Written By Sisters: Kimberly Rodgers Graham, Kerina Jones, & Pamela McKinney Rodgers, Jiles Memorial COGBF, Ocala District
HOW WE GOT STARTED:
One summer day, two friends were having a conversation. One friend shared her desire of being in an effective ministry. Her friend encouraged her to create the church she desired. One of the friend’s concern was for the younger ladies of her church. After her morning prayer, she felt led to contact two other ladies to share her concern, and ironically, they had the same concern and desire as she did. So, the three of them decided to work together to start a Women’s Fellowship at Jiles Memorial Church of God by Faith in Groveland, Florida, under the leadership of Pastor Jerome Douglas and Lady Ida Douglas.
After the three-way call among the ladies, the first item of importance was to contact Pastor Douglas to share their concern and receive approval to pursue this most needed endeavor. The pastor immediately agreed and said to “go for it.” After sharing the concern with Lady Douglas, it was discovered that she too had the same concern and desire to have a Women’s Fellowship. So, the wheels began moving forward to establish the Jiles Memorial Church of God by Faith Women’s Fellowship, which is the name the leadership of the group agreed upon. The women quickly began working on the Mission Statement, and with the help of Sister Phyllis McKnight, the chairpersons developed a Mission Statement, the Core Values, and the Goal (based on Lady Elect Delois McKnight’s vision for all women of the National COGBF) to C-onnect, S-upport, and I-nspire.
THE FIRST MEETING:
At the first Women’s Fellowship meeting, we were blessed to have 17 ladies to attend. Prior to our initial meeting, the chairpersons of the Women’s Fellowship had all agreed the ages of the women participants would be from 17 and up. The attendees all signed in at the beginning of the meeting, which included their names, email address, and phone number in efforts to develop a phone tree.
We began the Women’s Fellowship meeting with an opening prayer with all of the ladies joining hands in prayer led by Sister Gwendolyn Walker. Afterwards, Sis. Linda Nichols read one of the key scriptures, Titus 2:1-5. Titus 2:1-5 and Proverbs 31 (the virtuous woman) are the key scriptures which set the foundation of the Women’s Fellowship. After the opening prayer and scripture, the leadership positions were announced.
OUR NEWLY APPOINTED OFFICERS:
Chairpersons: Sister Pamela Rodgers, Sister Bertha Murphy, and Sister Linda Nichols; Secretaries: Sister Gwendolyn Walker and Sister Ersula Fedrick; Treasurers: Sister Renna Logan and Sister Evette Wallace; Public Relations: Sister Maya Patterson and Sister Ruthie Wilson; Reporters: Sister Kimberly Graham and Sister Kerina Jones; Culinary Committee: Sister Cynthia Fedrick (as of now-with hope to add more to work with her); and Photographers: Sister Ersula Fedrick, Sister Dana Graham, Sister Kimberly Graham, & Sister Ruthie Wilson
WHAT WE ACHIEVED IN THE FIRST MEETING:
Sister Pamela Rodgers discussed the Mission Statement, Core Values, and Goal of the Jiles Memorial COGBF Women’s Fellowship. In order to learn more about each participant, along with their interests, needs, and desires, two questionnaire forms were given to each lady to fill out. Once the foundation is laid and the ladies feel more comfortable with sharing in front of others, there will be an opportunity for the members to invite friends or other family members to attend.
FITNESS COMPONENT:
Fitness and health are also concerns within the group, and the group discussed meeting twice a week for a physical fitness activity. Some also discussed meeting up on their own personal time to walk together. The meeting concluded with a closing prayer, where the ladies joined hands once again in prayer.
Then, the ladies transferred to the church’s annex, for a physical fitness activity, where the women participated in a 20 minute walking working out that was one mile long, with fans and no A/C! We were blessed to have 11 ladies remain and participate in the physical fitness activity, and we were also blessed to have one of our church mothers, Mother Everlena Rodgers, support our endeavor, and she sat in the heat and watched as we participated in our exercise activity as well.
Our meeting was a great success! To God be the glory, and we’re grateful for the willingness of the ladies to persevere in spite of the odds against them.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
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