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MSWF NEWSLETTER—PAGE 1 MARCH 2013 SPRING EDITION

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT JESUS?

“He was born in

an obscure vil-

lage, the child of

a peasant

woman.

He grew up in

still another vil-

lage, where he

worked in a car-

penter’s shop until he was thirty. Then

for three years he was an itinerant

preacher.

He never wrote a book. He never held an

office. He never had a family or owned a

house.

He did not go to college. He never vis-

ited a big city. He never travelled two

hundred miles from the place where he

was born.

He did none of the things associated

with greatness. He had no credentials

but himself.

He was only thirty-three years of age

when the tide of public opinion turned

against him. His friends ran away. He

was turned over to his enemies and went

through the mockery of a trial.

He was nailed to a cross between two

thieves. While he

was dying, his exe-

cutioners gambled

for his clothing, the

only property he

had on earth. When

he was dead, he

was laid in a bor-

rowed grave

through the pity of

a friend.

Today he remains

the central figure of

the human race, and

the leader of man-

kind’s progress.

Why do you think this one man has had

such an effect on our society?

Well, I would like to suggest that the an-

swer to this question lies in the events

that we celebrate at Easter.

[Jesus], the Scriptures tell us, “they mur-

dered, nailing him to a Cross. But God

raised him on the third day” (Acts 10:39-

40).

How was Jesus different to other world

religious leaders?

Mohammed died, the Buddha died and

Confucius died. Their followers never

claimed that any of these leaders rose

from the dead.

Jesus died and rose again! His followers

testified to the event. We, (Christians)

still testify that HE (JESUS CHRIST)

HAS RISEN INDEED!!!

IT IS HERE! OORDERRDER IITEMSTEMS, R, REGISTEREGISTER, P, PAYAY DDUESUES, , ETCETC. . ONLINEONLINE ATAT www.mswfamez.org/#!formswww.mswfamez.org/#!forms

MSWF NEWSLETTER—PAGE 2 MARCH 2013 —SPRING EDITION

JESUS IS RISEN! JESUS IS

RISEN! JESUS IS RISEN! My beloved sisters and brothers please know that

your well doing will be rewarded if we do not be-

come weary! We shall reap a harvest because HE

LIVES! Keep the faith and rejoice! We, the Execu-

tive Board, extend to you and your family a blessed

and spirit-filled Easter!

THE CALL TO MONTGOMERY-IMSWF FELLOW-

SHIP 2013 (IN LIEU OF RETREAT)

G E T R E A D Y ! G E T R E A D Y ! G E T

READY! ONWARD TO MONTGOMERY- “WE

ARE FAMILY” - ADDRESSING WHOLISTIC

MINISTRY! We are CALLING on all ministers'

spouses and widows and widowers to fellowship

with us in conjunction with the Lay Council Quad-

rennial in Montgomery, Alabama. Dr. Yvonne

Tracy, General President and her officers have wel-

comed us with loving open arms! In lieu of our Re-

treat, the Executive Board has decided to hold a fel-

lowship gathering. Our fellowship gathering will

take place on Saturday, July 27, 2013 from 12:00

(noon)-1:30 p.m. Please check our website and up-

coming March Edition Newsletter for additional in-

formation.

Christ died for our sins according to the

Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised

on the third day. 1 Corinthians 15:3-5

J FAIRBANKS LEACH DIME DOOR PROJECT

Please send in your contributions of dimes in sup-

port of the J Fairbanks Leach Dime Door Project

designed to pay annual membership dues for our

beloved widows(ers).

PRAYERS & CONDOLENCES

Please keep all ministers, spouses, and widows

(ers) in your daily prayers who are faced with

health issues and other challenges in life. We serve

a Savior who will intercede for us and see us

through perilous times. Our deepest sympathy is

extended to any who have lost loved ones. May

God continue to keep and sustain you one day at a

time.

(UPDATE) LIFE MEMBER PINS

Our Life Members Pins are here!

Please consider becoming a life

member of our beloved fellow-

ship. Your support will be appreci-

ated. Please visit our website to

get more details.

God Bless Until We Meet,

Reverend Patty S. Smith,

President AMEZ IMSWF

JOIN US -AND- LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

www.facebook.com/MSWFAMEZ

MSWF NEWSLETTER—PAGE 3 MARCH 2013 —SPRING EDITION

MORNING “DRIVE THRU” PRAYERMORNING “DRIVE THRU” PRAYER

Ms. Worldness: May I take your order please?

Ms. Busyness: I don’t have much time this morning

I’d like to order a Small Prayer

With a Little Repentance

Sprinkle that with Medium Faith

Oh yes - Add a Large Blessing

Ms. Worldness: Will that be all for you today?

Ms. Busyness: Yes, that’s all for today.

Ms. Worldness: Your total is 3 min and 29 seconds. Drive thru please.

“DO WE FIND OURSELVES IN THIS DRIVE-THRU LINE”

Submitted by: Mrs. Forrest H. Bonaparte

THE NORTH CHAR-

LOTTE DISTRICT has

been on the move and very

active… in the best possible

way!

* Our February 2, 2013 plan-

ning Fellowship luncheon

included follow-up on

o u r P r a y e r P a r t -

n e r s a n d “ S e c r e t

Pals” projects, along with

final plans for our “Old

School Valentine’s House Par

-Tae”.

* We celebrated each other on

February 15 at our “Old

School Valentine’s House Par

-Tae” at the home of Presid-

ing Elder Sloan and our Presi-

dent, Mrs. Janice Sloan. Mel-

low tunes from the 1950’s

through the 1980’s set the

‘groovy’ atmosphere, perfect

for our karaoke talent show.

Our activities planner, Flor-

ence Erwin set up randomly

chosen ‘crooners’ who per-

formed their best soulful ren-

ditions of those melodies. The

packed house of swooning

‘groupies’ was brought to

tears of laughter, as it became

an all-out-sing-along, ending

with thunderous applause!

* Our March 23 Fellowship

luncheon brought a welcomed

visit from our Missionary Su-

pervisor, Mrs. Iris M. Battle.

Mrs. Battle greeted us with

encouraging words and was

presented with birthday and

Easter baskets. Teresa Ship-

man, Ada Gaston & Lois

M i t c h e l l p r e s e n t e d

their “Participation Sur-

vey” project. A variety of

sign-up activities tailors our

Fellowship to meet the di-

verse needs and desires, ex-

tending the interest in the Fel-

lowship. Thus, we can further

draw wide the circle.

(PICTURES ARE ON PAGE 7 & 8)

Syteria H. Puryear, Reporter

MSWF NEWSLETTER—PAGE 4 MARCH 2013 - SPRING EDITION

On March 23, 2013 we had our first project for the year which was reaching out to the Homeless in York

County SC. We meet and prayed at Rock Grove A.M.E. Zion Church, then we prepared care packages and bag

lunches. We went out to the makeshifts shelters in tent cities…this was a shocker…it was real. Homelessness

is a real problem. There are few homeless shelters in the area of South Carolina. The land where the homeless

camps are is owned by York County, and sheriff's deputies often patrol the camp area to aid the homeless if

needed. It was an eye opening experience for the spouses of the Rock Hill District to spread our love through

prayers and giving, for Jesus said in John 13:34 -

"A new Command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you so you must love one another”.

Indeed we've been blessed by God and by each other through fellowship.

Mrs. Zoreda Nichols, MSWF President Rock Hill District

Rev. Sharon B. Jenkins, Presiding Elder

Bishop Kenneth & Mrs. Sheila W. Monroe, Episcopal Leaders

MRS. ZOREDA NICHOLS,

ROCK HILL DISTRICT PRESIDENT

ROCK HILL SPOUSES MAKING

PREPARATIONS

ROCK HILL SPOUSES MAKING

PREPARATIONS FOR SERVICE TO NEEDED

ROCK HILL SPOUSES PACKED AND READY

TO GO!

ROCK HILL SPOUSES APPROACHING

‘TENT CITY’

LIVING CONDITIONS OF THE HOMELESS

WADESBOROWADESBORO--MONROE DISMONROE DISTRICTTRICT MSWF ATTRACTS LARGE CROWD MSWF ATTRACTS LARGE CROWD ——

“THE HIGHWAY TO HEAV“THE HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN”EN”

MSWF NEWSLETTER—PAGE 5 MARCH 2013 - SPRING EDITION

The Ministers’ Spouses and Widows(ers) Fellowship of the Wades-

boro-Monroe District provided an evening of fun as well as thought-

provoking drama for the 250 people who attended their dinner theatre. The

event was held in the recently completed attractive Marvin A.M.E. Zion

Church gymnasium. The gathering enjoyed a tasty three-course meal ca-

tered by the Marvin Culinary Committee followed by the drama, “The

Highway to Heaven.”

In this production of “The Highway to Heaven,” characters per-

formed in comic form extemporaneously. The narrator, Dr. Joyce Perry Ed-

wards, opened the play by introducing St. Peter, portrayed by the Reverend

Haven O. Anderson, and Satan, portrayed by the Reverend Dr. James

Smith, Jr. As the narrator introduced the various characters when they were

coming down the highway, each traveler introduced himself/herself to the

audience by telling about the life he/she had led. When the traveler arrived

at the stage (the gate to heaven or hell), she/he tried to convince St. Peter

that s/he should get into heaven while at the same time trying to escape Sa-

tan’s clutches. St. Peter announced each person’s fate—whether the person

would go to heaven or hell and often gave a reason for his decision. Usu-

ally, neither the audience nor the character could predict whether the trav-

eler would go to heaven or hell.

If a traveler went to hell, the person cried and moaned and so did

the other people who were already in hell. If the traveler went to heaven, the

person shouted for joy and the choir in heaven sang songs of victory and

thanksgiving.

The cast of “Highway to Heaven” included ministers’ spouses, min-

isters, and laity. Travelers on the highway played by ministers’ spouses

were the town drunk portrayed by Patricia Smoke; ushers, Quanda Bennett-

Anderson and Deborah Jackson; missionary, Shenita Floyd; mother,

Jeannette Richardson; drug dealer, Mae C. McClendon; choir member,

Louise Hicklin; nurse, Connie Thornton; and pimp, Chenisa L. Moore.

Other lay persons who portrayed travelers were Diane C. Polk as a

stewardess: Leonard Cureton, a trustee; and Mark Marshall, a steward.

Ministers cast as travelers were the Reverend Tyrone Floyd as a

politician; the Reverend Dr. Andrew B. Smoke as Reverend Big John; the

Reverend Jacqueline Roper as a teacher/preacher; and the Reverend Sherian

L. Carr as the sophisticated lady.

Three of Reverend and Mrs. Floyd’s children were members of the

cast: Darius Floyd who played a male teen, Alyssa Floyd who played a fe-

male teen, and Miyah Floyd who was the farmer’s daughter.

The drama ended with an engaging portrayal of a dance hall girl

who repented, was converted, and made it in to heaven. This portrayal by

Pat Smith, a spouse, included liturgical dance and the song “Changed” by

the heavenly choir.

The Director of Music was the Reverend David Scott Cunningham.

Also, supporting cast members were Laretha Alsobrook and Kindra Cun-

ningham, song leaders in the heavenly choir.

Sons and daughters of ministers and spouses, and youth of Marvin

A.M.E. Zion Church, who were coordinated by Mrs. Jacqueline Pittman

Stitt, a spouse, served enthusiastically and capably as servers for the dinner.

The evening ended with remarks by Mrs. Mae C. McClendon,

President of the Wadesboro-Monroe District MSWF; Bishop Joseph John-

son, a member of Marvin; and the presiding elder of the Wadesboro-

Monroe District, the Reverend Dr. Murray L. Edwards.

REVEREND HAVEN O. ANDERSON

AS ST. PETER AND

REVEREND DR. JAMES SMITH, JR.

AS SATAN ONSTAGE

MINISTERS SPOUSES’ IN THE CAST BACK-

STAGE, JEANETTE RICHARDSON,

THE MOTHER AND PATRICIA SMOKE, THE

TOWN DRUNK

DIANE POLK, DISTRICT DIRECTOR OF CHRIS-

TIAN EDUCATION, AS A STEWARDESS; MARK

MARSHALL (LAYMAN) AS A STEWARD;

CHENISA MOORE, A MINISTER'S SPOUSE, AS

THE PIMP; AND REVEREND SHERIAN L. CARR

AS THE SOPHISTICATED LADY BACKSTAGE

WWWESTESTEST

CCCENTRALENTRALENTRAL

CCCONFERENCEONFERENCEONFERENCE

Raleigh District News

The Raleigh District MSWF are deeply sadden by the passing of our beloved Bishop The Rt. Reverend James E. McCoy. For surely

he was a Bishop after Gods own heart. He said what he meant, and he meant what he said. It is what it was and we appreciated him

for it. There will never be another one like him. For he captivated the very souls of the Eastern North Carolina Area in such a special

way. Rest In Peace, our beloved Bishop.

On Saturday, November 10th. The MSWF of the Central North Carolina Conference place the laid out the Yellow Bags for the New

Missionary Supervisor Mrs. Shirley M. McCoy. The Raleigh District was the host for this festive occasion. No stone was left un-

turned. The finest eatery, Servants, and escorts awaited Mrs. McCoy. The Ladies began early Saturday morning. Mrs. Elaine

McClain, Mrs. Gladys Young, and Mrs. Esther Freeman headed over to the Fargo Cattle Steak House to add the final touch, and

make sure it was eloquently suited for our Queenly Supervisor. Meanwhile the Rev. J. R. Wilkerson was getting the Escorts together.

Dr. Powell was asked to provide us with Local Male Preachers to escort the ladies. There were 4 vans courtesy of Rush Metropolitan

Church Bro. Bunn, and Grace Church Dr. Powell. Everyone was excited. Bro. Sam Reid was recuperating from an illness, but would

not let this occasion pass him by. He is the spouse of the Rev. Mary Reid of the Dunn-Lillington District. What great sacrifice, we

had to let him escort our supervisor. The caravan was lead by the rev. Jimmy E. McClain of Cooks' Chapel in Henderson. Rev. &

Mrs. McClain was also instrumental in finding the Restaurant. Mrs. McCoy was welcomed with open arms. The Facilitator for our

gathering was Conference President of the MSWF Rev. Peggy Owens. Everything was well planned and organized, lots of laughter,

and interacting. There was a sweet, sweet, Spirit in the house, and it appeared as though each spouse brought their own person light

reflector, you can tell by the photo. We thank the Rev. Paul Atlas for organizing our adopted Trio. Rev.(s) Little, Atlas, and Mrs.

Murphy. They sang so beautifully. Each District President made special presentations to our supervisor and Presiding Elders Wives.

We were blessed to have 4 Male spouses in the mist and we thank Bro. Thomas Baggart for making sure our Elders' Wives return

s a f e l y t o t h e C e n t e r .

We look forward to next Luncheon to be hosted by Mrs. Evelyn P. Council on the Fayetteville District.

MSWF NEWSLETTER—PAGE 6 MARCH 2013 - SPRING EDITION

MRS. LOADIE REDFERN

Our Deepest Sympathy for

the Redfern Family.

Mrs. Loadie Redfern, 92,

(the Widow of the Rev. Dr.

J. W. Redfern) of 1005

Holmes Street, Raleigh,

formerly of Harnett

County, NC, passed away

Saturday, January 19, 2013. Funeral services was

conducted Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 11 AM at

the Norrington A.M.E. Zion Church, 184 Norring-

ton Road, Lillington, The Rev. Walter Garrett, Pas-

tor. Burial will follow in the Carolina Biblical Gar-

dens in Garner. Viewing will be Wednesday, Janu-

ary 23, 2013 from 1 PM - 6 PM at the Dafford Fu-

neral Home in Angier. Visitation will be Thursday

at the Church from 10 AM - 11 AM with the family

present from 10:30AM-11:00AM.

Survivors: sisters - Olivia Virginia McKoy of Lil-

lington, Ann Cathey of Fayetteville; brother -

Jimmie McLean of Buies Creek; step-son - John W.

Redfern (Dolores) of Raleigh; step-daughters -

Carolyn Sampson of Cary, JoAnne R. Davis of Ra-

leigh; two grandsons; seven step-grandchildren;

five great grandchildren.

Burial held at Carolina Biblical Gardens - 1530

Creech Rd - Garner, NC 27529

Send your News/Ads to: Send your News/Ads to:

Pamela H. Rhodes Pamela H. Rhodes -- prhodes1@gmail.com prhodes1@gmail.com

(email preferred)(email preferred)

1847 Cypress Street 1847 Cypress Street -- Louisville, Kentucky Louisville, Kentucky

4021040210

Need Articles by November 1, 2013.Need Articles by November 1, 2013.

Next Edition is December 2013Next Edition is December 2013

MRS. CARRIE COTTEN BELL

GASTONIA, NC - Carrie Cot-

ten Bell, 68, of 3148 Erskine

Drive, died Jan. 9, 2013, at

Gaston Memorial Hospital.

A native of Oak City, she was

the daughter of the late Russell

Cotton Sr. and Clayvon Lynch

Cotten.

The funeral service was held 5 p.m. Thursday at

Emmanuel Baptist Church, Gastonia and 2 p.m.,

Saturday at Grace Fellowship Church of God in

Christ, Hamilton.

The family will receive friends 3:30 to 5 p.m.

Thursday at Emmanuel Baptist Church and 1 p.m.

to 2 p.m. Saturday at Grace Fellowship Church of

God in Christ. Burial will be at Bell Cemetery,

Oak City.

Survivors include husband, the Rev. Cornelius

Bell; sons, Reginald Bell (Kelli), Rev. Aaron Bell

(Dionne), and the Rev. Shawn Bell (Faye); broth-

ers, Adolphus Cotten (Barbara), Russell Cotton Jr.,

(Mamie) and Terry Cotten (Karen); grandchildren,

Kennedy, Kameron, Arrionna, Simien, and Olivia;

nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Costner Funeral Home is handling the funeral ar-

rangements.

Rev. Cornelius and Carrie Bell served at Vestibule

A.M.E. Zion Church, Gastonia, NC—Lincolnton

District for many years as pastor and 1st Lady be-

fore retirement. Sis. Carrie was known for her styl-

ish apparel as a First Lady.

Rev. Dr. Joseph L. (A.M.E. Zion Church—retired

Pastor) and Brenda Nance sends a THANK YOU

Note to All. They were burned out in early Decem-

ber 2012. Thank You for your cards, monetary

gifts, those persons that assisted the Red Cross re-

lief and especially for the person that opened her

doors for us to stay, your caring, Love and your

PRAYERS as we journeyed through our storm. The

Lord saw us through!!!! We will move back into

our repaired home before Easter.

MSWF NEWSLETTER—PAGE 7 MARCH 2013 - SPRING EDITION

Pictorial Fellowship(s) Of The North Charlotte District

Sister Camille Peay passes the notebook to Lady Patty Smith, the new in-

coming President of the Columbia-Camden District Ministers' Spouses &

Widows(ers) Fellowship. Sister Peay is now the Palmetto Conference Presi-

dent of the MSWF. A Christmas Fellowship was held in December hosted

by Lady Patty and her husband, Reverend Gary W. Smith, Pastor and Lead-

ing Lady at Good Hope A.M.E. Zion Church. The meal was enjoyed by all

and gifts were exchanged. The MSWF Observance Day will be held on

Sunday, June 23, 2013 at Mt. Nebo A.M.E. Zion Church. The Columbia-

Camden District is in the Palmetto Conference of the South Atlantic Episco-

pal District. Rev. Dr. Marion Wilson, Presiding Elder, Mrs. Sheila Monroe,

Missionary Supervisor and Bishop Kenneth Monroe, Presiding Prelate.

Pictorial Fellowship Continued on Page 8

THE MINISTERS’

SPOUSES AND WIDOWS

(ERS) FELLOWSHIP

International MSWF The AMEZ Church

PO Box 26444 Charlotte, NC 28221

www.mswfamez.org

www.amez.org

Unforgettable MSW Fellowship Moments From the North Charlotte District of The Western North Carolina Conference