A positive response to the theme, "Mentoring, Mobilizing and Motivating A New Generation for Mission", was evident by the presence of a record number of the targeted group of younger women (ages 18-35). We are grateful to these young women and to the mentors who invited, encouraged and supported them.

We must continue to embrace and include young women at every level, in all of the activities--including leadership roles--of the WMS, if we are to be truly "God's New People for A New Age"

Table of Contents

Opening Words From The President Reflections From Attendees The Sojourners Note Of Thanks Mark Your Calendar Missiology Consultation A Call To Serve Gifts During Executive Board Meeting

Kudos Rites Of Sisterhood A Forum For Witnessing Alexis Herman Confirmed Prayer Requests From Youngest Member At Executive Board Meeting In Memoriam Overseas Director's Report

REFLECTIONS FROM ATTENDEES

The presence of the Holy Spirit permeated throughout the meeting. Truly, upon my departure, I was blessed to experience the fulfillment of my expectations and prayers. Due to your dynamic leadership qualities, I believe the success of the meeting was felt by all who were open to receive the blessings God bestowed upon us. - Arvella Austin Strong

I left Houston with a greater excitement for the work ahead of us. I returned to my local church excited about everything from the opening worship service to the closing prayer breakfast, letting them know that I will be attending in the future. Everything was so well done! My wheels started turning as I think of things for the 1998 meeting. - D. Faye Conley

I am still very upbeat from our meeting in Houston! You have such a way of generating excitement and love. I have very little biological family left; however, you have made me feel very comfortable in a BIG sisterhood. Thank you for the opportunity to serve. - Gloria Corker

The Executive Board was more than I expected. Continue with all the zest and continue your sweetness--the same as when I met you in Jackson, Mississippi. Keep the old, new, mature, inexperienced, the known and unknowns together. - Laurene B. McMillan

THE SOJOURNERS
A Ministry Through Mission

"The church exists by mission as fire exists by burning." - Emil Brunner
At the heart and center of the church is its mission. With this knowledge, the Women's Missionary Society, under the leadership of President Peck, has launched The Sojourners.

Through The Sojourners, the WMS answers the call of mission and commits itself to engage in ministry and action which promote wholeness and healing in the church, society and world. The concept of mission is broadened in scope through The Sojourners, given the realization that we are all called to serve the mission of the church. The program is offered to all persons--individuals or groups of laypersons, clergy, youth, adults and retirees--who are willing to experience mission in communities in Africa, South America, the Caribbean and rural areas of the United States. By participating in The Sojourners, the WMS seeks to have persons:

• participate in God's mission in other places with others;
• develop communication skills across cultural and class boundaries;
• enrich their Christian commitment as they define or apply their vocational ministry;
• enlarge their global perspective as they become involved in working for justice with other Christians;
• deepen their understanding of God's creative work in cultures, geographic areas or lifestyles other than their own;
• enrich their religious experiences through interaction with societies and churches of other cultures; and share experiences and insights learned in overseas and rural areas with the WMS and A.M.E. Church.

Note of Thanks

Star of Hope, a rescue ministry in Houston, sent us a letter expressing "heartfelt thanks for the gifts to the homeless adults and children at [their] Women & Family Emergency Shelter" during our Executive Board Meeting in January.

The star of Hope president, Randall L. Taylor, said that the care and clothing items were put to immediate use by families and the offering of $400 is "being invested in meeting the physical and spiritual needs of families."

Orchids of gratitude to the Supervisors, Presidents and constituencies of the 19 Episcopal Districts for modeling excellence in their varied and creative outreach programs.

Special applause to the Episcopal Districts making an annual financial contribution to undergird the connectional global ministry. During the fiscal year, (April 1, 1996 - March 31, 1997) eleven districts have made contributions.

THANKS!

MISSIOLOGY CONSULTANT

Led by our Ecumenical Officer and Chair of the Commission on Missions, Bishop McKinley Young, delegates to the Missiology Consultation in San Jose, Costa Rica, were pleased to learn that our Restructuring and Global Mission alternatives are consistent with what is happening in main line denominations in the nation and the world.

With Bishop Young and Bishop Robert Webster playing leadership roles, the other A.M.E. delegates who were active participants in the consultation are Mrs. Dorothy Young, Ecumenical Assistant; Mrs. Cherie Bellamy, Executive Director of SADA and your WMS President Presentations by Rev. Jeremiah Wright and Dr. Joan Brown Campbell were among the highlights.

The African Methodist Episcopal Church was among 10 denominations from the USA represented in this consultation to reflect together about mission with representatives from the World and Latin American Council of Churches, Caribbean Conferences of Churches and the United Church of Canada.

Our reflection, which we want to share with our churches and communities had four central themes. The first was hunger for bread, hunger for God and hunger for humanity; the second revolved around the Gospel and culture; the third was ecumenism today; and the last was, mission as a responsibility of all.

It is the time of common mission, of all together, in which witness and commitment go beyond denominational borders. We who participated int his consultation feel ourselves to be People of God, called and sent to proclaim the Gospel.

A CALL TO SERVE

Bishop John Hurst Adams invited your president to serve as a consultant to the Fiance and Statistics Commission to help "fashion a solution to our current financial situation." It is an honor for the WMS, as well as a personal honor, to participate in this critical venture for our Church.

GIFTS DURING EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING

Mission and outreach activities were integral to the proceedings of the Executive Board meeting. Contributions were made to organizations and institutions with ministries in education and medicine, to the homeless and AIDS sufferers.

Omega House--AIDS Hospice (plus personal care items, clothing, linen)	$400
Star of Hope--Family Shelter (plus personal care items, clothing, linen)	$400
Judie Davis Bone Marrow	$5,700
Paul Quinn College	$10,000

KUDOS

Individuals and groups were recognized for their contributions and uniqueness to the WMS and the Executive Board Meeting.

Mrs. Vititia E. Greggs- Presidential Award of Merit for dedicated and committed service; Mrs. Alma Walker, Howard Grimmett for volunteer service in the WMS office; Mrs. Florence James for interior design work in the WMS Office;

Mother Cleo B. Love, oldest member present (90 years old); Joyce Plaatjies, youngest member (20 years old);

First place in number registered to 4th District (87); Second Place to 11th District (83). [By tradition the host district is excepted from the competition. This year's host (10th District) had 151 registrants];

Voter Registration Awards to 3rd District, Mrs. Beverly Thomas, Supervisor, for best quarterly report; and 11th District, Mrs. Martha Cummings, Supervisor, for registering 25,000 voters in Florida.

RITES OF SISTERHOOD

The final ceremony of the Executive Board Meeting was the Rites of Sisterhood developed and led by Rev. Cecilia Bryant. Each mentor stood with her younger protegee in a moving ritual that was replete with symbolisms for "mentoring, motivating and mobilizing" these young women for mission.

In the end, the mentoring missionary stepped back to permit her younger sister to assume the forward position. The rites of sisterhood is symbolic of embracing with honor and respect the wisdom, guidance and contributions of those in their senior years; utilizing the skills and experience of those in their middle years; and including (mobilizing) the energy and ability of the younger generation for mission.

A FORUM FOR WITNESSING

Since our Executive Board Meeting, your president had the honor and blessing to represent African Methodism as a panelist during a plenary session of a conference sponsored by The Centre for Development and Population Activities and its Interfaith Coalition on Women, Poverty and Population. This conference, held at the Pacific School of Theology, in Berkeley, California was titled "A Call to Engagement for People of Faith". My subject was; "Women, Poverty and Population: Biblical Underpinnings".

Being greeted by missionary sisters whose presence at to this forum brought both joy and blessing. Gratitude is extended to Sister Arsie Anderson, chair of Sarah Gorham Special Missions, for arranging the hospitality and courtesies.

ALEXIS HERMAN CONFIRMED

One of the first acts at the Executive Board Meeting was a demonstration of support for the confirmation of Alexis M. Herman to be Secretary of Labor. Missionary sisters began writing letters, support and calls continued until she was confirmed on April 30, 1997, Pray for her success.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Your prayers are solicited for those persons who are ill. At this writing, we were aware that:

• Dr. Joseph C. McKinney, former treasurer, was in the hospital following surgery;
• Mrs. Delores L. Kennedy Williams, immediate past WMS president, was in the hospital;
• Mrs. Elizabeth Smith, Global Health and Wellness Chair, was recuperating at home.
• Mrs. Edna Mcloyd, Historiographer Statistician, was recuperating at home.
• Bishop Vernon Byrd was recuperating at home

FROM YOUNGEST MEMBER AT EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING

Greeting in the matchless name of our Liberator and Savior, Jesus Christ.

I thank the WMS, especially Dr. Peck for granting me the opportunity to attend the connectional conference in Houston, Texas. It was indeed a great learning experience for me. I have gained a lot of insight from the workshops I attended. To me, as a young women, not only in the African Methodist Episcopal Church but women all spheres of life.

I thank Dr. Peck for the love that she has shown to me as well as being supportive and showing great interest in my academic career.

May God bless the WMS and its members as you continue to do His work here on earth.

Yours in Christ,
Joyce Plaatjies
(Joyce is from South Africa--the 15th Episcopal District--and is a student at Bethune Cookman College in Daytona Beach, Florida.)

IN MEMORIAM
Bishop Robert L. Pruitt died in Washington, DC on February 10, 1997.

OVERSEAS DIRECTOR'S REPORT

Reports have been received from the 15th and 18th Districts. Excerpts from these reports follow.
FROM: Fifthteenth Episcopal District
During the Centennial Celebrations held in Capetown in January 1996, the WMS was honored and thrilled by the presence of Connectional President Dorothy Adams Peck and other WMS dignitaries.. It turned out to be quality time 'to listen, to learn, to share' as members expressed their views, concerns and dream and were in turn gratified by responses from the president and participating team.
FROM: Eighteenth Episcopal District
The excitement at the beginning of 1996 was the unprecedented visit of the Church to the 18th to celebrate the centennial of the A.M.E. Church. It was the first time so many A.M.E. Bishops gathered here. Mother Dorothy Peck was the first Connectional President to hold an executive meeting here. The District WMS was pleased to be able to speak while the Connectional President listened with great interest. Her words of encouragement were empowering.