us through our Holy Ghost anointed Rev. Dr. Cecelia Williams Bryant, our Episcopal Supervisor. We all returned exhausted from working so hard and needed last week to catch up.

At planning meeting, we were pleased to learn that Joyce Keys Garrison (joycekeys@att.net) was elevated from 1st VP of the Michigan Conference to President of the 4th District WMS. Sis. Garrison is the first lady of Vernon Chapel AME in Flint. She is gifted, and will be a blessing to Rev. C and the 4th District. In addition, Mishca Smith (mishcamr2@aol.com) , first lady of Mt. Zion AME Church in Battle Creek and Mich. Conf. Member-at-large was elevated to 4th District Worship Director. Sis. Smith blessed us with a powerful Bible Study lesson out of the book of John. Lastly Michael Cousin, Jr.(mr_ypdprez09@hotmail.com), formerly Mich. Conf. YPD President, was elevated to 4th District YPD President. Anyone who has ever met Michael know that he has a great calling on his life. He is a leader of people, a fine young man who is destined for great things. He is a member of St. Stephen AME Church in Detroit where his father is the Pastor.

Please join me congratulating all of or new District Officers. All I can say is "eyes have not seen nor ears heard that which the Lord will do." Let us keep them lifted in prayer and let us give them the full support of the Mighty Michigan Conference.

Please join me in welcoming Sis. Ruby Frazier (rubyknit@comcast.net), who so graciously agreed to serve as the 1st Vice President of the Michigan Conference. Sis. Frazier is a hardworking missionary extraordinaire out of Trinity AME Church in Lansing. We thank God for Sis. Ruby willingness to accept this assignment in a season of transition and change.

The early bird registration deadline is approaching for the Connectional Executive Board Meeting January 28-31 in Louisville, KY. The cost is $220.00 (early bird registration) if you register by Nov. 7; it goes up to $270 if you register between Nov. 8 and Jan. 4. You can save $50 if you register now. The hotel is $99.00. Below are links to the registration form and the agenda. You can access from the www.ame-church .com web site under news and events. Area Chairpersons, please spread the word and call each of your presidents or churches to make sure they have the information. Fax it, mail it, e-mail it or blog it, but get the word out so we can get the count up. We want to support Dr. Bella Parker, 2nd VP of the Connectional WMS and Michigan Conference member, who presides over the workshops. http://www.ame-church.com/news-and-events/wms_2008-exec-board_registration-form.pdfhttp://www.ame-church.com/news-and-events/wms_2008-executive-board_agenda.pdf

On Saturday, Nov. 1 the Ann Arbor Area was organized and seeds were planted to start a new WMS society at Campbell AME in Whittaker, as well as a YPD. We thank Area Chairperson Bonita Cowan Tucker for her enthusiasm and excitement for the work of Missions. Look for more news in the coming days.

Blessings,
Jacqueline Mitchell Robinson, President
Michigan Conference Branch
Women's Missionary Society

Pray Without Ceasing for Sister Mary Hatter

Dear Sisters & Brothers in Christ:

Our beloved Mary Hatter and her family need our prayers in a mighty way. Sis. Mishca has just sent an e-mail that she is on a respirator and that she is not doing well.

Paul tells us to pray for one another and to pray without ceasing. As you go about your day today, when you take a moment to sip some water or a cup of coffee, lift up Mary Hatter. As you stand in line waiting to handle business, lift up Mary Hatter. As you prepare to pick up the phone to make a call, lift up Mary Hatter.

Instead of spending 30 minutes watching a television show, take that time and pray for Mary Hatter and the Hatter family. Call others and ask them to pray with you.

We know the prayers of the righteous availeth much. Pray in the Spirit....whatever your Spirit leads you to pray for Mary, Pastor Hatter, her children and grandchildren -- but pray without ceasing today for Sis. Hatter.Diana, Mischa and Karen -- please post on your blogs.Area Chairpersons, please spread the word.Ms. Dee -- when you have a moment, please send out through your database.

Blessings,
Jackie