Glory Fall 2020 | Volume 10, Issue 1 1 Fall 2020 • Volume 10, Issue 1 MorningThe Official Newsletter of the Department of Women Church of God in Christ Mother Barbara McCoo Lewis, General Supervisor | Bishop Charles E. Blake, Chief Apostle “Better Homes, Better Schools, Better Communities,Glory For A Better World” In This Issue P. 1 • 112th Holy Convocation Women’s Day P. 2 • Greetings from General Supervisor Barbara McCoo-Lewis P. 10 • The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel P. 11 • Education Committee Spolight • International Hospitality Department P. 12 • International District Missionary Unit (IDMU) P. 13 TH • Covid-19 and the Mask 112 HOLY CONVOCATION P. 14 • COGIC Women’s Book Club P. 15 • In Memoriam P. 16 WOMEN’Somen’s Day at the Church of St. Louis, Missouri. DAY A sisterhood from • Education Committee God in Christ 112th Holy far and wide, attired in pristine white • Projects W Convocation commenced promptly at garments, gathered, with prepared hearts eight o’clock on November 8, 2019, in and minds, to receive Morning Manna. Th e Dome at Th e America’s Center, in Th e focus for this Women’s Day, (continued on p.3) International Department of Women Church of God in Christ | Mother Barbara McCoo Lewis, General Supervisor | Bishop Charles E. Blake, Chief Apostle 2 Fall 2020 | Volume 10, Issue 1 Holy Greetings Beloved Saints! It is my prayer that you are thriving as you reflect on God’s goodness and faithfulness in this season. For many, this year (2020) has been an Holyunpredictable year Greetings filled with a myriad Beloved of challenges Saints! and new experiences. ItOur is naEon, my prayer our communiEes that you are and thriving the Body as of you Christ, refl ect as a on whole, God’s have goodness and faithfulnessexperienced both direct and vicarious trauma as a result of the Coronavirus in this season. For many, this year (2020) has been an unpredictable yearpandemic, fi lled civil with unrest, a myriad economic of challenges peril, school and closures new experiences. and heartbreaking Our nation, our communitieslosses. However, and in the the Body midst of of Christ, all of as these a whole, trying have experiences, experienced God both has direct and vicarioussustained trauma us and has as a raised result us of up—assuring the Coronavirus us with pandemic, his constant civil love unrest, and economic peril,presence that we are “more than conquerors through Him that loved us.” school closures and heartbreaking losses. However, in the midst of all of these trying experiences, God has sustained us and has raised us up—assuring us withIn some ways, we’ve had to pivot and adapt to new realiEes. How blessed we his constant love and presence that we are “more than conquerors through Himare as that members loved us.” of the grand ole Church of God in Christ to have a Godly leader, our Presiding Bishop and Chief Apostle Charles E. Blake, Sr., who has Inhelped some us ways, to strategically we’ve had navigate to pivot these and adapt unprecedented to new realities. Emes. Women How blessed of we are asGod members you have of courageously the grand ole learned Church to embrace of God in change, Christ you to have have seized a Godly leader, opportuniEes to grow. Many have taken advantage of technological advancements and virtual plaUorms, doubling our Presiding Bishop and Chief Apostle Charles E. Blake, Sr., who has helped us to strategically navigate our impact despite church closures and ministry shut-downs. these unprecedented times. Women of God you have courageously Others have become creaEve in outreach efforts, learned to embrace change, you have seized missions and in evangelism—building relaEonships and winning more souls in the face of obstacles. opportunities to grow. Many have taken advantage of technological advancements and virtual platforms, doubling our impact despite church closures and ministry shut-downs. Others have become creative in outreach Many relaEonships have been strengthened for the beXer as you have been paused to spend quality Eme with eff orts, missions and in evangelism—building relationships and winning more souls in the face of obstacles. loved ones in your homes. Parents and guardians have become informed advocates for their school-aged children due to sudden changes in tradiEonal school structures. Some of you have sharpened your business acumen in the Many relationships have been strengthened for the better as you have been paused to spend quality time with midst of an economic downturn. loved ones in your homes. Parents and guardians have become informed advocates for their school-aged children due to sudden changes in traditional school structures. Some of you have sharpened your business acumen in My the greatest midst joy of in an this economic season is downturn. that you have answered the CLARION CALL TO PRAY on every level. We, the MOURNING WOMEN have unified to intercede on behalf of our world, naEon, leaders and the Body of Christ, everywhere. My greatest As a result, we’ve heard tesEmonies of breakthroughs and miracles even in these turbulent Emes. joy in this season is that you have answered the CLARION CALL TO PRAY on every level. We, “What, then, shall we say in all these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” During these past months, the MOURNING WOMEN have unifi ed to intercede on behalf of our world, nation, leaders and the Body of we have learned that we, indeed, have the victory through Jesus Christ! We know God is in control and all things Christ, everywhere. As a result, we’ve heard testimonies of breakthroughs and miracles even in these turbulent are working together for our good…I believe the temporary distance has caused our hearts to become fonder as we times. “What, then, shall we say in all these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” During these past realize the value of those around us and the untapped gies that comprise the body, the Church of God in Christ. months, we have learned that we, indeed, have the victory through Jesus Christ! We know God is in control and all things are working together for our good…I believe the temporary distance has caused our hearts to become Oh fonder Yes, the as day we will realize come the when value once of those again around we will us be and able the to physically untappedreconvene gifts that and comprise resume the our body, Emes the of Church of fellowship and worship. God in Christ. Hugs, holy kisses and greeEngs are a part of the saint’s DNA. In the meanEme, let us conEnue to strengthen our relaEonship with our heavenly Father through prayers, fasEng and study of His holy Word. As ciEzens of the greatest naEon in the world I admonish each of you, your VOTE is your voice. The urgency Oh Yes, the day will come when once again we will be able to physically reconvene and resume our times of to vote in this elecEon is criEcal. History resounds with those who sacrificed their life for our right to Vote. fellowship and worship. Hugs, holy kisses and greetings are a part of the saint’s DNA. In the meantime, let us continue to strengthen our relationship with our heavenly Father through prayers, fasting and study of His holy Be encouraged women of God…...My prayer for you is His conEnued strength, courage and conEnued blessings. Let Word. As citizens of the greatest nation in the world I admonish each of you, your VOTE is your voice. Th e us together lie up with diligence our Presiding Bishop/First Lady -General Board members and all leaders of our urgency to vote in this election is critical. History resounds with those who sacrifi ced their life for our right to great church. Vote. I truly, love you with the Love of the Lord! Be encouraged women of God…...My prayer for you is His continued strength, courage and continued blessings. Let us together lift up with diligence our Presiding Bishop/First Lady -General Board members and all leaders of our great church. I truly, love you with the Love of the Lord! Mother Barbara McCoo Lewis Seventh General Supervisor International Department of Women Church of God in Christ | Mother Barbara McCoo Lewis, General Supervisor | Bishop Charles E. Blake, Chief Apostle Fall 2020 | Volume 10, Issue 1 3 International Department of Women Church of God in Christ | Mother Barbara McCoo Lewis, General Supervisor | Bishop Charles E. Blake, Chief Apostle 4 Fall 2020 | Volume 10, Issue 1 Empowered For Limitless Possibilities, was drawn from sermonic selection, “Safety,” led by the incomparable scripture texts Luke 18:27 and Ephesians 3:20. Using Dr. Betty Nelson further moved us into the presence the day’s focus to deliver the Morning Manna, Assistant of The Lord and positioned us to receive The Word Supervisor Joyce L. Rogers, Administrative Facilitator- from our Sainted Mother. Programming for Worship, delivered a word from heaven that fed our souls! Mother Rodgers emphatically Merely weeks following the transition of her beloved encouraged the crowd and online worshippers to “Turn husband of 50-plus years, God granted divine grace, Up the Volume” and share the gospel and goodness of strength, and anointing to His servant, Mother Christ! She implored all under the sound of her voice Barbara McCoo-Lewis, General Supervisor of the to: Use your power to talk; Rediscover the power of International Department of Women to stand before words and, The Word; Unleash living, activated faith; His people and proclaim the gospel with conviction and TURN IT UP! and fire! Mother Lewis developed her Annual Address entitled, “The Side Effects of Success,” based on the We paused to honor and remember our predecessors victorious conversations, and letters, emails and texts, and leaders who transitioned from labor to reward from her spiritual daughters who are moving forward since our last convocation.