Written by Elaine Slocum, Starke Church of God by Faith
OUR HISTORY
The Starke Church of God by Faith Women’s Ministry was birthed out of the compassionate heart of our 1st Lady Delois McKnight over 20-years ago. Lady Delois has long had a desire to see women “connected” to God, the local church and to each other by creating an authentic community of support.
OUR GOALS
Lady Delois’ goal was and is for women to pursue deeper relationships by demonstrating a willingness to bear one another’s burdens in the worst of times and rejoice with one another in the best of times. Additionally, she compels women to respond to each other’s needs without directives from her or the Pastor and without having a title or a platform.
We are challenged to create a community of women that will spend time in fellowship with each other, encourage, nurture and teach each other how to be the women that God purposed us to be. This community would provide a strong base of “support” for women young and old from various backgrounds, cultures, churched and unchurched regardless of their stations in life. The oneness, unity, compassion and love would then “inspire” others to want the Jesus that emanates through the hearts and spirits of the Women of Starke Church of God by Faith.
To that end, listed below are a few events the Women’s Ministry at Starke has participated in, sponsored or attended over the years:
| Prayer shut-ins | Time of Refreshing small groups |
| Friday Family Movie nights | Local Christmas parade |
| Woman Thou Art Loosed Conference | Mentoring program |
| Dinner & movie outings | Secret Sisters |
| Baby and wedding showers | Book studies (Crazy Love, Purpose Driven Life) |
| Jail Ministry | Breast Cancer Awareness |
| Abstinence only classes | Mini conference (guest speaker Bonnie Hill) |
| Tea Pots with Character Afternoon Tea | Life Groups (current-True Spirituality on-site and on-line) |
GROUPME
Nearly two years ago, in an effort to have real time communication “connection,” SCOGBF Women’s Ministry launched a GroupMe site. It started with a few words of encouragements and about 20 ladies. There are currently about 50 participants that engage in immediate response to prayer request, praise reports, sharing the Word, sharing songs, confessing faults, celebrating victories and so much more. The site is also used for announcements and reminders.
HOUSE OF HOPE
Starke COGBF acquired and renovated an abandoned house into The House of Hope I transition house for displaced women with children. The dedication ceremony was held last month and we are ready to accept the first occupant. Ladies from the Women’s ministry were instrumental in obtaining, donating, organizing pick-up, delivery and decorating the House of Hope I.
TEA PARTY EVENT
Last month, the Women’s Ministry hosted it‘s 2nd Teapots with Character afternoon tea event. The room was elegantly decorated in tones of purple with matching teacups and saucers. The menu was finger sandwiches of ham, turkey and tuna, scones and cheesecakes and homemade tea cakes and the beverage -- tea, of course. We were graced with visitors from the Alabama District and our speaker for the occasion was Sister Phyllis McKnight.
Sister Phyllis delivered a powerful message using different teapots to convey her points. She spoke of the process of steeping which is a necessary process for the goodness of the tea bag to come forth. So it is with the women of God who are oft times uncomfortable from the heat of so many circumstances. In spite of it all, she admonished us to stand still as the Lord turns difficulties into victories over time. Our Tea Party was enjoyed by all.
View the complete Tea Party photo gallery here.
Starke’s C.S.I. Women’s Ministry continues to strive for excellence, as we know that “Excellence honors God and Inspires people.” This is the 7th of 8 Core Values of our church. We aim to stay true to our Church Mission of “Reaching People and Developing Lives,” and the definition of membership, Connected, Growing and Serving.
We are CSI Starke.