Mothers of the Bible Share Their Stories

The North Charlotte District Christian Education Adult Director, Mrs. Phyllis Dalton Reid, saw her idea for an interesting, educational yet fun program come to fruition as a resounding success.

At a previous district Christian education mass meeting, she presented her idea to the District Director of Christian Education, Mr. Gilbert McRae and he agreed it was a good idea.

Mrs. Reid had selected nineteen mothers in the Bible and asked each local church Director to choose which mother their church would represent. So, on Sunday, April 28, 2004, @ 3:00 PM, the North Charlotte District, Dr. Wardell Henderson Presiding Elder, convened at the Caldwell Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church in Mt. Mourne, NC, Rev. Louis Hunter, Jr. Pastor, to learn about the mothers of the Bible.

Rev. Hunter and the church choir led a full house in praise, worship and devotion which included a litany for Christian Education led by Ms. Sharon Plummer, District Director of Children.

As Mrs. Reid asked a question about the mother, the congregation answered with the name and the designated mother would then present information about the mother in her own way. The “mothers” were dressed as they thought she might have dressed during that era.

 

The mothers were represented as follows:

 

Eve – Sis. Cynthia Bailey (Mt. Pleasant)
Sarah – Sis. Sherell Banner (Torrence Chapel)
Hagar – Sis. Annie Ellis (Bethesda)
Rebekah – Sis. Greta McConnell (Clement Memorial)
Rachel – Sis. Rogercarole Rogers (Little Rock)
Tamar – Sis. LaTonya Mason (Greenville)
Rahab – Rev. Anita Harvell (Union Bethel)
Naomi – Sis. Doreen McKenith (Reeves Temple)
Ruth – Ms/ Miracle Funderburke (Columbus Chapel)
Orpah – Sis. Natasha Durrant Mowing (Glade)
Hannah – Sis. Oneida Davis (Rockwell)
Bathsheba – Sis. Rosie Henderson (Hopewell) 
Widow of Zarephath Liturgical Dance (Wesley)
Dinah – Sis. Sue Purdie (Myers Tabernacle) 
Elizabeth – Sis. Ada Gaston (Torrence Grove) 
Mary – Sis Vera Noble (Caldwell Chapel) 
Eunice – Sis. Angel Berryman (Watkins Chapel)

The various costumes worn by the mothers added to their authentic presentations. There was a mime presentation from Columbus Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church, Rev. Jarma Chisholm is the pastor. Wesley AME Zion Church, Rev. Clarence Jones pastor, was represented by youth liturgical dancers who brought everyone to their feet in a standing ovation for their presentation of the Widow of Zarephath.

 

Mrs. Reid presented Mrs. Myrtle Henderson with a gift of love as the mother of the North Charlotte District after which she gave thanks and compliments to Mrs. Reid and all the women who portrayed the mothers of the Bible in an exemplary manner.

Presiding Elder Henderson thanked Mrs. Reid for the vision of this ministry and the opportunity it gave everyone to become involved. It was evident that research had been done to enhance their knowledge which provided the opportunity for those in attendance to learn more about the mothers of the Bible.

The program concluded with the Christian Education benediction followed by refreshments served graciously by the Caldwell Chapel culinary ministry.
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