Established: September 1991
Purpose/Mission Statement: The purpose of the fellowship is to have a forum for girls and women to develop spiritually, educationally and socially. Leadership development has also become a by-product of being a part of the fellowship.
Scripture: Psalm 86:5 “For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.”
Meeting Day/Time/Location: The Women’s Fellowship Ministry meets the 2nd Sunday of each month (except July and August) from 8:30-9:30 am in the Fellowship Hall. All women are welcome to come and be a part of this ministry.
History
The Fellowship is designed to bring young and seasoned members of Bethany together to address special issues related to females. All girls and women are part of the Women’s Fellowship. Active members belong to one of groups named according to various women in the bible.
The first organizational meeting of the Women’s Fellowship was held September, 1991, and the first director was Deaconess Sylvia Stubbs. Rev. Alpheus L. Bright appointed Annette Brown, Vivian Marshall Drayton, Janice Turner Johnson and Marilyn Wright to organize the Fellowship. The original group leaders were Deaconess Blanding, Bernadine Bright, Lenetta Key, Marilyn McCoy, Sandra Vance, and Brenda White (deceased). Sister Vivian Marshall Drayton has been the Fellowship Director since appointed by Rev. Alpheus L. Bright in 1993.
Women and girls are encouraged to participate and take on tasks and roles that may be unfamiliar. We believe that through Christ all things are possible. God’s goodness has protected and allowed many girls and women to face the challenges within our society. After coming of our August vacation month the Fellowship opens the September meeting with our Annual Prayer Breakfast. The Fellowship minister through skits, musical programs, Black History and Women’s awareness programs, wonderful preachers and teachers of God’s word, as well as inspirational messengers often found within our congregation. Once a year we host a special time for girls and women entitled “Ladies Day Out.”
During our monthly fellowship meeting, an excellent meal is prepared by Sister Sandra Green and the Breakfast Missionary Ministry. Sister Jacqueline Moore is always ready and willing to handle registration and in recent years, we have added our music coordinator, Sister Bettye Turner, who plays the piano prior to our formal program. The Fellowship is well attended with an average of 50-60 girls and women. Praise God for the Spirit of all that work so hard to assist this ministry.